Southern Italy Is Loaded With Amazing Beaches in Medieval Towns
Beach hunting is one of our favorite pastimes. While we appreciate all beaches, we have a particular fondness for those with soft sand and warm water. We also value easy access to restaurants, cafes, and bars. With such a wish list, it can be challenging to find the ideal beach. To our delight, we discovered several such gems in Puglia last year and Calabria this year. Even more surprising, many of these beaches were nestled within enchanting medieval towns brimming with character and attractions.
Here are a few of our top recommendations.
Otranto
If you imagine Italy as a boot, Otranto is situated on the back of the heel. Located approximately 40 minutes southwest of Lecce, Otranto offers a captivating blend of ancient Italy and vibrant beach life during the summer. The old town is centered around a sheltered bay, overlooked by the 15th-century Aragonese Castle and the over-a-thousand-year-old Otranto Cathedral, both of which are well worth exploring. Along the interior bay, you’ll find several soft sand beaches with shallow water, making it easy to wade out a considerable distance. Numerous restaurants and bars line the bay, creating a festive atmosphere and connecting the beaches. While the area can be crowded, the experience of soaking up the sun in this historic city is truly worthwhile.
Scilla
Scilla, located in southern Calabria, shares a similar layout to Pizzo, featuring a castle overlooking a long stretch of beach and dramatic cliffs in the background. The central beach is lined with restaurants and cafes, and the promenade curves around a promontory holding the Castello di Ruffo, offering a marina view with numerous seafood restaurants and local shops. This village also holds a place in Greek mythology as the home of the sea monster Scylla, said to reside in the rocks beneath the castle. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at Il Principe, exploring Scilla, and relaxing on the beach. Scilla is the first area north of Reggio Calabria with water not cooled by the Straits of Messina, making it ideal for swimming. It’s also a one-hour drive from Messina, Sicily, if you time the ferry correctly. These attributes made us fall in love with Scilla, leaving us wanting more. We can’t wait to return.
Crotone
Not surprisingly, the history of Crotone dates back to 710 BCE, when it was founded and thrived as a port city for Magna Graecia (the Roman name for the Greek-colonized areas of Southern Italy). Today, Crotone remains a successful port city on the Bay of Taranto, while also serving as a vibrant seaside community. The city features a delightful promenade along the waterfront, lined with beaches, restaurants, and lively spots to enjoy drinks with a view. Crotone’s ancient history is deeply ingrained in the city, as evidenced by the Castello di Carlo V overlooking the area between the old town, the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, and the bay. Built in the 9th century by the Byzantines to protect the city from attacks, the imposing castle has undergone various changes over the centuries and is well worth exploring. Crotone not only boasts a well-planned layout from the historic center to the waterfront development but also showcases a captivating blend of architectural styles from different eras, adding to the character and beauty of this ancient metropolis. Additionally, Crotone has created small bays and swimming areas along the beach, providing safe and fun spots for swimming and playing in the water. We visited in August and found the beach bustling with Italians enjoying the summer.
Gallipoli
Gallipoli’s Spiaggia della Purita is a hidden gem of a beach. Situated on the western side of the historic center of Gallipoli, an island off the mainland coast, the beach is nestled in a sheltered crescent bay. It’s the perfect size and easily accessible from anywhere on the island. The beach offers stunning views and is surrounded by excellent restaurants. The marina is conveniently located adjacent to the bay, just a short walk away. We loved camping near this beach, enjoying the breathtaking views, the relaxed atmosphere, and the impressive buildings that surround us in every direction.
Gallipoli also boasts long, beautiful beaches along the mainland, which are very popular during the summer months, especially around Ferragosto. However, we preferred the urban beach, allowing us to avoid the hassle of driving and enjoy the sun within minutes of leaving our accommodation.
Le Castella
Many beach towns in southern Italy boast a grand castle protecting their bay and village, but few are as impressive as Punta delle Castella, or Le Castella. Dating back to the 5th century BC when the Greeks built the first fortress in the area, the site has served as a strategic location for thousands of years. Legendary tales, such as Hannibal’s refuge during the final years of the Second Punic War, are just the beginning of this castle’s rich history. While parts of the ancient structure’s foundation remain visible and protected within the current castle, it was during the Aragonese period in the 15th century that the fortress took on its present architectural forms.
If this remarkable castle isn’t enough to entice you to visit this charming village along the Ionian Sea, the long, beautiful beaches surrounding the castle, along with the picturesque turquoise waters, should do the trick. The town is also enjoyable, with a pleasant elevated walkway above the water and numerous places to savor fresh seafood while enjoying panoramic views of the fortress and the sea.
Bari
Bari, the official capital of Puglia, is a bustling city, ranking ninth among Italy’s top ten most populated cities. The historic center of Bari is one of our favorite Italian cities and is easily accessible. The area boasts a major international airport, a central train station, and a large port with ferry connections to various destinations in Europe and North Africa. In addition to the charming medieval center, Bari also offers multiple beaches, including one within walking distance of the city center. While the sand at Pane e Pomodoro may not be as pristine as other beaches, it offers a lovely view of the old town and is conveniently located in the heart of the city. Other beaches in and around Bari, such as San Francesco, are a bit farther away but still easily reachable by bike or a short taxi ride.
Honorable Mention – Polignano A Mare
Polignano a Mare deserves an honorable mention on this list. Don’t get me wrong, this place is absolutely breathtaking, and the sight of the surrounding limestone formations, shaped over thousands of years to create a curved bay, is an extraordinary panorama from both the beach and above. The reason it’s not included on the main list is that it’s a rocky beach with larger rocks, making it more suitable for bringing your own chair. While we prefer sandy beaches, the amazing view and the charming town overlooking the picturesque bay with its beautiful water make it well worth a visit.