Grotta della Poesia, a natural pool near Roca Vecchia, Salento

Beaches

Best Beaches Near Otranto, Puglia

The best beaches near Otranto: the pine-fringed cove of Baia dei Turchi, the natural pool at Grotta della Poesia, the twin-lake shoreline of Laghi Alimini, and the sea-stack bay of Torre dell'Orso.

Otranto, on Salento's Adriatic coast, sits at the centre of some of the region's most distinctive beaches: a natural swimming pool cut into limestone, a pine-forest cove reached on foot, a twin-lake shoreline good for watersports, and a sea-stack bay a little further south. This guide covers the four beaches closest to Otranto, each with a genuinely different character.

Grotta della Poesia

A short drive north of Otranto, near Roca Vecchia, Grotta della Poesia is a natural limestone pool connected to the sea by an underwater tunnel, often called one of the most beautiful natural swimming spots in the world. Diving in is prohibited, so access is via stone steps. - Best for: a striking, unusual swim, plus the nearby archaeological site. - Good to know: it's small and famous, so arrive early before the crowds build.

Baia dei Turchi

Baia dei Turchi sits just north of Otranto, a pale sandy cove reached only on foot through pine forest from the parking areas. The walk in keeps it feeling more natural than most nearby beaches, with turquoise water on calm days. - Best for: a scenic, less developed beach if you don't mind a 10-15 minute walk. - Good to know: facilities are minimal, so bring your own water, food and shade.

Laghi Alimini

Also north of Otranto, Laghi Alimini is a roughly 2 km sandy beach named for the two lakes just behind it, saltwater Alimini Grande and freshwater Alimini Piccolo, and it's one of Salento's best spots for windsurfing, kayaking and canoeing. - Best for: an active beach day, or families wanting length and space. - Good to know: paid parking here typically doesn't take cards, so bring cash.

Torre dell'Orso

A little further south toward Melendugno, Torre dell'Orso is a wide, sandy bay backed by pine forest, watched over by an old coastal tower and framed by two sea stacks known as the Due Sorelle. - Best for: a well-supported, family-friendly beach day with shade nearby. - Good to know: head to the eastern end of the bay for the best view of the Due Sorelle stacks.

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