Cala Porto (also known as Lama Monachile), the beach at Polignano a Mare, is one of Puglia’s most iconic sights, wedged between steep golden buildings that seem to plunge right down to its dazzling turquoise seas. This is one for a quick photo and swimming stop though. It’s one of the most popular destinations in Puglia and the crowds far outweigh space on the small beach. But the view of the beach from the sea or the town can’t be beaten. The beach is pebbly and there are sun beds for hire but no other facilities.

The standout example of Puglia’s powdery white sand beaches is at Pescoluse. The area around Pescoluse is known as the ‘Maldives of Puglia‘ thanks to its expanse of shallow sea with a sandy seabed. Pescoluse is a seasonal resort town and there is paid parking close to the beach, near town the beach is free to enter but still lined with umbrellas. Head west along the coast and you’ll find plenty of lidos (beach clubs) with facilities like lifeguards, restaurants and showers. Some of these are well-known and pretty pricey.

Punta Prosciutto is a long sandy beach which is part of the Porto Cesareo area. Soft sands and shallow crystalline waters are the name of the game here. The beaches in this area could easily be mistaken for somewhere in Sardinia or Corsica. It’s backed by dunes and scrub giving it a wild feel, but there are holiday homes tucked away behind the dunes. There are paid parking lots or you can search for a space in the grid of side streets behind the beach. The shallow seas make this area very popular with families and in the summer months expect it to be covered with a sea of parasols. Most of the beach is free but there are a few lidos.

Torre Lapillo is another standout beach in the Porto Cesareo area. It sports a wide and graceful crescent of fine sand distinguished by a tower at one end. The water here is some of the clearest in all of Puglia. There are watersports on offer and more beach clubs here than at Punto Proscuitto, but also some smaller nearby bays to explore. Parking is in a large paid lot near the beach. The resort area is somewhat sprawling with plenty of accommodation but not much to it otherwise.

If sandy beaches packed with families and beach clubs are not your thing then make a beeline for the beautiful and unspoilt region of Gargano which is located at the top of Puglia. Somehow still undiscovered by international tourists, the Gargano Peninsula is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy. The steep limestone cliffs and deep vegetation are reminiscent of Lefkada across the Ionian Sea. Vignanotica is a stunning cliff beach with small golden pebbles, clear deep water, and dramatic scenery. A paid parking lot is available, or you can visit on a private boat from nearby Vieste. There are stairs from the parking down to the beach. During the summer peak, there are umbrellas to rent.

Dune Costiere is a protected wetlands area (it’s a Natura 2000 site) with miles of dunes, juniper trees, and ancient olive groves. It’s on the northeast coast of Puglia, a short drive from Ostuni. The park covers several beaches from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo. There are a few serviced lidos, particularly at the Rosa Marina end. These are generally less expensive and with more space to move than the popular beaches on the south coast. Towards the west end, you’ll find emptier wilder stretches of beach. There are trails within that can be explored by bike, on foot, or on horseback. Take a guided bike tour to try local cheeses and olive oils.

Zagare Bay is one of the most well-known locations in the Gargano region. The main beach is called Mergoli. It’s a short distance south around the coast from Vignanotica and has the same steep white cliffs and pebbles. Mergoli is known for its pair of sea stacks (faraglione) which you can reach by swimming. It’s also an amazing area to explore by kayak or private boat. Unfortunately, access is controlled by the hotel complex here. It can get complicated if you’re not a guest. If there’s space you might be able to rent a sunbed (not cheap). Or you can request a free pass from the tourist office of Mattinata. The adventurous may be able to find a hiking route down from one of the roads to the small public area of the beach.

San Pietro in Bevagna is a typical low-slung seasonal town west of Porto Cesareo in the Taranto province of Puglia. It has a 4km long public beach with fine white sand and turquoise seas. There is some interesting swimming to be had where the cold water of the River Chidro meets the warm sea in the summer. The area around the river is a natural park. For solitude, you can head west to Borraco or east to Specchiarica.

Vieste, a charming seaside town in Gargano, is home to a spindly finger of cliffs topped with whitewashed buildings as well as two huge sandy beaches. The 3km Scialara is the longest of them.  At the top of Scialara, you’ll find the gigantic Pizzomunno – a large (25m!) limestone stack that towers over the surrounding lido-lined beach. It’s named after a fisherman who, according to legend, was petrified by jealous sirens whilst trying to rescue his love. A road and promenade run alongside the beach with plenty of amenities and restaurants.

Torre Guaceto is a protected marine park on Puglia’s northeast coast, a 20-minute drive west of Brindisi. There are several islets, a tower, and a rocky coastline enclosing numerous sandy beaches of all sizes as well as 3000 hectares of scrub and dunes. The car park (around €8) is some distance away but a small train will shuttle you to the beach. Pay attention to the zoning because there are some areas where swimming is prohibited. Its proximity to the city of Brindisi means it does get crowded in the summer though.