11 Best Beach Clubs in Puglia, Italy

Looking for the best beach clubs in Puglia? Here are my top picks.

With its dramatic cliffs, golden sand coves, and impossibly clear waters, Puglia’s coastline is one of the most stunning in Italy. Dotted along both the Adriatic and Ionian seas, beach clubs here range from laid-back lidos to stylish, design-led retreats, each offering its own take on the perfect seaside escape.

Living in Puglia, I spend much of the summer making the most of these beach clubs, from the glamorous shores of Savelletri to the wilder, rocky stretches of Salento. Over the last few years, I’ve visited countless spots up and down the peninsula, experiencing firsthand which ones truly stand out—whether for their setting, service, or incredible food.

This guide is a carefully curated selection of my best beach clubs in Puglia, places that capture the essence of Puglia’s beach culture while offering the best mix of atmosphere, comfort, and local flavor.

Lidos vs. Beach Clubs in Puglia

In Puglia, the terms beach club and lido are often used interchangeably, but there are key differences between the two.

Beach clubs tend to offer a more curated, high-end experience, with stylish loungers, private cabanas, full restaurant service, and often a more exclusive, design-focused atmosphere. They are typically places where you can spend the entire day, from morning swims to sunset aperitivos, with an emphasis on comfort and aesthetics.

They are generally more expensive where you can expect to spend around €200 for two people for the day.

Lidos, on the other hand, are more traditional and functional, catering to both locals and visitors looking for a simple, well-maintained setup with sunbeds, umbrellas, and basic facilities like showers and snack bars.

While some lidos, like Lido La Castellana, offer a stylish upgrade from the usual, they generally have a more relaxed, no-frills vibe compared to the trendier beach clubs.

Whether you choose a beach club for luxury and ambiance or a lido for a more local, laid-back experience, both provide an excellent way to enjoy Puglia’s spectacular coastline.

The Best Beach Clubs in Puglia

Calderisi Mare

Set along the Adriatic near Savelletri, Calderisi Mare is the beach club of Masseria Calderisi, offering a refined but unfussy seaside experience. With a private sandy beach—rare in this rocky stretch of Puglia—it feels intimate and relaxed, catering to those who prefer comfort and good food over a party scene.

The restaurant serves fresh, local seafood with a focus on simple, well-executed dishes like crudo, grilled branzino, and handmade pasta. Service is seamless yet unobtrusive, and the atmosphere remains calm even in peak season.

Unlike some of the area’s more high-profile clubs, Calderisi Mare still feels like a bit of a secret—one worth keeping, and while they prioritize bookings for guests staying at the Masseria, day visitors can often secure a spot with a reservation in advance, especially outside peak season.

Lido Bambu

Lido Bambu, the beach club of Masseria Torre Maizza, set along the Torre Canne coastline, is one of those long-standing beach clubs that locals and visitors return to summer after summer. It strikes a balance between laid-back and stylish – for me it’s a great mix of Med meets Tulum– offering a mix of sandy beach and rocky coastline, with well-spaced sunbeds and a breezy, open-air restaurant overlooking the sea.

The vibe here is livelier than some of the more exclusive clubs in Savelletri, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a bit more energy—think upbeat music, families, and groups of friends settling in for a full day by the water.

The beach itself is well-maintained, with shallow waters ideal for swimming, and the service is efficient without being overbearing.

For me, what really sets Lido Bambu apart is its restaurant, which I’d argue is one of the best beach club dining spots in the area. The menu leans into Puglian flavors—grilled seafood, fresh pasta, and simple, high-quality ingredients. A classic order for me is frittura di mare with a chilled glass of local white wine, best enjoyed with a sea breeze and unhurried afternoon plans.

Lido Bambu is more approachable than the high-end resorts nearby, but it still offers a polished experience. It’s the kind of place where you can just as easily spend the day lounging under an umbrella as you can sipping an aperitivo at sunset before heading off to dinner.

Coccaro Beach Club

Tucked away on the pristine shores of Savelletri, Coccaro Beach Club is where Puglia’s understated elegance meets barefoot luxury. Think linen-clad bathers sipping chilled rosé under thatched umbrellas, where the Adriatic shimmers in the background, and where long, sun-drenched lunches turn into golden-hour aperitifs without anyone realizing the time has passed.

I first came here, when working with Masseria Coccaro on a shoot, on a slow spring afternoon, lured in by the promise of impossibly fresh seafood and the kind of effortless glamour that defines Puglia’s best coastal spots.

The setting is immaculate: soft, white daybeds lined up on a private beach, a chic wooden deck shaded by billowing curtains, and a restaurant that takes its cues from the region’s rich culinary traditions.

The menu is exactly what you want in a place like this—light, seasonal, and seafood-focused. The crudo is exceptional, and the spaghetti ai ricci di mare (sea urchin pasta) is the kind of dish that reminds you why Italy is the pinnacle of slow, indulgent dining.

The cocktail list leans Mediterranean, with herb-infused spritzes and citrusy gin and tonics that taste even better when sipped with your toes in the sand.

If you’re looking for more than just lounging, the club offers boat trips along the coast and private cabanas that feel like a retreat within a retreat. The real luxury here is the unhurried pace of it all—the feeling that, for a few blissful hours, you’ve found a pocket of Puglia where time slows, the water is always the perfect shade of blue, and the only thing you need to worry about is whether to order another spritz.

Le Palme

If Coccaro Beach Club is all about refined glamour, its sister spot, Le Palme Beach Club, is the more relaxed, effortlessly cool counterpart. Located along the same sun-drenched coastline of Savelletri, this beach club—also part of Masseria Torre Coccaro—feels like a natural extension of Puglia’s wild beauty, with a touch of the masseria’s signature luxury.

Unlike some of the more manicured beach clubs along the Adriatic, Le Palme embraces a more rustic aesthetic—wooden sun loungers with soft cushions, straw umbrellas swaying in the breeze, and a laid-back energy that invites you to settle in for the day.

The club is built around a lush palm grove (hence the name), and from the moment you step in, you feel cocooned in a tranquil oasis. The private sandy beach is perfect for those who prefer gentle, lapping waves over rocky coves, and the setting is ideal for families, couples, and groups of friends looking for a more understated, yet luxurious seaside experience.

The restaurant is a highlight too, serving some of the freshest seafood in the region. The grilled octopus is exceptional—charred to perfection and drizzled with local olive oil—and the burrata with cherry tomatoes is a reminder of just how good simple Puglian ingredients can be. Pair it with a crisp glass of Verdeca or Primitivo rosé, and you have the perfect meal to accompany an afternoon of sunbathing and swimming.

Bagno Marino Archi

For those who prefer dramatic rocky crags over sandy beaches, Bagno Marino Archi in Santa Cesarea Terme is one of Salento’s best seaside spots.

Sunbathing platforms are carved into the rock, with ladders leading straight into crystal-clear, deep waters—perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The nearby thermal waters add to the area’s unique appeal.

The restaurant is good too, serving fresh seafood like grilled fish, linguine ai ricci di mare, and perfectly fried calamari, best enjoyed with a crisp local white wine and sweeping Adriatic views.

If you don’t mind trading soft sand for a more rugged, authentic setting, this is one of the best places in Puglia to spend a day by the sea and indulge in Salento’s stunning water.

MurMur Beach Club

MurMur Beach Club, set along the Ionian coast near Porto Cesareo, offers a laid-back atmosphere with a refined touch, making it one of the best beach clubs in Puglia. With soft golden sand and shallow, clear waters, it’s a great spot for those who prefer a more traditional beach setting without sacrificing comfort.

The club offers well-spaced sunbeds, private cabanas, and attentive service, but without the over-the-top exclusivity of some high-end resorts. The vibe is relaxed during the day, perfect for sunbathing and swimming, while in the late afternoon, it shifts towards a more social scene with sunset aperitivos and DJ sets.

The restaurant is another standout, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Expect classic Puglian seafood dishes, light salads, and well-crafted cocktails, all best enjoyed with a view of the Ionian Sea.

It’s an ideal place to spend a full day by the water, whether you’re looking for a quiet beach escape or a more lively aperitivo hour as the sun sets over the coast.

Cala Maka

Cala Maka, just a short drive from Ostuni, is my favorite beach club in Puglia. With its boho-chic aesthetic—think whitewashed wood, woven hammocks, and natural textures—it wouldn’t feel out of place in Tulum. But instead of the Caribbean, you get the unmistakable beauty of the Adriatic, with rocky coves and impossibly clear waters.

The setting is stylish but not overdone, with a mix of sunbeds, shaded lounge areas, and a relaxed crowd that leans more toward in-the-know travelers and locals rather than the typical resort scene. The atmosphere stays laid-back throughout the day, making it a great spot to settle in from morning till aperitivo hour.

The food is where it’s at at Cala Maka. Fresh seafood is the focus, and the sushi is some of the best I’ve had in Puglia. Whether it’s delicate sashimi, perfectly rolled maki, or a plate of grilled prawns straight from the Adriatic, everything is beautifully prepared and pairs effortlessly with a crisp glass of local white wine or a well-mixed cocktail.

For those looking for a beach club with style, a touch of international flair, and incredible food, Cala Maka is hard to beat. It’s the kind of place where one lazy afternoon easily turns into an entire day.

Nomade Ostuni

Nomade Ostuni is one of those places that feels like a secret, tucked away along the Adriatic coast just a short drive from Ostuni. It’s the closest beach club to Ostuni perfect for those wanting to escape the town for the afternoon.

It has a relaxed, bohemian vibe and emphasis on natural beauty, it’s more than just a beach club—it’s a retreat for those looking to unwind in a setting that feels effortlessly stylish yet completely unpretentious.

The atmosphere is calm and intimate, with wooden sun loungers, shaded daybeds, and soft, earthy tones that blend into the surrounding landscape. The sea here is typically clear and inviting, with rocky formations giving way to small sandy patches perfect for a swim.

Unlike the busier beach clubs in Puglia, Nomade has a more slow-living feel, ideal for long, lazy afternoons.

The food is good too, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients with Mediterranean and international influences. Expect beautifully plated seafood dishes, vibrant salads, and carefully crafted cocktails that make it easy to stay well past sunset.

For those who appreciate understated elegance, good food, and a relaxed, barefoot luxury atmosphere, Nomade Ostuni is a perfect hideaway on Puglia’s coastline.

Bahia Porto Cesareo

Bahia Porto Cesareo is one of the most well-known beach clubs on Puglia’s Ionian coast, and for good reason. The stretch of shoreline here has some of the clearest, most turquoise waters in the region, often compared to the Caribbean. Soft white sand, gently lapping waves, and a well-designed space make it an ideal spot for a full day by the sea.

The club itself is polished yet relaxed, with comfortable sun loungers, attentive service, and a lively but not overwhelming atmosphere. While it attracts a mix of locals and visitors, it never feels overly crowded thanks to its spacious layout. The water is shallow and calm, making it a great choice for swimming and wading.

The food here leans towards fresh, simple Mediterranean flavors. Expect seafood pasta, light salads, and classic beachside dishes that pair well with a crisp glass of local white wine. Aperitivo hour is particularly special, with the sun setting over the water and the day seamlessly transitioning into an evening of cocktails and music.

If you’re looking for a beach club that combines natural beauty, comfort, and a social but laid-back vibe, Bahia Porto Cesareo is one of the best on this side of Puglia.

Lido Santo Stefano

Lido Santo Stefano, just outside Monopoli, blends local charm with just the right amount of style. It’s not overly polished or exclusive, but it has an effortless appeal that keeps both locals and in-the-know visitors coming back. The beach itself is lovely,—a mix of golden sand and rocky outcrops, with shallow, crystalline waters that are ideal for swimming.

Unlike some of the more high-profile beach clubs in Puglia, Lido Santo Stefano maintains a relaxed, authentic atmosphere. The crowd is mostly Italian, giving it a truly local feel, yet the setup is chic enough to make it stand out. Sun loungers are spaced out for comfort, and the service is friendly but never intrusive.

The restaurant keeps things simple but well-executed, with fresh seafood, classic pasta, and light, summery dishes that make for the perfect beachside lunch. Aperitivo here is a highlight, especially as the afternoon sun starts to dip behind the medieval Castello di Santo Stefano, which adds a dramatic, almost cinematic backdrop to the experience.

For those looking for a stylish yet unpretentious beach club with a real local feel, Lido Santo Stefano is one of the best spots on this stretch of Puglia’s coastline.

Lido La Castellana

Lido La Castellana, set along the rugged coastline of Otranto, is one of the most elegant beach clubs in southern Puglia. With a mix of fine sand and rocky coves, it offers a more refined take on the typical Salento beach experience, balancing natural beauty with high-end comfort.

The setup is stylish yet understated, with plush sun loungers, white parasols, and a peaceful atmosphere that feels far removed from the busier stretches of the coast. The service is polished, ensuring a relaxed, hassle-free day by the sea. The Adriatic waters here are especially clear, and swimming between the rocky outcrops feels almost like being in a private cove.

The restaurant focuses on fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, and well-executed Mediterranean dishes. Light lunches and aperitivos stretch easily into the late afternoon, best enjoyed with a glass of local white wine.

For those looking for a more exclusive yet relaxed beach club experience in Otranto, Lido La Castellana is a perfect choice. It’s stylish without being over-the-top and offers a level of comfort that makes it easy to spend the whole day soaking up the Puglian sun.

My Top Tips for Visiting the Beach Clubs in Puglia

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Are you ready to experience the best beach clubs in Puglia? Let me know your questions and comments below, I’d love to hear from you.

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