The best of them are even further south, at the tip of the heel, but here too you’ll find the same hot climate, incredible scenery, activities to suit all tastes and accommodation options from budget camping to luxury boutique hotels. All of this is within an hour’s drive of Puglia’s capital and close to its main attractions.
Beaches of Bari
«Not by bread alone» in relation to the beaches around Bari has a literal meaning: apart from the main town beach of Bari «Bread and Tomato», the whole Apulian coast is riddled with coves and bays, with sandy and pebble beaches, where people come for relaxation and photogenic scenery.
What to see in the capital of Puglia: Sightseeing in Bari
Giovinazzo.
The coast of the small town of Giovinazzo is the closest to Bari, just to the north. The beach is in a bay and consists of sand and stones. There are umbrellas, chairs and tables, a pier and a playground. Nearby there is a café with Apulian cuisine.
- The beach is free, there are paid lidos with tickets for 12 €. This price includes an umbrella and two chairs.
- Infrastructure: there are lifeguards on the beach, there are toilets and showers.
- How to get there: from Bari Central Station, take the Trenitalia train to Giovinazzo in 36 minutes. The ticket costs 1.4 €. Then walk to the coast.
Pane e Pomodoro.
The large city beach «Bread and Tomato» with a sandy coast and calm sea water is suitable for vacation with children, when you do not want to go far. The shoreline is protected from waves by high boulders. The beach for such a city is quite small, so it is always crowded. Before the trip I met opinions that it is dirty here — I did not notice it, the territory is quite well-groomed, although I was at the height of the season.
There is a free storage room at the entrance in a small blue kiosk. However, it works according to a peculiar principle: they give you a paper receipt, which is used to issue your things. This paper receipt cannot be lost or irrevocably damaged, so you should not go swimming with it.
- Price: admission is free.
- Infrastructure: there are changing cabins, water taps, toilet, several benches. There are lifeguards working on the territory.
- How to get there: «Pane e pomodoro» is located 30—40 minutes on foot from the center of Bari. You can get there by bus number 42 (Amtab). How Bari’s public transportation works



Polignano a Mare (Polignano a Mare)
This beach is one of the most popular in Puglia and the entire south of Italy. It has been awarded the Blue Flag many times for the quality of the sea water and infrastructure.
The water is crystal clear, the coast consists of white pebbles, there are areas with golden sand. On both sides are steep cliffs, from which young people dive.
- Price: you can limit your visit to the free beach of Cala Paura or Lama Monachile.
- Infrastructure: at Lama Monachile you can reserve an umbrella and a sun lounger, there is a water bike. Free toilet and shower.
- How to get there: from Bari train station there is a Trenitalia train every half hour to Polignano-a-Mare. The ticket costs between 2 and 15 € (sold in a machine). The train runs from 4:00 to midnight.
Aside from the beach, there’s plenty to see in Polignano. Here’s our guide here.

Monopoli
The world fame has led to the fact that on the beaches of Polignano in season there is nowhere to lay a towel, and the simplest hotel rooms cost from 100 €. A good way out is to settle in the neighboring town of Monopoli. Between it and Polignano-a-Mare is only 10 minutes by train, and the beaches are freer and the prices are lower.
From Monopoli and Polignano you can quickly and inexpensively reach the trulli town of Alberobello: a bus ticket costs only 2.8 €.
A detailed guide to Monopoli is here
Cala Porto Rosso (Cala Porto Rosso)
Fine sand, gentle entrance and clear water surrounded by hills near the historic center of Monopoli. The sea is not deep, suitable for children. All this makes the beach quite lively. The coast has been awarded the Blue Flag.
Porto Rosso is a public beach, but all facilities can be rented in town. There is a free parking lot nearby, from which it is convenient to take the stairs down to the beach.
- Price: free.
- Infrastructure: there are two bars where you can have a snack, indoor toilets. There are lifeguards working on the coast.
- How to get there: from Bari train station to Monopoli by Trenitalia train in less than an hour.
- Website
Capitolo
South of the town of Monopoli, the long sandy coastline along Capitolo is interspersed with rocky cliffs and ledges. It has been awarded the Blue Flag for its scenic views.
The coast is easily accessible by public transportation or by car. Several public and private recreational areas can be found on the beach. Close to the famous Zoo Safari park and the San Domenico golf course.
- Price: free.
- Infrastructure: none.
- How to get there: Trenitalia trains run from Bari central station towards Monopoli from 8:00 to 0:00. Travel time is 26—35 minutes. The cost starts from 2 €. FSE buses are less frequent.
Lido Santo Stefano (Monopoli)
A lovely sea bay with a coastline of rocks and sand. There are free beaches and private beaches — both to a high standard. The water in the sea is crystal clear. Small rocks protect the bay from the wind and waves. Nearby stands an ancient fort.
- Price: entrance to the beach 10 €, rental of an umbrella and two sun loungers 0 30 € for the whole day, parking 5 €. There are free zones.
- Infrastructure: there are umbrellas, deck chairs, toilet, shower, bar, on the territory there are lifeguards.
- How to get there: take the Trenitalia train from Bari central station to Monopoli, then walk to the coast.

Beaches of Brindisi province (Brindisi)
To the east of Bari lies the region of Brindisi. The city has its own airport and a major port, attractions and beaches.
Torre Pozzelle (Ostuni)
Wild and unspoiled beach with rocks and coves surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation. The sea water is nice and clean. The coast is only 7 km away from Ostuni (there are no beaches in Ostuni itself).
Torre Pozzelle is a stony beach, with some sand in some places. Nearby is a barely visible, half-destroyed stone tower built in the 16th century.
- Price: free.
- Infrastructure: none, you can park your car nearby, there is a cafe opposite the beach.
- How to get there: from Bari or Brindisi you can take the Trenitalia train from Bari or Brindisi to Ostuni in an hour, then take a cab to the beach. The cost is 5—6 €. The Marozzi bus from Brindisi to Ostuni takes 1.5 hours and costs 6.5 € per ticket.
Lido Morelli (Ostuni)
The picturesque beach is suitable for families with children because of the clear sea, fine sand and sandy shallow bottom that goes several meters ahead. There is a vast pine forest around — the Regional Natural Park of Coastal Dunes.
The water is an unreal blue color. Lido Morelli is public and crowded on weekends, but you can always find cozy corners in the high dunes.
- Price: admission is free, umbrella + sun lounger for the whole day 11 €, but you can not take them and just lay a towel. Parking is 5 €.
- Infrastructure: on the coast there are sunbeds with umbrellas, separate tables with umbrellas, bar and cafe, cold and hot showers, parking.
- How to get there: Trenitalia trains run from Bari and Brindisi to Ostuni. The journey takes 1 hour and costs 5—7 €. FSE buses take 1.5 hours. The ticket price is 5,7 €. Further 5—7 km by car or by cab.
Torre Santa Sabina (Carovigno)
The wild stony coast without facilities attracts with calm and clear sea. The beach is a natural cove with clear water and underwater grottos. Here you can sunbathe, swim, snorkel and explore unusual places underwater.
The coast is adorned with three Legambiente sails, the ancient tower of Santa Sabina is one of the three octagonal-shaped coastal observation decks. A river with a sandy bottom flows into the sea.
- Price: free.
- Infrastructure: none.
- How to get there: Marozzi buses run from Brindisi to Carovigno. Travel time — 1 hour, price — 6,5 €. Then by car or cab 10 km to the coast.
- Website.
Lido Specchiolla (Carovigno)
A small, quiet beach where white sand is interspersed with rocks. The coastline offers views of the Adriatic, jagged cliffs and the headquarters of the Naval Military League.
The sandy beach is perfect for a quiet vacation, but this coastline doesn’t lack for amenities. Nearby there is a restaurant serving fresh seafood and fish, clubs, hotels and campsites.
- Price: free.
- Infrastructure: none.
- How to get there: from Brindisi, Marozzi buses take you to Carovigno in an hour. Cabs and car rentals are available on site.
- Website.
Further south and east, the most hidden, most picturesque beaches of Puglia begin. It has its own Maldives, turquoise sea and snow-white sand. It is more difficult to get there, so there are fewer tourists — mostly Italians who know the best places of their country reach the tip of the Salento peninsula. Read about the southern beaches of Puglia here.
North of Bari there are slightly easier beaches, but if you go as far as the «spur of the boot» — Cape Gargano — you can find beautiful rocky beaches, grottos and islands that only the locals know about. And you if you read the article about the northern beaches of Puglia.