Porto Cesareo and Torre Lapillo, Salento, Puglia
Gorgeous Crowd-Free Beaches On The Ionian Sea
Crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches are the main attraction in Porto Cesareo and its township of Torre Lapillo. Locals and visitors alike appreciate the shallow and tranquil water ideal for families and swimming, the natural beauty of the dunes along the coastline, and the local seafood. Italian is still the prevalent language amongst tourists here in the deep south of Puglia where prices are lower than further north. If you pick the right time to visit, you can enjoy these advantages without the crowds (please see details below*).
In the town of Porto Cesareo you'll find a small historic center with the flat roof houses typical of Puglia, an ancient watch tower, a
vibrant port life with fishermen bringing in their catch, and a weekly market. The public beach on the south side of town is kid friendly and popular for “walks” and chats in knee-deep water. Sunsets from the harbor are spectacular.
There are tourist shops, casual restaurants offering fresh seafood, pizzerias, ice cream parlors, several supermarkets, many B&Bs and a handful of 4* hotels. Please see my post about Ristorante Cosimino, the most elegant restaurant in town here.
Isola dei Conigli is a small island nature reserve. It can be reached on foot during low tide or by taxi boat from Porto Cesareo.
Torre Lapillo a bit further north, is even more relaxed than Porto Cesareo. Its long, fine-sand beaches backed by protected dunes
are amongst the most beautiful in Puglia. The gradually sloping seabed and calm, transparent water are perfect for beach activities.
Torre Lapillo consists mostly of holiday apartments and B&Bs. There are food shops, 2 small supermarkets, an ice-cream parlor,
street vendors, several restaurants focusing on local cuisine, plus a church.
Tourists preferring a place within walking distance to the beach choose an accommodation in town. Those wanting to try various
lidos or planning to explore the long stretches of beach in the area, will need transportation. There is a new bus line serving the lidos between Porto Cesareo and Torre Lapillo. If you are interested, please inquire about a possible schedule for the off-season.
A friendly fruit vendor in Torre Lapillo on a late afternoon, after most of the produce had already been sold.
Delicious local cucumbers rich in flavor but containing less water and seeds.
They are served throughout the day, often as a refreshing snack.
Lidos (Bagni):
People generally choose a beach club based on how shallow the water is and on the services provided. Families with small children
enjoy very shallow and safe water, while others prefer a beach with lively music and a club-like atmosphere. Most lidos offer music,
drinks, snacks or simple meals, a few run proper restaurants. All of them are equipped with restrooms and showers. You pay for the
parasol and sun-lounger, either for a half or full day (certain lidos will do full days only). The bagni outside of town have mostly free
and unattended parking. In late September of 2025 a parasol (ombrellone) with 2 loungers (lettini) cost €30 at a typical lido in Torre Lapillo. There are also several free public beaches without facilities or services. Please inquire at your hotel which lido may be best for you.
*Avoid The Crowds:
The area gets crammed in summer. Late May and early June are quiet, but only a handful of lidos may be open. The sea water
temperature rarely exceeds 20 C and is for the brave. From the second week of September onwards, tourism in Puglia will decrease significantly, but the water often still reaches 24 C or more: perfect! Beaches still get very busy on weekends, even in September, when locals flock to the sea. You can avoid the crowds then by limiting your beach visits to week days, and by doing your
sightseeing on a Saturday or Sunday. On warm days in early October you'll have the beach almost to yourself.
Mare Piatto -
Italians call this a "flat sea", typical for days when the wind blows from the north
There are days when the sea and the sky seem to touch
Do:
Visit the Marine Biology Museum in Porto Cesareo
Do the evening passeggiata along the fishing boats during sunset in the harbor of Porto Cesareo
Enjoy the weekly market in Porto Cesareo on a Thursday morning
See the ancient watch towers of Porto Cesareo, Torre Lapillo and Torre Chianca
Go visit the nearby historic towns of Gallipoli, Nardò and Santa Maria al Bagno, all very beautiful and interesting.
Sleep:
4*Vespucci Hotel, Hotels and Apartments in Porto Cesareo. Family owned and very well maintained. Elegant, contemporary design, swimming pool, restaurant (for hotel and apartment guests only) serving dinner including a delicious vegetable and seafood buffet, a 10 minute walk to the harbor: https://www.vespuccihotel.it
Enjoying the sunset in the harbor of Porto Cesareo
| Travel Date: | September 2025 |
Would you like to send me a message?
I would love to hear from you. Your comments will be kept confidential and will not be published.
