If you’re planning a family trip to Puglia, it’s likely that beaches are on your itinerary. But, there are so many to pick from!
Puglia has some of Italy’s most gorgeous beaches (along with Sardegna and Sicily), and they’re often given hefty nicknames like ‘Italy’s Maldives’ or spots on ‘top beaches’ lists.
If you’re looking for a beach for your family, Torre Lapillo may be a good pick for you. It’s next to the popular (and more crowded) Porto Cesareo.
Let’s take a look at Torre Lapillo beach, including:
- Why you should visit Torre Lapillo with your family
- Why you may want to avoid it
- The best time(s) to visit
- Our recommended bagno
- How to get there
- Where to stay
- Torre Lapillo alternatives in Puglia
- My main tips for a beach day at Torre Lapillo
This info is based on my experience and my family’s experience in Puglia. I’m a mamma of three kids and our family loves spending vacation time in Puglia. I’ve also worked in the region as a hiking and cycling guide.
Andiamo – let’s go!
You may also want to check out
Puglia with Kids
Family Beaches in Italy
Best Places to Visit in Italy with Kids
Fun & Memorable Things to Do in Italy with Kids
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Why Torre Lapillo Should be on Your Family’s Itinerary
*Gorgeous, clean, clear, turquoise water
*Shallow entry and shallow water for a ways out
*Soft, clean sand
*Other children to swim and play with
*You can buy inflatable toys
*Beach towns like Torre Lapillo and Porto Cesareo nearby
*Getting a first row at a bagno means you can see your kids well (the first rows are close to the water)
*Inexpensive bagno (beach club) compared to some other places in Puglia and in Italy
*The beach is long and doesn’t feel as ‘crunched’ as some Puglia beaches that are ‘stuck’ in small areas (looking at you, Torre dell’Orso)
Why You May Want to Skip Torre Lapillo
*It gets really crowded (though not as crowded as some other beaches nearby)
*Inflatable toys for sale (hard to avoid them as the huge carts are at the water’s edge)
Check out my Puglia beach guides
Torre Guaceto Beach
Torre Lapillo Beach
Lido Stella Maris (at Torre Lapillo)
When to Visit Torre Lapillo Beach
If you can, I highly recommend avoiding July and August, when the crowds will feel unbearable. It will be difficult to keep track of your children on the beach or in the water.
June and September are the best months to visit. Most Italian schools end mid-June (with preschools ending late-June). The school year begins again mid-September.
May and October can be swimmable months in Puglia, but it’s not guaranteed. We’ve had some blissful early October beach visits to Puglia, but note that almost all bagni close up by then so you may need to rely on public beaches (no access to toilets, restaurants, changing cabins, etc).
Our most recent visit was in the second part of June and our morning visit was pleasant and didn’t feel overwhelmingly crowded. I wouldn’t bring our family to Torre Lapillo in July or August.
Read more about visiting Italy in January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December.
Our Family’s Recommended Bagno in Torre Lapillo – Stella Maris
This is one of my favorite beach spots in Puglia because the staff here has always been friendly, helpful, and they’re great communicators when booking a spot.
We love Stella Maris for a day at Torre Lapillo because it:
- Has on-site parking
- Is big enough to have space but doesn’t feel huge
- Has amenities like a restaurant, showers, etc.
- Has front row loungers (prima fila) that are close to the beach (super important on a crowded beach like Torre Lapillo)
- Is gorgeous!
If you want to know more details about Stella Maris, including how to visit, check out Lido Stella Maris – How (& Why) to Book This Beach Club in Puglia.
How to Get to Torre Lapillo
While you can arrive in Torre Lapillo by bus, I recommend driving your own car (or hiring a taxi or private driver) to get to the beach.
The roads in the area are small, so expect traffic during the summer months – especially July and August. If you can, arrive in the morning so you’ll have an easier time finding parking.
Speaking of parking, I recommend booking a beach club with parking. This will save your sanity and time driving around looking for a lot or spot in Torre Lapillo. On our recent visit, we used the parking lot at Lido Stella Maris.
If you need to search for a lot, you can enter ‘parcheggio’ in Google Maps. Torre Lapillo doesn’t have a main lot or garage, so it’s best to look for a small lot. You can also park on the streets of the town (at the time of writing, there’s not yet a ZTL in Torre Lapillo).
Where to Stay if You Want to Visit Torre Lapillo Beach with Your Family
You can stay in town, in nearby Porto Cesareo (fun for families in the evening), in the countryside, or even in Lecce (only 40 minutes away by car).
We stayed at Masseria Zanzara, just outside of Porto Cesareo, and it was a great base for exploring the area. It’s a casual Masseria with plenty of space for kids, a swimming pool, easy parking, and green areas for playing.
Read about
Visiting Lecce with Kids
One Day in Lecce with Kids
My Main Tips for Visiting Torre Lapillo with Your Family
*Reserve your bagno in advance. Choose Stella Maris and ask for a front row spot.
*If you don’t want to buy an inflatable beach toy, talk to your kids about it before you arrive.
*Stay in the countryside and drive to the beach. Make sure your bagno has parking (Stella Maris does).
*Arrive in the early morning, before the crowds descend.
*Avoid visiting in July or August, if possible.
