As a continuation of my Italian documentation, let's move on to the best beaches of southern Italy! Beaches are always a good idea, especially in Italy. Do as the Italians do and go down south! If it hadn't been a suggestion from one of Stephan's Italian colleagues, I wouldn't even have thought about visiting the heel of the boot in Italy- Puglia! This is where you will find pristine limestone cliffs, white sandy beaches, hidden caves and an endless sea of turquoise waters. It's the perfect combination and can only mean a perfect summer getaway! Read on to see my list of best beaches to visit in Southern Italy.

Punta Prosciutto | Who needs the Maldives when you've got Punta Prosciutto? This beach is famous for its white soft sand and tranquil waters. This long stretch beach is special because of its high sand dunes that reach up to 8 metres within the water. This allows you to swim out to sea for miles and miles while still being able to stand upright and touch the sea bed. It’s just fabulous and a true taste of paradise. Accessible through many towns and cities in Puglia, we drove here from Lecce. I would recommend getting to the beach early and rent an umbrella from Samana beach club. Pick the one closest to the shore, it costs a little more (€2 extra) but so worth it!

Torre Dell'Orso | Named the Tower Of the Bear's harbour in Italian, This famed beach resort features a twin rock formation that sticks out of the ocean on the eastern side of Puglia. This popular beach has been awarded many times with the Blue Flag of Europe, and rightfully so! It has maintained a reputation for clean and crystal clear waters which truly doesn't disappoint. This place is easy to get to from Lecce by car with many parking opportunities. I would suggest renting a paddle slide boat to enjoy a cruise around the coast and admire the rock formations.

Grotta Della Poesia | Very close to Torre Dell'Orso is Grotta Della Poesia, which translates to Caves of poetry. Located in Roca is the most majestic sinkhole at the edge of coastline and it spans 100 feet wide! This hidden gem is popular for both cliff jumping and diving, providing access into the most beautiful natural pools in Italy. If you get the chance to visit, this is one not to be missed! Here's a tip: this place is slowly becoming more well known and popular among locals and tourists, so go early to enjoy the natural pool all to yourself! We arrived at 8am, and were one of the first ones to take a dip (or dive) into the crystal clear pool. We even brought some breakfast with us and it was one of the best mornings I've ever had just picnicking by the coast!

Polignano a Mare | Situated in the south of Bari is a small town that sits on the edge of the Adriatic sea. Walking through the lovely old town, you will find that the winding streets are filled with charming white washed buildings, beautiful cathedrals and various cafes. As if it can't get any better, the end of the town leads to the beach that is hugely popular among locals. It's flanked on two sides by cliffs from which many dive into the turquoise waters throughout the day until sunset.

These are a few of my favorite beaches while I visited Puglia and I hope this helps you plan for your next trip! Stay tuned for my youtube videos coming soon!Have you been to any amazing beaches? Let me know your experience in the comments below!