“Beaches on Puglia’s Ionian coast have more than a hint of the Seychelles, with multihued water and soft white sand.”
40 of the best beaches in Europe, The Guardian 30 April 2022
One of Puglia’s most beautiful and most popular beaches. Punta della Suina is part of a larger coastal nature reserve located in the lower half of the Bay of Gallipoli, a crescent shaped bay extending from Gallipoli to Punta Pizzo.
In 2022 it was one of only five Italian beaches to be included in the list of 40 of the best beaches in Europe.
Soft sandy stretches of private and public beach are peppered by rocky coves and Mediterranean scrub. Access is from the pine wood that runs the length of the bottom half of the bay.
Locals variously refer to Punta della Suina to include the Punta della Suina bar and lido with its beach loungers and umbrellas for hire, the smaller public Spiaggia di Punta della Suina beach immediately to the north and the longer stretch of beach adjacent to the pine forest beyond (which includes the main gay and naturist clothing optional section).
Punta della Suina bar and lido
A busy lido, especially in August, with bar facilities. Both are relatively expensive, reflecting the popularity of this beach. Peak 2022 prices ranged from 40 – 55€ for the hire of two sun-beds and an umbrella, in addition to the 5 – 7€ parking fee.
For those accessing the free beaches either side of the lido, the bar is open to the public.
Punta della Suina public beach
Public beaches lie immediately to the north of the lido (Spiaggia di Punta della Suina) and the south of the lido extending down to Spiaggia di Punta Pizzo.
Spiaggia di Punta della Suina gay and naturist beach
Punta della Suina was voted Italy’s top gay/LGBTQ+ friendly beach by Italy’s LGBTQ+ community in 2021. It also came top in our Best of Puglia 2020 survey, ahead of our personal favorite D’Ayala beach.
The gay beach is accessed from the main car park via the pine wood. Take the G*Beach pathway (but avoid G*Beach lido and bar; although some LGBTQIA+ guides still recommend them, the bar is no longer considered LGBTQIA+ friendly following the reporting of two alleged homophobic incidents).
The gay section is around a 10 minute walk in the direction of Gallipoli, located between Spiaggia di Punta della Suina and Spiaggia degli Innamorati. You will know it when you get there.
The gay and naturist beach consists mainly of rocky shelves and (some semi-obscured) coves. The shade of the adjacent pine wood is popular.
How to get there
Exit the SS274 highway at the Punta Pizzo junction. Follow the SP221 onto the SP215. A sandy track leads off the SP125 towards the main car park.
Parking costs 5€ rising to 7€ during the August peak (2022 pricing).
From the car park walk towards the wood and take one of the designated entrances, following the pathways (bearing in mind the beach is within a nature reserve).
Alternatively, for the gay and naturist beach, turn up onto the SP239 towards Spiaggia degli Innamorati. You may be able to find some parking on the side of the road, or in one of the smaller car park areas.
A 2021 poll of Italy’s LGBTQIA+ community voted Gallipoli’s Punta della Suina beach (in the Puglia region) Italy’s favorite gay beach.