Spiaggia della Purità / Gallipoli beach, Apulia, Italy

Spiaggia della Purità is located directly beside Gallipoli’s historic center, at the foot of the old defensive walls. It is a relatively small urban beach characterized by fine golden sand and shallow, clear waters. The seabed slopes gently, making it suitable for swimming and family use.

The beach is about 300 m long and takes its name from the Baroque church of Santa Maria della Purità just above it. From the sand you can see the island of Sant’Andrea and its lighthouse.

Gallipoli is a historic town located on the Ionian coast of Apulia (Puglia), southern Italy. Situated in the Salento peninsula, Gallipoli is known for its old town built on a limestone island and its long sandy beaches extending southward along the Ionian Sea. The town combines historical architecture with developed seaside tourism infrastructure.

Location and Access

Gallipoli lies approximately 40 km southwest of Lecce and can be reached by regional train from Lecce or by car via regional highways connected to the SS101 road. The historic center (Centro Storico) is connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge, while the modern town extends along the coastline.

The beaches are accessible on foot from both the old town and the newer districts. Parking areas are available near the main beach zones, though availability may be limited during peak summer months.

Access to Spiaggia della Purità is free. It is a public beach with no sunbed rental on the sand, but bars, kiosks and restaurants line the seafront behind it. Because of its central location, it gets very crowded in high season.

Water Temperature

The bathing season in Gallipoli generally extends from May to October. Average sea temperatures are approximately:

• 17–21 °C in May and 22–25 °C in June
• 26–29 °C in July and August
• 25–29 °C in September and 22–24 °C in October