Puglia is a beautiful region of the world and we found it best to discover all the region had to offer via a road trip. We scoured maps, blogs, and travel books to craft our family adventure, carefully choosing between remote beach coasts for secluded adventure and established beach clubs (Lidos) for max relaxation. Our road trip started outside of Bari and followed the Adriatic Sea to the far southern top of Italy. We then curved back up North along the Ionian sea towards a small beach town outside of Nardo.

First Leg of the Road Trip: Bari to Otranto

Heading south, our first stop was the Cave of Poetry. Grotta della Poesia in Italian, is a stunning natural cave near Roca Vecchia and is famous for its clear, turquoise waters and is a popular spot for swimming and diving. Check with the area staff to see if swimming is being allowed, as it was closed at the time of our visit. The second stop was at Faraglioni di Sant'Andrea (in the province of Lecce).

Cliff Jumping in Puglia — *Cliff Jumping at Sant’Andrea*

The Faraglioni di Sant'Andrea are dramatic sea stacks off the coast of Melendugno, offering breathtaking views and a picturesque coastline. Find a spot to swim and dive in the sea. My daughter and I spent hours here jumping off the cliffs, snorkeling, and admiring the dramatic landscape. We continued to the coastal town of Otranto where we finished the day at a relaxing beach club (Lido La Castellana) near our hotel. A lovely dinner in a charming alley inside the fortress walls, and it was a perfect first day of our road trip.

Second Leg of the Road Trip: Otranto to Santa Maria de Leuca

*Driving map from Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca*

There are so many different attractions on this route and why it is such a popular road trip destination. We had eight different stops mapped out and ended up skipping some of the sites because we ran out of time. The first stop was Spiaggia di Porto Miggiano a beautiful, secluded beach near Santa Cesarea Terme known for its clear waters and scenic views, perfect for a tranquil beach day. After much swimming and snorkeling, we headed to a beach club to have lunch, soak in some sun and do some more swimming.

Bagno Marino Archi is a seaside Lido establishment, offering a relaxing environment with easy access to the sea and excellent facilities. No sand, but plenty of fun and relaxation with good food and drink selection. We had four more stops planned before we reached the southern tip of Italy and had to adjust. We opted for a location that would be easier for my son (six years old) to enjoy. We went to Marina Serra near Tricase Porto. Marina Serra is a charming coastal area offering picturesque landscapes, clear waters, and a serene atmosphere. A perfect swimming hole for the family. We decided against Grotta Zinzulusa, Cala dell’Acquaviva and Il Ciolo. If we had more time, these spots would have been a certain stop. Catte dell’Aquaviva looked so relaxing (although a bit crowded) and Il Ciolo had some of the most dramatic cliffs we had seen.

*Relaxing family swim spot at Marina Serra*

This road trip was one of our favorite parts of our ten-day trip in Italy. Bari to Otranto was a bit of a drive, but to get to the more secluded parts of southern Puglia it was worth it. From Otranto to Santa Maria de Leuca was much shorter and each drive was only about 30 minutes per part.

If you want to take your family on an awesome trip, I highly recommend this route and you can adjust your exact spots along the way!

For more details - check out my book “Cliff Diving with Kids: A Family Adventure Through Puglia and Southern Italy”.

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