Torre Guaceto

The basics

The Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve and Protected Marine Area covers more than 4,000 acres (1,800 hectares) of coastland just 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of Brindisi, so is an easy beach break or day trip from this busy port city. Join a guided hike or bike tour to explore the marshes and dunes by land, or sail along the coast on a sailboat tour—motor boats are forbidden—that stops for snorkeling and swimming in waters rich with marine life.

Things to know before you go

• Activities like swimming and boating are restricted to certain areas of the reserve, so check the map before visiting to avoid a fine.

• Lido Torre Guaceto has beach chairs and umbrellas to rent, a snack bar, restrooms, and other services. The other beaches inside the reserve are wild and do not have services or lifeguards on duty.

• There is paid parking lot that includes shuttle service to the reserve and its beaches, and from where you can renl bikes to explore the reserve.

• The reserve has a limited number of wheelchair-accessible beach platforms available.

How to get there

There is no public transport to Torre Guaceto, so you must reach the reserve by car or with a tour that includes transportation. Park in the paid parking area and take the shuttle to the waterfront, or rent a bike at the parking area and cycle into the reserve. Motor boats are not allowed to approach the coast, so you cannot arrive by sea, but you can sail through the reserve on a sailboat.

When to get there

This wind-swept stretch of coastline offers no shade and the temperatures soar in summer. Visit Torre Guaceto in the spring or fall if you plan on hiking or cycling along the marshes and coast. For a summer beach break, rent an umbrella at Lido Torre Guaceto or bring your own to provide shade on the free beaches.

Top things to do in Torre Guaceto

In addition to a day of sunbathing and swimming, Torre Guaceto offers a wide range of outdoor adventures. Water sports are limited to lessen the impact on the reserve’s ecosystem, but diving and snorkeling are permitted in certain areas for an up-close look at fish, turtles, and other marine life. Landlubbers can hike the nature trails through wetlands and dunes, stopping to admire the Mediterranean flora and observe herons, hawks, and other bird species. You can also rent bikes to cycle through the protected marshes and olive groves.