Torre dell'Orso

Torre dell'Orso is one of the Salento peninsula's most celebrated sandy beaches, stretching for over two kilometres along a gently curving bay on the Adriatic coast, 20 kilometres east of Lecce in Apulia. The beach takes its name from an old watchtower — Torre dell'Orso, meaning Tower of the Bear — that still stands at the northern end and is visible from most of the shoreline. Two slender limestone sea stacks rising from the shallows near the centre of the bay are known locally as Le Due Sorelle (The Two Sisters), a landmark that has become the visual symbol of this beach and of the wider Melendugno coastal area.

The sand is fine and light in colour, shelving gradually into clear shallow water with a distinctive turquoise hue typical of the Salento Adriatic. The gentle gradient makes the surf-free shoreline excellent for families with young children, and the bay is sheltered enough to allow comfortable swimming even on light-wind days. Water sports concessions offering paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats operate through the summer. The beach is heavily organised in July and August, with beach clubs (lidi) covering most of the central stretch and charging approximately 20–25 euros per day for a sunbed-and-umbrella set. A free public beach area at the northern end near the tower remains accessible throughout the season.

Beach bars, restaurants, and a small seasonal village of stalls and shops line the road behind the sand. Evening aperitivo culture is lively here, with some beach-bar terraces staying open until late. Access by car from Lecce takes around 25 minutes; a seasonal bus connection from Lecce runs in July and August at approximately 2 euros each way. The surrounding coastline north and south of Torre dell'Orso connects to the wider Melendugno coastal path, popular with cyclists and walkers in the morning hours before the beach fills.