The beach at a glance
Rugged rocky coast below the lighthouse of Punta Palascìa, the easternmost point of Italy, as far as Torre Sant'Emiliano.
- Type of coast
- Rocks and cliffs
- Rocks 5,774 m
- Length
- 5,774 m
- Water quality
- Excellent · classification 2024
- Off season: latest samples of the 2026 season
- ARPA bathing areas:
- PALASCIA-AL FARO-ExcellentWed 8 Jul: within limits
- A SUD ISOLA SAN EMILIANOExcellentWed 8 Jul: within limits
- Protected area
- Parco naturale regionale Costa Otranto-S.Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase
- Natura 2000 network
- ZSC Costa Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca (IT9150002)
About the beach
Punta Palascìa, also called Capo d'Otranto, is the easternmost point of Italy, where the Adriatic is said to meet the Ionian. The lighthouse of 1867 watches over almost six kilometres of rocky coast, as far as the island and tower of Sant'Emiliano, and many people come here to see the sunrise.
It is a rugged coast and not very suitable for swimming: the rocky ridges drop sheer into a deep, intensely blue sea, ideal for diving and boat trips from Otranto. At the foot of Torre Sant'Emiliano, on a rocky spur, you can swim, but access is difficult and the water gets deep straight away: it is not a place for children, and for the steep paths through the scrub you will need suitable shoes. The area is in the Costa Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase regional nature park, where protection rules apply. It is part of the Costa Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca Natura 2000 site.
The nearest car park is about one and a half kilometres away: the rest is on foot. The coast faces south-east: with north (tramontana), north-east (grecale), south-west (libeccio), west (ponente) and north-west (maestrale) winds it is sheltered, with east (levante), south-east (scirocco) and south (ostro) winds the sea gets rough.
On the map
Stretch of beach
Events nearby
In the coming days within 5 km.
No events within 5 km in the coming days.
Things to see nearby
Castles, towers and palacesFaro di Punta PalascìaCharming building located overlooking the sea in the territory of Otranto,
in the most geographically eastern location of Italy Otranto 1.3 km away
Sea and cavesPunta Palascìa and Torre Sant'EmilianoIn the easternmost point of Italy, the lighthouse of Punta Palascìa, stands
out on a rocky spur, which overlooks the intense blue sea, while at the
feet of Torre Sant’Emiliano, one can dive in the blue sea. Otranto 1.5 km away
Sea and cavesPorto BadiscoThe nice small beach of Porto Badisco, nestled amid the cliffs and the
yellow brooms, is the perfect place to dive in the crystal clear sea and to
taste the delicious sea-urchins. Otranto 3.1 km away
Beaches nearby
- Rocks and cliffsPorto BadiscoDeep inlet between rocks and broom with a small beach in the middle, where legend has it that Aeneas landed.Beach clubs Excellent water Protected area Otranto · Adriatic 3 km away
Rocks and cliffsBaia delle OrteWild coast of low rocks south of Otranto, with pine wood, freshwater springs and the bauxite quarry, in the coastal park.Free Excellent water Protected area Otranto · Adriatic 3.6 km away
Rocks and cliffsTorre MinervinoHigh rocky coast between Porto Badisco and Santa Cesarea, with no beaches, guarded by Torre Minervino and Torre Specchia di Guardia.Free Excellent water Protected area Santa Cesarea Terme · Adriatic 5.7 km away
SandOtrantoTown coast of rocks and small sandy beaches, from the Castellana to the Gradoni beach, near the Idro channel.Free · 5 beach clubs Excellent water Natura 2000 Otranto · Adriatic 6.2 km away
Sources and licences
The data comes from public sources; before swimming check the signs and the town’s bathing ordinances.
- ARPA Puglia – Monitoraggio delle acque di balneazione (CC BY 4.0)
- Regione Puglia – Aree di balneazione e classificazione 2024 (CC BY 4.0)
- Regione Puglia – Piano Regionale delle Coste (SIT Puglia) (CC BY 4.0)
- © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0)
- Regione Puglia – Parchi e riserve naturali (rev. 11/2022) (CC BY 4.0)
- Regione Puglia – Perimetrazione dei siti Natura 2000 (12/2023) (CC BY 4.0)
- Wikimedia Commons (foto: autore e licenza su ogni foto) (CC0, PD, CC BY, CC BY-SA)
- Wind forecast: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0).
- Photos: Pierfrancesco Prudentino, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: Daniel Ventura, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: Pierfrancesco Prudentino, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: Pierfrancesco Prudentino, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: Pierfrancesco Prudentino, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: Domenico Marrano, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: NandoRug, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: Floliva, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: Pierfrancesco Prudentino, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: NandoRug, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Data updated: Sunday, 25 October 2026.