The beach at a glance
Rocky coast with small coves around the small harbour of Villanova and its castle, with free stretches and beach clubs.
- Type of coast
- Mixed
- Sand 159 m
- Rocks 4,011 m
- Man-made 20 m
- Length
- 4,284 m
- Seafront
- 80% free
- 973 m free249 m leased to beach clubs
- Water quality
- Excellent · classification 2024
- Off season: latest samples of the 2026 season
- ARPA bathing areas:
- VILLANOVA VIALE DOGNANAExcellentWed 15 Jul: within limits
- VILLANOVA LIDO FONTANELLEExcellentWed 15 Jul: within limits
- VILLANOVA F.CAN.LAMA ANTELMI 200 MT NORDExcellentWed 15 Jul: within limits
- VILLANOVA F.CAN.LAMA ANTELMI 200 MT SUDExcellentWed 15 Jul: within limits
1 more areas
- VILLANOVA DI FRONTE A "PLAIA RESIDENCE"ExcellentWed 15 Jul: within limits
- Blue Flag town
- Ostuni has the Blue Flag this year
About the beach
Around the village of Villanova, the seaside district of Ostuni, the coast is mostly rocky: over four kilometres of low rocks with small sandy coves, including in the Lama Antelmi area. There are free stretches and some stretches with facilities, and sand is always scarce.
The heart of the village is the small marina, overlooked by a castle of Angevin origin remodelled in the 20th century. Villanova stands near the route of the Via Traiana, where ancient Petrolla once stood: a document of 1299-1300 speaks of the land of Villanova «che prima si chiamava Petrolla» (which was formerly called Petrolla). For centuries its harbour was the port of Ostuni. In the village people stop for an aperitivo or an ice cream after dinner.
The car parks are a short walk away. On the rocks you will need water shoes. The coast faces north: north (tramontana), north-east (grecale) and north-west (maestrale) winds bring waves, while with east (levante), south-east (scirocco), south (ostro), south-west (libeccio) and west (ponente) winds the sea stays calm.
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
Sea and cavesVillanovaFrom the shades of the sea to the lively tourist port: the beach of
Villanova appears a few step away from the “white town”. Ostuni very close
Sea and cavesPorto di Villanova di OstuniOstuni's tourist marina in Villanova is enclosed between two piers with some berths for pleasure craft. Ostuni 1.4 km away
Beaches nearby
- MixedDiana MarinaLow rocky shore next to the small harbour of Villanova, with a scrap of sand and free access to the sea.Free Excellent water Blue Flag town Ostuni · Adriatic 2.1 km away
- MixedGorgognoloCoast of rocks and low cliffs between Villanova and Costa Merlata, with almost no sand and far from the car parks.Beach clubs Excellent water Blue Flag town Ostuni · Adriatic 2.3 km away
- MixedMonticelliStretch of low, free rocky coast on the Ostuni seafront, with no sand and no beach clubs, for those who love the rocks.Free Excellent water Blue Flag town Ostuni · Adriatic 3 km away
- MixedCosta MerlataCoast of low cliffs and rocks on the Ostuni seafront, with a few small sandy coves.Free · beach clubs Excellent water Blue Flag town Ostuni · Adriatic 4.2 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 – Ricognizione dei Piani comunali delle coste (A.D. 142/2025, SIT Puglia) (CC BY 4.0)
- Wikimedia Commons (foto: autore e licenza su ogni foto) (CC0, PD, CC BY, CC BY-SA)
- salentosagreeventi.it – luoghi (foto e testi già pubblicati) (come indicato sulle foto)
- FEE Italia – Bandiera Blu 2026 (dato pubblico (elenco dei comuni premiati))
- Wind forecast: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0).
- Photos: Leonardo D'Angelo · Regione Puglia
- Photos: Stefano Caldarone, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photos: Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Data updated: Sunday, 25 October 2026.