Puglia is officially Italy’s favourite gay summer destination. It was voted the top summer 2021 destination in a recent poll of Italy’s LGBTQ+ community. It is also the confirmed favourite of top gay and lifestyle travel influencers the Nomadic Boys (they rank Puglia in Europe’s top 5 gay travel destinations after Sitges, Mykonos, Gran Canaria and Tel Aviv and Puglia’s D’Ayala beach in Campomarino as Italy’s top gay beach).
“Our gaydars have never been as confused as when we first hit the beaches of Puglia. Italian men (gay and straight) take good care of their bodies and have a lot of pride in what they wear. And we love them for it!”
The Nomadic Boys, The Best Gay Destinations in Europe for LGBTQ Travellers
With the longest coast of Italy’s mainland regions, spanning over 500 miles, Puglia sits between the Adriatic and Ionian with incredible beaches.
Italian men are style conscious and obsessed with waxing. Chest, abs, arms, legs…even sculpted eyebrows. Speedo style swimming briefs are the rule rather than the exception.
Torre Guaceto, Brindisi
Torre Guaceto is a huge nature reserve on our Adriatic coast lying to the north of Brindisi, not far from Ostuni. It is home to one of Puglia’s most popular gay and naturist beaches. But its secluded location means that it takes a little time to get there. Once you park your car, the gay section of the nude beach is still at least a 30-minute walk away.
Get there from the south side of the Torre Guaceto watchtower. Don’t pay attention to guides that take you from the north. This is even more cumbersome.
Our Torre Guaceto guide explains exactly how to get there from the main highway, with photographs of the road signs, routes and what to look out for along the way.
Our review
The gay section takes a little effort to get to. But over the summer months this is a busy beach, especially with locals at weekends.
The beach area is long and shallow with whiter rather than golden sand. It sits within an adjacent protected marine area where swimming is not actually permitted, though little regard is paid to this. However, drones have been known to fly over to police this.
You will notice a steady stream of guys walking in the direction of the tower to the three “rooms” to take a break from sun and sea. These are areas defined by the reeds and long grasses that extend out into the sea. When they are cut back they affording less screening and privacy than usual.
Facilities | none | bring your own refreshments.
