Lido Santo Stefano, Monopoli

In a fabulous position, next to the castle of Santo Stefano – an ancient settlement dating back to the year 1000 which was later fortified by the Knights of Malta to become a strategic naval base – and facing a bay with crystal-clear waters and a sandy seabed, you’ll find Lido Santo Stefano, open for over thirty years and catering to a largely seasonal clientele. Besides its location, its strengths lie in the services it offers its guests, from parking to the availability of a pine grove with a relaxation area and the possibility of having takeaway lunch by buying dishes at the beach bar kiosk, to a children’s playground. Restaurant service is provided only at lunch and among the dishes you’ll find breaded and fried caciocavallo cheese balls, cavatelli with seafood, tuna tataki in crispy breadcrumbs, artisanal gelato and a selection of Pugliese cheeses. The takeaway menu instead includes salads, sandwiches, club sandwiches and frisellone. The wine list features about thirty wines from Puglia, the rest of Italy and France, and some cocktails including the signature Mandorlito. The beach setups consist of an umbrella and two loungers with mattresses. The prices for a day spent here are quite high but the space between umbrellas guarantees guests’ privacy.