Villanova Harbour and Castle
Puglia · Upper Salento · Adriatic coast · Ostuni

Villanova Harbour and Castle

Ostuni’s maritime village combines a tourist harbour, a medieval coastal castle, promenade and fishing traditions.

What to know

Characteristics and practical guidance for a responsible visit.

Identity of the place

The harbour and castle are described together because the fortification explains the historic origin of the settlement.

Tip

Check access, signs and sea conditions before setting out.

Landscape and surface

Castle walls, quays, boats and sea views define the historic harbour landscape.

Tip

Check access, signs and sea conditions before setting out.

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Sea and seabed

The harbour basin is for navigation and mooring, not ordinary bathing.

Tip

Check access, signs and sea conditions before setting out.

Access

Reach Villanova from the SS 379 and explore the harbour village on foot.

Tip

Check access, signs and sea conditions before setting out.

Parking and services

Public parking is available near the harbour, but spaces decrease in summer.

Tip

Check access, signs and sea conditions before setting out.

Wind and conditions

Take care on wet quays, exposed edges and working nautical areas.

Tip

Check access, signs and sea conditions before setting out.

Recommended for

Coastal history, photography and walks around the harbour village.

Tip

Check access, signs and sea conditions before setting out.

Less suitable for

Swimming inside the harbour or assuming the castle interior is always open.

Tip

Check access, signs and sea conditions before setting out.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes, water and respect for harbour activity and private areas.

Tip

Check access, signs and sea conditions before setting out.

Images will be added only after direct verification.

Book a beach umbrella

Beach clubs and bathing establishments linked to this location.

Visit other beaches in the same seaside resort (Ostuni Marina)

Discover the other beaches and coastal attractions linked to the same destination.

Lamaforca Beach

The first Ostuni beach after the Carovigno coast alternates sand, low rocks and Mediterranean scrub.

Torre Pozzelle Tower and Coves

Five small coves, low rocks and a coastal tower create one of Ostuni Marina’s most recognisable natural landscapes.

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Santa Lucia Cove

A small sandy and rocky inlet in the Costa Merlata area, separate from the Torre Pozzelle coves.

Costa Merlata Beach

A jagged coast of small sandy bays and low rocks whose battlement-like profile gives the area its name.

Lamasanta Beach

A free coastal section of Costa Merlata also designated by the municipality for access with pets.

Gorgognolo Beach

A free natural cove with low rocks and small sandy areas, distinct from built-up Villanova.

Creta Rossa Beach

A small officially surveyed cove awarded Blue Flag status in 2026, east of Villanova.

Camerini Bay and Fontanelle

Villanova’s broad sandy bay, known as Camerini and officially surveyed as the Fontanelle section, received Blue Flag status in 2026.

Diana Marina Beach

A small sandy bay between low rocky stretches in the sequence of seaside settlements north of Villanova.

Monticelli Beach

A small fine-sand beach framed by low cliffs in the coastal settlement between Diana Marina and Rosa Marina.

Cappero Cove

A small free cove at Monticelli with light sand and low rocks sloping towards the sea.

Quarto di Monte Beach

A small golden, sheltered cove in the Monticelli area with a distinct identity of its own.

Rosa Marina Beach

The sandy Rosa Marina shoreline brings together the areas known as Pontile, Capanno, Lambertiana, Rodos and Cala.

Pilone Beach

A sandy beach with dunes and coastal vegetation, overlooked by nearby San Leonardo Tower.

San Leonardo Tower

The sixteenth-century Aragonese tower, also called Torre del Pilone, once marked the northern boundary of Terra d’Otranto.

Lido Morelli Beach

A long sandy beach protected by dunes and Mediterranean scrub in the Ostuni section of the Coastal Dunes Regional Park.

Fiume Morelli Wetland

Springs, freshwater ponds and historic fishing structures create one of the most valuable natural areas on the Ostuni coast.

Coastal Dunes Regional Park

A protected area of about 1,100 hectares and eight kilometres of coast where beaches, dunes, wetlands, ravines and olive groves link the sea with the Itria Valley.

Torre Canne South Beach

The final sandy section of Ostuni municipality before Fasano territory, awarded Blue Flag status in 2026.

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Services near Porto e Castello di Villanova

Choose a service and view all available businesses and information on its dedicated page.

Continue along the coast

Discover nearby destinations on the Adriatic coast of Upper Salento.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to help plan your visit.

Where is Villanova Harbour and Castle?
In central Villanova, between Camerini–Fontanelle and Diana Marina.
What kind of place is Villanova Harbour and Castle?
The harbour and castle are described together because the fortification explains the historic origin of the settlement.
What is the sea like at Villanova Harbour and Castle?
The harbour basin is for navigation and mooring, not ordinary bathing.
How do you reach Villanova Harbour and Castle?
Reach Villanova from the SS 379 and explore the harbour village on foot.
Who is the visit recommended for?
Coastal history, photography and walks around the harbour village.