Alimini Lakes: Beach, Nature and Lakes near Otranto
A few kilometres north of Otranto, on the Adriatic side of Salento, there's a spot that keeps both beach lovers and nature lovers happy: the Alimini Lakes. A wide beach, shallow crystal-clear water, pine woods and two lakes just behind the shore. It's one of the places we recommend most often to guests staying at the masseria, especially families.
Looking for a base near the sea? We are in Carpignano Salentino, in the Grecìa Salentina countryside: a 1700s masseria with 6 independent lodgings, kitchens and a garden, about twenty minutes from the Otranto beaches. See the lodgings.
A beach made for families
The Alimini beach is a long stretch of fine sand with a gently sloping seabed: the water stays shallow for several metres, ideal for children and for anyone who'd rather wade in than dive straight into the deep. It's no coincidence that this is one of the most popular beaches for families in Salento.
You'll find long sections of free public beach alternating with well-equipped lidos offering umbrellas, sunbeds and snack bars: you can choose a "wild" day or a comfortable one with full services. At the height of summer, if you're heading for a lido, it pays to arrive early or book ahead.
Not just the sea: the two lakes
What makes this place special is right there in the name: the Alimini are two lakes. Alimini Grande, fed partly by the sea and therefore brackish, and Alimini Piccolo (also known as Fontanelle), with fresher water. All around lies a precious wetland: reed beds, pine woods, dunes and Mediterranean scrub that shelter many bird species, from herons to black-winged stilts, especially during the migration seasons.
It's a protected environment, rare for Salento, where nature takes over: here the backdrop to the beach isn't a row of buildings but pine trees and the scent of resin.
Wind and watersports
The shape of the bay makes the Alimini a favourite with windsurfers and kitesurfers too: on windy days the water fills with colourful sails, while on calm days the bay turns back into a swimming pool for families. Along the beach, in season, you'll find schools and rental points if you'd like to give it a try.
How to get there and where to park
From the masseria, in Carpignano Salentino, the Alimini are about a twenty- to twenty-five-minute drive away, following the signs for Otranto and then for the northern coast road. Behind the pine wood you'll find several paid car parks serving the various beach entrances; from there it's a short walk to the sand through the pines — already part of the pleasure.
In high season the most convenient car parks fill up during the morning: timing makes all the difference.
Practical tips
- Go early in high season: arrive by 9.30 and you'll find parking and a front-row spot without any stress.
- Bring your own shade if you choose the free beach: between midday and 4 pm the sun is fierce.
- No need for water shoes: it's all sand here. What you do need is plenty of water and sun hats.
- Pair your visit with Otranto: the town is just minutes away, perfect for the late afternoon, when the beach empties and the old town comes to life.
- Outside peak season (May, June, September) the Alimini are at their best: space, silence and a sea that's already — or still — warm.
A base inland, the sea within easy reach
Staying inland, rather than right on the beach, has an advantage many people only discover once they're here: in the evening you come home to the silence of the countryside, far from the coastal crowds, and in the morning you're still just twenty minutes from the sea. The Alimini are only one of the many beaches you can reach on a day trip from the masseria: a good reason to make this your base and swim in a different sea every day.