Alimini Lakes Beach near Otranto: Sand, Nature & Lakes
A few kilometres north of Otranto, on the Adriatic side of Salento, there's a corner that keeps everyone happy — those who come for the sea and those who come for nature alike: the Alimini Lakes. A wide beach, shallow crystal-clear water, pine woods, and two stretches of water lying just behind. It's one of the spots we recommend most often to our guests at the masseria, especially to families.
A beach made for families
The Alimini beach is a long sweep of fine sand with a gently shelving seabed: the water stays shallow for several metres, ideal for children and for anyone who'd rather not plunge straight into the deep. It's no surprise that it's one of the busiest family beaches in Salento.
You'll find both free stretches and lidos kitted out with sun umbrellas and loungers: you can choose a wild, back-to-basics day or a comfortable one with everything laid on.
More than the sea: the two lakes
What makes this place special is the name itself: the Alimini are two lakes. Alimini Grande, fed in part by the sea and therefore brackish, and Alimini Piccolo, which is fresher. All around lies a wetland rich in reed beds, pine woods and dunes: a landscape that's rare in Salento, where nature takes the upper hand.
It's also a perfect area for a walk, a bike ride, or simply to enjoy a sunset that feels a little different from the usual.
Wind and watersports
The shape of the bay makes the Alimini a favourite with windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts too: on windy days the water fills with brightly coloured sails. If you love watersports, this is the place to keep an eye on.
How to get there from the masseria
From the masseria, in Carpignano Salentino, the Alimini are about a twenty- to twenty-five-minute drive away. A few practical tips:
- Go early in high season: the car parks near the better-known beaches fill up by mid-morning.
- Bring something for shade: between noon and 4 pm the sun is strong.
- Pair your visit with Otranto: the town is just a few minutes away, perfect for the late afternoon.
A base inland, the sea within easy reach
Staying inland, rather than right on the beach, has an advantage that many only discover once they're here: in the evening you come home to the quiet of the countryside, far from the crowds of the coast, 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 in a day from the masseria: a good reason to make this your base and swap one stretch of sea for another every day.