Torre Guaceto at a glance
Torre Guaceto is a protected stretch of coast in the province of Brindisi, between the municipalities of Carovigno and Brindisi. It is both a state nature reserve on land and a marine protected area at sea. The coast is about 8 km long. The land part covers roughly 1,100 to 1,200 hectares of dunes, wetland and olive groves, and the sea part about 2,200 hectares, down to the 50 m depth line. A square watchtower from the 16th century gives the reserve its name.
The marine park was set up by a ministerial decree of 4 December 1991, the land reserve by a decree of 4 February 2000. Brindisi, Carovigno and WWF Italia manage it together through a consortium. You can walk, cycle, swim in the permitted zones and join guided activities. You cannot drive in, and large parts of the sea are closed to swimming.
This guide covers the beaches and Punta Penna Grossa, snorkeling and the sea zones, tours, parking and the shuttle, and the towns around the reserve. Prices are those for the 2026 season and can change.
Our picks: tours at Torre Guaceto and nearby
The e-bike and snorkeling tour is the only one of these that starts at Torre Guaceto, so it is the pick if you want the reserve itself. The pasta class (in Ceglie Messapica) and the olive oil visit (near Ostuni) suit a day inland where the food is the main point.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
E-bike tour of the reserve with a snorkeling stop
- E-bikes included
- Snorkeling masks
A ride through the reserve that ends with a snorkeling session in the sea. Not for children under 14.
Check availability →
Orecchiette class at a masseria with wine
- Hands-on orecchiette class
- Apulian wine, cheese, starters
- Recipe card
You shape the pasta yourself and then eat it at the table. The masseria is in Ceglie Messapica, not in Ostuni.
Check availability →
Ancient olive trees and oil mill tour with tasting
- Walk among old olive trees
- Underground and modern mill
- Three oils to taste
See how the oil is made on a masseria near Ostuni, from the trees to the mills.
Check availability →Tours around Torre Guaceto, Ostuni and Brindisi
E-bike rides, olive grove visits and day trips in the area, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Torre Guaceto visit
Pick the page for the question you have.
Torre Guaceto beach
Free beach, lido or protected sea: what you can use and where swimming is not allowed.
Punta Penna Grossa
The sandy beach at the north entrance, the car park and the walk or ride in.
Snorkeling and sea zones
Zones A, B and C, guided seawatching and the seagrass meadows.
Tours on foot and by e-bike
Guided walks, bike trekking and the visitor centre, with prices.
Brindisi Airport and parking
Car, train and bus, the park and ride and what the airport bus does not do.
Carovigno
The hill town with its castle, and Serranova with the visitor centre.
Ostuni
The white town with its Gothic cathedral, plus the beaches on its own coast.
Brindisi
Harbor, the Roman column and the old town.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperatures and rain for Brindisi, and how the seasons fit your plans.
Where to stay
Carovigno, Specchiolla, Ostuni or a masseria in the countryside.
A few things to know before you go
Four points that save you time at the gate.
Parking is a fee, the visit is separate
For the 2026 season the fees are €8 per car per day, €4 per motorbike, €8 per camper and €32 per coach. That is a parking charge. The visit itself is free. The camper rate is not permission to stay overnight.
Parking and shuttle →Swimming is allowed in some zones only
Zone A of the marine park is closed to swimming. That includes the lagoon at the tower and the last 2 coves before the tower when you walk from north to south. Zones B and C allow swimming from sunrise to sunset. Local signs and zone maps decide.
Sea zones →The shuttle belongs to the park and ride
The reserve shuttle connects the car park with the entrance for people who park there. It is not an airport transfer. The airport bus runs between Brindisi Airport, the train station, the center and Costa Morena, and it does not stop at Torre Guaceto.
From Brindisi Airport →Serranova is the visitor center, not the beach
The Al Gawsit visitor center is in Serranova, a village of Carovigno several kilometers from the protected area. The car park for the beach is at the north entrance. Dogs, drones, motor vehicles and loudspeaker music are not allowed in the reserve.
Carovigno and Serranova →Prices for 2026
Fees and activities for the 2026 season. Reserve guided activities in advance.
| What | Adults | Children or reduced | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking, car per day | €8 | – | All day |
| Lido package, 1 umbrella and 2 sunbeds (June and September) | €35 full day, €25 half day | – | Lido open 09:00 to 19:00 |
| Lido package (July and August) | €40 full day, €30 half day | – | Lido open 09:00 to 19:00 |
| Visitor center Al Gawsit | €3.50 | Free under 6 | 1 hour |
| Guided walk | €12 | €8 for ages 7 to 12, free under 6 | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| Bike trekking | €18 | €15 under 14 | 3.5 hours |
| Seawatching, 15 June to 15 September | €20 | €16 under 14 | 2 hours |
For most visitors the plan is simple: park for €8, walk or ride the shuttle in, spend the day on the free beach and add a guided walk if you want to see more of the reserve. Take the lido only if you want shade and sunbeds. The details are on the pages for beaches and tours.
If the trip continues south
Other guides in the same series.
Many visitors combine Puglia with other parts of the south. For a longer trip, there are guides to Matera in Basilicata and to Capri. This site stays with Torre Guaceto and the places you can reach from it.
More independent southern Italy guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one region.
Calabria
Tropea, the Costa degli Dei, Pizzo, Scilla, the Sila and Aspromonte.
Basilicata
Matera and the Sassi, Maratea, Craco and the mountain villages.
Capri
The Blue Grotto, boat trips, Anacapri and ferries from Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
Torre Guaceto: frequently asked questions
Do I pay to enter Torre Guaceto?
The visit is free, but the car park at the north entrance charges €8 per car per day in the 2026 season. The lido, guided walks, bike tours and the visitor center are paid services. See the beaches page for the lido prices.
Can I swim anywhere in the reserve?
No. Swimming is banned in zone A, and swimming in zones B and C is allowed from sunrise to sunset. Follow the local signs. The snorkeling page explains the zones and the one guided exception.
When are the gate and the lido open?
The 2026 season started on 6 June. The gate of the reserve is open daily from 08:00 to 19:30 and the lido from 09:00 to 19:00. The last shuttle leaves around 19:20. Check the current hours and the end of the season before you travel.
Is there a shuttle from Brindisi Airport to the reserve?
There is no direct airport shuttle to the beach. The reserve is about 20 km from the airport. You can drive, or take the airport bus to Brindisi station and continue by car or taxi. The getting there page keeps the options apart.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs are not allowed in the reserve in 2026, and neither are motor vehicles, drones, fishing nets and music from loudspeakers.
Is torre-guaceto.com the official site of the reserve?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no link to the management consortium, the municipality of Carovigno, the visitor center or any tour operator. For the official notices, ask at the reserve itself.