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Torre dell'Orso – L08 054 Torre dell’Orso📷 Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0

Torre dell'Orso

Melendugno, Italy

Nature

A wide sandy bay on the Salento coast, guarded by a watchtower and by two limestone stacks known as the Two Sisters. Shallow, clear water makes it easy for families, though the car park fills early in high summer.

The beach at Torre dell'Orso, near Melendugno on the coast of the Salento, is about 800 m long, with pale sand and crystal-clear, turquoise water. A 16th-century tower rises above the shore; its name derives either from its bear-like shape or from the Urso family.

Out in the water stand the two sea stacks known as the "Due Sorelle" (Two Sisters), which resemble each other. According to legend, two sisters were turned into rock out of divine pity so that they would stay together for ever; the tellings differ on whether they drowned or threw themselves into the sea. Near the Grotta di San Cristoforo you can find ancient carvings.

Nearest town
Melendugno, Italy
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
40.2690, 18.4290

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Getting there

  • Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

Sources

Nearby

Grotta della Poesia in Roca Vecchia (Melendugno, Apulia, Italy)© andresumida · CC BY 2.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Grotta della Poesia

Melendugno, Italy
Otranto bauxite quarry – Cava di Bauxite - Otranto 01© Muzzudan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Oddities

Otranto bauxite quarry

Otranto, Italy
Basilica di Santa Croce – L08 069 Lecce, Castello de Carlos V, Burghof© Falk2 · CC BY-SA 4.0
History

Basilica di Santa Croce

Lecce, Italy
Parco Regionale di Porto Selvaggio© Cesare Barillà · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Porto Selvaggio

Nardò, Italy

Campsites nearby

  • Parco camper La TorreMotorhome stopover
    2 km from Torre dell'Orso
    MotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Oasi del CamperistaMotorhome stopover
    2 km from Torre dell'Orso
    MotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Agricampeggio MalapezzaCampsite
    2 km from Torre dell'Orso
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Area Camper Gran PashàMotorhome stopover
    2 km from Torre dell'Orso
    MotorhomesElectricityShowersWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Agriturismo FontanelleCampsite
    9 km from Torre dell'Orso
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Baia dei MiceneiCampsite
    15 km from Torre dell'Orso · 10 pitches
    CaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersDogs allowedWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Torre dell'Orso?

Torre dell'Orso is in Melendugno, Italy, at GPS 40.2690, 18.4290. It is about 15 km from Otranto.

Can you camp near Torre dell'Orso?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Parco camper La Torre, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 21 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

What is there to see near Torre dell'Orso?

Places worth a stop nearby: Grotta della Poesia (2 km), Otranto bauxite quarry (17 km), Basilica di Santa Croce (24 km) and Porto Selvaggio (41 km).

When is the best time to visit Torre dell'Orso?

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)