Blue Flag Celebration in San Cataldo
The Blue Flag in San Cataldo ensures quality, accessibility, and excellent services for everyone.
Maybe this story won't tell you where to go. For that, Google or Tripadvisor is enough. Instead, it explains how living in the same place changes over time.
In recent years, I've rented a house in San Cataldo, mainly for convenience. Arriving at Brindisi AirportBrindisi Airport, you get there quickly and start your vacation without wasting a day traveling.
I'm talking about the 2024 experience. It was a simple place, not fancy, used more as a base than a vacation spot. It was handy for biking, going to the beach without much planning, and visiting Lecce when we wanted some city life.
San Cataldo seemed more functional than charming back then. I saw it got the Blue Flag again this year, in 2026, first awarded in 2024. This award fits with some positives I noticed: clean water, basic services, easy access.
Since my wife and I love free beaches, this year I chose to go elsewhere. I looked for less developed, less crowded beaches. San Cataldo is still convenient, especially as a base, but it's not the peaceful sea I seek when I want to truly relax.
One habit I still associate with that area is breakfast at Lido Turrisi, under the lighthouse. It's a simple spot, no frills, where you can stop early and watch the sea before the day picks up pace.
San Cataldo getting the Blue Flag again in 2026 isn't isolated. In recent years, the Lecce coast has seen more awarded spots, especially along the Adriatic side. Places like the marinas of Melendugno, from San Foca to Torre dell'Orso, and Torre Specchia Ruggeri, are now regularly recognized for water quality and management standards.
That said, over time I've realized the Blue Flag is just a starting point for me. It says the sea is clean, but it doesn't tell you how a beach really feels. It doesn't mention crowding, how built-up it is, or how much space is left for your towel without feeling cramped.
That's why, even though I often start from San Cataldo, I choose to go to Torre Specchia Ruggeri now. There, I find what I'm looking for: free beaches, fewer structures, less noise. The sea is clean, the setting is more natural, and the vibe is simple, mostly local.
There's also a practical aspect that has influenced my choices over time: the real costs of a day at the beach in San Cataldo. Prices vary by season and establishment, but usually, two sunbeds and an umbrella cost 15 to 25 euros. In high season, though, prices can exceed 40 euros.
I went in August, with a friend. Between the beach club and parking, I spent 50 euros by day's end, not counting lunch. It's not an outrageous amount, but repeated over days, it makes you consider other options.
Also, I've seen places selling "gourmet" Friselle for up to 10€, which is a bit much!
This is where comparing with free beaches like Torre Specchia Ruggeri feels natural. Fewer services, true, but also fewer fixed costs and less of an "organized day" vibe. In the long run, it's not just about the sea, but how you want to spend your time.
San Cataldo still has its strengths, and I get why many like it. But when I really want to unwind, I prefer driving a bit further to where the sea feels less filtered.
