23/05/2024: This was a highly pleasant surprise. You don't expect this level of quality food right on the beach. We shared several dishes, all seafood based and everything was incredibly fresh and tasty. Just what was needed for a light lunch. Staff were very friendly, relaxed and attentive. Would highly recommend
26/03/2024: We found this beach by specifically looking for a less crowded beach, as it was a Saturday in July. The location is just outside the town center and can be reached in a few minutes by car from Torre dell'orso. Paid parking costs €5 per day. Continuing on the right from the car park, you will find the San Basilio lido with the restaurant and bar, where you can rent an umbrella and two deckchairs for €25 (July price), starting from the third row. Don't be fooled if you see the beach half-empty in the morning: many people book umbrellas in advance to arrive calmly even after lunch. However, all in all, since the sea is so clear, it is a well-served and less crowded beach than the others. The sea is splendid. We found the day to be windy so the sea was a little rough, but as the water was shallow and the seabed was white sand, the water was still transparent. The cold shower costs 50 cents. Right, because this way you don't waste water rinsing the games and you don't create waiting lines. The "San Basilio" restaurant offers a wide choice of fish dishes and local wines. While waiting for the dishes, I recommend taking an appetizer of battered vegetables (a crunchy delight of various vegetables with a light lemon aftertaste). We took a vegetable appetizer, two linguine with clams and bottarga, a sea bream in a potato crust with spinach, 2 waters, the Chardonnay white wine "Tormaresca", a portion of watermelon, coffee, grappa for two and we spent the total for lunch €99. In my opinion, it's right, without exaggerating, considering in addition to the good quality, also the very fast service and without much waiting.
Among other things, the owner kindly offered us two correct coffees at the end (we had already paid the bill and had stayed a little longer).
I update my review: after a few days that we toured the beautiful beaches of Salento (Alimini, Baia dei Turchi, Due Sorelle), I confirm my review in full: it is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches of Salento on the Adriatic Sea (in my opinion also the best), where you will find the clear sea, the well-kept and clean beach, with the restaurant overlooking the sea and very good cuisine. There is also a massage service and holistic treatments. A cabin next to the restaurant, where you can enjoy one of the treatments of your choice.
I also liked the fact that it is one of the few beaches that remains a bit "simple", in the sense that there is no entertainment with animation etc.. truly relaxing!
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