Torre dell'Orso, Melendugno: what the photos don't tell you
Short answer: Sand beach facing north-east. Mid-July: Direct sun on the sand from 05:40 to 19:40, 37 min before sunset, when the sun drops behind the hills: 14 h of sun in all.
Puglia and Salento.
Thu 15 July 2027
Sun on the sand 05:40–19:40
Direct sun on the sand from 05:40 to 19:40, 37 min before sunset, when the sun drops behind the hills: 14 h of sun in all. Sunset at sea level: 20:17.
Each block is half an hour from 05:00 to 22:00. sun on the beach · sun up but behind the cliffs or hills · sun down.
Reality check
- Surface
- Sand (OpenStreetMap)
- Water shoes
- Not needed for the sand itself. Rocks at either end may have sea urchins. (From the surface)
- Climb back up
- Nearest public car park 300 m away, 11 m up, about 60 steps or a steep path: about 7 min on foot. Bus stop 260 m, 10 m up, about 60 steps or a steep path. (Elevation model + OpenStreetMap)
- Beach clubs and free sand
- 6 beach clubs with paid sunbeds mapped on this beach (Lido L'Orsetta, Cala Marin, Baia d'Oriente, La Cueva). Expect the free strip to be small and full by mid-morning in July and August. (OpenStreetMap)
- Natural shade
- Open beach: full sun from morning to evening, no natural shade from the terrain. Bring an umbrella or rent one. (Calculated from the terrain)
- Water depth
- Deepens steadily: out of your depth within a few tens of metres. 200 m out about 5 m deep, 400 m out about 10 m deep. (Seabed model with about 100 m detail: the first metres from the shore are not resolved.) (EMODnet Bathymetry)
- Toilets and showers
- Public: toilets 390 m (paid). Beach clubs have their own for customers. (OpenStreetMap)
- Sea temperature
- August: 26 °C on average. Warmest August (26 °C). (NOAA OISST, 1991–2020 average)
Plan it
Arrive before the sun reaches the sand to get a spot, or come for the last hours of sun when the day crowds leave. A boat trip reaches coves with no road access.
Through the year
Times on the 15th of each month, local time.
| Month | Sun on the sand | Lost to cliffs | Sea | Waves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:25–15:55 | 1 h 07 | 14 °C | — |
| February | 06:50–16:35 | 56 min | 13 °C | — |
| March | 06:10–17:15 | 49 min | 14 °C | — |
| April | 06:20–18:50 | 46 min | 15 °C | — |
| May | 05:40–19:20 | 44 min | 18 °C | — |
| June | 05:25–19:40 | 47 min | 22 °C | — |
| July | 05:40–19:40 | 46 min | 25 °C | — |
| August | 06:05–19:10 | 42 min | 26 °C | — |
| September | 06:35–18:20 | 44 min | 24 °C | — |
| October | 07:05–17:25 | 51 min | 21 °C | — |
| November | 06:45–15:40 | 1 h 03 | 17 °C | — |
| December | 07:20–15:30 | 1 h 09 | 15 °C | — |
Questions
What time does the sun leave Torre dell'Orso, Melendugno?
In mid-July: Direct sun on the sand from 05:40 to 19:40, 37 min before sunset, when the sun drops behind the hills: 14 h of sun in all. Pick any date above for that day's times.
Is Torre dell'Orso, Melendugno sand or pebbles?
Sand. Water shoes: Not needed for the sand itself. Rocks at either end may have sea urchins.
How far is the walk from parking to Torre dell'Orso, Melendugno?
Nearest public car park 300 m away, 11 m up, about 60 steps or a steep path: about 7 min on foot. Bus stop 260 m, 10 m up, about 60 steps or a steep path.
Is the water deep at Torre dell'Orso, Melendugno?
Deepens steadily: out of your depth within a few tens of metres. 200 m out about 5 m deep, 400 m out about 10 m deep. (Seabed model with about 100 m detail: the first metres from the shore are not resolved.)
How warm is the sea at Torre dell'Orso, Melendugno?
Jan 14 °C, Feb 13 °C, Mar 14 °C, Apr 15 °C, May 18 °C, Jun 22 °C, Jul 25 °C, Aug 26 °C, Sep 24 °C, Oct 21 °C, Nov 17 °C, Dec 15 °C (1991–2020 averages).
Is there free beach at Torre dell'Orso, Melendugno or only beach clubs?
6 beach clubs with paid sunbeds mapped on this beach (Lido L'Orsetta, Cala Marin, Baia d'Oriente, La Cueva). Expect the free strip to be small and full by mid-morning in July and August.
Sun and shade come from the sun's position and the skyline around each beach, measured every 4° of compass direction from a 30 m elevation model out to 6 km. The climb back up is the height difference between the beach and the nearest mapped car park or bus stop (about 0.17 m per step). Water depth comes from the EMODnet seabed model; surface, beach clubs, toilets and showers from OpenStreetMap; sea temperature is the 1991–2020 average from NOAA OISST and waves the 2015–2024 average from ERA5. Prices are not shown: they change every season and differ between clubs. Map data checked 7 Nov 2026; next check 1 Dec 2026 (monthly). Sea averages are refreshed every January. Sun and shade are calculated for any date you pick. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · map record. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information.