Do you want to discover what to see and do in Polignano a Mare ? This corner of southern Italy is one of the jewels of the Puglia region and certainly one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. We take you on a virtual trip to the places you must visit in Polignano.
What to see and do in Polignano a Mare
To call it a suggestive village is an understatement. Even the most inventive artist could not have imagined a place as picturesque and poetic as Polignano a Mare. This little corner on the Adriatic Coast of southern Italy is a perfect composition of white and honey-coloured houses, clinging almost desperately to a rocky promontory kissed by the crystal-clear waters of the sea.
These are the 10 must-see places in Polignano a Mare
1. Modugno statue (and awesome viewing platform)
We started singing and what a song it was! Voooolare, oh oh, cantaaare oh oh oh, nel blu dipinto di blu. Yes, this is one of the most famous Italian songs of all time and you've probably heard it a thousand times. But did you know that its author, Domenico Modugno , was inspired by his hometown, Polignano a Mare? In a small square, next to a viewing point with spectacular views, there is a statue that pays tribute to him . This is a good place to start your visit.
2. Take a stroll through the historic center
The next step is to enter the heart of Polignano a Mare, its historic center , a network of narrow streets full of poetry (we will tell you about it later), craft shops, restaurants that seduce with their appetizing aromas and, if like us you visit the town on a summer Sunday... people!
The greatest charm of the historic centre of Polignano is that, over the centuries, it has been inhabited by a melting pot of cultures: Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Arabs, Spanish, etc. have all passed through here.
› What to see in the centre of Polognano a Mare
The best thing to do is to follow your instinct and wander through the narrow streets of the centre, see the souvenir and craft shops (in Puglia the artisans are really great artists), try some typical dishes (below we suggest some places to eat great), discover charming corners and hunt for poetry. Even so, put these places on the map:
- The Marchesale Arch , the main entrance to the old town, and in the past the only one! It was actually a drawbridge, and if you look closely you can see the holes through which the chains passed. Inside there is an anonymous mural of the Crucifixion of Christ dating from the 16th century.
- The Palazzo delle Horloge , a building of medieval origins which, as you can imagine, is decorated with a huge clock, is located in the beautiful Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II , one of the liveliest in Polignano.
- The Church of Purgatory , whose main door is decorated with two skulls and several crossed bones. The message is quite clear: tempus fugit.
- The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo may not be as striking from the outside, but inside it hides a unique secret: a very peculiar stone nativity scene. When we visited Polignano it was closed, so we were left wanting to go in. I hope you have better luck.
3. Polignano's poems
Go on a poetry hunt ! If we say that Polignano a Mare has something poetic, we are not speaking figuratively: the historic centre is full of little poems that “Guido, the Flâneur” has written in various areas of his adopted town. You will find them decorating doors, stairs and walls, and they give Polignano even more charm.
4. Lama Monachile
Although it is clear that the symbol of Polignano a Mare is the Lama Monachile , a beach protected by two rock walls that embrace it almost protecting it. In summer it is almost impossible to find a spot on the beach (but, luckily, there is no shortage of them in Puglia :-p). As a curiosity, during the Roman Empire this small beach was used as a port where ships from the East arrived.
Tip: If you are determined to swim here, it would be a good idea to bring some water shoes as the beach has quite large pebbles.
5. Viewpoints to see in Polignano
And of course… one of the best things to see and do in Polignano a Mare is to visit its famous viewpoints , which help to make it one of the most beautiful towns in Puglia . If you are one of those who suffer from vertigo, get ready! Because what awaits you are a few minutes of good adrenaline (cheer up, I'm still really excited and still enjoy it hehe). The ones we liked the most were:
- Santo Stefano Terrace , probably the most famous, with an amazing panoramic view of Lama Monachile, and even more amazing if you think that the Red Bull Cliff Diving takes place right next door . Check it out .
- Scalinata Volare , located just behind the statue of Modugno, is a set of stairs that allow you to easily descend to the rocky area and take a nice photo of Polignano and its coastal profile.
- Largo Ardito panoramic point , a huge terrace offering good views of the sea and the houses on the cliffs. We didn't go but at sunset it must be magical.
- Balconata Vico Gualdella (next to Ristorante La Balconata), a small balcony with access to the cliff and good views of the houses (although not of the beach).
- Lama Monachile Bridge (Ponte Borbonico) , from here you will have the Lama Monachile beach in front of you and here you will also find the path to go down to it! The most curious thing about the place is that the famous Trajan's Way, which linked Brindisi with Rome during the Roman Empire, passed through here. The bridge, however, was built during the Bourbon era, around 1830.
6. Boat tour
If you have the chance to rent a boat (or a kayak) , we recommend exploring the rest of the coast around Polignano. It is full of sea caves and the waters are so clear that it is almost impossible to resist a dip, especially when the summer heat is on. Some of the most spectacular caves are the Grotta Azzurra or the Grotta di San Lorenzo. Tours usually cost around €30 per person ( more info here ). So, if you have time, don't hesitate, this is one of the best things to see and do in Polignano a mare.
There are also options for the more adventurous, and the coast of Polignano a Mare is a good place to learn how to dive ! If you are up for it, you can sign up for this scuba diving baptism .
7. Palazzo Grotto
There is one cave in particular that is particularly striking, and you don't even need a boat to see it, as you can access it via a staircase. We are talking about the Grotta Palazzese , where you will find a very unusual luxury hotel and restaurant. And when have you ever eaten in a cave with views of the sea? Of course, it is not for everyone's budget: the menu costs around €200 and the night is around €900. You have been warned XD We leave you the menu so you can take a look.
8. Eating, one of the best things to do in Polignano
However, if you want to eat well without spending an arm and a leg, take note of these places where you can eat well and cheaply in Polignano a Mare :
- Pescaria : specialising in gourmet fish sandwiches. The fried octopus sandwich is one of the most typical.
- La focacceria di Delle Noci Marco : where they apparently make the best focaccias in the area. The original is the focaccia barese (with cherry tomatoes and olives) but there are several types. Takeaway only.
- La Rotellina : here for about 2€ you can try the authentic Pugliese panzerotto, a kind of fried empanada filled with tomato and mozzarella. Delicious.
And if you have a bigger budget, we recommend you try one of the most typical dishes of Puglia : raw fish . No sushi, eh? The restaurant Da Pasqualino is quite famous and offers fresh fish at a good price.
✓ We tell you in more detail where to eat in Polignano a Mare.
9. Most beautiful coves in Polignano
If you can't find a spot on Lama Monachile beach but don't want to miss the chance to take a dip in the cool waters of this part of the Adriatic, take note of these other beaches and coves: Cala Paura , Ponte dei Lapillo , Porto Cavallo and Cala Portalga .
10. St. Vitus Abbey
Do you have more time? Good: in Puglia there is no shortage of things to do and there are a handful of places close to Polignano that you should mark on your map, such as the Abbey of San Vito , located next to a beach full of fishing boats at the mercy of the waves. The abbey is made up of a church and a convent that are curiously now private homes. Other recommended excursions are Alberobello and the Valle dell'Itria (here you have a tour to Alberobello from Polignano a Mare), Monopoli or Bari .
✓ Here is a 1-week itinerary in Puglia
Tips for visiting Polignano a Mare
Here are a few tips to help you plan your visit in the best way possible:
✓ How to get there from Bari?
We did it comfortably by car , but if you don't have the possibility of renting one, you should know that there is a train that takes you to Polignano a Mare station in about half an hour. Ticket price: €2.50. More info .
✓ Where to stay in Polignano a Mare?
We did the visit in a day, but if you want to spend a night there are plenty of accommodations, although it is an expensive destination. Some of the best rated and decently priced are:
- Malù Bed&Breakfast
- Covo dei Saraceni
- Nori House
✓ Where to park in Polignano a Mare?
Polignano is not known for having a lot of parking, but there are private, paid parking lots a short distance from the centre, which are quite good. Considering that parking is usually VERY complicated during high season/weekends, we definitely recommend leaving your car in one of these car parks (they are actually guarded vacant lots).
We left it at one that is about 10 minutes walk from the historic center ( location on the map ). Price: €3 for the whole day, you get rid of the problem and off you go! Enjoy all the things to see and do in Polignano a mare!
This is our guide to enjoying a day (or several) in this emblematic place. Do you know more things to see and do in Polignano a Mare ? Have you been there?
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