Polignano a Mare

Are you looking for tips on things to do and see in Polignano a Mare? Overlooking the blue sea and clinging to a rock spur, Polignano a Mare is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and one of the destinations that you really cannot miss on your trip to Puglia. Not only for its crystal clear sea, but also for the historic center with limestone houses and the labyrinth of narrow streets and the terraces to admire the sea.

Polignano a Mare is the birthplace of Domenico Modugno, the famous Italian singer-songwriter, author of “Nel blu dipinto di blu”, one of the most famous Italian songs of all time. You will find a statue of Mr. Volare in a square overlooking the sea.
Polignano a Mare is also famous for its wonderful natural caves that can be explored by boat and for its beautiful beaches and coves.
So let’s find out together the things to do and see in Polignano a Mare.

1. HISTORICAL CENTER AND POETRY

The oldest part of Polignano a Mare, which is the most picturesque and evocative area of the town, has pure white houses and the privilege of a view directly from the cliff overlooking the sea. The whole historic center of Polignano a Mare looks like a maze of narrow, winding alleys, where you meet lime-painted houses, stairways, loggias and terraces with spectacular views. All this adorned with poetry: at every corner of the street there are the lines of an author who signs himself as “Guido il Flaneur”, lines which sing the praises of this beautiful town and you just have to get lost in the fascinating labyrinth of alleys and verses .

2. LAMA MONACHILE

One of the most photographed views in Polignano a Mare is the beach of Lama Monachile, also known as Cala Porto, bed of a river that in the past flowed into the Adriatic Sea.
This Polignano beach is extremely representative, as it is located in the center of the town. It is crossed by the old bridge of the Via Traiana, the Roman road built between 108 and 110 AD. which connected Benevento to Brindisi.

3. SEA CAVES

One of the things to do and see in Polignano a Mare is definitely to visit its sea caves. Nature has been truly generous here in Polignano a Mare: more than 70 sea caves have formed along the entire coast thanks to the erosion of the sea and the wind. To visit them properly you need to book a boat tour which also usually includes an aperitif on board and a dip in the wonderful sea bathing this town.
Among the many caves, the most popular are Grotta di San Lorenzo, Grotta delle Rondinelle, Grotta del Guardiano, Grotta Azzurra, Grotta Chiangella and Grotta Palazzese, which today houses the exclusive homonymous restaurant, counted among the most beautiful in the world.
If you are sporty, instead of a boat tour, we recommend booking a kayak tour, in some ways an even more suggestive experience.

4. RED BULL CLIFF DIVING

Polignano is also famous because it hosts a stage of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, an international diving competition. The competition, among the most extreme and exciting in the world, makes the Apulian town the European home of this sport.
Polignano a Mare is an unique spot because its citizens’ houses are one with the cliffs: they almost seem to emerge directly from the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, giving all the spectators and each of the athletes an unforgettable scenario.

5. SAN VITO

Not far from the center of Polignano a Mare, the small village of San Vito with its beautiful beach is worth a visit. In this very suggestive place there is the Benedictine Abbey, a building located right on the sea close to the small port. During the summer, the beach of San Vito can be an excellent alternative to the crowded beaches in the center of Polignano a Mare. Here it is decidedly more peaceful as well as enjoying a truly unique panorama.