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Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare

A compact cliffside town of white alleys and turquoise coves — ideal for short, sensory escapes and day trips along the Adriatic. Walk the medieval lanes to find viewpoints where fishing boats and cliff divers punctuate the horizon. Descend to Cala Porto (Lama Monachile) for a pebble beach hugged by limestone cliffs, or launch a kayak to explore nearby sea caves; grotto boat trips depart from the small harbour. Best visited in late spring or early autumn when temperatures suit swimming and terraces are quieter. Trains link to Bari in under an hour — arrive light and bring sturdy shoes for steep lanes. Eat at a waterfront osteria and reserve a table for sunset to make the most of the view.

Puglia Published
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Polignano a Mare: Cliffs, caves and clear Adriatic light

Visit Polignano a Mare for its dramatic limestone cliffs and crystal‑clear Adriatic waters—an unexpectedly compact town that delivers big views and easy access to the sea. Walk the old‑town lanes to terraces that look straight out over Lama Monachile (Cala Porto), the pebble bay framed by white houses. Take a short boat trip to explore sea caves, including the famously lit Grotta Palazzese, or time a swim and a sunset from the cliff edges. Expect fresh seafood, burrata and local orecchiette in small trattorie and lively cafés clustered around the main piazzas. Compact and walkable, it’s ideal as a relaxed base or a day trip from Bari—bring a camera, comfortable shoes and a plan for a boat or cliff‑side table.

Lama Monachile’s stone bridge sits on the line of the ancient Via Traiana; the arched crossing you walk today is Bourbon‑era (1800s) and still pedestrian‑friendly.
Lama Monachile’s stone bridge sits on the line of the ancient Via Traiana; the arched crossing you walk today is Bourbon‑era (1800s) and still pedestrian‑friendly.

Lama Monachile’s stone bridge sits on the line of the ancient Via Traiana; the arched crossing you walk today is Bourbon‑era (1800s) and still pedestrian‑friendly.

ViaggiArt

Active & Guided Tours

Want to see Polignano beyond the clifftops? Start with organised, local operators that handle the logistics so you don’t have to. Take a boat into hidden grottoes with Apexpress - Tour in Barca e Calessino a Polignano a Mare , cycle quiet lanes or arrange point-to-point transfers through Dear Puglia - Prenota Tour, Bici, Escursioni, Transfer in Puglia , join an easy e‑bike route and local tasting with Polignano Made in Love s.r.l.s or cover more ground the classic way on a guided ride from Vespa Escape Puglia . Each operator specialises in small groups and local insight—book morning slots for cooler temperatures and late‑day departures for better light and calmer seas.

Polignano a Mare is a fixture on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series—athletes launch from private balconies and 21 m and 27 m platforms above Lama Monachile.
Polignano a Mare is a fixture on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series—athletes launch from private balconies and 21 m and 27 m platforms above Lama Monachile.

Polignano a Mare is a fixture on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series—athletes launch from private balconies and 21 m and 27 m platforms above Lama Monachile.

Red Bull Cliff Diving

Eat, Sip and Stay

Polignano’s food scene is compact and reliable—plan meals around fresh seafood, inventive sandwiches and a few standout kitchens. For quick, flavour‑forward bites drop into Bontà sotto l’arco , while a lively terrace and bold plates await at L’Archibugio . For a beautifully curated lunch try MINT Cucina Fresca ; for generous, traditional dishes head to Bella ‘Mbriana . If you need a relaxed brunch or a takeaway with local bread and olive oil, Olio su pane is a handy choice. Stay central to all of this at Holiday Home Village , which places you a short walk from the best cafés and evening dining—practical, comfortable and well located.

Grotta Palazzese once hosted 18th‑century banquets; today you dine inside a limestone cave roughly 30 meters across, reached by a narrow stair or by sea.
Grotta Palazzese once hosted 18th‑century banquets; today you dine inside a limestone cave roughly 30 meters across, reached by a narrow stair or by sea.

Grotta Palazzese once hosted 18th‑century banquets; today you dine inside a limestone cave roughly 30 meters across, reached by a narrow stair or by sea.

Regione Puglia – AI Smart

Old Town & Landmarks

Polignano’s character is best felt on foot: historic gates, narrow alleys and sea‑facing viewpoints are compact and walkable. Enter the old town through the sculptural Arco Marchesale or the ancient Porta Vecchia , then follow the lanes to the dramatic vantage at Ponte Borbonico su Lama Monachile for classic Adriatic views. Sacred architecture is also close at hand—inspect the Baroque detail at Chiesa del Purgatorio - già Cappella San Martino and the serene interior of the Church of Saint Mary of the Assumption . These sites frame the town’s daily life and make easy, rewarding stops between cafés and galleries.

Polignano’s signature Caffè Speciale was created by Mario Campanella at Il Super Mago del Gelo—espresso brightened with lemon zest, topped with whipped cream and their almond liqueur.
Polignano’s signature Caffè Speciale was created by Mario Campanella at Il Super Mago del Gelo—espresso brightened with lemon zest, topped with whipped cream and their almond liqueur.

Polignano’s signature Caffè Speciale was created by Mario Campanella at Il Super Mago del Gelo—espresso brightened with lemon zest, topped with whipped cream and their almond liqueur.

Il Super Mago del Gelo (official site)