Polignano a Mare: everything you need to know

Polignano a Mare is one of those places that makes you want to book a flight and leave just by looking at the photos.

Bathed by the sea, it stands all white in a landscape colored with green and blue. Its streets and coves, along with its proximity to Bari and many other interesting sites like Alberobello, make Polignano a destination to add to your wish list, in any season of the year.

Whether you have already booked or are thinking about your next trip to Italy, in this article we take you to discover Polignano, its surroundings, what to see, and things to do if you are in the area.

Check out our experiences in Polignano a Mare

Where Polignano a Mare is located and how to reach it

Polignano a Mare is an Italian municipality with 17982 inhabitants in the metropolitan city of Bari, Apulia. The oldest part of the town sits on a rocky cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, 33 kilometers south of the capital.

Of considerable natural interest are its marine caves, and historically significant are the historic center and the remains of Roman domination. Among these is the bridge of the Via Traiana, which is still passable and crosses Lama Monachile.

Since 2008, Polignano a Mare has continued to receive the Blue Flag, an award granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education to European coastal locations that meet quality criteria related to bathing water parameters and services offered regarding factors such as beach cleanliness and tourist facilities.

All that’s left is to come visit it and let yourself be enchanted by its splendor!

If you don't know how to reach the city, we explain how to do it below!

1. Reach Polignano a Mare by plane

The best way to reach Polignano a Mare by plane is to fly to Bari, which is about 60 kilometers away, and from there you can travel by bus, rent a car, or get to Bari Station to take the train. You can also reach Polignano from Brindisi airport, from where buses, trains, and taxis depart for Polignano.

2. Reach Polignano a Mare by train

Polignano a Mare is served by the eponymous train station, and to reach it, you need to arrive at Bari Station, from where you can take a regional train. The train runs regularly, and the journey from Bari to Polignano a Mare takes about 20 minutes.

3. Reach Polignano a Mare by bus

The bus is a solution to consider if traveling within the Bari area, but generally, it is the least convenient option to reach Polignano from other parts of Italy, as there are not many direct connections available.

4. Reaching Polignano a Mare by car

To reach Polignano a Mare by car, you need to follow the A14 highway to Bari, which you take by following the A2 Rome-Naples and then the A16 Naples-Canosa. Once you enter the A14, you must exit onto the SS16 (E55), where the entrances to Polignano are located. If you are already in the area, you can opt for the provincial roads that connect the inland to the town, specifically the Conversano-Polignano and the Castellana Grotte-Polignano.

Where to stay: our accommodations

Here at Pugliamare, we also manage numerous tourist facilities in Polignano a Mare and its surroundings.

From villas with pools to apartments in the village, old-fashioned or renovated.

Choose the accommodation that’s right for you in the Structures section of our website!

What to visit in Polignano a Mare: what to see

But let's get to the point! You have already booked your trip and the next vacation in Polignano a Mare, but you don't know what to see? You are in the right place!

The things to see in Polignano a Mare are many. The rocky coves, the crystal-clear sea, the local cuisine, and the caves embedded in the rock make Polignano a Mare a must-visit destination if you are on vacation in Puglia.

The must-see attractions in Polignano a Mare include Lama Monachile and Cala Porto, the Abbey of San Vito, the sea caves, the historic center, and the many nearby locations, such as the Castellana Caves, Alberobello, Ostuni, Martina Franca, and all the towns of the Itria Valley.

If you want more specific information about what to visit, don't worry, we have discussed it in depth in this article.

The beaches of Polignano a Mare

The beaches and coves you can visit if you are in Polignano a Mare are many and all beautiful. The surrounding areas also offer glimpses of very beautiful beaches that are easy to reach, even by scooter.

Calettes of emerald blue water set in the rock, beaches of very fine sand and crystal clear water frame the untouched nature of the countryside and a city where the air of freedom and tranquility can be breathed.

In this article, we made a selection of the 5 most beautiful beachesand.

Where to eat in Polignano a Mare

Eating in Polignano means savoring the true flavors of the land of Puglia in all their essence.

Almost all restaurants, trattorias, and farmhouses offer traditional cuisine and really delicious seafood dishes.

We remember that Polignano is a land of excellence, of ancient flavors and traditions, and it is highly appreciated for its incredible gastronomy and, above all, for the famous carrot, which is considered a heritage of biodiversity and taste.

Grotta Palazzese: the restaurant embedded in the rock

Grotta Palazzese is one of the most enchanting and luxurious restaurants in the world. It is a restaurant completely embedded in the rock inside a cave right above the sea, and it is visible from the historic center of Polignano a Mare.

It is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world, and if you really want to experience something magical and you have a full wallet, we absolutely recommend you go there!

Polignano a Mare: the events you absolutely cannot miss

In Polignano a Mare, there are many events you can attend: exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and much more.

But there are two events you absolutely cannot miss: the luminaries and the Red Bull Cliff Diving.

1. Polignano a Mare and the Christmas lights

If you are in Polignano during the winter period, you absolutely cannot miss the Christmas lights. The historic center is adorned with many colorful lights, the narrow streets breathe the air of Christmas, and Lama Monachile and its houses perched over the sea sparkle like stars. A truly breathtaking sight.

2. The Red Bull Cliff Diving: the most spectacular diving competition

In the sea of Lama Monachile beach, on a platform located in the city center and on the balcony of a citizen of Polignano overlooking the sea, the champions of Red Bull Cliff Diving dive, the most important international high diving competition held in Polignano.

It is a competition that combines sport and entertainment because divers jump from a platform located over twenty meters high (27 for men, 21 for women) and perform spectacular maneuvers at about 85 km/h and in just 3 seconds before entering the water.

The date may vary, but most of the time it takes place in August or September. So, if you pass through Polignano, don’t miss it!

The historic center of Polignano a Mare

Il historical center of Polignano a Mare is a place to visit at least once in a lifetime, without any doubt. The town is simply "wonderful," just like the famous song by Domenico Modugno, who was born in this location in the province of Bari.

In the ancient village, the path of the alleys is a unique experience: very narrow streets and blind alleys reveal fabulous glimpses and picturesque corners.

Getting lost in the streets is a pleasure, discovering houses with poems written on the steps of the stairs and phrases engraved on doors and utility boxes. A must-see is the house with the wooden pinocchios in love, a romantic couple holding hands, with red wooden hearts prominently displayed.

The little square overlooking the belvedere offers a breathtaking view of the Lama Monachile Bridge. In Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, looking up, you can admire monuments such as the Tower of the Clock Palace and the Former Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

If you feel like walking, you can continue to the Grotta Palazzese and the viewpoint Largo Grotta Ardito. The itinerary can continue with the visit to other caves, such as the Grotta delle Monache, while at the beginning of Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo there is the Pino Pascali museum.

For an immersion in the local culture, participate in our “Street Food Tour“. This experience will take you to discover the highlights of the historic center, also offering the opportunity to taste authentic local flavors. The tour includes Apulian specialties such as fried panzerotto, focaccia barese, special coffee, and a platter with cured meats and burrata accompanied by a glass of local wine. A delicious and unforgettable adventure through the historic alleys of Polignano a Mare.

Polignano a Mare and the sea caves

Polignano a Mare is famous for its cliffs and rocky coast. Along its jagged coastline, in fact, many marine caves are hidden. A sight that absolutely cannot be missed!

Reaching the Polignano a Mare caves is not easy, and you cannot access them on your own. So our advice is to rely on an experienced skipper!

Visit the caves with Pugliamare: boat trips and excursions

Taking a boat trip is an experience you absolutely must have if you want to see breathtaking landscapes and immerse yourself in the blue of the sea in Polignano. Additionally, it allows you to visit the entire coast in a short time and reach places that would otherwise be inaccessible.

We at Pugliamare have been organizing guided tours to the caves and beyond for years.

Take a look at our boat trips:

• Catamaran Cave Tour
• Boat tour to the caves
• Sailing tour to the caves
• Tour of the Castellana Caves and Polignano
• SUP Tour, for sports enthusiasts and environmental sustainability.

Visit Polignano with Pugliamare

We at Pugliamare are locals who have always lived in this land and know all its nooks and most enchanting places.

Thanks to our experience, we can guide you to discover Polignano and let you experience healthy and genuine moments in touch with our land.

Book your next experience!