Last Updated on 12th March 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
One of the most beautiful and iconic towns in the region of Puglia (the heel of the boot of Italy) is Polignano a Mare, a sun-drenched cliff hugging city with oodles of character and charm. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Polignano a Mare, as well as travel tips and what to know before you go!
Contents
Where is Polignano a Mare?
The town of Polignano a Mare is located in the heel of the boot region of Italy, Puglia. Located along the glittering Adriatic Coastline on the eastern side of the region of Apulia, the closest airport is Bari, which is just over 40 km away (which equals to around a thirty minute drive).
While, in times gone by, most of the town made its money from fishing, most of the economy of Polignano today relies on tourism. The town has been inhabited since prehistory, and as such, no one knows quite when this magical land was first lived on.
However, there are several pieces of archaeological evidence which suggest that Polignano a Mare was actually the ancient Greek city of Neapolis. Local legend tells that the piece of land where Polignano now sits was actually a slab of rock which drifted off from Greece and became part of what is now Italy.
What is Polignano a Mare known for?
Scroll through any feed about Puglia on Instagram and you’ll soon see photos and videos of the stunning whitewashed houses perched precariously on the cliff top overlooking the azure blue sea and sandy beach below.
As you might imagine, Polignano a Mare is most famous for its incredible viewpoints and beauty! Over the years, Polignano a Mare has also been used as backdrop for many movies and TV shows. In 2022, the town featured in the Italian language movie Jumping From High Places.
How long do you need in Polignano a Mare?
As Polignano is a pretty small resort town, you can easily see all of the main attractions over the course of a day (particularly thanks to the fact that they’re all grouped close together and you can walk between them on foot).
However, there are two main reasons why you should consider making an overnight trip to the town. The first is that the best way to experience Polignano is either really early in the morning or later in the afternoon/ early evening when all of the day trippers have left.
The other is that giving yourself extra time will truly allow you to relax, enjoy long meals at the many restaurants in town, and spend time chilling out on the beach.
Best things to do in Polignano a Mare
Stroll around the old town
Like many historic European towns, Polignano has an old ‘centro storico’. Truth be told, one of the best ways to enjoy Polignano a Mare is simply to wander around the town and allow the beachside settlement to reveal itself to you.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as much of the town is not only down narrow streets but is also pedestrian only. One particular highlight of wandering around the town includes seeing the many shuttered white-washed houses with their amazing succulents on display outside. For an even greater insight into the history of the city, be sure to book a guided walking tour like this one.
Church of Polignano a Mare
The main place of worship in the Apulian town is the Church of Saint Mary of the Assumption, which was consecrated in the latter half of the 19th-century. Free to visit, particular highlights include an 18th-century pulpit and 15th century statue of San Vito.
Follow the poetry trail
Those who prefer to discover the centro storico at their own pace should nevertheless remember a name: ‘Guido Il Flâneur’. This is the signature of the mystery poetry writer who graffiti’s their words in simple scrawls across the old town’s buttery stone buildings for all to see and enjoy.
Eat seafood at Pescaria
Of course, thanks to its enviable position alongside the Adriatic coastline, one of the number one dishes on many menus across eateries in Polignano a Mare is seafood. The best spot in town to grab a takeaway dish (or alternatively to sit in the restaurant, though this has a longer queue) is at Pescaria.
We personally opted to take our snacks away as the queue for the restaurant was over an hour long and we wanted to maximise our time exploring the Apulian coastal town. There s also a vegetarian option on the menu.
Domenico Modugno statue
One of the most famous residents of the town is Domenico Modugno, who was born in the town. And while Mondugno left the town during childhood, Polignano remains proud to call him one of their countrymen. Mondugno wrote ‘Nel blu dipinto di blu,’ which is also known as ‘Volare’ and was inspired by Polignano a Mare.
Beach of Polignano a Mare
One of the most popular beaches in the entirety of Puglia is probably the beach of Polignano a Mare. Known locally as Lama Monachile, this natural cove is flanked on either side by sky-high chalky limestone cliffs and is favoured by locals and visitors alike.
A little path leads down from close to the old town all the way to the pebbled beach. Also known locally as Cala Porto, the beach boasts crystal clear water. Be sure to arrive earlier in the day to secure a prime spot if you wish to go paddling and sunbathing here (and don’t forget your suncream!) Cliff jumping from the rocks just a short way from the beach is popular among locals but I didn’t feel like doing this myself!
Snap photos from Balconata sul Mare
If you’ve gone searching for photos of Polignano a Mare online, then, chances are, you’ve stumbled on a photo taken from the Balconata sul Mare. This ‘balcony over the sea’ is located within the old town and offers up a view of the town’s beach, as well as the chalky cliffs beyond.
Find beautiful vistas
One of the best free ways to see the houses hanging over the cliffs is located a ten to fifteen minute walk away from the historic old town. Head to the rocky cliff just below the the statue of Domenico Mudegno and you’ll find a set of stairs that is marked on maps as ‘Scalinata Volare’, after one of Mudegno’s most famous songs.
Head down this staircase and you’ll soon be rewarded by the viewpoint of Pietra Piatta. This offers an alternative, yet still beautiful, perspective of Polignano a Mare. The area is much more spacious and is a welcome little break from the often crowded and cramped streets of the Polignano a Mare old town.
Contemporary art museum
The main art museum of the town is the Contemporary Art Museum, which is known as Museum of Contemporary Art Pino Pascali locally. The cultural space is the only permanent museum dedicated to contemporary art in Apulia and was created in 1998. Today, Italian works of art can be admired for a small fee.
Eat dinner in a cave!
One of the most luxurious and elegant experiences that visitors to Polignano a Mare can have is to eat in a little grotto overlooking the crashing waves of the sea. The Grotta Palazzese is the kind of place that you go to for the setting as opposed to the food (unfortunately the reviews of the quality of the food are pretty mixed), which is by and large a seafood based menu.
Where to stay in Polignano a Mare
Due to how incredibly popular Polignano is, if you want to truly experience the place without the crowds, then your best bet would be to stay overnight and enjoy an evening meal once all of the day trippers have left.
Similarly, should you opt to wake up early for Italian breakfast (check out our Italian coffee guide here), then you can expect to enjoy the streets of the pedestrianised old town without the crowds!
Sei Stelle Mama: Within walking distance of all major attractions that Polignano has to offer, the Sei Stelle Mama is incredibly well reviewed. Highlights include a spa on-site and that it’s set against the backdrop of a lovingly restored building. Check prices and availability here.
Grotta Palazzese Hotel: For the most luxurious experience in town, look no further than this 5 star establishment. As well as boasting one of the most enviable locations in town, other amenities include a bar and restaurant on-site, as well as air conditioning. Check prices and availability here.
Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Polignano a Mare? Pin this article now, read it again later:
Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.