Polignano a Mare
A town built on limestone cliffs full of sea caves, above a pebble cove wedged between two rock walls.
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The old town sits on a limestone terrace above the Adriatic, undercut by dozens of sea caves, some open to the sky and some accessible only by boat; one, the Grotta Palazzese, has a restaurant built inside the cave mouth. Lama Monachile is a small pebble beach in a ravine between two cliff walls, crossed by a bridge that carried the ancient Via Traiana. Domenico Modugno, who wrote and sang Nel blu dipinto di blu, known as Volare, was born here and has a statue on the seafront. A cliff-diving competition is held from the rocks in summer.
What you actually see
- Lama Monachile - a pebble cove in a ravine between cliff walls.
- The sea caves - dozens undercutting the town, visited by boat.
- The Roman bridge - the Via Traiana crossing above the cove.
- The Modugno statue - a memorial to the singer born in the town.
When to go
May to September; boat cave trips run in calm weather only. August is extremely crowded and the small cove fills early. Winter storms close the shore.
Honest expectations
The beach is small pebble and packed in season. Boat trips are weather dependent. The town is heavily geared to day visitors with high prices.
Nearby
Monopoli lies south; Bari is north.
What to pack for Polignano a Mare
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.