Polignano a Mare Travel Guide
Towns and cities in Puglia
Nestled along the breathtaking coast of the Valle d'Itria, Polignano a Mare is perched dramatically atop a 20-meter-high limestone cliff. This enchanting Puglian town, with its roots stretching back to the 4th century BC, offers unique natural beauty, historical richness, and modern-day charm, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an authentic Italian villa holiday.
About the area
Polignano a Mare is an ancient town just south of Bari, the capital city of the Puglia region. Polignano a Mare's storied past, from its founding by Greek settlers to its flourishing under Roman rule, is etched into the town. The town was important enough for Emperor Trajan to direct his road Via Traiana, built between 108-110 AD, through the town. Remains of this road include a bridge at Lama Monachile, just north of the historic centre. Today, Polignano a Mare captivates visitors with its labyrinthine old town, panoramic terraces, and the crystal-clear waters of its beaches.
Things to do in Polignano a Mare
- Wander the whitewashed old town: Polignano offers all the right ingredients for a perfect day out. The tiny old town, reached through the Porta Vecchia gate, combines charming, white-washed streets with beautiful old churches such as the Chiesa Matrice. You may find yourself getting lost in the winding streets, but you won’t mind at all. Before you know it, you will have reached one of three panoramic terraces offering breathtaking views of the beautiful Adriatic Sea and coastline.
- Dive into crystal waters: After a stroll through the town and a coffee in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, why not pop down to the Blue Flag beach, just a few minutes walk from the old centre? A firm favourite with the locals, the beach has crystal clear waters and is flanked on two sides by cliffs from which children and teenagers dive all through the day until sunset.
- Explore the coast by boat: Explore the coast around Polignano a Mare on a breathtaking boat trip. As well as the iconic town itself, you may come across the picturesque Lama Monachile Bay, and Scoglio dell'Eremita (or Hermit's Rock) - now a protected area thanks to the Audouin's gulls who call this little island home. You may also have time to venture further down the coast and enjoy the towns of Monopoli and Capitolo from the water.
- Visit Polignano a Mare’s famous statue: Polignano is famous throughout the world for three things. First of all is, as hinted at above, cliff diving. Second is its outstanding ice cream, which you really cannot afford to miss on a hot summer’s evening. The third is the great Domenico Modugno, who wrote and sang the massive international classical hit, Volare (originally entitled Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu)! The locals are incredibly proud of their favourite son and rightly so. You can find Domenico’s statue in a square right by the coastline, and it’s a great place for dining or sunset aperitivo whilst soaking in the sea views.
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