White limestone buildings sit dramatically on cliffs above the Adriatic Sea. Medieval streets lead to sea caves and small beaches, while local restaurants serve fresh seafood.
Polignano a Mare perches 20 meters above Italy's Adriatic coast on dramatic limestone cliffs. This small Puglian town's narrow stone streets lead to viewing terraces overlooking the sea. Swim at Cala Porto beach between towering cliffs, take a boat tour into the coastline's 70 sea caves, or dine at Grotta Palazzese restaurant inside a natural cave. The local cuisine includes fresh sea urchins and the town's signature Special Coffee, made with amaretto cream.
Getting to Polignano a Mare
Drive 40 minutes south from Bari to reach the town. Trains run from Bari Central Station every hour, taking 30 minutes and costing €3. From Bari Airport, the drive takes 40 minutes, while Brindisi Airport is 55 minutes away. A car rental makes it easier to visit nearby towns like Monopoli and Alberobello, though trains work well for day trips.
Walking Through the Old Center
Enter the historic center through Porta Grande, a stone archway marking the main entrance. The limestone buildings stand just two meters apart, creating narrow lanes where locals dry their laundry on wrought-iron balconies and keep geraniums in terracotta pots. Walk to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II to find cafes that open for breakfast at 7 AM and serve aperitivo in the evening. Since 2008, local artists have painted poetry verses on walls and staircases throughout the center.
Swimming and Beach Areas
Stone steps lead down to Cala Porto beach (also called Lama Monachile), nestled between 20-meter cliff faces. The beach has white pebbles rather than sand, and the water drops to 5 meters deep near the shore. Local swimmers dive from marked cliff spots between 7-10 AM from June to September. Walk 15 minutes north along the coast to find three quieter coves, each with room for 20-30 people.
Exploring Sea Caves by Boat
The limestone coastline contains more than 70 caves, from small grottoes to large chambers. Take a 90-minute boat tour (€25-35 per person) to visit 4-5 major caves, including the 30-meter-high Grotta Palazzese and Grotta delle Rondinelle, home to nesting swallows. Boats leave hourly from 10 AM to 5 PM from the harbor near San Vito Abbey. In summer, the water temperature reaches 24-26°C, perfect for swimming stops.
Local Food and Restaurants
Via Roma and the old town's squares have seafood restaurants where main courses cost €18-25. At Antiche Mura restaurant, order raw sea urchins (in season October to March) or try octopus cooked with potatoes and rosemary in clay pots. Stop at Caffè Mario Campanella on Piazza Garibaldi for the town's Special Coffee (€4), an espresso mixed with lemon zest and house-made amaretto cream. For quick meals, visit the bakeries on Via San Benedetto for focaccia filled with mortadella or local burrata cheese (€4-6).
