Polignano Diaries

If you fancy a beach vacation during the summer season, then get ready to explore the scenic Puglia region along the eastern coast of Italy with me. Puglia is also popularly known as “the heel of Italy’s boot”. 

Choosing the right locations can be daunting because every destination is so beautiful. I had a hard time deciding which cities to visit since this was my first time in Puglia. Finally, I chose to stick to the most famous beach town (Polignano a Mare) and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello. This guide focuses on Polignano a Mare and will help you to plan your trip to this coastal gem properly, especially if you are visiting Puglia for the first time.

1. Scratch the map

Puglia (also known as Apulia) is a region in southern Italy with stunning beaches along the Adriatic Sea, gorgeous whitewashed towns and amazing Italian cuisine. Although this Italian gem may not be as famous a tourist destination as the Amalfi coast, its authenticity will definitely charm you. 

2. How to reach

Bari (BRI) is one of the main airports in Puglia region close to beach towns like Monopoli, Polignano a Mare and many more. Since we were mainly covering Polignano a Amare and Alberobello (both close to Bari), we chose to fly from Zurich to Bari ( journey time was around 2.5 hours).

3. Number of days

We spent 4 nights in Puglia (3 in Polignano and 1 in Alberobello) and combined it with 2 nights in Matera (which is part of the Basilicata region in Italy).

3. Tour Highlights

The popular beach town of Polignano a Mare was our first destination in Puglia. Located about 50 km away from Bari airport, it is home to the famous Lama Monachile beach (also known as Cala Porto). The crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea with the backdrop of gorgeous rocky cliffs makes this place so iconic. This town is also famous as one of the spots for hosting the Redbull Cliff diving competition every year.

3.a Polignano viewpoints

There are multiple viewpoints from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the sea and the cove. As you can imagine, they are pretty crowded all the time, especially during sunset hours. However, whichever time of the day you visit, the views are absolutely incredible. All the viewpoints are close to one another which means you also don't have to walk a lot!

From the Belvedere su Lama Monachile viewpoint, you can see the beach and the surrounding cliffs with the Roman bridge (Bourbon bridge) behind.

The Belvedere Terrazo Santo Stefano in the old town offers stunning views of the sea with the added charm of witnessing a romantic sunset as well. 

The Ponte Borbonico bridge is also an unmissable viewpoint directly behind the picturesque inlet formed between the rocks. 

Apart from the famous viewpoints mentioned above, there are numerous other viewpoints tucked all along the old town which are perfect for beautiful photo opportunities. 

3.b Stroll through the old town

The old town of Polignano a Mare is a little gem with numerous cobbled alleys leading to the beautiful viewpoints on the Adriatic coast. It's like a maze where you might lose your way while admiring the lovely cute houses and discover poetries on the walls and steps all along these narrow streets. 

3.c  Boat trip around Polignano a Mare

A scenic boat trip along the Adriatic coastline is the best way to explore the beautiful caves around Polignano a Mare. The boat trips usually last for 30-45 minutes including a refreshing swim in the sea for 10-15 minutes. You can also get a lovely view of the pebbled beach nestled amongst the cliffs from the water.

3.d Main square

The main square in the old town is known as Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. It has a very lively vibe with lots of restaurants and shops where you can shop for souvenirs. The Church of Saint Mary of the Assumption in this square is a beautiful church with a Romanesque style facade and splendid artworks in the interior. 

3.e Morning by the beach

The Lama Monachile beach is a small yet beautiful pebbled beach, ideal also as a diving spot for brave swimmers!! Try to go early in the morning if you want to grab a spot, otherwise it becomes highly crowded during the day. Note that you can rent umbrellas and cushions to relax on the beach. However if you want a proper sunbed, you have to get them in the Cove restaurant which is behind the public sitting area. It's a bit expensive (around 80 EUR) but worth the money if you want to spend the entire day at the beach.

3.f Lungomare Domenico Modugno 

This promenade is named after the famous Italian singer Domenico Modugno whose statue was created here in 2009. Just behind the statue, some steps lead down to the Pietra Piatta- a rocky surface which again offers amazing views of the Adriatic sea and the cliffs.

Also, in the old town, you will find the lyrics of his famous song "Volare" hanging as decorations above Via Roma all along the street.  

4. Personal Recommendations

• Number of days: Consider spending atleast 3 days in Polignano a Mare to enjoy the charm of this beautiful town at a relaxed pace.

• Water shoes: If you want to enjoy a nice swim in the Lama Monachile beach, make sure you carry water shoes since the pebbles on the beach can be quite painful.

• Try the "caffe speciale": Don’t forget to try the special coffee from Il Super Mago Del Gelo. This warm beverage combines coffee with amaretto, whipped cream and lemon zest. It's perfect to cool oneself during the Italian summers.  

• Explore the town on foot: Wander along the narrow lanes to explore the cute whitewashed houses and discover poetry or quotes of famous authors along the steps and walls of the houses. Ezio Guido Lupori, who was a poet himself, had written the poetry or quotes from famous personalities as well as his own compositions in all these spots of Polignano.

5. Goodbye Notes

For now, it's a wrap and 'Ciao' from Polignano a Mare!! But before leaving, I would like to share a little joy with my Bengali friends that I found while exploring the old town (see the picture below!)

Signing off today but I will be back soon with details on our next stop "Alberobello" in this trip.