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    Polignano a Mare

    Italy

    Polignano a Mare

    City

    Polignano a Mare lies about 33 kilometers south of Bari on the Adriatic coast. The oldest part of its old town sits on a rocky spur, dropping steeply to the sea; beneath, along the coast, lie numerous sea caves.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Italy
    7. Apulien
    9. Polignano a Mare
    Polignano a Mare lies about 33 kilometers south of Bari on the Adriatic coast. The oldest part of its old town sits on a rocky spur, dropping steeply to the sea; beneath, along the coast, lie numerous sea caves.In the town's center, the Lama Monachile cove cuts into the coast, spanned by the early 19th-century Bourbon Bridge; beneath it ran the ancient Via Traiana. Polignano is the birthplace of singer Domenico Modugno, commemorated by a statue on the waterfront.

    Sights in Polignano a Mare

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Lama Monachile
    Attraction

    1Lama Monachile

    Narrow bay, between high limestone cliffs, in town, with a small beach. The Bourbon Bridge (early 19th century) spans the bay, a beautiful viewpoint; the Via Traiana ran below. From the bridge, steps lead down to the beach. It's highly sought after in summer; arriving early is wise.
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    Statue of Domenico Modugno
    Attraction

    2Statue of Domenico Modugno

    Approximately three-meter-high bronze statue of the singer Domenico Modugno, born in Polignano in 1928, on the promenade named after him, created by Hermann Mejer and erected in 2009. It stands with its back to the beach and looks towards the town.
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    City walks in Polignano a Mare

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Polignano a Mare: Cliffs, Lanes & Volare Melodies

    Discover Polignano a Mare on a picturesque walk that takes you to the most impressive cliffs, through winding old-town lanes and to iconic viewpoints. Let the unique atmosphere of this Apulian gem enchant you and follow in the footsteps of Domenico Modugno.

    ~2 Std. 15 Min.
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    Stops (7)

    Dining & Drinks

    1

    Puro

    Restaurant for sushi and fish dishes in Via San Vito on the western edge of the Old Town.
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    2

    Bella 'Mbriana

    Restaurant and pizzeria on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the Old Town's main square.
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    3

    Pescaria

    Fish snack bar on Piazza Aldo Moro, south of the Old Town. The menu revolves around fish and seafood sandwiches.
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    4

    Ristorante Grotta Ardito

    Restaurant with fish and Italian cuisine at Largo Grotta Ardito, east of the old town, on the cliff.
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    Food & Beverages

    Polignano cuisine lives from the sea.

    Seafood Crudo

    Raw octopus and small squid are part of the cuisine of the coast around Bari. Sea urchin fishing is prohibited in Apulia until June 2029.

    Special Coffee

    Polignano's Mario Campanella gelato shop's specialty coffee: espresso, cream, amaretto, lemon peel.

    History and Culture

    The town was located on the Via Traiana, the Roman road to Brindisi. At Lama Monachile, a smaller Roman bridge made of tuff blocks is preserved alongside the Bourbon Bridge.The Chiesa Matrice Santa Maria Assunta served as a bishop's church until 1818, when the small diocese was united with Monopoli. The 16th-century Arco Marchesale, also known as Porta Grande, was once the sole entrance to the fortified old town.Domenico Modugno was born in Polignano in 1928. In the old town, street artist Guido Lupori, known as Guido il Flâneur, paints verses by renowned poets on house walls, steps, and doors.

    Exploring locally

    The old town is small; you can reach the sights on foot.The station is on the Bari-Lecce line.The sea caves are best viewed from the water, such as by boat, canoe, or SUP; some nearby caves are also reachable by swimming.

    Accommodations in Polignano a Mare

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    Campgrounds in Polignano a Mare

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    Plan your trip to Polignano a Mare

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      • 2Statue of Domenico Modugno4 days
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    Nearby

    Apulien

    Apulien

    Puglia is the heel of Italy's boot and, with approximately 865 kilometers, has the longest coastline of all mainland regions of Italy. Between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas lie the Trulli villages of Valle d'Itria, the Baroque city of Lecce, Romanesque cathedrals by the sea, and vast olive groves.
    Alberobello

    Alberobello

    Alberobello is located in the Valle d'Itria in the Metropolitan City of Bari and is known for its Trulli, houses built of roughly hewn limestone using dry-stone techniques without mortar, with conical roofs made of stone slabs. Since 1996, they have been a UNESCO World Heritage site.The two Trulli districts are Rione Monti and Aia Piccola.
    Bari

    Bari

    Bari is the capital of Apulia and has approximately 315,000 inhabitants. In the winding old town, Bari Vecchia, stand the Basilica San Nicola with the relics of Saint Nicholas and the San Sabino Cathedral; on Via dell'Arco Basso, women shape orecchiette pasta outside their doorways.
    Ostuni

    Ostuni

    Ostuni is situated on three hills at the edge of the Murgia, about 7.5 kilometers from the Adriatic coast. The lime-whitewashed houses of the old town have earned it the nickname Città Bianca, the white city.In the old town, alleys, stairs, and arches lead up to the cathedral with its late Gothic facade and a large rose window. Surrounding the city lies the Piana degli Ulivi with numerous monumental olive trees.
    Matera

    Matera

    Matera in Basilicata is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Its old town, the Sassi, comprises cave dwellings, rock churches, and houses carved over centuries into the tufa stone on the edge of a deep gorge. In the 1950s, the Sassi were evacuated due to poverty and poor hygiene; since 1993, they have been a UNESCO World Heritage site and are now re-inhabited, with hotels, restaurants, and museums in the caves. In 2019, Matera was a European Capital of Culture. Opposite the city, across the Gravina gorge, lies the Murgia Park, featuring more cave churches and the most famous view of the Sassi. The alleys and stairs are steep; comfortable shoes are necessary.

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