Polignano a Mare: Sea Caves, Old Town and Coastal Culture

Between the Sea Cliffs and the Historic Centre

Polignano a Mare combines white medieval houses with a striking location on the sea cliffs. In the historic centre, the buildings stand close together, giving the town its distinctive character, clearly shaped by the sea. The coast itself is also part of its special appeal: around twenty sea caves were formed by the power of the waves in the cliff on which Polignano a Mare stands. Grotta Palazzese is the largest of these sea caves.

At Lama Monachile, two high cliff faces meet a freely accessible beach. White, smooth-polished pebbles and crystal-clear water characterise this stretch of coast. Polignano a Mare therefore offers different starting points for planning your trip: you can get to know the town through its landscape, its historic structure or the combination of both.

Old Town, Architectural History and Art

Access to the historic centre is through the 16th-century Arco Marchesale, also known as Porta Grande. The historic centre is also home to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, the town’s former cathedral. Another connection between history and the coastal landscape is the Roman bridge: it crosses Lama Monachile and meets the route of the ancient Via Traiana.

Contemporary art also has a specific place in Polignano a Mare. The Fondazione Pino Pascali is housed in a restored former municipal slaughterhouse located above the sea. There, it displays works by Pino Pascali, by prominent artists from Apulia and by the winners of the Premio Pino Pascali. This allows you to add a cultural visit to your stay without losing sight of the town’s coastal setting.

Experience the Caves from the Water

Organised boat trips in Polignano a Mare set out to explore the most beautiful sea caves. On such excursions, tastings of local products may be offered on board. Grotta Palazzese can be reached from the sea by boat and from land via a narrow staircase carved into the rock. These different access routes make the cave a destination in its own right within the coastal landscape.

Grotta Ardito features a natural column. Fishermen once climbed this column to enter the town. This historic use remains clearly distinct from present-day possibilities and adds to the image of a coast whose rock formations are closely connected with the town’s development.

A Local Speciality

One of Polignano a Mare’s culinary specialities is Caffè Speciale. Developed in Polignano a Mare, this coffee speciality consists of sweetened coffee with lemon zest, cream and amaretto, and is served in a small glass. For planning your trip, this local flavour can provide a fitting accent if, alongside the sea and architectural history, you would also like to discover the everyday food culture of Apulia.

Getting There and Choosing the Focus of Your Stay

The Trenitalia Salento line provides regional connections between Bari and Lecce and stops in Polignano a Mare. When choosing your hotel, it helps to decide on the focus of your stay in advance: coastal landscapes and caves, the historic centre and art, or local specialities can be combined as different interests. This allows you to choose your accommodation based on the type of trip you would like to create in Polignano a Mare.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip to Italy

If you would like to compare other places for your trip alongside Polignano a Mare, you can find San Paolo, Valenzano, Gravina In Puglia, Triggianello, San Bartolomeo, Santeramo In Colle, Gioia Del Colle and Terlizzi here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bari.