












Holiday in Polignano a Mare
City in Italy — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇮🇹
Country
Italy
Type
City
Best time to travel
May to October, June and September ideal, July/August very crowded and hot
Budget/day
90-160 € (boutique hotel, trattoria)
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Bari about 2 hours, train to Polignano a Mare only 30 minutes
About Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare is one of the most spectacular coastal towns in Italy and the jewel of the Apulian Adriatic coast. The old town perches on rugged limestone cliffs that drop straight into the turquoise sea, offering breathtaking views. The place became famous as the birthplace of the legendary singer Domenico Modugno, whose song "Volare" echoes around every corner and whose statue with outstretched arms stands at the cliff's edge. The absolute highlight is Lama Monachile beach, also known as Cala Porto - a tiny cove between high rock walls, accessed via an old stone arch bridge. The image of this cove with its crystal-clear turquoise water, white cliffs, and the old town houses perched above is one of the most photographed motifs in Southern Italy and has made Polignano an Instagram phenomenon. In summer, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series takes place here, where cliff divers plunge into the sea from heights of up to 27 meters. The old town itself is a labyrinth of whitewashed alleys, where ceramic shops, small galleries, and traditional restaurants hide. The numerous terraces and balconies offer surprising views of the sea and the caves that have eroded into the cliffs below the town. Grotta Palazzese houses one of the most spectacular restaurants in the world - dining in the natural sea cave by candlelight is an unforgettable experience. From Germany, Polignano a Mare can be reached via Bari Airport, which is only 35 kilometers away. Regular trains from Bari take about 30 minutes. A rental car allows for exploration of the entire Apulian coast with its trulli villages, olive groves, and hidden coves. The best travel time is from May to October, with July and August being very crowded. Polignano offers moderate prices by Italian standards, except for upscale restaurants.
Top 6 highlights in Polignano a Mare
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Lama Monachile (Cala Porto)
Iconic rock cove with turquoise water between cliffs, venue for the Red Bull Cliff Diving
Grotta Palazzese
World-famous cave restaurant in a natural sea cave with candlelight and sea view
Old Town on the Cliffs
Whitewashed maze of alleys on rugged rocks with surprising sea view terraces
Domenico Modugno Statue
Bronze statue of the Volare singer with outstretched arms at the cliff's edge
Boat Tours to the Caves
Exploration of numerous sea caves along the cliff coast by boat or kayak
Red Bull Cliff Diving
Annual cliff diving competition from the cliffs of the old town up to 27 meters high
Hotels in Polignano a Mare
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Polignano a Mare
Recommended travel time
May to October, June and September ideal, July/August very crowded and hot
Summer
Hot, 28-34°C, sunny, water temperature 23-26°C, occasionally hot Scirocco wind
Winter
Mild, 8-14°C, occasional rain, calm, old town very atmospheric
How much does a holiday in Polignano a Mare cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
50-80 € (B&B, street food, free beach access)
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
90-160 € (boutique hotel, trattoria)
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
200-400 € (luxury hotel, Grotta Palazzese dinner, boat tour)
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
Book a package holiday to Polignano a Mare
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Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Polignano a Mare
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Visit Cala Porto before 9 AM - the tiny beach becomes hopelessly overcrowded by noon
Reserve Grotta Palazzese weeks in advance - the waiting list is legendary, and dinner starts at 150 euros
Book a kayak tour to the sea caves - you see the cliffs and caves from a unique perspective
Enjoy an aperitivo on one of the cliff terraces in the old town instead of in the expensive harbor restaurant
Use Polignano as a base for day trips to Monopoli, Alberobello, and Ostuni - all reachable in 30-45 minutes
Food & drink in Polignano a Mare
These specialties you must try!
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