castle on the calm body of water
A red tuk-tuk awaits near tourists by the sea.
a group of people standing on a pier next to a body of water
a row of boats sitting on top of a street
a small village on the shore of a body of water
Photo by Thea Smc on Unsplash

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.

Romance
90
Food
85
Safety
85
Beach
75
Relaxation
70

Top 6 highlights in Polignano a Mare

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Lama Monachile (Cala Porto)

Iconic rock cove with turquoise water between cliffs, venue for the Red Bull Cliff Diving

2

Grotta Palazzese

World-famous cave restaurant in a natural sea cave with candlelight and sea view

3

Old Town on the Cliffs

Whitewashed maze of alleys on rugged rocks with surprising sea view terraces

4

Domenico Modugno Statue

Bronze statue of the Volare singer with outstretched arms at the cliff's edge

5

Boat Tours to the Caves

Exploration of numerous sea caves along the cliff coast by boat or kayak

6

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.

Über 700.000 Hotels
Kostenlose Stornierung
Bestpreis-Garantie
Hotels in Polignano a Mare vergleichen

* 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

Compare thousands of package holidays to Polignano a Mare and find the best deals with flight & hotel.

Compare package holidays now

5 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!

Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa - ear-shaped pasta with turnip tops, garlic, anchovies, and chili, Apulia's national dish
Crudo di Pesce - raw fish and seafood, freshly caught as carpaccio or tartare, an Apulian specialty
Focaccia Barese - thick and juicy with tomatoes, olives, and olive oil, completely different from the Ligurian version
Panzerotto - fried pastry filled with mozzarella and tomato, the ultimate street food of Apulia
Gelato Artigianale - artisanal ice cream, particularly good in Polignano at the gelaterias in the old town
Suitable for:CliffsApuliaInstagramCavesCliff DivingOld TownBeachRomance

Ready for Polignano a Mare?

Plan your Polignano a Mare holiday now with our free tools.

All destinations in ItalyAll destinations in Europe