Polignano a Mare: the ultimate guide to visit the Salento's pearl in 2023

Polignano a Mare is a picturesque destination in Puglia, brimming with charm and attractions. This captivating coastal town offers a variety of experiences ranging from cultural and sporting events to artisanal shopping and relaxation. Immersed in breathtaking natural beauty, Polignano a Mare will captivate you with its vibrant nightlife and enchanting beaches.

Explore historical landmarks, take part in local festivities such as the Feast of San Vito, and indulge your taste buds with exquisite local cuisine. Book your adventure in Polignano a Mare and create unforgettable moments in this gem of the Puglian coast.

The historical centre, built on the rock, offers a maze of narrow streets, small squares and terraces overlooking the sea, including Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, dominated by the Palazzo dell'Orologio and the Chiesa Matrice. Along the narrow streets are numerous aristocratic palaces, churches and courtyards full of flowers, including the Church of San Benedetto, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of San Francesco.

The historic centre is also famous for its culinary tradition, with numerous trattorias, restaurants and craft shops offering local specialities such as friselle, orecchiette, fresh fish and homemade ice cream. Polignano a Mare is a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer season, thanks to its natural beauty, its thousand-year history and its cultural and gastronomic offerings.

Polignano a Mare is a popular tourist destination for its natural beauty, including its beaches. The most famous is undoubtedly Lama Monachile, a beach nestled between two horseshoe-shaped rock walls, with a crystal-clear sea and golden sand. This beach is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, including sheer cliffs and the characteristic Torre dell'Orso, an ancient watchtower that stands on the cliff. Another beach popular with tourists is Cala Paura, located near the old town. This beach is characterised by the presence of a cliff that juts out into the sea and offers a scene of rare beauty.

San Vito beach, on the other hand, is located north of the city and is characterised by an azure sea and golden sand. The beaches of Polignano a Mare offer breathtaking scenery, including crystal-clear sea, sheer cliffs and natural landscapes of rare beauty. They are suitable both for those seeking relaxation and tranquillity, and for those who want to practice water sports such as snorkelling or kayaking.

Polignano a Mare offers a diverse culinary scene that draws from the traditional cuisine of Apulia but is enriched with local specialties. One of the most famous specialties is friselle, which are hard and crunchy biscuits perfect for accompanying seafood dishes or enjoyed in combination with fresh tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil. Among the first courses, the orecchiette with turnip greens cannot be missed, a typical dish of Apulian cuisine, as well as the sagne 'ncannulate, a long pasta dish seasoned with meat ragout.

Regarding fish, Polignano a Mare offers a wide selection of dishes, from seafood-based first courses such as mussels and clams to fresh fish second courses, among which red prawns and sea urchins stand out, strictly caught in the waters adjacent to the city. There are also desserts, including the pasticciotto, a small pie filled with pastry cream, perfect to enjoy for breakfast or as a snack.

Regarding beverage, the winemaking tradition of Apulia offers high-quality wines, including Primitivo di Manduria, an intense and full-bodied red wine, and Negroamaro, a dry red wine with a soft and persistent taste. Additionally, Polignano a Mare offers numerous wineries and farms where it is possible to taste wines and purchase typical local products such as extra virgin olive oil, cheese, and cold cuts. The enogastronomic tradition of Polignano a Mare represents a perfect combination of the sea and the land, offering fresh and genuine products expertly worked and enhanced by local cuisine.

Polignano a Mare, a city of art and culture, offers numerous monuments and places of interest to visit. One of the symbolic places of the city is the statue of Domenico Modugno, located in the central square dedicated to him. Another place of great interest is the Castle of Polignano, dating back to the fifteenth century, now used as a museum and exhibition space. The Matrice Church, located in the historic center of the city, which houses important religious works of art, such as the statue of the Madonna dell'Assunta and the canvas of the Dead Christ, is also not to be missed.

For archaeology enthusiasts, Polignano a Mare offers the opportunity to visit the San Vito Caves, a complex of caves carved into sandstone, used in medieval times as a burial place. For the more adventurous, it is possible to take a boat tour along the coast to admire the caves and cliffs that frame the city. Polignano a Mare is a complete tourist destination, able to offer visitors art, culture, and nature, to experience an unforgettable vacation of discovery and relaxation.

There are numerous bars, pubs, and restaurants open until late at night, where you can enjoy excellent cocktails, listen to live music, and dance until dawn. The historic center of Polignano is the beating heart of the city's nightlife, with its picturesque illuminated streets and elegant venues along the coast. Piazza Aldo Moro is one of the most frequented squares, where you can find bars and cafes offering great aperitifs and snacks.

In summer, Lama Monachile beach becomes one of the most popular meeting places, thanks to the seaside venues that offer live music and unique atmospheres. There are also nightclubs located a few kilometers from the center that offer evenings of music and entertainment. Polignano a Mare is a city that never sleeps, where you can spend unforgettable evenings full of fun and joy.

Polignano a Mare offers numerous outdoor activities for everyone. Among the main attractions are the sea caves, which can be visited thanks to boat excursions organized along the coast. Water sports enthusiasts can practice surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and stand up paddle, thanks to the numerous schools and sports centers in the city. The beaches of Polignano a Mare are also ideal for sunbathing, swimming, or snorkeling.

For trekking and hiking lovers, there are numerous nature trails that allow you to enjoy spectacular views and reach places of great landscape interest. Finally, Polignano a Mare is also the ideal starting point for excursions in the surrounding areas, to discover the art cities and ancient villages that characterize Apulia.

Polignano a Mare is surrounded by breathtaking nature, which can be discovered through numerous naturalistic excursions. The protected area of Porto Conte, a few kilometers from Polignano, offers the opportunity to go trekking and mountain biking along the trails immersed in the Mediterranean scrub and admire spectacular sea views. For birdwatching enthusiasts, the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve is a true paradise, with the presence of numerous species of migratory birds.

In short, Polignano a Mare is the ideal starting point for naturalistic excursions of all kinds, to discover spectacular views and the rich biodiversity that characterizes Apulia.

Polignano a Mare is a city rich in artisanal traditions, which can be discovered by visiting the workshops of local artisans. Here, one can find handmade ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and art objects, all crafted with care and skill. Among the local culinary specialties are products of the land such as oil, cheese, and wine.

Polignano a Mare is the ideal place for those seeking relaxation and well-being. Here you can find numerous wellness centers and spas that offer regenerating treatments and massages, including those based on olive oil, which is one of the specialties of the area. Additionally, Polignano a Mare is famous for its natural thermal waters, which have healing and relaxing properties.

You can immerse yourself in thermal waters both in the pool and in the open sea and enjoy the beneficial healing effects of thermal waters. Polignano a Mare also offers numerous outdoor activities such as yoga and meditation, which allow you to completely relax in a natural and regenerating environment.