Martin van Groenigen
Just imagine: high cliffs topped by snow-white houses that make you squint thanks to the bright sunlight. In the background you can hear children playing, cats meowing, glasses clinking and there is always something Flying from Domenico Modugno. Welcome to Polignano a Mare, the seaside resort for the yupping jet set. But luckily the town is more than that! We'll take you with us.
What is so special about Polignano a Mare?
Just in advance, because Polignano a Mare is of course a mouth full. From now on we will simply say Polignano, like the locals do. That you don't think we're suddenly talking about 2 different places.
Polignano is a city on the Adriatic Sea in the middle of Apulia. It is a seaside resort that is very popular among the jet set and the rich & famous who try to speak Italian with an American accent. That's wonderful.
The seaside resort seems, especially if you look at the sea from the cliffs, very high and some people are happy with that. For example, in 2021 the Red Bull World Championship Cliff Diving was held. Yes and of course you can't do that from a diving board of 5 meters. You can do it here looking back anyway.
But the strict rule here is: don't imitate this at home. And not in Polignano either. The caves in the cliffs below the city were already inhabited in the Neolithic, but today the inhabitants look higher. You can still study the caves. But we'll get to that later!
What to do in Polignano a Mare?
Such a picturesque town, there must be a lot to do, you would think. And that's right! That's how you can do itmost beautiful beach in Italy', which you probably recognize from all the Puglia pictures. A bay, low-lying, with a small pebble beach in front.
In addition, there is a 'route' through the old center of the town that takes you to various viewpoints. The balconies of the city. Each and every one of them gives you a breathtaking view of the city, the bay or the cliffs. You can shoot beautiful pictures, but also just blink a few times to save the memory. It is always more beautiful than the photo.
You don't come to Polignano for major museums and galleries, but you can admire a collection of art and photographs in the Pascal Museum that you will find in Via Parco del Lauro 119, right on the coast.
Furthermore, Polignano is known for its one and only ll Super Mago del Gelo Mario Campanella, the coffee bar of the village. If you look from the outside you think: I'm walking on. The uninviting fluorescent lights, bright colors and kitschy knick knacks don't necessarily make it the most charming backdrop for a cup of coffee or an ice cream.
But just don't skip this one. Here you order the special caffè that you will not find anywhere else: coffee, sugar, lemon zest, cream and amaretto. Yes, put this address in Polignano on your list! In addition to the caffè special, you will also find all kinds of homemade ice cream and granita. Really, you don't want to miss this one, but thanks to the almost hideous appearance, you can't either.
What to see in Polignano a Mare?
What are the top sights in Polignano a Mare? We already said it: the cliffs of the city. View them from the 'city balconies' from above. Or book a boat tour that takes you across the sea through the cliffs and caves (see the addresses at the bottom of this article for tips).
Take some tasty things with you from Buongustaio and lay your towel on the Lama Monachile (the beach) or go for a bit of culture in the Chiesa Matrice di Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo.
Of course you have to Monument to Domenico Modugno visits. Because where many tourists think that the city is known for its well-known pebble beach, that is of course not the case.
It was Domenico who put his village on the map with his top hit In the blue painted blue - better known as Flying.
sung out? Then stroll through the old streets of Polignano, check out the Grotta Palazzese, the star restaurant where the celebs dine in a cave at night and even stay overnight in the associated hotel. See and be seen, but literally at a high level.
Where are we going to eat and drink in Polignano a Mare?
And then of course the ham question. Because all that wandering makes a person hungry. Fortunately, Polignano is well endowed with the number of restaurants, so there is always a table available somewhere for you. At some restaurants you also have to be prepared to stand in line.
For example at Pescaria, where you order a delicious octopus sandwich (or something else of course, that's up to you). The line is always long, but it's worth the wait.
Or head to L'Osteria di Chichibio where you'll be treated to almost live fish on your plate. This really is one of those restaurants where quality is more important than quantity.
Fancy sushi, but different? At Puro you get sushi the 'pugliese' way with fresh, local fish.
A little further from the old town, but worth the walk is Primi & Vini.
Il Grottino never disappoints, as does Meraviglioso Osteria Moderna and Ruz (where you can taste almost everything on the menu thanks to the small portions).
At MINT you can eat delicious from an original menu with Italian classics, but just a little bit different.
You can get cocktails and other drinks at Appian Way, Al 9, Lime or on a stand with white tablecloths and hoarse waiters at Begula Club Café. But there you also pay twice as much thanks to the white tablecloths.
Pizza in Polignano? There is! Stop by La Rustica just outside the old town, Malidea on the seafront (so with sea view) or at Pizza E Fichi in the main street.
Also nice, if you don't know your classics, if you walk down the main street in the old town all the way to the beginning, you see above you the text of Flying. Walk up and down the street a few times and you know him. After that, if you dare, you can steal the whole show with all your heart next to Domenico himself.
Where to go in Polignano a Mare – the addresses for food, drink & activities
Lama Monachile (the famous beach of the photos): be on time, because the place is limited!
Via San Vito
The city balconies overlooking the cliffs
Via Porto and Via Narciso
Pascal Museum
Via Parco del Lauro 119
ll Super Mago del Gelo Mario Campanella
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi 22
Gourmet
Via Roma 56
Chiesa Matrice di Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 21
Monument to Domenico Modugno
Piazza Giuseppe Verdi
Palazzese cave
Via Narciso 59
Pescaria
Piazza Aldo Moro 6/8
L'Osteria di Chichibio
Largo Gelso 6
Pure
Via S. Vito 15/17
Primi & Vinic
Caduti Square in Via Fani 7
The Grottino
Via Roma 57
Meraviglioso Osteria Moderna
Largo Gelso 16
Ruz
Via Roma 75
Mint
Via 32 S Benedetto
Appian Way
Via Roma 96
Al 9
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi 9
Lime
Via port 1
Begula Club Caffe
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi 15
La Rustica
Piazza Aldo Moro 34
Malidea on the lungomare
Lungomare Domenico Modugno 11
Pizza E Fichi
Via Roma 103
Pugliamare (Boat Tours through the Cliffs)
Piazza Caduti Via Fani 26
Spend the night in Polignano a Mare
Do you want to spend more than one day at Polignano? We can understand that well. Here are some tips for accommodation in the city.
Want to go all jet set? Then spend the night in the chic Hotel Grotta Palazzese, known for the accompanying restaurant where you dine in a cave at height.
Or how about A casa di Dany, right above the famous beach? Perhaps the very best location to enjoy your holiday in Polignano!
Also fantastic – but a bit less pricey – is B&B Five lives in the center of Polignano, just 300 meters from the beach.
Even closer to the beach and with a great view of old Polignano you will find Malù Bed&Breakfast.
In a quieter location just outside Polignano you will find Echi di Puglia with a private pool. Rated by guests with a 9,3.
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