Free walking tours in Polignano a Mare and what to see

Must-sees

Polignano a Mare looks out over the Adriatic from a clifftop, about thirty kilometres south of Bari. You enter the old town through the Arco Marchesale, the old town gate, and inside is a maze of white streets with balconies and terraces above the sea. Nearby are the mother church, of medieval origin, and Palazzo Marchesale. Its best-known image is Lama Monachile, a small pebble cove wedged between rock walls and crossed by a bridge that follows the route of the old Via Traiana.

On the promenade by the sea stands the statue of Domenico Modugno, born in Polignano and author of «Nel blu dipinto di blu». The cliff is riddled with sea caves, such as the Grotta Palazzese, which are best seen from the water. For contemporary art, the Pino Pascali museum occupies a former slaughterhouse by the sea. To the north, the hamlet of San Vito keeps an abbey by a small harbour.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours are rare in Polignano. The most popular option is a boat trip, in a group or private, to see the cliff caves from the sea. There are also guided walks of the old town with tastings of local produce, tastings without a tour, Apulian cooking classes and try-dives for anyone who wants to look under the water.

How long to spend

The old town, Lama Monachile and the viewpoints can be seen in half a day. Add a boat trip and a swim and you need a full day. In summer it is best to arrive early or stay for sunset, because at midday the centre gets crowded. With two or three days, Polignano is a good base for Monopoli, Alberobello and Bari, all well connected by train.

Where to stay

Staying in the old town lets you enjoy the viewpoints once the day visitors leave, with guesthouses and apartments in old buildings, some with sea-view terraces. Just outside the centre there are larger hotels and apartments near the station. If you have a car, the masserie in the countryside between Polignano and Conversano are a quiet alternative.