15 FUN Things to do in Polignano a Mare, Italy (& Nearby)

Clinging to limestone cliffs above the sparkling Adriatic sea, Polignano a Mare is truly one of Italy’s most romantic towns. I first visited years ago while I was living in Italy, and recently brought my husband back during our 10 days of southern Italy adventures—I can’t get enough of its charm!

Yes, it’s actually quite a small town, but there’s more to do here than you’d expect—boat tours through the town’s 40+ glowing sea caves, traditional Puglian cooking classes, and wine tasting at nearby vineyards.

And of course, if you stay here a few days (which I recommend!) you’ll have time to explore the trull-dotted Puglian countryside, and perhaps take a day trip to some of the UNESCO World Heritage villages nearby like Matera and Alberobello.

Where to Stay in Polignano a Mare

On my last visit, we were able to book a stunning B&B in the walled old town with a rooftop overlooking the famed Lama Monachile beach—which was also a short walk away anytime we wanted to jump in for a swim!

And most of Polignano a Mare’s best restaurants and bars were just steps away from our B&B… including the best focaccia I’ve ever had, which I’ll share about in a bit!!

Getting Around Polignano a Mare & Puglia

Although I’ve visited with AND without a car, I highly recommend renting a car if you want to explore more of Puglia. (I always use DiscoverCars to compare local and international car rentals in Italy)

Polignano a Mare is accessible from Bari via a train, but it’s not always reliable, and many of the other nearby villages are not easily accessible by public transport.

If you’re staying in Polignano a Mare’s Old Town like I did, you’ll likely need to park your car in the free public lot here by the train station. Cars aren’t allowed anywhere in the old part of town!

Best Things to do in Polignano a Mare, Puglia

1. Take a Boat Tour of the Sea Caves

If there’s one thing you can’t miss in Polignano a Mare, it’s seeing the white-washed old city and its dozens of hidden sea caves from the water.

This $40 boat excursion guides you along the dramatic Adriatic coastline and into some of the town’s 40+ sea caves.

Along the way, you’ll gaze up at the statue of Domenico Modugno—the Polignano-born singer of Volare—and cruise by Lama Monachile, one of Italy’s most photographed beaches.

Of course, no Italian adventure is complete without food and wine. So, the boat tours ends with an aperitivo of Prosecco and taralli as you sail beside Polignano a Mare’s limestone cliffs.

2. Wander the Old Town

Polignano a Mare’s small historic center is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, adorned with charming arches, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and hidden terraces with sweeping Mediterranean views.

The Old Town is pedestrian-only, and it truly is the heart of the town. I loved staying at our B&B in the Old Town because we got to experience its charm at all times of day. It was especially magical after dark as winding narrow streets lit up with twinkling lights.

3. Swim at Lama Monachile Beach

Framed by dramatic cliffs and the iconic Ponte Borbonico bridge, Lama Monachile is one of Italy’s most photographed beaches… and it’s just as beautiful in real life!

Seeing the beach is a must, of course, but if you visit in the summertime, you can take a swim in the turquoise water! And if you’re brave, you can swim into the small cave on the right side of the cove.

The beach itself is quite rocky, so you might prefer to wear water shoes. And keep in mind that this popular beach can get incredibly crowded. We enjoyed swimming here for just a little bit and then went back to shower at our Old Town B&B, which was a 5 minute walk away.

4. Take a Traditional Puglian Cooking Class

Can you really experience Italy without cooking and tasting local food?

Puglia is known for its handmade orecchiette and cavatelli pasta, spongy focaccia (my favorite), and of course, its wine! In this Polignano a Mare cooking class you’ll make all of these local dishes and more, with some local wine.

The class takes place in a small homely kitchen in Polignano a Mare’s charming historic center and should be booked in advance here.

5. Go Wine Tasting at a Local Vineyard

Did you know that many of Tuscany’s famous wines use Puglia’s grapes?!

Puglia is Italy’s hidden gem for wine, and naturally, you’ll have to taste and see for yourself at a local vineyard! Many of the area’s best vineyards are located around Brindisi, including Trulli il Castagno (wine tasting at a traditional trulli!).

Since we were staying further north in Polignano a Mare, we went to Azienda Agricola L’Essenza di Puglia Carovigno, an organic family-run winery situated between Carovigno and the Adriatic.

We got a private tour of the land with the owner and winemaker, Giancarlo, and tasted all their delicious organic wines and olive oils. Giancarlo lives on the land with his wife—and the property has been in their family for four generations.

6. Volare on Via Roma

Back in Polignano a Mare, stroll down Via Roma in the evening and look up to see the lyrics of Volare strung over the street in glowing letters.

The song’s singer Domenico Modugno was born here in 1928 but apparently never returned. But you’ll really feel like he is here as everyone hums Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu while walking along Via Roma in the evenings.

7. Eat and Drink Your Way Through Town

Puglia has some of the best food I’ve had in Italy. And Polignano a Mare is home to the best focaccia I’ve ever tasted! So, don’t miss these spots:

• La Focacceria Delle Noci Marco: The foccacieria with the best focaccia I’ve ever had! Choose from a handful of freshly baked focaccias, then walk over to the nearby bridge over Lama Monachile to enjoy it with a view.
• MINT Cucina Fresca: This cozy, intimate restaurant is truly the place to be in Polignano a Mare. There are only enough tables for a few groups, and you absolutely need a reservation (but we didn’t have any trouble getting a reservation a few days before).
• Cactus: This small hidden bar in the old town is known for its natural wine, cocktails, and aperitivo. It was our go-to spot for drinks!
• Habitat Café: My favorite cafe in Polignano a Mare for excellent Italian coffee and vegan-friendly cornetti (croissants).
• Grotta Palazzese Restaurant: The iconic Pinterest-famous restaurant built into the cliffs in Polignano a Mare. I haven’t dined here and have heard some mixed reviews about the food. But it absolutely books out, so make sure to have a reservation!

9. Explore the Walled Port City of Monopoli

Just fifteen minutes south of Polignano a Mare you’ll find Monopoli, another charming little seaside town.

Although both towns might look similar in photos, they feel completely different in real life, and I highly recommend stopping here! Monopoli is a walled city and a port city, with quite a larger historic area compared to Polignano a Mare.

Monopoli is also home to a 16th century castle, several cathedrals, and a small fishing port with colorfully painted boats. That said, there isn’t much else to do here besides wander through the whitewashed old town, which we really enjoyed!

10. See the Trulli Houses of Alberobello

An hour’s drive from Polignano a Mare will take you to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello. This small town is home to clusters of hundreds of Puglia’s cutest little houses, called Trulli! These cone-roofed stone homes are built entirely without mortar using dry-stone techniques.

The story goes that locals built their homes this way in the 1600s to avoid paying taxes to the Kingdom of Naples. Since they were built without mortar, they could easily be disassembled when tax inspectors came around—crazy, right?

Although there isn’t a lot to do in Alberobello besides wander through the Rione Monti and snap photos in front of the trulli, this charming little town makes a fun half day trip if you have time!

11. Visit Hilltop Walled City of Ostuni

Another lovely day trip from Polignano a Mare will take you to Ostuni, a stunning hilltop walled city surrounded by olive groves and known for its meandering maze-like streets.

The cars are prohibited in the majority of the hilltop city, so you have to find parking at the base of the city and wander the maze-like streets of Ostuni on foot.

Once you’re in the Old City, the best thing to do is simply wander…. and see what hidden gems you find! If you’d like to explore with a local guide, check out this excellent private walking tour.

And if you only do one thing in Ostuni, check out Taverna della Gelosia, a lovely Puglian restaurant tucked into a small garden with views of the countryside and Mediterranean Sea! I’d also highly recommend Cremeria Alla Scala for delicious gelato and sorbetto.

12. Day Trip to Matera

Matera is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, and home to over 1,000 ancient cave dwellings carved into the cliffs. And you might recognize it from the 25th James Bond film No Time To Die and a variety of biblical films including The Passion of Christ.

The town is 1.5 hours from Polignano a Mare, so it’s doable as a day trip, but it’s also a fun place to stay for a night in one of the famous cave hotels.

Some of the best things to do here include wandering the labyrinth-like streets of the Sassi, hiking beside the ancient cave dwellings at Murgia Materana Park, trying traditional Basilicata cuisine (we went to Da Nonna Rosa), and learning about the city’s history on a small group walking tour.

13. Zip-Line Through the Dolomites in Castelmezzano

Tucked two hours in-land, Castelmezzano is a Medieval village perched on the peaks of the Dolomites that feels like its straight out of a fairytale!

And the magical thing to do here is zip-line nearly a mile over the gorge to the nearby village of Pietrapertosa—which is also built into the mountaintops and just as charming as Castelmezzano!

The zip-line route is called the Angel’s Flight, and you can reach speeds of up to 75 mph while soaring over 400 feet above the valley below. The birds-eye views are indescribable… and if you’re like me, awe will instantly replace any sense of fear as you fly through the fresh mountain air.

There are several other things to do here, which I cover in my Castelmezzano travel guide. Since its just over two hours from Polignano a Mare, it might be worth spending the night. And if you have time, be sure to stop in Matera as its on the way here!

14. Swim at the Castle Ruins Nearby

Just south of Monopoli, Calette di Torre Cintola is a must-visit spot if you’re visiting in the summertime. Here you can swim and snorkel amongst the crumbling ruins of a 16th-century coastal watchtower.

It feels like a bit of a hidden gem among tourists, but locals definitely know about Calette di Torre Cintola, so it can get busy in the heat of the summer. And there aren’t many areas to sit, but it’s a lovely spot for a refreshing swim!

Keep in mind that the ground is quite rocky here—and sadly, there was a bit of broken glass when we visited—so its worth bringing water shoes. But once you’re in, the water is crystal clear and calm, perfect for spotting small fish.

15. Take Photos at the Lama Monachile Overlook

Scogliera del Lungomare Modugno is an iconic photo spot overlooking Lama Monachile beach and the Old Town of Polignano a Mare. And although its a popular spot, it actually doesn’t get that crowded… partly because not everyone can find it!

To reach the overlook, cross the famous Ponte (bridge) and take your first right down Via Conversano until you see the Domenico Modugno Volare statue. The steps right behind the statue lead down to the cliffs where you’ll get that iconic view!

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• How to Plan Your First Trip to Italy
• What You NEED to Book in Advance for Rome (And How to Book!)
• 7 Tips for Visiting the Vatican for the First Time

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