What to see in Polignano a Mare
Let's find out what to see in Polignano a Mare. A city that reserves infinite wonders. From its coves to its caves, from the artists born in this city to the culture of catering. A trip to Apulia not to be missed.
Apulia attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year thanks to its tradition, culture, many places of interest and food. We talked about it in the article Travel to Apulia.
Polignano a Mare, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Apulia, is a fascinating and surprising place. You can see its beauty just looking at its photos. Living this place is an experience that should not be missed by travellers. What attracts the visitor are the wonders of Polignano a Mare: the characteristic narrow streets, the spectacular overhangs on the sea that offer breathtaking views, the bright whiteness of the city, the coves and caves on the sea. Its strategic position, very close to Bari, means it can be visited and enjoyed in any season of the year. Let's discover together what to see in Polignano a Mare. We invite you to monitor the official sites to be updated on the Coronavirus: Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri e Viaggiare sicuri.
Beaches in Polignano a Mare
Along the coast, there are numerous sea caves with stone bridges, suggestive and hidden coves including local fishermen's landing places.
There are several beaches that can be reached from Polignano a Mare: Ponte dei Lapilli Beach, Cala Paura, San Vito Beach, CalaFetente and, of course, Lama Monachine.
Lama Monachine
Lama Monachine is the most famous beach of Polignano a Mare, the most known beach in the web, there are many photos and videos that pop out when you make a search on this wonderful city of Apulia.
Lama Monachine is a beach formed in a cove between two cliffs that fall sheer, located in the centre of Polignano and was used as a landing for ships when they arrived from the East. Today it is one of the most popular places of Polignano a Mare thanks to the landscape it offers. Relaxing in this place is very pleasant even when it is crowded.
Lama Monachine can be admired also from the Bourbon bridge, a few metres from the beach. From up there, a glimpse of this beach is a must.
Grotta Piana is the most famous cave in this inlet, it is one of the many sea caves of Polignano a Mare.
San Vito Beach
Close to the Abbey dedicated to the patron saint of Polignano a Mare, St. Vito, of which we have already spoken in this blog, there is a small and nice beach that takes its name: San Vito beach. This place is one of the most beautiful of Polignano a Mare thanks to the presence of small pools carved into the rock with a sea of wonderful colours. Beyond the abbey, a tower frames this place that should not miss to be visited.
Ponte dei Lapilli Beach
Are you looking for a free beach made up, as the name suggests, of rounded stones? You are in the right place!
Precisely because of this conformation, it is suggested that you enter the beach with sea shoes. The seabed is rocky and quickly deep, so access is only recommended for the brave and those who know how to swim.
To reach this beach, you can park your car about 500 metres away and walk along a dirt road that is not suitable for the disabled.
Cala Fetente
A sandy and rocky cove located along the north coast of Polignano a Mare. To reach Cala Fetente, you have to take a dirt road that is sometimes quite busy. It can be reached nearby by car. Here too the sea is very clean. Moreover, the conformation allows to enjoy a sea always calm even in days when it is rough.
The Caves of Polignano a Mare
From Cala Paura Grotto, in the north, to Hermit Cave, in the south, there are 21 caves in the city of Polignano a Mare. Some of these can be easily visited through land or sea entrances, such as kayak excursions.
Cala Paura Grotto
Cala Paura Grotto is a small shelter that the sea has carved along the rock. Today it is partly covered by the wall of the town's first bathing establishment. The entrance is possible from the town of Polignano a Mare following these directions: descend along the Domenico Modugno seafront until you reach the “Il Grottone” restaurant; the cavity opens at sea level below the restaurant and faces the Azzurra Cave.
Piana Cave
The Piana Cave is called “Grotta del Basso Porto” by the people of Polignano. It is a sea cave consisting of a large quadrangular cavern, characterised by a perfectly flat and horizontal vault. Located at an angle under the Bastione di Santo Stefano, it is accessible from both land and sea through two opposing entrances. Today it is one of the symbols of Polignano.
Palazzese Cave
Palazzese Cave is the largest of all the caves in Polignano a Mare. It once belonged to the Leto marquises, feudal lords in the 1700s, who dug a small staircase in the rock to access the cave by land. By sea, there are two openings that allow access by boat. We talked about this cave in our article on the “Grotta Palazzese” restaurant.
Sella Cave
This is an uncomfortable place to reach, and it is impractical with children. However, Sella Cave is a wonderful place. Before you get there, you have to walk along a beaten-earth path that skirts a small, ruined trullo and then ends up on the sharp rocks. A place that simply must be visited with great care, wearing hiking shoes. It is impossible to dive in and explore the waters, the place does not allow it.
Cave of the Nuns
Tradition has it that local nuns or sisters used to take refreshment in the waters of this cave away from prying eyes. Cave of the Nuns is used to be easily accessible by a staircase that was closed a few years ago.
Colonna Cave
Located in front of the Hermit rock, Colonna Cave takes its name from a column that divides the entrance into two entrances. The interior of the cave is square in shape and filled with water that reflects light, generating different colours.
Other attractions in Polignano a Mare
Hermit Rock
Also known as St Paul's Island, legend has it that a mysterious figure spent most of his life on this rock. A legend handed down from father to son, among fishermen and believers.
Hermit Rock is about 30 metres high. A chapel dedicated to St Anthony the Abbot was built on it in 1612, but it was converted into a lazaret in 1837 due to a cholera epidemic and later destroyed for hygiene reasons.
This area is under special protection because it is home to a splendid and rare specimen of seagull, the Larus Audonii. This bird is characterised by its small size, coral-coloured beak with a black tip and a snow-white colour.
Incina Tower
Incina Tower was built to guard the sea and defend the cove in the second half of the 16th century, between the town of Polignano a mare and Monopoli.
Today it is a beautiful, easily accessible seaside spot, consisting of both rocks and a small sandy beach. Wonderful panorama and very clear waters. Also suitable for families with children. There are parking spaces nearby.
Motokart track Adriatic
There is the Motokartodromo Adriatico in Polignano a Mare for kart and motorbike lovers. The track is 900 metres long. The track is smooth and fast. It is possible to rent fast and braking karts.
Pino Pascali Museum
Pino Pascali Museum is now managed by the Pino Pascali Foundation, established in 2010. Inaugurated in 1998, it exhibits works by the Polignano aMare artist and exponent of Arte Povera, Pino Pascali. Today it is located in the former municipal slaughterhouse.
In 1969 the artist's parents launched the first Pino Pascali Award, which continued for 10 years. In 1997 it was taken over by the Rosalba Branà Foundation.
The statue of Domenico Modugno in Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare, 33 km from the capital of the Apulia region, Bari, is a pearl of the Adriatic sea, the birthplace of DomenicoModugno. In memory of this great artist, winner of four Italian song festivals, a statue has been erected by Argentine sculptor Hermann Mejer. The statue, about 3 metres high, represents Domenico Modugno that, with open arms, turns his embrace to his hometown, Polignano a Mare, remembering the famous song with which he reached the apex of success in 1958: "Volare".
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Where to eat in Polignano a Mare
We have already talked about restaurants, dedicating an article to the Grotta Palazzese, the most popular restaurant in Polignano a Mare.
The cuisine of Polignano a Mare is typically based on fish. Below is another restaurant that is the excellence of the area.
Da Tuccino Polignano a Mare
This seafood restaurant opened in 1968. Tuccino is Vito's nickname. At the end of the 1960s he decided to transform his wooden shack and reed mats, where he sold mussels and seafood, into a small trattoria. Thus began the "Tuccino" adventure. Alongside Tuccino was his wife Tonetta, a good housewife and cook of first courses. The combination was successful: Tuccinochose the fish, Tonetta cooked. In the seventies, the shack was moved to the premises that are still active today. Since then, as always, Tuccino has been serving fish dishes that are always fresh and of excellent quality. The choice of quality wines comes with his son Pasquale. A few years ago, Pasquale passed his inheritance to his son Vito, who continues the family tradition. The menu offers first courses at an average cost of € 18, in line with the quality served.
Polignano a Mare to visit and to live
Polignano a Mare is definitely a city to visit and to live. Spending your holidays in Polignano a Mare is one of the best choices if you want to visit all Apulia and Basilicata, including Matera. We have also explained the reasons when we talked about the trip to Apulia.
Booking Polignano a Mare
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