Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare, Italy
Whitewashed houses on the edge of a limestone cliff above a tiny pebble cove. The terraces are best at sunrise.
The old town of Polignano a Mare is perched on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic. Below lies the pebble cove of Lama Monachile, spanned by the Ponte Borbonico, a 19th-century bridge from the Bourbon era. On the seafront, a bronze statue honours Domenico Modugno, the singer of “Volare”, who was born here in 1928. The sea caves beneath the cliffs can only be reached on a boat trip.
You can walk through the car-free old town in about 20 minutes; with a boat trip and a swim, half a day is worthwhile. It is busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon, so come before 10 am or after 6 pm. For swimming, Cala Paura, about 1.5 km to the north, is much quieter than the famous cove. You will need to park outside the pedestrian zone. Direct trains from Bari take around 40 minutes, and the station is a ten-minute walk from the old town.
- Nearest town
- Polignano a Mare, Italy
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 40.9960, 17.2210
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping Santo StefanoCampsite12 km from Polignano a MareTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Area Sosta CamperMotorhome stopover13 km from Polignano a MareMotorhomesWaste disposalFree
- Residence Camping AtlantideCampsite14 km from Polignano a MareMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowed
- Bylla BongCampsite17 km from Polignano a Mare
- Dei TrulliCampsite22 km from Polignano a MareTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Forcatella CamperMotorhome stopover25 km from Polignano a MareMotorhomesElectricityShowersToilets
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Polignano a Mare?
Polignano a Mare is in Polignano a Mare, Italy, at GPS 40.9960, 17.2210. It is about 9 km from Monopoli.
Can you camp near Polignano a Mare?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Santo Stefano, about 12 km away; within 25 km there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Polignano a Mare?
Polignano a Mare is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Puglia: trulli, white towns and the heel of Italy and Trulli, tufa and two seas – by motorhome from the Gargano through Puglia to the cape of Leuca.
What is there to see near Polignano a Mare?
Places worth a stop nearby: Castellana Caves (15 km), Egnazia archaeological park (19 km), Trulli di Alberobello (24 km) and Ostuni Old Town (42 km).
When is the best time to visit Polignano a Mare?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)