Polignano a Mare may still be loved mostly by Italians, but it’s quickly gaining more and more attention from travelers worldwide. I’ve visited several times, and here are the top reasons it deserves a spot on your Puglia list.

Reason no 1 – Red Bull Cliff Jumping Championships

If you want to see crazy men and women jumping off the cliffs on the town’s most famous beach, check them out in Polignano a Mare. You can check the competition dates here.

But keep in mind that these competitions attract a lot of people, so it’s best not to do what we did: we arrived in the early afternoon and went for lunch first, which was supposed to be a quick one, but the food was incredibly delicious — especially rice with mussels — so we enjoyed our meal without paying attention to the time. Then we had a hard time finding a good spot to watch the diving, because Polignano was packed. After weaving through the crowds and standing on tiptoes to see what was happening, we finally managed to find a secret (!) access to the beach, so we were almost in the center of events.

Reason no 2 – Something for History Lovers

I won’t make a groundbreaking discovery by stating that Polignano is a place with a long history. If you’re a history buff and want to mark on your map the traces of the troglodytes, the ancient Greeks, or even Julius Caesar, this is another reason to visit charming Polignano. Moreover, the latter likely founded the city – although historians disagree on this. But how does that sound? I’ve visited a city whose founding father was Caesar himself! Of course, in later centuries, all sorts of famous families, such as the Aragonese, passed through Polignano a Mare.

Now this role has been taken over by tourists 🙂 And this mixture of history, tourists, and very romantic corners creates the atmosphere of the town.

Reason no 3 – Old Town Built on Cliffs and Rocks

The white old town is a must-see. The view of the buildings perched on the rocks above the sea is breathtaking.

The main, or rather only, entrance to the historic center of Polignano a Mare is the Marchesale Arch. The old town has charming, whitewashed streets and beautiful old churches, such as the Chiesa of Santa Maria Assunta and the Chiesa Matrice. Picturesque small houses with tiny balconies adorned with blooming flowers are connected by arches. It’s easy to get lost in the winding streets, but that doesn’t really matter. Before you know it, you’ll reach one of three viewpoints offering incredible panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and coastline.

Reason no 4 – Lama Monachile / Cala Porto and Other Beaches Along the Coast

Lama Monachile, also known as Cala Porto, is Polignano’s most iconic beach. Easily accessible by foot from the old town via the Monachile Bridge, Lama is a truly charming beach – the combination of whitish cliffs, small caves carved by the water, and the turquoise-blue sea is a color combination that would delight any famous painter.

I would take tons of photos there, admire the sea, and so on, but in high season I would skip the sunbathing – it’s always incredibly crowded, and I don’t like throngs. However, along the 12-kilometer coast of Polignano a Mare, you can find other beaches, such as Cala Paura, Cala Incina, and San Vito.

The latter is worth visiting because it’s not just a beach; it also boasts a monastery and a small cove with red, green, and blue boats. It’s a very beautiful place.

The coast is full of caves washed out by the sea; the most famous is the Palazzese cave, which houses a restaurant.

Reason no 5 – Ice Cream and Food

Polignano is packed with restaurants, bars, taverns, cafés, and many other attractions. You certainly won’t go hungry, and the only problem might be choosing the right place.

In town, you’ll find dishes typical of the Bari region, such as focaccia and orecchiette, as well as dishes unique to Polignano a Mare. And you absolutely must try the famous coffee there — it has a bit more ingredients than a typical espresso. You’ll read about its ingredients, where to eat, and what to eat soon.

Reason no 6 – Domenico Modugno

Do you recognize that name? Honestly? I didn’t know who you were talking about either until I heard Volare… oooo, cantare… oooo 🙂
Yup, Domenico Modugno is the performer of an old international hit. And since he’s from Polignano, the residents are so proud of Polignano a Mare’s most outstanding representative that they erected a monument to him. Of course, the figure on the monument has his arms outstretched, as if Domenico wanted… volare.

Wondering if Polignano a Mare is worth a visit? If you’re not convinced yet, it’s best to just go there and see if you agree with me 🙂