Polignano a Mare, a beautiful seaside paradise in Puglia

Puglia is a diverse region with a perfect blend of rustic landscapes and kilometres of pristine coastline; it boasts some of the cleanest beaches in Italy and it is rare to see overcrowding like in the northern beach resorts.

Polignano, the ‘pearl of the Adriatic’

Located a mere 47 km or a 30 minute car ride from Bari airport, the beautiful seaside resort of Polignano a Mare is considered by many to be the pearl of the Adriatic sea. Originally a fishing village, the town is now a thriving holiday resort (although mostly for the locals).  The buildings are all whitewashed, and there is a stunning cathedral. Steeped in history, this pretty town is the perfect location for a holiday in Italy. Polignano offers a beautiful historic old centre with impressive architecture and outstanding cliffside views over the sea. It is also famous for its caves, with grottos and caverns with stalactites and stalagmites.

In the summer, the town is alive with Baresi doing the ‘passegiata’ through the squares, eating ice-cream or relaxing in the various bars and restaurants, many of which have exceptional sea views. There are many events with music, art, theatre, folklore, sport and food all adding to the uniqueness of the town.

Behind the old centre is a large square which hosts markets twice a week with stalls offering a variety of Pugliese specialities.

The coast

For beach lovers, there is the main beach in the town and some rocky bathing areas, however a short drive away, you will see the largest lido style beaches with facilities at Torre Canne (near Fasano). Those looking for peace and quiet, can also find their own private cove along the route and swim from the rocks!

A little further south, you will also find kilometres of beautiful coastline around the Torre Guaceto nature reserve, which boasts some of the cleanest beaches in Italy.

Travelling around

For those venturing out of Poliganano, the surrounding area offers a raft of whitewashed towns and villages.  Ostuni (also known as the ‘White City’) and one of southern Italy’s most beautiful small towns is located around half an hour’s drive away. Alberobello, another gem of a town, which is home to more than 1,000 Trulli properties is a similar distance away.

Accommodation

Polignano offers some beautifully renovated properties, all offering a great standard of accommodation and ranging from Trulli (cone roofed buildings dating to the middle ages which are unique to the region) to Masserie (Puglian farmhouses, once large agricultural centres for farming the land, many of which are now being converted into either private accommodation or hotels) and apartments.

Click to view a range of accommodation in Polignano and surrounding areas through Holiday Homes in Italy.

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