Villa Marcella

The enchanting town of Polignano a Mare sits atop limestone cliffs looking out across the Adriatic. Those spectacular sea views and its sandy, Blue Flag beach make it a favourite destination, as does the pretty centre. The cliffs which surround the beach attract many cliff-divers and Polignano a Mare enjoys an international reputation as a prime destination for the sport.

The old town is a place to lose yourself, often literally, but you will soon find its jumble of little streets leading you back in the direction of the beach. Lots of appealing trattorias can be found around town and while Mediterranean cuisine dominates, other varieties appear on menus too. One local specialty you should try is the ice cream, which comes highly recommended.

Polignano a Mare is an excellent base for exploring the region in all directions. Midway between the cities of Bari and Brindisi, it’s also close to eye-catching Ostuni, Alberobello and Martina Franca and only 15 minutes’ drive from the attractive coastal town of Monopoli, where you will find even more history and chilled-out beach life.