Italy Days 56 & 57: Arrivederci Lecce for the Stunning Beach Town of Polignano a Mare
Two days, although awesome, is just not enough for the splendor of the small, yet not too crowded or too touristy, stunning beach town of Polignano a Mare. For a beach town, it turned out to be a nice place to just look at the white houses perched on cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
Here’s a glimpse of our two days in Polignano a Mare.
My selfie with the stunning cliff views of Polignano a Mare showing off behind me with the white houses perched on the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. (June 12, 2023)
The crowded tiny and rocky beach area of Lama Monachile, which cuts the cliff in two, in Polignano a Mare with gorgeous views of the Adriatic Sea and the white houses perched on the cliffs. (June 12, 2023)
The crowded tiny and rocky beach area of Lama Monachile, which cuts the cliff in two, in Polignano a Mare with gorgeous views of the Adriatic Sea and the white houses perched on the cliffs. (June 12, 2023)
Walking along the Ponte Borbonico su Lama Monachile with views of the Adriatic Sea and the Lama Monachile beach to the left in Polignano a Mare. And to the right is the 16th-century Arco Marchesale. (June 12, 2023)
Walking along the Ponte Borbonico su Lama Monachile bridge with views of the Adriatic Sea in Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
The old Roman bridge seen from the Ponte Borbonico su Lama Monachile bridge in Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
We enter the historic center of Polignano a Mare by passing under the 16th-century Arco Marchesale, also known as Porta Grande, which until 1780 was the only point of access to the village that was surrounded by a moat, now hidden by Piazza Garibaldi, with its drawbridge. (June 12, 2023)
The 16th-century Arco Marchesale, also known as Porta Grande, in Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare through the Piazza Vittorio Emmanuel II. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare through the Piazza Vittorio Emmanuel II. (June 12, 2023)
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in the historic town center of Polignano a Mare in the Piazza Vittorio Emmanuel II. The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of the Assumption, but better known as the Chiesa Matrice or Mother Church. Probably built on the remains of a pagan temple, it was consecrated in 1295. (June 12, 2023)
Inside the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
The high altar inside the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
The Pieta by local sculptor Stefano da Putignano (c. 1470 – c. 1539) inside the Church of Santa Maria Assunta of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
The beautiful decorated entrance/exit door of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
The beautiful decorated entrance/exit door of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
The beautiful decorated entrance/exit door of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Another view of the crowded tiny rocky beach of Lama Monachile, which cuts the cliff in two in Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
The cliffs of Polignano a Mare and the gleaming turquoise Adriatic Sea. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. St. Stephen’s Chapel, now the Pino Pascali Art Gallery. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. St. Stephen’s Chapel, now the Pino Pascali Art Gallery. (June 12, 2023)
Getting in a group shot of me, Alice and John with the cliffs and beautiful Adriatic Sea in Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
My late lunch, early dinner, which Alice refers to as dunch on our first day in Polignano a Mare at the Serafini Apulian Bistrot in the historic center. It’s bruschetta with olive oil, delicious cherry tomatoes, capers, red onions, oregano and fresh tuna. It was light, tasty and hit those hunger spots. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Me in one of the many alleyways of Polignano a Mare. Thanks John Hayes for the photo. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Walking through the historic town center of Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
John getting in a morning swim in the Adriatic Sea during our second and last day in Polignano a Mare. (June 13, 2023)
Another late lunch/early dinner at Casa Mia Trattoria Pezzeria in Pilignano a Mare. Alice is having Sashimi, fresh, thinly sliced raw fish. She loved it. (June 13, 2023)
And I decided to go for the meat, a steak cooked medium with vegetables and homemade fries with a Lemonchello Spritz at Casa Mia Trattoria Pezzeria in Pilignano a Mare. (June 13, 2023)
There are a number of Africans from various countries like Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and more who sell a variety of items on the streets like beaded bracelets, scarves and hats like this beautiful woman. Along with her colorful hats, this sweet woman was selling little purses, scarves and beaded necklaces in the historic center of Polignano a Mare. (June 13, 2023)
There are a number of Africans from various countries like Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and more who sell a variety of items on the streets like beaded bracelets, scarves and hats like this beautiful woman whom I purchased my hat from in the historic center of Polignano a Mare. I don’t buy a lot of souvenirs because I have a small suitcase and it’s already quite heavy. But I had to treat myself to one of her hats. This was 15 euros but I gave her 20 euros. (June 13, 2023)
Our hotel, Covo dei Saraceni, just steps away from the Adriatic Sea and hovering over the cliff wit its own stunning in Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
The lobby area of our hotel, Covo dei Saraceni, in Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
Views of the outdoor areas of our hotel, Covo dei Saraceni, in Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
The vacant and tranquil dining room area of our hotel, Covo dei Saraceni, in Polignano a Mare where I spent our last day just admiring the views. (June 13, 2023)
My hotel room at the Covo dei Saraceni in Polignano a Mare with gorgeous views of the promenade, where people sang “Volare” to the statue of Domenico Modugno, the singer-songwriter of “Volare.” (June 12, 2023)
The view from my hotel room at the Covo dei Saraceni in Polignano a Mare. (June 12, 2023)
My hotel room at the Covo dei Saraceni in Polignano a Mare with gorgeous views of the promenade, where people sang “Volare” to the statue of Domenico Modugno, the singer-songwriter of “Volare.” (June 12, 2023)
Along this beautiful promenade with the Adriatic Sea behind him is this statue rof Domenico Modugno, the singer-songwriter of “Volare.” Polignano a Mare is the birthplace of Modugno, who recorded the song in 1958 that would make him famous worldwide. (June 12, 2023)
Can’t get enough of this views of the white houses perched along the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. This view is from our hotel’s balcony, Covo dei Saraceni in Polignano a Mare. Absolutely loved staying here. (June 13, 2023)
The colorful lights came on during our last evening in Polignano a Mare in celebration of San Vito’s Patronal Feast, the patron Saint of Polignano a Mare. (Thank you John Hayes for the photo.) (June 13, 2023)
The colorful lights came on during our last evening in Polignano a Mare in celebration of San Vito’s Patronal Feast, the patron Saint of Polignano a Mare. (Thank you John Hayes for the photo.) (June 13, 2023)
The colorful lights came on during our last evening in Polignano a Mare in celebration of San Vito’s Patronal Feast, the patron Saint of Polignano a Mare. (Thank you John Hayes for the photo.) (June 13, 2023)
The colorful lights came on during our last evening in Polignano a Mare in celebration of San Vito’s Patronal Feast, the patron Saint of Polignano a Mare. (Thank you John Hayes for the photo.) (June 13, 2023)
The colorful lights came on during our last evening in Polignano a Mare in celebration of San Vito’s Patronal Feast, the patron Saint of Polignano a Mare. (Thank you John Hayes for the photo.) (June 13, 2023)
The colorful lights came on during our last evening in Polignano a Mare in celebration of San Vito’s Patronal Feast, the patron Saint of Polignano a Mare. (Thank you John Hayes for the photo.) (June 13, 2023)