Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is a small coastal town in Apulia south of Bari, whose old town stands on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic. Below lies the pebble cove of Lama Monachile, spanned by the Ponte Borbonico, a bridge from the Bourbon era in the 19th century. On the seafront a bronze statue commemorates Domenico Modugno, the singer of “Volare”, born here in 1928. According to Wikivoyage, the cliffs hold about 40 sea caves, including Grotta Palazzese with its restaurant; the best way to reach the caves is by boat trip. The old town also has the church of Santa Maria Assunta on Piazza dell’Orologio.

You can cross 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 afternoon; come before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. For swimming, Cala Paura, about 1.5 km to the north, is much quieter than the famous cove. On 14 June the town celebrates the feast of St Vitus.

You will have to park outside the pedestrian zone. Direct trains run from Bari in about 40 minutes, and the station is a ten-minute walk from the old town.