FREE BEACHES IN POLIGNANO A MARE
Beach or rocks?
Polignano’s beaches are mostly rocky. Yet, there are a couple of spots where you can find the sand as well.
Let’s see them all.
Beaches within walking distance from the city
Polignano’s most famous postcard! This beach is usually the first stop for those who visit Polignano a Mare for the first time. Its beauty is breathtaking. Besides beauty, this place is also full of history, and it hosts the Redbull Cliff Diving, a world diving competition.
Lama Monachile falls into the category of pebbles and rocks. The seabed is rocky and it turns deep early. This is a free beach, but in summer is very crowded. Unfortunately, it is unavailable for people on the wheelchair. There are no services, but the public toilets are located behind the InfoPoint a few steps from there. It can be accessed both through the staircase of the bridge, and by the descent running along the bridge.
CALA PAURA
This cove is carved into the rock, it has a little beach with pebbles and concrete walkways. It is recommended to park behind Cala Paura and not near Pescheria da Pasqualino. The parking area is bigger there, and there is also the possibility to access the beach for people with disabilities. The first cave reachable coming from this parking area is equipped with paid beach umbrellas and deckchairs. There are public toilets. On summer nights Cala Paura is a very suggestive and romantic spot. It is popular in summer.
GROTTONE
As the name may suggest (Grottone reminds of the word “cave” in the Italian language), also here there is no sand, neither pebbles. Only rocks. From here, you can just dive. The seabed is deep. This spot is known for the natural pool that captures your gaze from the waterfront you run along to reach it (it is the same path which further takes to Cala Paura). There are no toilets in the nearby. People on the wheelchair can face the sea from here thanks to the platform built some years ago, which in any case can’t reach the sea.
A PENDIMA CHIATT
A pendima chiatt, or i piani, is reachable descending the staircase starting from Domenico Modugno’s statue. After a lot of stairs, you have just to find a flat rock, lay your towel, and dive, but be careful when you get back. This spot is for the bravest and rock experts. Here the seabed is deep too. It is absolutely not recommended for people with disabilities and for children not used to This kind of rocks. There is a beautiful viewpoint on Lama Monachile, the balconies of the historic center, the waterfront Grotta Ardito and lo scoglio dell’eremita (the rock of the eremite).
PORT’ALGA
As soon as you walk away from the parking area, you are on a long rocky stretch facing the sea. From here it is immediately deep, and you can dive. If you go ahead on your right, you can find a cove with pebbles, characterized by moored goiters. The access here is easier for the non-locals. If instead you go all the way left, you reach the viewpoint of Scoglio dell’eremita. It is not recommended to swim up till there, even for experts, because apparently there are some very dangerous streams near lo Scoglio. Yet, you can enjoy the sight of the gulls flying. There are also some natural pools. Not recommended for people on wheelchair. No public toilets.
Beaches accessible by car
This beach was a harbor back in the past, and still today fishmen can dock the ships there. The stunning San Vito Abbey is the lead symbol of the area. You can stop in the first accessible beach, in front of which there is a tower that used to be a watchtower, or you can also go left, where another caletta is located. It is accessible for people with disabilities. The parking area is in front of La Veranda di Giselda restaurant or along the street.
PORTO CAVALLO
It is located in the district of San Vito in Polignano a Mare. It is sandy, indeed it is highly recommended for families and children, and for people with disabilities. It is advisable to get there early in order to “take your seats” (as locals would say), because it is a very small beach and, because of the sand, it is very popular and crowded. You can park along the street.
PORTO CONTESSA
Located after Porto Cavallo and before Spiaggia di San Vito. You can park along the street. It is a small sandy beach and so it is ideal for families. There is also a walkway allowing the access for people with disabilities.
PONTE DEI LAPILLI
This bay is located along the way to San Vito. No sand, rather lapilli after which this beach is named. Accessible through a rocky and dirt path. Not advisable for people with disabilities. No toilets, restaurants, or bars in the nearby.
SANTA CATERINA
It is very close to Cozze Nere restaurant, on the way to San Vito. It is sandy. Accessible for people with disabilities. The parking area is very close but because of the restaurant it might be a challenge in the peak season to find a park lot. If your accommodation is in Polignano a Mare, it is advisable to rent a bike or take a walk.
COSTA RIPAGNOLA
Costa Ripagnola is a strip of agricultural land near the sea, located between the villages of Cozze and San Vito, north of Polignano a mare. This tongue of land extends for about 3 km, managing to resist the expansionist aims of the lords of the cement, maintaining its appearance as an original agricultural territory. In fact, inside it you can admire along the road sea side of the S.S.16, the characteristic trulli, scattered with the background of the sea, interspersed with polygons of dry stone walls to delimit the land properties and the old post stations for the flocks.
Costa Ripagnola is a strip of agricultural land near the sea, located between the villages of Cozze and San Vito, north of Polignano a mare. This tongue of land extends for about 3 km, managing to resist the expansionist aims of the lords of the cement, maintaining its appearance as an original agricultural territory. In fact, inside it you can admire along the road sea side of the S.S.16, the characteristic trulli, scattered with the background of the sea, interspersed with polygons of dry stone walls to delimit the land properties and the old post stations for the flocks.
The coast is jagged and full of landing places and coves, mostly made of smooth white limestone rocks. The area is full of caves scattered along the rock sides of the blades. From 2020 Regional Natural Park.
