What to See Between Monopoli and Polignano a Mare: A Guide to the Sights and Experiences

The stretch of Adriatic coast between Monopoli and Polignano a Mare packs beaches, historic centers, rocks and caves into just a few kilometers. This guide brings together the places to see and the experiences to enjoy them, including from the sea.

Places to see in Polignano a Mare

• Lama Monachile, the town's most iconic beach
• Scoglio dell'Eremita, the cross-topped islet off the coast
• The Domenico Modugno statue, facing the sea near the historic center
• Polignano's historic center, the medieval town on the cliff
• Cala Paura, a hidden beach north of the center
• Grotta Palazzese, the cave restaurant used for banquets since the 1700s

Places to see in Monopoli

• Porto Vecchio of Monopoli, with over two thousand years of history
• Castello Carlo V, the 16th-century coastal fortress
• Castello di Santo Stefano, on a peninsula between Lido Santo Stefano and Lido Ghiacciolo
• The Basilica of Maria Santissima della Madia, the cathedral with the icon legend
• Capitolo, the beach district with fine sand

The experiences

• Boat tours in Puglia, the page with boats, durations and inclusions
• Boat tour: what you'll see along the coast
• Full boat tour guide (4 or 7 hours, inclusions, boats)
• SUP cave excursion, at sunrise or sunset
• Cooking class, to learn to make orecchiette in Monopoli
• NCC tour with a Mercedes van, to Salento, Matera or Valle d'Itria
• A weekend in Puglia, combining the boat with land-based experiences

Seeing the coast from the sea

Many of these places — Lama Monachile, Scoglio dell'Eremita, Castello di Santo Stefano — are best seen while sailing along the coast. With a boat tour in Puglia or Saltiness's yacht charter, you can cover this stretch on a private boat, with skipper, aperitivo and swim stops along the way.

Frequently asked questions

Are Monopoli and Polignano a Mare close?
Yes, they're about 10 km apart, connected by road, train, and along the coast by sea.

Can you see Polignano's sea caves?
The boat tour sails past the caves; to physically enter them, the dedicated experience is the SUP excursion.

Plan your day on the Apulian coast with Saltiness. Message us on WhatsApp for a tailor-made itinerary.