Polignano a Mare Cliff Terrace
Polignano a Mare is the town that made Puglia go viral on Instagram, and standing on the Belvedere above the Lama Monachile cove — looking down at the turquoise creek flanked by sheer limestone cliffs and the white cube houses teetering on the edge — you will understand exactly why. The reality is even better than the photo.
The Belvedere and the Old Town Edge
The main viewpoint is the terrace on Via Porto, directly above Cala Monachile beach, where the creek meets the sea between two dramatic rock faces. This is the classic shot: bright blue water, pale cliffs, a Roman bridge in the foreground. Morning light from the east is ideal.
The old town itself sits on a limestone promontory and its outer walls are literally the cliff edge — walk the perimeter path and you'll find several unofficial lookout points where the drop to the Adriatic below is sheer and vertiginous.
Grotta Palazzese and the Sea Caves
Below the town, a series of sea caves punctuate the coastline; the most famous is Grotta Palazzese, which houses a restaurant built inside the cave itself. Dinner here is theatrical and expensive (€120+ per head), but even walking past the entrance at dusk when the cave is lit up is a memorable experience.
For a different perspective entirely, rent a kayak or take a short boat tour from the small harbour — the cliff faces look even more dramatic from the water and you can paddle into several caves that are inaccessible on foot.
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