Lama Monachile/Cala Porto

An idyllic beach in Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is best known for a small cove set into the cliff, where the high rocky outcrop on which the village stands drops steeply into the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic: we’re talking about Lama Monachile, or Cala Porto, the iconic beach in the hometown of Italian singer-songwriter Domenico Modugno. It is named after its location inside a “lama”, a fjord in the cliff, in the bed of an ancient and now dry river. 

The beach is accessible on foot from the town centre, over the Roman bridge. We recommend arriving early in the morning; given the small size and popularity of the cove, it is always particularly crowded, especially in summer. If you can’t find a spot, you can admire Lama Monachile from above and enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the whole of Apulia.