The 10 best things to do in Polignano a Mare

Enjoy a sunset aperitif in Porto Cesareo and dive into the crystal-clear waters of Salento as the sun sinks to the horizon.

Departing from the Lungomare Raffaele Sambati, you will embark on the motorship Santa Maria, which will take you along the following itinerary:

•    Rabbit Island
•    Scala di Furno
•    Island of the Mallow
•    Chianca Tower
•    Bay of Torre Lapillo
•    Castiglione Tower
•    Punta Prosciutto

During the navigation you will be offered an aperitif on board at sunset based on typical Salento products, accompanied by rosé wine and fresh fruit.

You will also be provided with equipment to practice surface snorkeling and admire the Salento flora and fauna.

Depending on weather conditions and the skipper's decisions, stops may be subject to change.

The experience is guaranteed upon reaching a minimum of 10 participants.

Horseback riding on the beach in Porto Cesareo is a relaxing experience that will allow you to admire the wonderful beaches of Salento. During the excursion you will be able to go swimming while riding your horse.

The departure of the horseback ride is set in the morning (duration 2 hours and 30 minutes) or in the afternoon (duration 1 hour). The morning ride includes breakfast at the stables before departing to the sea, where you will access the beach with the horses

The afternoon ride, on the other hand, does not go all the way to the beach, it is done sea view, passing over the cliffs. 

You will be provided with all the necessary equipment to ride horses, including helmet. The price includes the insurance.

The recommended clothing includes closed shoes and long pants.

Outside of the morning tour (2:30h), from April 15 to October 15 there will be no horse riding on the beach due to an ordinance for the beach season.

From October 30 onward you will be able to access the beach with both tours!

Leaving from the Raffaele Sambati waterfront in Porto Cesareo, the motorship Santa Maria will take you to the most picturesque destinations in the Marine Protected Area, with swimming stops for a dip in the sea.

The Motorship will sail northward touching some of the most important points of the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area, thus exploring natural and archaeological sites, between a snorkeling stop and one with a typical Salento aperitif, included in the price.

The itinerary will touch destinations such as Isola dei Conigli, Scala di Furno, l'Isola della Malva, Torre Chianca, Torre Lapillo, Punta Prosciutto and Torre Castiglione, where you will stop for an aperitif on board based on typical products and rosé wine, accompanied by fresh fruit.

In Torre Lapillo Bay, moreover, a snorkeling stop is planned, where you can dive into the seabed with the equipment provided directly by the facility.

Depending on weather conditions and the decisions of the skipper, the stops may be subject to change.

Maximum capacity: 60 people.

The experience is guaranteed upon reaching a minimum of 10 participants.

Visit Salento by boat tour from Torre Vado with an aperitif on board and bathroom stops.

The boat, carries a maximum of 12 people, complete with cushions and awning for shelter from the sun.

Departing from the port of Torre Vado, you will visit:

• San Gregorio from the sea.
• Ionian Slope which includes: cave of the dragon, cave of the lovers, cave of the stable, cave of the crib, cave of the giants, cave of the three doors, caves of the river, cave of mesciu scianni and cave of the devil.
• Torre Marcheddu and Torre dell’uomo morto.
• Punta Ristola, the southernmost point of the heel of Italy.
• Santa Maria di Leuca from the sea (Bagnarole, Villas of the’800’,monumental waterfall, Sanctuary and the Lighthouse of Santa Maria di Leuca).
• Punta Meliso, meeting point between the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea.
• Adriatic side that includes: Fiumara inlet, cave of the Indians, cave of the seagulls, caves verduselle, cove orto cupo, cave of the Soffio,cave of the vora, cave of the mannute.

The whole tour explained è commented by the crew. Three bathroom stops, with masks fins for those who want to snorkel and life jackets.

To finish, an aperitif on board with local products, namely: fresh mozzarella, baked goods, Prosecco, peach tè and water.

In September and October it will beà possible to fish for tuna on board the boat, with equipment provided by the facility.

Horseback riding in Otranto, on the Adriatic coast of Puglia, allows you to discover the beauty of the area through beautiful natural areas and historical sites. Accompanied by professional instructors, you will explore Salento's secrets and local traditions.

The route winds through Mediterranean scrub and coastline, offering spectacular views of the sea. During the excursion, you will visit places of great interest such as the small lake in the former Bauxite quarry, the Orte Bay, the Orte Masseria, the legendary Serpe Tower, and the Orte Grove.

Instructors will provide technical assistance and tourist information about the places traversed.

This day excursion will depart at 10:00 a.m. from the Vieste marina on the 12-meter boat Albachiara.

The boat has an awning that will allow you to experience the excursion and the listening to the description of the sea caves and the coast by the tour guide comfortably in the shade, afterwards instead for those who want to enjoy the sun the boat has a wide bow equipped with comfortable mats to which you can lie down freely.

The first swimming stop will be about an hour after leaving the marina in Porto Greco, one of the most breathtaking bays of the Gargano along with Baia Vignanotica and Baia delle Zagare.

After finishing the first swimming stop, obviously without any time limit, the second stop is Baia di Vignanotica. It is precisely in this bay that lunch will take place, consisting of fresh local products (sea and land products) prepared on board, accompanied with some excellent fresh prosecco.

For those who do not drink alcohol will be provided peach tea, lemon tea and water. 

After eating and resting, navigation resumes in the afternoon where the third swimming stop will take place in the most suggestive bay of the Gargano, Baia delle Zagare, where there will be a buffet of seasonal fruits and also an excellent coffee prepared on board at the moment. 

Return to port is scheduled at 17:00.

Fuel is included in the price.

Horseback riding in Vieste is also suitable for those who have never ridden a horse, and you can choose from several tours:

Afternoon

The afternoon tour takes place on the plains among the olive trees. Departure is set at 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. The expected duration is about 1 hour.

Sunset

The sunset tour takes place in the hills. Departure is set at 6:30 pm. Expected duration is about 1 1/2 hours.

Experience a day trip to the Tremiti Islands departing from Rodi Garganico that includes a motorboat transfer, free time on the island, and tour of the archipelago.

After the ferry transfer, you can choose to visit San Nicola or San Domino.

In San Nicola you can immerse yourself in the history of the ancient village and visit the imposing Montecassino Abbey-Fortress of the Adriatic. If, on the other hand, you choose San Domino, the largest island in the archipelago, you can stroll through dense Aleppo pine forests and discover beautiful coves such as Cala Matano, Cala dello Spido and Cala degli Inglesi.

Next you will take part in a boat tour around the archipelago on a smaller motorboat, sailing between San Domino, San Nicola, Cretaccio and Capraia. While sailing you will visit sea caves with a swim stop.

If time permits, you can also disembark on the other island you have not yet visited and continue your exploration.

The group boat tour of the southern coast of Vieste will take you on a journey to discover the stunning Gargano coastline.

The group tour departs from Vieste with two daily trips to Baia delle Zagare. You’ll visit the most picturesque bays and beaches—some of which are inaccessible from the main road—as well as sea caves visible from the outside. During the cruise, descriptions of points of interest are provided in Italian and English. A stop of about 40 minutes is planned at Baia dei Gabbiani.

The exclusive tour takes place aboard a rubber dinghy with a skipper included who will guide you along the Gargano coast. Embark on this excursion and experience an adventure in excellent company.

Maximum capacity: 90 people for the group tour, 15 people for the private tour.

Experience a group boat excursion along the Gargano coast to discover coves, caves, beaches and cliffs from a unique vantage point.

Departure is from Manfredonia's Molo di Ponente (Western Pier), from where the navigation will take you along the coastline between Mattinata and Pugnochiuso, admiring stacks and breathtaking natural views.

The tour continues to the San Felice Arch at Vieste, with stops for swimming or photography, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauty of the Gargano coastline.

The experience includes a glass of prosecco.

Experience a’ferry excursion from Peschici along the Gargano coast and discover sea caves, cliffs and clear waters in one of the most’evocative stretches of the Gargano National Park.

During the cruise you will skirt the high cliffs and visit some of the most spectacular caves, accessible only by sea, as well as admire the traditional trabucchi, a symbol of local history.

The tour continues to Zagare Bay, known for its stacks and clear waters. Here è a swim stop is planned to swim and relax in a natural setting. The navigation then continues along the coast between views and coves, until the return to the port of Peschici, at the end of an experience between sea, nature and tradition.