#289 European Rank
Polignano a Mare
Lama Monachile, Puglia, Italy•Adriatic Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Enric (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.57/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
25.8°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€43/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Pebbles / Shingle
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Gentle Wave Action
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces SW (230°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Good Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces SW (230°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
SW (230°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 40°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the SW-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Polignano a Mare: Light coastal break; family friendly with standard water awareness. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Lama Monachile, Puglia, Italy
Warm Bathwater
Early August
25.8°C
Air ~34°C
Optimal thermal comfort; zero cold shock
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 25.8°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.9°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 13.6°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 13.9°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 14.9°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 17.9°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 21.9°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| July | 24.7°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 25.8°C | 34°C | Warm Bathwater |
| September | 23.6°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 20.3°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| November | 17.2°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 14.9°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Italy Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 8 Jun – 9 Oct (>21°C) · 123 days
Planning around peak water warmth (25.8°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Polignano a Mare for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Polignano a Mare (Lama Monachile, Puglia, Italy)
🌊 Water temperature: 25.8°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces SW (sheltered from NE winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/polignano-a-mare-it/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Good
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.6 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.2 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Polignano a Mare
A pebble cove dramatically wedged in a ravine below Polignano's whitewashed clifftop town, famous for cliff-diving.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Stepped access path leading down from the Roman Via Traiana bridge / city center of Polignano a Mare
•Protected Status / Environment: Historical and landscape protected site; iconic inlet in the municipal center
•Notable Feature: Pebble cove inlet flanked by high limestone cliffs crowned with whitewashed historic houses, spanning under a Roman bridge arch
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Recommended for Shingle / Pebbles
Pebbles and dark sand become scorching hot by midday and challenging under barefoot tread.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Lama Monachile, Puglia. Accessible via regional coastal roads (40.996°N, 17.219°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Polignano a Mare involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Deep and clear, dramatic between the ravine walls.
•A pebble cove wedged in a ravine beneath Polignano's clifftop old town.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
BDS · 40m drive35-50 min drive through Salento olive groves to coastal beaches. Nearby alternative: Bari (BRI).
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Polignano a Mare?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Polignano a Mare
What is the water temperature at Polignano a Mare?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Polignano a Mare averages 25.8°C (78°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Polignano a Mare?
Polignano a Mare is classified as a pebbles / shingle shoreline located in Lama Monachile, Puglia, Italy.
Is Polignano a Mare good for families with kids?
Polignano a Mare has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Polignano a Mare?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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