Marco was the perfect guide. His knowledge of the paths to the towns and of the towns was excellent. The pick up location was easy to find. Marco would give us an in-depth description of each town before we reached it and then we were left to explore. Always providing clear information on where we were to meet. The time allowed in each town was perfect. The itinerary was excellent and varied. It gave me a wonderful insight into Puglia.
Walking tour of Bari old town with pasta experience
My husband and I went on a walking cultural tour of Bari visiting several piazzas and churches including the beautiful Cathedrale of San Nicola. Alessia was lovely and very knowledgeable and we learnt so much about the history of this beautiful city.
Afterwards we did a pasta experience with Anna and Mariella they were lovely. We made orichiette with Mariella, she was very patient with us. Then she served orichiette with tomato sugo and Primitivo wine to us. Delicious.
Gabry was a very kind and knowledgeable guide, flexible to what we wanted. He knows the sites very well to make the best use of time. He has great love for the natural and cultural richness of the area. The ride was comfortable and he was a good driver. He stopped at good viewpoints so we could take photos. Although his English isn't perfect, he was able to communicate fairly well.
It is a great introduction to the old town of Bari. Our guide, Alessia was knowledgeable about the food, history and culture of the area. This was evident during the tour as we leaned so much and our tastebuds were tantalized by the excellent food. It is an excellent way to discover all that Bari has to offer.
Amazing boat tour through the caves of Polignano a Mare! Beautiful views, crystal clear water, and an unforgettable experience.
Special thanks to Christian for the excellent service, professional, and attentive throughout the tour. Highly recommended!
If you want to understand Bari more deeply than Spritzes, Foccacia and Orrecchiette this is the tour to take. My guide was able to help me understand the beauty of Bari, some history, the legends and the facts. He was so knowledgeable and he responded to my specific questions and curiosities. I thoroughly enjoyed this and it enriched my experience of this city. Thank you.
This tour was one of the most scenic (as far as architecture) and interesting that I've ever taken. Our guide Vitor was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. His anthropological and historical narrations were amazing. I learned so much! There is a lot of uphill. It may be difficult for people who have trouble walking.
Perfect tour to get the chance to visit these 2 amazing places in Italy. Optimal time spent in the bus to maximise the time for the actual visiting. They have a great system of sharing a Google Maps route with saved stops for each of Alberobello and Matera. Worked like a charm for us.
Very professional company, everything was perfectly organized. The driver and guide were both super friendly, knowledgeable and made the day really enjoyable. Matera is a unique town, that must be visited once in a lifetime. They also offered to change the drop-off point at the end of the tour as we preferred to stay closer to Bari city center see the christmas lights. You can trust them completely - and you won't regret it!
We did a private day tour from Bari to Ostuni, Locorotondo, and Polignano a Mare, and it was one of the best parts of our trip to Puglia!
Our guide was on time, super friendly, and shared just the right amount of info along the way. Ostuni was beautiful with its whitewashed streets, Locorotondo was quiet and charming, and Polignano absolutely stole the show — amazing sea views and great spots for photos and gelato.
The car was clean and comfortable, and the whole day felt relaxed and well-paced. We never felt rushed and had enough free time in each town.
Would definitely recommend this tour if you want to explore more of Puglia in one day without the hassle of figuring it out yourself!
This boat tour was absolutely incredible! Our guide Claudio was outstanding – knowledgeable, professional, and engaging throughout the entire journey. Despite traveling from the United States (New Jersey), we couldn't have asked for a better experience exploring the stunning Polignano a Mare coastline.
What Made This Tour Special:
Expert Commentary: Claudio delivered fascinating historical and geological information about the area, from the famous Domenico Modugno statue and "Volare" connection to the Red Bull Cliff Diving Challenge platforms. His explanations about the limestone formations, seashell fossils, and tectonic processes were educational without being overwhelming.
Spectacular Cave Exploration: We visited multiple stunning caves including Grotta Palazzese (home to the famous restaurant), Bishop Cave, Grotta Ardito with its historic passage, and the massive Pigeons Cave. Each had unique features and stories.
Swimming Opportunity: The stop for swimming near Grotta Palazzese was a highlight – the water temperature was around 18-19°C (mid-60s°F), refreshing and totally worth it!
Perfect Pacing: The ~1.5 hour tour covered approximately 3.5 nautical miles of coastline without feeling rushed. Claudio balanced narration with time to simply enjoy the views.
Small Group Experience: Our boat (Marika) had a comfortable group size, allowing for personalized attention and easy interaction with our guide.
Bonus Details: Learning about local history like the trulli structures, the former butchery cave that once attracted blue sharks, and the illegal salt production caves added authentic cultural depth.
Pro Tips: Book early, bring a towel if you plan to swim, and don't worry about the November timing – the experience is magical year-round!
Highly recommended for anyone visiting Puglia. Worth every euro!
What You Should Know Before Booking This Tour:
BOOKING & LOGISTICS:
Book well in advance – tours fill up quickly
Meeting point is at the port in Polignano a Mare
Check-in involves paperwork (one person fills out main form, others just sign)
You'll be assigned to specific boats (ours was "Marika")
Tour duration: approximately 1-1.5 hours
Distance covered: 3.5 nautical miles of coastline
WHAT TO BRING:
Towel if you plan to swim
Waterproof case/bag for phones and electronics (water spray is possible, especially with southeast winds)
Light jacket – it gets breezy on the water even if the day is warm
Bathing suit under your clothes if you want to swim
SWIMMING DETAILS:
There IS a swimming stop (not all tours offer this in November)
Water temperature in November: 18-19°C (mid-60s°F) – cold but doable
Depth at swimming area: approximately 5 meters
Boat has platforms and stairs for easy water access
Swimming is optional – no pressure to get in
Most participants did swim despite the temperature
WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Tours run year-round, including November
Expect some bumps and water spray, especially with southeast winds
The guide will warn you about conditions at the start
Dress in layers
LANGUAGE:
Tour conducted in English (guide speaks slowly and clearly for international guests)
Guide accommodates multiple nationalities on same tour
ACCESSIBILITY:
You'll need to board/exit the boat via stairs/platforms
Some movement required during the tour
Not ideal for those with severe mobility limitations
WHAT YOU'LL SEE:
Multiple sea caves (Grotta Palazzese, Bishop Cave, Grotta Ardito, Pigeons Cave, Saddle Cave, Well Cave)
Red Bull Cliff Diving platforms (27m for men, 21m for women)
Domenico Modugno statue ("Volare" singer)
Old Town Polignano elevated 23m above sea level
Limestone cliffs, seashell fossils, rock erosion patterns
Port Alga (old fishermen's village)
Hermit Rock island with cross monument
Views toward Monopoli
GUIDE QUALITY:
Claudio is a licensed ship master with 10+ years experience
Extremely knowledgeable about local history, geology, and culture
Professional yet personable
Takes photos for guests
Willing to answer questions
GROUP SIZE:
Small groups split across multiple boats
Intimate experience, not overcrowded
Easy to hear guide and ask questions
VALUE CONSIDERATIONS:
This is educational AND experiential – not just a scenic ride
You get historical context, cave exploration, AND swimming opportunity
Comparable to or better than similar coastal tours in Italy
Well worth the price for the quality of experience
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Excellent photo opportunities throughout
Guide will take photos of you with cave backgrounds
Protect your phone from water spray
Best lighting is during "golden hour" (late afternoon)
SAFETY:
Life jackets available
Professional captain with proper licensing
Boats are well-maintained
Guide explains safety procedures at start
NOT INCLUDED:
Hotel pickup/drop-off (you meet at the port)
Food or drinks
Wetsuits (if you want to swim comfortably in cold water)
BEST FOR:
Couples, families, small friend groups
History and geology enthusiasts
Photographers
Adventure seekers willing to swim in cooler water
First-time visitors to Polignano a Mare
BOTTOM LINE:
This is a must-do experience in Puglia. The combination of natural beauty, expert narration, cave exploration, and swimming opportunity makes it exceptional value. Don't skip it due to cooler November temperatures – the experience is worth it year-round!
The Original street food walking tour with Iris was absolutely brilliant! She was so knowledgeable, patient and made the tour truly memorable . It was really interesting to learn about Bari and its history and visiting the important sites. The food was absolutely to die for and the portions massive. Definitely one of the highlights of our holiday. Thank you Iris!
