Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II - Polignano a Mare

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, named after the first king of unified Italy, is one of the most beautiful and iconic squares in Polignano a Mare, a seaport town in the Southern Italian region of Apulia. It is quite small in size and even more charming, boasting a beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea.

At the center of the square, a white monument dedicated to the engineer and architect Domenico Vietri stands out and gives the square a particular note of grandeur. The monument was inaugurated in 1981 and is undoubtedly one of the city's most photographed sites. Surrounding the monument, the seaport is filled with trattorias, cafès and shops, perfect to take a break and shop with unique local items. Make sure to visit the nearby Alici restaurant, a stunning spot described by all the locals as a “must-visit”. The area is always full and pleasant to wander, but the most evocative moment is certainly the evening, when the sunlight casts its warm shadows on the buildings and the deep blue sea can be fully appreciated. A perfect escape from reality.