Grotta di Sella

Grotta di Sella is one of the sea caves lining the limestone coastline of Polignano a Mare, in Italy's Apulia region. What sets it apart is a natural stone arch rising straight out of the sea — the remains of a collapsed outer vault that once fully enclosed the cave.

What is there to see?

The centerpiece is a rock arch locally known as the "Ponte di Pietra" (Stone Bridge). It formed when a section of the soft limestone ceiling gave way, opening a passage that now looks like a bridge suspended over the water. The arch is pierced through in several places, giving it a lace-like, sculptural silhouette that is best appreciated from a boat gliding past the cliff face.

Grotta di Sella belongs to a wider network of sea caves along the Polignano coast — roughly forty in total, carved by waves into the soft limestone over thousands of years. Nearby sits Grotta Stampagnata, and the two are often paired in local boat-tour itineraries as the most photogenic formations on this stretch of coastline.

How do you get there?

Because it sits at the base of a cliff, the cave is reachable almost exclusively from the sea. The easiest option is joining one of the boat tours departing from the harbor in Polignano a Mare; these trips typically visit several nearby caves and last anywhere from around forty-five minutes to two hours, depending on the route. Kayakers and SUP paddlers can also reach the spot on their own, though caution is needed given the rocky seabed and shifting sea conditions near the cliffs.

When is the best time to visit?

The ideal window runs from late spring through early autumn, when the sea is calmer and visibility both above and inside the cave is at its best. During peak summer, it's worth booking a boat spot in advance, since the routes along Polignano's cliffs draw heavy demand from visitors touring Apulia.

Why is it worth visiting?

Grotta di Sella combines a genuine geological curiosity with the classic look of the Polignano coastline — steep limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and rock formations shaped by the sea over generations. It's also a chance to see the town's shoreline from a completely different angle than the usual clifftop viewpoints or the Lama Monachile beach.

Frequently asked questions

Can you reach Grotta di Sella on foot? No — the cave sits at the foot of a cliff and is accessible almost only from the water, typically as part of a boat tour.

How long does a boat tour covering this cave usually take? Tours combining several caves in the area typically run from about forty-five minutes to two hours, depending on the operator and number of stops.

Where does the name "Ponte di Pietra" come from? It's the local name for the natural rock arch inside the cave, formed after part of the outer vault collapsed — today it resembles a stone bridge over the sea.

Are there other caves worth visiting nearby? Yes, Grotta Stampagnata sits right next to it, and the entire Polignano coastline is dotted with dozens of similar cave formations.