Balconi Fioriti

A village blooming on the Adriatic

Every spring, the historic center of Polignano a Mare dresses up for the occasion and turns into an open-air garden. With Balconi Fioriti, the competition promoted by the Pro Loco "F.F. Favale" under the patronage of the Municipality of Polignano a Mare, the inhabitants of the old town decorate balconies, windows, courtyards, stairs, and alleys with vibrant floral arrangements. The result is one of the most photographed spots in the Metropolitan City of Bari: the white houses perched above the Adriatic Sea light up with geraniums, bougainvillea, and flowering plants, in a blend of scents and colors that accompanies residents and visitors along the narrow streets of the Apulian town.

How the competition works

The heart of the event is a friendly competition open to families, shopkeepers, and businesses in the historic center. Everyone is invited to contribute by creatively embellishing their own corner of the village: windowsills, terraces, doors, and entrance halls are filled with flowers and plants. A jury evaluates the most beautiful and original decorations, rewarding the efforts of those who make the village even more enchanting. Beyond the competition, the initiative holds significant community and identity value: it involves the entire town in a collective gesture of care and beauty, enhancing the architectural heritage of the historic center.

The bond with the Kite Festival

Balconi Fioriti has always been paired with the historic Kite Festival, the most beloved spring event in Polignano, which reached its 63rd edition in 2026. On the main day, hundreds of colorful kites take flight over the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic, as adults and children challenge the wind with their own creations. The two initiatives, both promoted by the Pro Loco, share the same spirit: color, participation, and love for their territory.

A month of events in the historic center

Surrounding the floral competition and the Kite Festival is a calendar full of events that bring Polignano a Mare to life for several weeks:

• Kite-making workshops for children and families;
• Guided tours to discover the historic center and its flowered alleys;
• Art and craft exhibitions in the village spaces, such as the portico of Palazzo San Giuseppe;
• Concerts, parades, and entertainment in the squares;
• The great Kite Day with collective flights over the sea.

Polignano a Mare, between rock and sea

Nestled on a limestone spur overlooking the Adriatic in the province of Bari, Polignano a Mare is one of Puglia's most famous destinations. Its historic center, a maze of white houses, arches, and panoramic terraces, offers breathtaking views such as that of Lama Monachile. Experiencing Balconi Fioriti means discovering the village in its most authentic and colorful guise, when the community rallies around its traditions and welcomes visitors with the scents of the Apulian spring.