"Polignano A Mare is one of those places you'll take a chance on and never regret"
TRAVEL TIPS
Traveling to Polignano can be a bit of a hassle. We came from Florence by train. We took a train to Bologna, then one to Bari, then Polignano. It was roughly 100 euro per person.
However, you could also look into buses if you are comfortable with that route. We took a Flix Bus from Rome to Florence and also from Polignano to Naples and they are cheap and effortless! The only thing to be aware of is where it drops you off and how you will transport from there. If you take one to leave Polignano, know that the bus stop is a street behind the station, NOT at the station.
Lastly, if this is your first destination, you could fly into the Bari Airport and then either catch a train or taxi from there.
All in all, it is a little bit more difficult to get to, but SO worth the extra planning time.
In Polignano, you can schedule Richshaw to pick you up from Polignano Made In Love. They’re super cheap and hilarious to ride in. It’s such a fun European experience.
If you are super light on luggage, you could also walk. From the station to the city center, it was probably about a 5-10 minute walk.
Lastly, if you aren’t comfortable with either, you could get a taxi, however, it will be a little bit more difficult when you get to the city center, because they don’t fit on most of the little streets. Just remember, you just have to call and schedule one to come! It is not as easy as it is in the US to just flag one down most of the time.
Although we did not take any (we had a lot of rain, so we enjoyed a lot of downtime), there are a handful of towns in Puglia that seem dreamy to visit.
You could take the train or bus to some, but if you want to take full advantage of the day, I recommend taxiing, even though it is a little pricier.
Here are the 5 locations I want to go when I go back one day:
Lecce
Matera
Alberobello
Otranto
Ostuni
Oh the weather…we got RAIN and a lot of it. However we also went in May, which each and every local told us was the worst May in over 20 years.
Needless to say, the weather is that of a beach town. Rainy at moments and then sunny most of the day, unless you get a really stormy week.
As long as you are going May-September, it will be REALLY warm. Pack for the heat but always remember a sweater and jeans just in case.
The duration of every vacation depends of how long your overall trip is and how you plan to spend it.
If you have a shorter trip and you are trying to get in as much as possible, you could definitely knock out Polignano A Mare in 1 full day. However, if you are more leisurely and have a little bit more time, I would recommend staying 2 nights (if you aren’t doing day trips). The views are worth it and the laid back romance of the town is truly magical.
OUR TRAVEL DIARY
WHERE TO STAY
We stayed at this Airbnb and adored every second of it. The view was truly breathtaking. I can’t explain the beauty you get to take in every time you open the doors. Plus, the manager/management company who ran it was the sweetest company to ever exist. They actually serve breakfast every morning right by the Aribnb and we made the mistake of not looking into it until we were leaving…we missed out. But, I am already dreaming of the day I can go back to this place. The balcony isn’t too private because it’s right next to one of the most famous lookouts, but it didn’t really bother us. The Airbnb in located in the city center and close to everything you need!
This right here is my fantasy. I hope, hope, hope to return one day and stay here. It looks so beautiful and it’s in a great spot.
Obviously we only stayed at the Airbnb above, but this one and those below are some of my favorites on Airbnb!
This hotel has a great location and seems to treat everyone like royalty! It’s so clean and the decor looks amazing. It may be just me, but I love when my hotels are beautifully decorated.
If you’re a chic, modern, like to feel like you’re at home traveler, this one looks like your dream!
This Airbnb is my coastal decor dreams.
This one is so cute and has a great rooftop.
This hotel is quaint, magical and very European. You will see that it has a restaurant too (included in “go-to eats”).
GO-TO EATS
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Joya $
I loved this place the MOST. We got crepes, juice, smoothies, matcha, coffee and more here. Honestly, it was so fresh and nothing on the menu was less than perfect. It was kind of a healthier find in Italy and I really appreciated that aspect of it!
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Bar Lime $
This was right outside the doors to our Airbnb and we really took advantage of it. We got everything from cappuccinos and croissants to drinks and gelato there...they had it all. And it's adorable! They have great outdoor seating that looks over the cliff. It's a great place to spend a morning.
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Casa Mia $$
First off, the owner of Casa Mia and his sons are incredibly welcoming and wonderful people. They made our meal one to remember. On top of that, their pizza is incredible! It's a little bigger than normal Italian pizzas, so you could get away with only eating a little over half.
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Antiche Mura $$
Although we did not go to this one, I hear it is amazing and family friendly. It has an abundance of positive reviews for their fish dishes.
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Grotta Palazzese $$$$
Tucked away in a cave off the cliffs, this restaurant honestly looks immaculate. It is definitely more than I want to spend on a meal, however, if you are on a special trip and want the full experience, this restaurant is exactly what you need and more than you dream of.
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Pescaria $$
Try the fish panini! I didn't get to but I heard it was to die for.
THINGS TO DO & SEE
Explore The City Center
THIS. It's all we did! Although the city feels small, the winding paths are endless. If you enjoy beautiful architecture, bright flowers, quiet streets and coastal cliff views like never before, this is for you. I would say, in order to really enjoy Polignano A Mare, you've got to be more of a wander and less of a check list traveler. The city is calm, but truly amazing.
Take A Day Trip
To the on the go travelers, this is for you! I loved having a few days to just meander and see what the city has to offer. But, if you love to constantly see new things and not sit for too long, take a day trip to another town in Puglia (listed above). The southeast coast of Italy is a hidden gem that needs to be discovered by more people. It's quietness and beauty is second to none.
Shop
The shopping in Polignano had my heart. It is not a ton of large stores, however, there were so many little shops that held the sweetest gifts for yourself or someone else. There was a little jewelry shop right before Bar Lime and we ended up going in multiple times and buying too much. Take the time to wander and peek into the unique stores.
Lama Monachile Beach
This beach was breathtaking. Even though it was too chilly for us to swim, we enjoyed an entire afternoon down by the water, soaking up sunshine and the sound of crashing waves. If you are familiar with the Red Bull cliff diving contest, this is where they dive into! Definitely plan to spend some time here if you are a big beach goer.
Lido Cala Paura Beach
I didn't get a chance to go to this beach, but it is very common in the area. In the heart of the summer, it's a busy as Lama Monachile, but definitely a little less touristy and less of a hike. You can rent paddle boats if you are more of a doer on beach days and even head to the local seafood restaurant if you're feeling a little hungry. All in all, it's a great overflow beach for Lama Monachile's busy days.
ENJOY RESTAURANT TIME
This may sound silly if you've been to Italy a lot because your immediate reaction is probably "duh?". But, often it takes tourists some time to realize that half the beauty of Italy is found in their leisurely meal time. Whether you're there with your husband, sister, family or best friend, take the time to talk and soak up the views of the city from your table. Have an extra glass of wine or 3...you won't regret it!
OUR TRAVEL DIARY PT. 2
MY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
IDEAL POLIGNANO LOOKS
What other places do people love?
TRAVELING SOON? PIN FOR LATER!
