I have always believed 24 hours do not do justice to any town/city especially if one has time at their disposal. If you ask me, 72 hours in Polignano a mare were just enough to give me a taste of Puglian hospitality and food. So here’s a short guide on how to spend 3 days (72 hours) in Polignano a mare:
72 Hours in Polignano a Mare
Day 1:
A gorgeous seaside town situated in the Southern region of Puglia, Polignano is beautifully white and dreamy. It is built on a limestone cliff so on the first day after checking in your hotel/B&B, make sure to see why this town is so famous!
Where to Stay in Polignano a mare??
I highly recommend booking Dimora Grottone – a simple yet tastefully done bed and breakfast in the heart of Polignano. It has medium sized rooms and a huge terrace for you to “see the sea”. The best part is that its only 5 minutes from the main piazza.
The B&B has a tie up for breakfast with a local Bar for breakfast! So you only have to show a small ticket provided by the B&B owner, Gianni and visit the Bar every morning for your breakfast.
I love how Gianni also supports local businesses which makes the travelers happy because the fresh pastry and coffee in the morning are just what you would need! Furthermore, it helps when the owner is thoughtful and friendly. Gianni and I struck a cord with our love for his hometown.
Dimora Grottone: some shots from the B&B
Only a stone’s throw away from Dimora Grottone is the gorgeous and most famous view of the cliff of Polignano a mare.
You might have already seen a thousand such pictures online but nothing will beat when you’re there in person! It’s breathtaking!
The town of Domenico Mudugno
Take a walk to see the statue of the famous singer Domenico Mudugno who you will remember him from the famous song- VOLARE! It continues in my head as I write…..Polignano was Domenico Mudugno’s home town and the statue is a great commemoration by the town.
Day 2:
Since Day 1 was all about a walk in the town and familiarizing with the place, let’s keep Day 2 for a day at the beach! Depending on the weather laze around in the sun and enjoy Polignano’s beach which is tiny but breathtaking.
La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life)
Later in the day, enjoy some time at the terrace of the B&B. Don’t forget your breakfast was again at the local Bar where the clink of glasses and fragrance of fresh cornetto made it all so priceless!! In the evening have an aperitivo (drinks+snacks) at any Bar of your choice.
Have lunch in any of the fabulous restaurants in the historic Piazza dell’Orologio. My lunch consisted of blue cheese pizza with a glass of Puglian Negroamaro.
Spend the evening relaxing, shopping, gelato tasting and more people watching. There are beautiful jewelry stores in all of Polignano! Don’t forget to greet with a Buongiorno (Good morning which is also used throughout the day until evening) or a Buonasera (Good evening).
Day 3:
Polignano is really a trip of relaxation if you ask me. Unless you are the sort of traveller that wants to see a new town every day, I’d say just take it easy. Southern Italy is more about being in the moment and I found the people more open and friendlier too.
Be in the moment
On Day 3 after breakfast, take a stroll on the other side of the town. You can then hop on a train to Monopoli or simply sit in the piazza with a cone of gelato. Enjoy more time at the beach! Take your pick!
Where to Stay:
B&B Grottone: €100 onwards depending on the room and season.
Where to Eat and Drink:
- Joya Canti di Stagione: fresh shakes and salads.
- Bar Millennium: coffee and aperitivo
- MINT: cheese, wine and salads. Don’t miss their cheesecakes!
- Monaco: fresh seafood
- La Terazza: Wide variety of pizza
- Il Super Mago el Gelo: Gelato and their very popular Caffè Speciale
- Amalfi Must Do: Pasticceria Sal De Riso
- How to visit the Amalfi Coast from Salerno
- Arrivederci Montalbano- thoughts on Riccardino
- Basilica di Superga with the moon- una meraviglia
- The view from Vomero Hill, Naples
63 Comments
Traveling in Puglia Without a Car – Italophilia
July 21, 2020 at 11:16 am[…] When I was traveling in Puglia, Lecce was my base for 3 nights after which I stayed in Polignano a mare for another 3 nights! […]
Polignano a Mare
March 20, 2020 at 1:55 pmI love Polignano a Mare! I was there for an after wedding photoshoot . The old town is amazing! and the food is delicious
Nice pictures!
Italophilia
March 21, 2020 at 11:35 amThanks for agreeing with me! Love the town too. I’m sure your photoshoot must have been amazing.
pamelaallegretto
August 8, 2016 at 12:43 amAs always, such an enjoyable read and fabulous photographs! Tanti auguri!
Ishita
August 8, 2016 at 8:50 amThank you Pamela 🙂 grazie tanto.
Rachel Marie
July 28, 2016 at 4:37 pmPuglia is gorgeous! I’m happy to have found your blog, we definitely have similar travel interests.
Ishita
July 28, 2016 at 4:53 pmThank you Rachel 🙂 I am happy too.
michele molinari
July 27, 2016 at 5:17 pmI love Polignano! and ice creams are de-li-ci-ous!!!
Ishita
July 27, 2016 at 6:07 pmHaha absolutely. This gelato parlour was so different.
TheGrazieGirl
July 18, 2016 at 8:41 amI really think we might be the same person…lol. I’m deciding where in Italy to go next summer and I’ve been researching Puglia in addition to some other places. It will be my mother’s 70th birthday, and she wants to go to Italy. Your posts have been really helpful. And your pics are great! We are thinking of Puglia, Sicily, or the Amalfi Coast.
Ishita
July 18, 2016 at 10:37 amThat’s wonderful! 70th in Italy, how fancy 😉 Yes we might be the same people. ROFL 😛
I am glad I can help you. Please visit Polignano and stay in the town for a couple of days. Stay tuned for more posts on Sicily too.
Obsessed With Vacations
July 13, 2016 at 11:40 amLove this town!! A girl friend and I spent 4 nights there last month 🙂 it’s beyond beautiful!
Ishita
July 13, 2016 at 12:17 pmWow, that must be great. Best time is with your girlfriends 🙂 it is
Lena
July 12, 2016 at 2:57 pmUseful post and nice photos! Now I have an itch to go to Italy again! And thanks for visiting my blog!
http://www.inkandtruffle.com
Cheers,
Ishita
July 12, 2016 at 3:09 pmThank you Lena 🙂 I hope you make it there soon <3
Pallavi Kamat
July 11, 2016 at 10:17 pmLoved reading this post, Ishita. I really find it great how you end up making friends wherever you go [I cannot see myself doing that]; it’s quite inspirational. This post gave me a good people feeling, if you get what I mean.
Cheers,
Ishita
July 12, 2016 at 10:48 amThank you Pallavi. Of course I got it 😉 I hope you can. All you need to do is losen yourself a little. It happens. Thank you for stopping by <3
priyankamahajan26
July 11, 2016 at 9:57 amLovely pictures
Ishita
July 11, 2016 at 10:17 amThanks PM 🙂
Tony
July 10, 2016 at 6:29 amWhat a fantastic way to spend 72 hours! The pictures are amazing, that beach and the sea are incredible. I cannot wait to visit myself, and I already know where I will be having breakfast for some amazing coffee and a cornetto! 🙂
Ishita
July 10, 2016 at 2:10 pmYay! I can’t wait to see your pictures of next yr trip. Life is short. We must travel more as and when.. and Thank you 🙂
georgefebish
July 9, 2016 at 4:44 pmIt sounds like you had a lot of fun. That is what I love about Italy, doing normal things is so much fun.
Ishita
July 10, 2016 at 2:09 pmThank you George. I lived every moment of it.n yes that’s the best. love it too!
Tanja
July 9, 2016 at 3:45 pmthat beach looks great! and you saw some newlyweds:)
Ishita
July 10, 2016 at 2:09 pmI did 😀 best part about the beach was that it wasn’t crowded.
Tanja
July 11, 2016 at 12:40 pmthat’s always a bonus:)
Resh Susan @ The Book Satchel
July 9, 2016 at 10:17 amLovely reading through. You have described everything so well! And that pizza. I hope one day I can eat authentic Italian pizza!!
Ishita
July 10, 2016 at 2:08 pmThank you Resh 🙂 glad you enjoyed it along. You must visit Italy soon then ..where are you from?
Lyn
July 9, 2016 at 4:08 amAh Ishita, this place is breath taking. The water is divine and your B&B sounds wonderful. What a lovely few days. And yes, I agree 24 hours is not long enough – it takes several days to take it in and to meet some nice people.
Ishita
July 9, 2016 at 7:15 amIsn’t it?😃 It’s my favorite from this trip of Puglia. Have you been? Thank you. The locals were so sweet to me.
Lyn
July 9, 2016 at 8:35 amYes, I have been there but only passing through. I remember the coastline but not the town.
Ishita
July 9, 2016 at 8:39 amsomething for next time 😉
karenincalabria
July 8, 2016 at 11:27 pmAbsolutely – you need at least 72 hours, because you have to sleep a few of them, too! Nice visit and as I said on your last post, LOVE THAT STATUE! You can hear it sing through the computer!
Ishita
July 9, 2016 at 7:16 amyes 🙂 I slept and relaxed so much and this was just before visiting Sicily so it was much needed 😉 I’m singing with you Karen..volare 😉
angelopangan
July 8, 2016 at 10:17 pmI never heard of this place and I can really feel how lovely the atmosphere in the town just by reading your blog. ❤️ Thanks for the free trip!
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 10:32 pmI’m glad I could give you a tip then. Have you been to Puglia? 😃
angelopangan
July 8, 2016 at 10:34 pmNo, but I would love to someday 🙂
Ishita
July 9, 2016 at 7:16 amI hope you can 🙂
touristbychance.com
July 8, 2016 at 10:10 pmGreat post as always Ishita! This year I am off to Sicily but have every intention of discovering Puglia in 2017 🙂
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 10:31 pmthank you for encouraging every time. It keeps me going 🙂 I just saw on your IG. Do you stay in Italy otherwise or travel often? Have a super time in Sicily.
MyBookJacket
July 8, 2016 at 8:21 pmIt sounds like you’ve had a fantastic time. I’d normally say 3 days to a week is perfect to get to slightly know a place. And that terrace. Oh my. Can imagine how much you’d have loved waking up to that!
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 8:25 pmThank you dear. Yes. I used to read there and I had pizza one night sitting there and listening to the sound of the sea. Thank you 😃
MyBookJacket
July 8, 2016 at 8:27 pmI want to go there!!! 😭 *starts saving money*
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 9:11 pmI know you will someday seeing how much you are in love with Italy 😂😉
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 9:11 pmYes start saving 😃
FashionNotFear
July 8, 2016 at 8:18 pmBeautiful!
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 8:24 pmThank you 🙂
Avinash Gupta
July 8, 2016 at 6:24 pmThese photos remind me of Invisible cities.
Avinash Gupta
July 8, 2016 at 6:27 pmOk, this is the quote i was thinking about- “You take delight not in a city’s seven or seventy wonders, but in the answer it gives to a question of yours.” !
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 7:00 pmSigh. So true! 😉
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 7:00 pmYay. Calvino references are great <3
voguishlychic
July 8, 2016 at 5:59 pmThis place is beautiful ❤️❤️❤️ Thanks for taking us through the place😎😎
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 6:59 pmThank you Jovita. It’s a lovely place. 🙂
Darlene
July 8, 2016 at 5:49 pmA great way to spend 72 hours!
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 5:54 pmGrazie Darlene. On the 4th day I was feeling regretful of not booking a few more days there 😉
bunnytrailing
July 8, 2016 at 5:37 pmWow what an amazingly descriptive post and lovely pictures to go with ! Loved reading through.
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 5:39 pmThanks PBz :* I knew you’d love it. Hope you enjoyed being there 😉
lindaravello
July 8, 2016 at 4:50 pmLOVE LOVE LOVE this post – these photos are SO dramatic, very different from other Italian posts – just another area to explore – I leave for Tuscany 5 weeks on Sunday all being well xx
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 5:30 pmThank you Linda. So nice to hear from you. Its a different Italy 🙂 and a different me when I write <3
lindaravello
July 8, 2016 at 6:41 pmI have been very busy and not made any posts for a while, nor have I had the time or inclination to read any, but you know how much I love yours – to take me to another place xxx
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 7:01 pmaww you are the sweetest 🙂 thank you. It means the world
Lata Sunil
July 8, 2016 at 4:38 pmSo beautiful
Ishita
July 8, 2016 at 5:30 pmThank you Lata for reading and sharing 🙂