Polignano a Mare: stunning, but small
Updated October 2026
An old town built on cliffs above the sea, and excellent food.
Polignano a Mare at a glance
- Best time
- June, September
- Price level
- moderate
- Getting around
- by train from Bari, then on foot
- Best for
- food, wine and boating
- The catch
- Day trippers fill the small center at midday, and prices are high for Puglia. Best as a half day or an overnight stop, not a whole week.
When to go
Temperatures are average daily highs in °F and °C (WeatherSpark). Ratings are our own. $ = cheapest, $$$ = most expensive. 🔥 = heat, ★ = big event.
Who Polignano a Mare is for
Polignano a Mare is excellent for couples, and fine for solo travelers. Families have better options. Walking is mostly flat.
When to go
The best months are June and September. May and November are good too. The weakest are March and August. From November to February beach season is over, but the town stays open.
Getting around
Trains run to Polignano a Mare from Bari, and you walk the old town. A car helps for nearby beaches and Alberobello.
What Polignano a Mare costs
On a budget, about $110 to $165 per person per day. In comfort or luxury, about $330 to $485. The lower number is the quiet season, the higher one peak season.
Includes your stay, food, activities and local transport, not flights. Converted at about $1.10 per euro. Estimates only.
Flights from the US and Canada
Fly into: Bari (BRI). Typical economy fares per person, round trip, with a connection. Canadian fares are in Canadian dollars. Not live prices, so always check before you book.
What Polignano a Mare does best
Its strengths: food and restaurants, wine and boating.
Day trips
Polignano a Mare works as a base: trains run along the coast, and trulli country is close.
A harbor full of blue boats.
The old town and the orecchiette lane.
The trulli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The white town on a hill.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
The cave city carved into the rock.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
Where to eat
Breakfast and brunch
Lunch
Dinner
We picked these places from Google ratings and reviews in October 2026, and we haven’t eaten at all of them. Many Italian restaurants take reservations on WhatsApp, and a reservation only counts once they reply. The Map link opens the restaurant in Google Maps, where you’ll also find a booking button if they take online reservations. Opening hours change, so check before you go.
Food and wine
Puglia on a plate: a typical four-course menu, and the wine to go with each.
Golf
Green fees are estimates and vary by season and day of the week. Most courses ask for a handicap certificate. The links go to the course or a golf directory with booking and contact details.
Shopping
- Puglian olive oil and taralli: taralli are crunchy, ring-shaped savory crackers eaten with wine. Both make good souvenirs from the old-town shops.
Plan it
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