Vacationing in a laid-back seaside town is as good as it gets in Polignano a Mare. Perched on a high limestone cliff above the Adriatic’s aquamarine waters, this gem on the Valle d’Itria coast lives up to its name. The town is famous for its beaches and ice cream, and staying in one of the many Polignano a Mare hotels means easy access to these and more. From luxury properties to cozy B&Bs, the hotels in Polignano a Mare are the perfect locales for a vacation in southern Italy.
Where to Stay in Polignano a Mare, Italy
Most accommodation options cluster in the historic town center. Here, the choice of lodgings ranges from budget-friendly apartments and B&Bs to opulent 5-star hotels. With a history going back more than two millennia, the town boasts historic buildings like the 13th-century Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta. As you stroll through narrow alleys and streets, don’t be surprised to hear strains of the famous song “Volare.” It was written by Domenico Modugno, the town’s favorite son.
Like the Amalfi Coast, about a 4-hour drive to the west, Polignano a Mare has beautiful beaches. Lama Monachile, also called Cala Porto, is the most famous. It’s part of the town center and there are plenty of hotels to choose from. Besides sunbathing, cliff-diving into the Lama Monachile’s crystalline waters is among the Top Things to Do in Polignano a Mare. In fact, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Championships’ Italian leg takes place here. Or, you could also choose to stay in the northern part of town. It’s a short walk from the hotels here to San Vito Beach.
Calaponte Hotel
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Polignano a Mare hotels have perfected the art of relaxation and the 4-star Calaponte Hotel is no exception. After a day of exploring the center of town, roughly a 30-minute walk away, treat yourself to a soothing massage in the hotel spa. And if you’re planning on staying in, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied. Sporty types will love the tennis court and football pitch. Plus, there are two large pools if you’re yearning for a swim.
The rooms and suites, distributed among four single-floor buildings, boast a modern and minimalist design. Some have separate seating areas. Others feature a terrace or balcony where you can relax with a drink. The hotel’s dining room is likewise a place where you can dine in a serene atmosphere. In the evening, it offers a pretty view of the illuminated pool.
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B&B Casa Dorsi
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Would you like to experience what it’s truly like to live like a local? The 3-star B&B Casa Dorsi is one of the hotels in Polignano a Mare where you can do just that. Set in a historic stone building with stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, It’s a beautiful place for a peaceful getaway. The rooms, which have tile floors, feature antique furnishings. If you book the Superior Suite on the second floor, you’ll have access to a kitchenette.
Start your day with a Mediterranean breakfast in your room. But when the weather is nice, you can have it in the square outside the hotel. And if you love the food, you might want to join the cooking courses that Casa Dorsi organizes for guests. Of course, you can also go restaurant-hopping in the city center, where this B&B is located.
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Covo Dei Saraceni
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Like many Polignano a Mare hotels, the 4-star Covo Dei Saraceni is a study in understated elegance. Soft hues of white and beige plus large windows make for bright and cheery rooms. Depending on your room’s location, you’ll get scenic views of charming whitewashed buildings or the blue Adriatic. Too, you’ll enjoy modern comforts like free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs.
The hotel restaurant is another factor in making a stay at Covo Dei Saraceni such a pleasure. Feast on sumptuous seafood indoors, seated in an alcove beneath a stone archway. But if you like dining al fresco, then have your meal on the covered terrace and enjoy the sea breeze. And if you’re in town on a romantic holiday, don’t forget to book a couples’ massage in the hotel’s serene spa.
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San Michele Suite
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Want to live it up in a luxury B&B? The wonderful San Michele Suite has you covered. The rooms, with their thick walls, evoke images of medieval dwellings. But they’re hardly stuck in the past. On the contrary, thanks to modern technology like air-conditioning, satellite/cable TV, and minibars, you can look forward to a comfortable stay. Also, if you’re visiting with family, we recommend booking a suite. Occupying the entire ground floor, it’s large enough to sleep four adults and two children. What’s more, it comes with a balcony overlooking the sea.
Regardless of the type of room you choose, you’ll still enjoy marvelous sea views at breakfast. Served on the terrace, it’s the hotel’s way of greeting you “Buon Giorno!” Afterward, hit the Lido Cala Paura beach, which is mere steps away. You can also visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Pino Pascali. From the hotel, it’s a 13-minute walk. And if you want to explore further afield, make use of San Michele Suite’s area shuttle service or loaner bikes.
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Suite 10 Home Design & Spa
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You can probably infer from its name that Suite 10 Home Design & Spa offers ten suites. And what beautifully modern suites they are! Tastefully furnished, they feature living rooms and minibars. Plus, you can enjoy panoramic views of the sea or the town from your private veranda or balcony.
The spa is among the best among the hotels in Polignano a Mare. You can indulge in a Turkish bath. Or, soak in the pool, and enjoy a soothing hydromassage. Meanwhile, breakfasts are quality affairs with fresh fruit, homemade sweets, yogurt, and more.
Beach time is sunbathing time, and getting to it is easy since Lama Monachile Beach is a 3-minute walk away. And if you’d like to wander elsewhere, head to the Polignano a Mare train station. From the hotel, it’s a 13-minute walk.
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Antico Mondo
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With its stone facade dating from the Middle Ages, Antico Mondo is among the most striking Polignano a Mare hotels. Meanwhile, its rooms and suites, decorated in the traditional Apulian style, are as pretty as a picture. Some of them feature centuries-old stone arches and exposed brick walls. For an extra atmosphere, check out the cave basement room. Other rooms and suites have balconies with gorgeous sea views.
Sweet and savory items make the daily continental breakfast a tasty affair. Also, the B&B offers cooking classes where you can learn to make Apulian dishes like braciole and orecchiette. Cafes, restaurants, and bars are all around, so experiencing the town’s culinary traditions is no problem. And if you’d like to splash in the sea, you need only to walk a short way to reach Lama Monachile and Lido Cala Paura beaches.
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Borgobianco Resort & Spa – MGallery Hotel Collection
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If you’re looking for luxury Polignano a Mare hotels, Borgobianco Resort & Spa is worth your attention. Part of the MGallery Hotel Collection, this 5-star property offers a serene setting. Vineyards and olive groves surround a large whitewashed building containing 48 rooms and suites. Here, you can enjoy views of the vineyards and the sea from a private balcony or patio. In the private bathroom, refresh yourself with high-end Marie Danielle toiletries.
Relish fresh local produce at breakfast on the restaurant’s scenic terrace. For dinner, you can look forward to Puglian and Mediterranean dishes. Looking for ways to occupy yourself? You can swim in the indoor and outdoor pools and indulge in massages in the spa. You can also hit the center of town, which is a short drive of 5 km (3 mi).
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Quintessenza Luxury Domus
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Set in a historic building in the heart of town, Quintessenza Luxury Domus is an ideal base for exploring Polignano a Mare. From here, the bustling Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is a short walk. Likewise, the majestic Matrix Church, the former Cathedral of Polignano, is an easy stroll away. What’s more, if you’re one for nightlife, you’ll love staying here. It’s one of the hotels in Polignano a Mare that sits close to lively clubs.
Choose from spacious, tastefully appointed rooms on the first or second floor. Some overlook the city while others boast balconies with sea views. There are also several rooms with a Jacuzzi in the bathroom. A Jacuzzi also sits on the hotel terrace, where you can enjoy a hot soak while gazing at the sea. Meanwhile, a covered area on the terrace is the perfect spot for lunch or dinner.
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San Lorenzo Boutique Hotel & SPA, BW Premier Collection
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An unforgettable experience for all the senses is what you can expect at the 4-star San Lorenzo Boutique Hotel & Spa. The rooms combine natural materials and design elements and welcome you with a pleasing color palette. For an extraordinary stay, book the Hammam Room, a junior suite with its own spa area, and a large hammam shower.
Of course, you can also make full use of the amazing Sensò SPA. This is what makes it one of the best hotels in Polignano a Mare. Indulge in a Turkish bath or an ice waterfall. Will you be visiting in the winter? You can still enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool since it’s heated. Meanwhile, the restaurant offers culinary delights made from organic ingredients.
Set on the Strada Provinciale, the hotel enjoys a central location. Lama Monachile Beach, Cala Paura Beach, and the Grotto Ardito Promenade are an easy stroll away.
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Hotel Grotta Palazzese
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The 5-star Hotel Grotta Palazzese sits where the Adriatic’s waves crash against the cliff. It’s a breathtaking place for a vacation in southern Italy. One of the hotel’s claims to fame is its exclusive restaurant. Set in a natural cave, it’s an ideal setting for an intimate meal. The hotel’s rooms and suites likewise offer spectacular views of the sea. If you’re planning a romantic getaway, book a suite with a hot tub on the balcony. On the other hand, if you have young kids, you might want to consider other accommodation. Unfortunately, children 12 years old and younger aren’t permitted here.
Walking to the beaches Lama Monachile and Lido Cala Paura takes mere minutes. Likewise, Matrix Church is easily reachable on foot. The imposing Conversano Castle is a short drive of about 19 minutes. If you’ll be bringing your own vehicle, you can enjoy the hotel’s free reserved parking.
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Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel
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Just as luxurious as its sister property on the cliff, the 5-star Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel likewise offers an unforgettable stay. It has its own private stretch of golden sand, perfect for days under the Italian sun. Cala San Giovanni Beach is a few steps away. And if you’re a history buff, you can visit the 10th-century Abbey of San Vito. It’s about 2 km (1 mi) from the hotel.
As one of the most luxurious Polignano a Mare hotels, Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel provides impeccable accommodation and amenities. The rooms and suites, surrounded by lush Mediterranean greenery, echo the colors of the sea. Upgrade to a deluxe room and you’ll get to enjoy your own patio. The private beach, nestled in a safe cove, is almost outside your room’s door. In the morning, have breakfast on the terrace overlooking the beach. At the end of the day, you can relax with a drink in the bar.
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Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Polignano a Mare:
- Antiche Mura – Savor fresh fish and other seafood in this atmospheric restaurant. It leans against the city’s “Old Walls,” after which it was named.
- La Locanda Porta Picc – Taste and color come together for an extraordinary gastronomic experience in this restaurant. As expected, seafood takes center stage here.
- La Casa Del Mojito – Drink your way through more than a dozen mojito variations in this cozy bar in the heart of town.
Recommended Activities In Polignano a Mare:
- Boat Cave Tour – Enter another world as you explore the main caves along the coast. Swim in crystalline waters and refresh yourself with an aperitif.
- Guided Walking Tour – Stroll through Polignano a Mare’s historic city center. Here, you’ll admire the beautiful architecture and see poems inscribed on the walls of buildings.
- Mareviglioso – Usually held after the third week of August, this festival celebrates Apulian cuisine. From seafood and baked goods to olive oil and wine, it’s a tasty experience!
