Polignano a Mare is the friendliest city in the world in 2023. He decreed it Booking.com, awarding the recognition to the mayor Vito Carrieri. The platform has selected for the eleventh edition of Traveler Review Award the destinations that had the highest number of establishments assessed for the quality of reception and, after Matera last year, in 2023 the winner was the wonderful destination in the province of Bari.
Polignano a Mare, the most welcoming city in 2023
Polignano a mare it is a spectacular destination in any season of the year, even when the mistral blows, the wind that fishermen can already smell and that accompanies you with light nudges through its alleys. However, the exceptional nature of Polignano does not depend only on its unmistakable landscape, with the oldest part of the town perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, but also on the hospitality of its inhabitants.
It is not surprising that Polignano a Mare has conquered the first place in the ranking. “As the whole world must know, Puglia welcomes all people who want to come here”, proudly says the president of the Puglia region Michele Emiliano.
Polignano a Mare (Getty Images)
«This is an award that Polignano wins on behalf of an entire region that makeswelcome its element of identity. Those who can pay, whom we call tourists, are welcome and are of course handled with great care everywhere. We welcome with the same attention, with the same joy, even those who cannot pay: those who come to us because they need to change their destiny or seek to save themselves from situations of denial of rights. Things that are obvious to us and which, however, evidently aren’t obvious in the world».
Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by caves of important naturalistic interest, Polignano a Mare is a perfect destination both for a weekend and for a longer and more relaxing trip. Here’s what to do if you have two days available.
Where to eat
Taste above all. And in this Polignano a Mare and all of Puglia are excellent. Starting from breakfast or snack, al Serafini Coffee it is possible to enjoy drinks and sweets with an exceptional view of the sea, through its windows overlooking the blue. The bar The Super Mage of Frostopen since 1935, you can instead savor the special coffee created by Mario Campanellaprepared with coffee, sugar, lemon zest, cream and amaretto (which is only made there at the bar and not sold outside).
For those who are nostalgic or want to taste an excellent pasticciotto, it is one of the best places Martinucci. Moving on to lunch or dinner, seafood lovers have plenty of options, such as Pescaria, the first fish fast food that opened its first location in Polignano. Here you can eat fish sandwiches, fried mussels, and there are also vegetarian options for those who want to get together and have an alternative to fish.
The suggestive view of the sea from the Caffè dei Serafini
It is certainly one of the most popular restaurants for a gourmet dinner Jamantémanaged by the very young Gianluca Torres, and which in its name has condensed three people: Giampiero, Antonio and Teresa (father, uncle and mother). Gianluca Torres is the ambassador of taste for Italy in the world and the chef Robert Pisciotta he is part of the Italian national chefs team. In addition to the taste in the furnishings, the dishes on offer are pure enjoyment, even as regards the vegetarian options.
The ingredients are of high quality, like the red onion from Margherita di Savoia salt pansa Slow Food presidium, or le multicolored carrots, soft yellow, dark purple, intense or reddish orange, blue or white, another Slow Food presidium. Creative fish dishes can also be eaten in restaurants From Tuccino or Ancient Walls, where reinterpretations of typical Polignano cuisine are proposed. To eat you are spoiled for choice, like Wonderful Modern Osteria, Chichibio tavern or Mintwhere there is a large choice of vegetarian dishes.
The orecchiette prepared by chef Roberto Pisciotta at the Jamantè restaurant
What to do for two days in Polignano a Mare
In addition to taking a walk through the ancient village – among wonderful views and coves on the sea, such as the famous one Monachile Blade (which owes its name to the sightings of monk seals in the past) or the 70 sea caves along the coast – Polignano a Mare offers several possibilities. For example you can do a bee tour with the organization Polignano Made in Love or do a classic boat trip, admiring the landscape from a different perspective. On the seafront, in via Conversano 4, there is the statue of Dominic Modugnothe celebrated artist who had a controversial relationship with his hometown.
At the end of his career, the inhabitants forgave him for having recognized himself as a Sicilian in order to have greater success and peace was made with a great concert by the singer-songwriter. Every year in August there is a concert in his honor. The three-metre-high bronze statue is the work of the Argentine sculptor Hermann Mejer and depicts the popular singer with his arms wide open, a bit like the gesture he made in Sanremo in 1958, bringing his unforgettable “Volare” into the competition.
The statue of Domenico Modugno on the seafront, in via Conversano 4
Iconic too Cala Fearwhere on June 14, when the procession is made, the statue of San Vito, patron saint of Polignano a Mare, anticipating the fireworks over the sea. Also suggestive is the Village and theSan Vito Abbey, now belonging to private individuals who allow entry into the abbey only on Sunday mornings during mass. Another unmissable place is the Pino Pascali Museum, the only permanent foundation dedicated to contemporary art in Puglia. The structure houses a permanent collection of the Polignano artist Pino Pascali, flanked by other temporary exhibitions.
Also there Polignano library it is a great place of interest, as well as being considered the most consulted in Puglia. In terms of craftsmanship, a special place is theatelier of Peppino Campanella, glass master who creates luminous objects and ships them all over the world. Inside each of his luminous objects is a world. As for the wine tasting in the hinterland of Polignano a Mare there is Lands of San Vito, a magical estate where vines and olive trees grow slowly according to nature, drawing a unique and perfect landscape in which to stroll and taste wines such as Il Vescovo (70% Malbec 30% Cabernet Sauvignon) or Apeneste (100% Sauvignon Blanc). To accompany you there will certainly be the enterprising John DiNaples together with his family.
The atelier of Peppino Campanella, glass master
Polignano a Mare on the small and big screen
There are several films and series in which Polignano a Mare is the protagonist, and you can certainly see them to get an idea before going or see them again when you miss the place. For example the two films in which he is the protagonist Checco Zalone I fall from the clouds of 2009 and What a beautiful day of 2011 or fiction Fly of 2013, in which Beppe Fiorello wears the clothes of Dominic Modugno.
The town was also chosen by Beautiful who, to celebrate 25 years of the soap, in 2012 chose Polignano a Mare as a set and wanted to get married in Puglia Hope and Liam And Ridge and Brooke. The episodes were aired in 2013 and were filmed between the steps of Grottone and Lama Monachile. But the films and series that have had Polignano a Mare as a set are really many, such as Pinocchio Of Matthew Garrone or The investigations of Lolita Lobosco And Red bracelets 2.
Checco Zalone and Ivana Lotito in a scene from the film Cado dalle nubi
Where to sleep
Until the 2000s in Polignano a Mare there were at most three bed and breakfasts. Today the structures exceed the 840 e Ancient World was one of the first to invest. The courageous choice has rewarded the family that manages the various apartments and suites in the village, furnished with care, stone floors and with suggestive views of the sea. Falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the waves and being able to have a quality breakfast are just two of its strengths. The availability and kindness of the host It’s mine they will accompany you during your stay, in addition to the experiences to discover the area.
The interior of one of the luxury suites of the Antico Mondo
Among the other structures we point out the bed and breakfast Of the SeraphimThe Six Stars Mama And Tre Archi Suite & Relais. Places with terraces and wonderful views, as well as a high quality welcome. But considering the more than 840 structures, there really is a vast choice for sleeping in Polignano a Mare.
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