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Visiting Polignano a Mare in May

BySunMed Guide

Visiting Polignano a Mare in May

# Polignano a Mare in May: Worth the Trip?

May is genuinely one of the better times to show up in Polignano a Mare, and I say that as someone who’s seen it in August and barely enjoyed it through the wall of sweating tourists.

The weather in May sits in that pleasant middle ground where you’re not being cooked alive but you’re warm enough to actually enjoy being outside. Expect temperatures somewhere in the low-to-mid twenties most days, though it can swing cooler, particularly early in the month. Rain is possible — southern Puglia isn’t as dry in spring as people assume — so pack a light jacket and don’t build your entire trip around guaranteed beach days. You might get blazing sunshine for a week straight, or you might get two grey afternoons that feel disproportionately annoying when you’ve travelled to see those famous cliffs.

Speaking of cliffs, the town itself is genuinely beautiful and in May it’s actually visitable. The old centre isn’t rammed. You can walk the narrow streets without pressing yourself against a wall every thirty seconds, photograph the lookout points without fifteen strangers photobombing you, and actually hear the sea. Restaurants are open, the main beach lido is typically up and running by mid-May, and you’ll find the caves and coves accessible for swimming if you’re brave enough — the water is still pretty cold, honestly.

What’s it like overall? Charming, a bit dramatic in the best way, with that gorgeous ravine cutting through the town. The famous Grotta Palazzese restaurant is there but wildly expensive — look at it, skip the dinner bill.

**Who should go in May?** Couples, slow travellers, people who actually want to wander rather than just get a photo. It’s genuinely lovely.

**Who might want to reconsider?** Beach obsessives who need guaranteed warm water and sun every single day.

**One practical tip:** Polignano gets busy on weekends even in May as Italian day-trippers arrive from Bari, which is only 30 minutes away by train. Arrive on a weekday if you can, or get to the old town early in the morning before the crowds build.

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