Welcome to Polignano
PUGLIA, THE GREAT BEAUTY.
Enjoy Polignano a Mare and the surrounding natural spectacle.
The poetry of the sea that enfolds hidden coves, caves and precipitous cliffs.
The wind that carries ancestral stories of pilgrims and hermits, of axe masters and fishermen.
Popular beliefs and legends become so confused that they turn into reality.
A special light flooded churches, palaces and towers.
The white of the houses made of plaster stands out against the blue of the sky.
All around are the campaigns covered in olive groves, vineyards and blessed fruits.
Red earth surrounds ancient farmhouses with towers and fortified walls close to the coast.
The trullis appear on the horizon, but it’s enough to drive a few kilometers to find thousands of them in one place.
Unique historical heritage site, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello.
WELCOME TO CALA PONTE!
Discover the soul of Puglia at Cala Ponte, a five-star hotel from the prestigious international hotel chain Tribute Portfolio collection by Marriott, which after a complete restyling is ready to welcome you in the embrace between the sea and ancient olive trees. Immersed in sun-drenched gardens that fill with aromatic herbs, this refuge enchants with its Mediterranean elegance and contemporary design. Bright rooms with private green spaces around a large pool or balconies over the blue Adriatic, excellent cuisine and a wellness area for regeneration. Every detail tells the warmth, creativity and authenticity of Puglian land. Cala Ponte is a place where time slows down, flavors become intense and every experience becomes a memory.
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
Restaurant & Bar
Cala Ponte encapsulates the most authentic spirit of Pugliese hospitality in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Inspired by local culture, this place is not just a hotel, but a refuge where sharing is celebrated: tables paying homage to the Mediterranean at the Hedoné Restaurant, which welcomes 70 covers or intimate private dining rooms. A cuisine inspired by local flavors with seasonal ingredients from nearby farms and fishing boats that Executive Chef Michele De Rosa transforms into delicious and identity-based dishes, even if he boasts experience in kitchens all over the world, who occasionally reprises techniques and ingredients: from tuna, passion fruit and dragon fruit foam to octopus, burrata and cerfoglio; from fisherman’s catch, katsuobushi, lemon jelly and vegetables to ricciola ceviche with basil ice cream.
Author’s cocktail, spontaneous smiles and true connections in the wide 190 sqm Otium Lounge Bar in the hall or at the Pool Bar by the pool, where you can taste aperitifs, converse, or simply relax. Natural textiles, intertwined ropes, leather, rattan, eco-skin armchairs, jute rugs, oversized lampshades, earth colours and touches of blue. Every environment at Cala Ponte celebrates Puglia’s refined simplicity: authentic craftsmanship, soft shapes, imperfect details that tell timeless stories, like those of the murals depicting giant terracotta jars or green splashes on the walls, an expression of Grottaglie’s ancient ceramic art, where colour drops become accomplices in concealing the imperfections of glazing.
Custom services
From the common spaces to attentive and caring service, everything here tells the vibrant spirit of Puglia, giving unforgettable moments. At Cala Ponte even the simplest gesture becomes poetry. Like receiving a bottle of oil produced from the olives of the hotel as a gift. Or a taste of raw seafood, to discover authentic Pugliese flavors. Ideal for couples, families and travelers eager to immerse themselves in the natural and cultural beauty of Puglia, living the discreet elegance of an experience signed Tribute Portfolio hotels by Marriott.
Sport & wellness
Wellness rituals, under Puglia’s sky. In the heart of Cala Ponte, the SPA is a temple of silence and regeneration: sauna, Turkish bath, hot tub, Kneipp path, emotional shower, Scottish shower and ice cascade. All immersed in a natural and enveloping palette, between tactile fabrics and soft lights.
A state-of-the-art Technogym gym, an outdoor tennis and football field complete a offer thought for those who love taking care of themselves, between energy and sweetness.
Pool & Sea
A vast lagoon-style pool of 700 sqm immersed in greenery, equipped with soft chaise longue and yellow umbrellas that evoke the sun. Around it, gardens and shaded areas draw a contemplative and welcoming landscape. A botanical poem between olive trees, flowering plots, and aromatic herbs: lavender, rosemary, myrtle, thyme, and feijoa, with dry stone walls and pathways. A sensory and sustainable scenario, thought of as a fluid path between meditation, relaxation, and beauty.
The sea, just a few minutes away, awaits with its secret caves and cliffside polychrome of Polignano a Mare for those seeking emotions between waves and light or the wide golden sand beaches in Capitolo location, for those who want to have fun. Cala Ponte also offers direct access to the sea through a small free, un-equipped beach located just 5 minutes walking distance from our garden. A perfect place to give yourself a moment of relaxation, immersed in the beauty of nature.
Parking lot
Cala Ponte welcomes its guests in detail: private and video-monitored outdoor parking, discreet and integrated into the landscape with an electric recharging column.
Meeting & Events
Flexible spaces, between natural-toned interiors and scented gardens, to shape meetings, corporate retreats, intimate ceremonies or Mediterranean-style events. A sober yet refined aesthetic, with local craftsmanship and contemporary comfort. A room equipped with modern technology and a coffee break corner is available for small meetings.
Experiences
Your Puglian story begins here
Strolls among the olive trees, tastings under the stars, boat excursions, water sports, bike rides in nearby villages or lazy days between markets and local producers (the famous carrots of Polignano, Slow Food presidium) or workshops with artisans: from ceramics to handmade pasta. Cala Ponte is not just a place, but a starting point to discover the authentic soul of Puglia, between art, nature and flavors. From spectacular caves like those of Castellana Grotte to trulli, UNESCO World Heritage Site, from ancient crafts like Grottaglie ceramics to strongholds of taste, like Martina Franca, homeland of Capocollo or Cisternino’s bombettes (roll-ups).
POLIGNANO A MARE: “IN THE BLUE PAINTED WITH BLUE”
It’s not just a destination, but an emotion that remains. Overlooking high wind- and time-sculpted cliffs, Polignano a Mare is a suspended jewel between the sky and the Adriatic Sea. Strolling through the white alleys of the historic center, among flower-bedecked balconies and poems on the walls, one discovers a place that knows how to thrill at every step. From the enchanting view of Lama Monachile to the magic of Grotta Palazzese, each corner yields pure beauty. Here was born Domenico Modugno, and his statue welcomes visitors along the seafront, still singing “Volare”; in June the world’s top athletes jump with breathtaking moves during the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, while in July illustrious guests from the worlds of literature and journalism arrive to take part in the famous Book Possible Festival. The ancient Abbey of San Vito, keeper of legends and silences, also reflects off the sea. A few kilometers away, wonder continues: the Basilica of San Nicola in Bari, the colorful gozzi in the old port of Monopoli, the Acquaviva d’Aragona castle in Conversano and that of Angioino in Mola di Bari, the fairytale trulli at Alberobello, the centuries-old olive groves of the Itria Valley, the white light of Locorotondo and Cisternino, the ancient crafts passed on with pride in Grottaglie, the white city of Ostuni, and the triumph of baroque in Lecce.
WHERE WE AREFROM BARI AIRPORT (Karol Wojtyła – BRI) – (49.5 km):
By car
Exiting the airport, follow the signs for highway SS16 in the direction of Brindisi/Lecce.
Continue on SS16 for approximately 50 km, then take the exit “San Vito/Polignano a Mare Nord”.
At the roundabout, follow the signs for San Vito / Cala Ponte Marina.
Continue on Via San Vito for approximately 2 km.
The hotel is located in Via San Vito, Polignano a Mare (BA), 70044, just before the tourist port.
Private car or taxi service: available upon request. Duration: approximately 35 minutes.
By train
Take the FR2 train or the Tempesta shuttle bus from the airport to Bari Central Station (duration: 20-30 minutes).
From Bari Centrale, take a direct train to Polignano a Mare (duration: approximately 30-35 minutes).
Polignano a Mare station is about 2.5 km from the hotel.
FROM BRINDISI AIRPORT (Salento Airport – BDS) – (80 km):
By car
After leaving the airport, take SS379 towards Bari.
SS379 becomes SS16 near Fasano – continue northbound to Bari.
After approximately 75 km, take the exit for “San Vito/Polignano a Mare North”.
At the roundabout, follow signs for San Vito / Cala Ponte Marina (Tourist Port).
Continue along Via San Vito for approximately 2 km.
Cala Ponte Hotel is located on the right, just before the tourist port.
Taxi or private transfer: available on request. Duration: approximately 50 minutes.
By train
Take the shuttle bus STP or a taxi to Brindisi Central Station (duration: approximately 15 minutes).
Take a direct train to Bari, get off at Polignano a Mare (duration: approximately 1h – 1h15).
The Polignano a Mare station is about 2.5 km from the hotel.
HOW TO GET HERE
YOUR ESCAPE AWAITS – BOOK NOW
Unwind in the elegance and tranquility of Cala Ponte Hotel, where every detail is crafted for your comfort and enjoyment. Overlooking the stunning sea of Polignano and offering impeccable service, our hotel delivers a truly distinctive experience as part of the Tribute Portfolio by Marriott. Whether you’re in search of a peaceful escape or an adventure through the charm of Puglia, your perfect holiday begins here. Don’t wait – Book now and experience an oasis of style, comfort, and beauty in the heart of the Mediterranean.