Trulli Francesco | 5-Bedroom Villa in Polignano a Mare Metropolitan Ci

Ten guests arrive at Trulli Francesco and immediately understand why the Puglian countryside around Polignano a Mare commands such devoted loyalty from returning visitors. This five-bedroom villa sits 3km inland from one of Puglia’s most dramatic clifftop villages, perched on a gentle rise that captures both the Mediterranean light and, on clear mornings, the scent of salt air drifting up from the Adriatic. The architecture tells the story of southern Italy itself: a traditional stone lamia, an authentic trullo with its conical roof, and a contemporary annexe clustered around a 5 x 10 metre swimming pool that reflects the sky like a mirror.

Inside Trulli Francesco

Trulli Francesco sleeps 10 guests across 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. The main lamia functions as the social hub—a generous open-plan space where kitchen, dining, and lounge flow into one another without walls to separate them. The kitchen here is the kind that makes even reluctant cooks volunteer for dinner duty: fully equipped with modern appliances, positioned to frame the sea view while you chop vegetables. A dining table seats the whole party comfortably. Adjacent is a bathroom with shower, and a separate WC. One double bedroom on the lower level opens directly onto the garden—the kind of room where you wake to birdsong and grass underfoot before breakfast.

The trullo, that iconic cone-roofed structure, contains a second double bedroom with an ensuite bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The stone walls keep this room naturally cool even during Puglia’s hottest August afternoons.

The modern annexe holds three independent double bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom and shower, plus mini-fridges stocked for convenience. One of these rooms opens onto a private citrus grove—lemon and orange trees planted close enough that you can smell their blossoms on the breeze. This layout is strategic: families can claim their own space, couples can retreat to privacy, and the whole group reconvenes for meals and evening aperitivos.

A lounge area with sofas and a working fireplace anchors the main house. Wi-Fi reaches throughout the property, and air-conditioning runs in every room. A washing machine, iron and board, and vacuum cleaner handle the practical necessities. A safe secures valuables. Mosquito nets are fitted. A cot and highchair are available on request for families with young children.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The 5 x 10 metre pool dominates the outdoor landscape, wide enough for proper swimming, shallow enough for children to splash safely, equipped with sun loungers along its edge. An outdoor shower rinses off chlorine before you return indoors. The pool area looks directly toward the sea—not a water view squeezed into one corner, but a view that occupies your entire sightline.

Beyond the pool sits a covered dining terrace with table and chairs, designed for the long Mediterranean evening when the sun finally dips toward the horizon and the light turns amber. An outdoor kitchen setup—barbecue and wood-burning oven built from stone—transforms dinner preparation into theatre. The kind of space where a simple grilled fish and local wine becomes memory-making without any effort.

Parking is available on-site. The grounds hold enough space for the full party to find quiet corners, whether that means reading under the pergola, stretching out on sun loungers, or walking into the private citrus grove where the world feels very far away.

Location: Polignano a Mare and the Surrounding Area

Polignano a Mare itself sits just 3km downhill from Trulli Francesco—a whitewashed village that clings to limestone cliffs rising 40 metres above the sea. The town’s signature feature is Lama Monachile, a small sandy cove accessible only by descending stone steps carved into the cliff face; the beach appears almost secret, sheltered by the rock faces on either side. Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II forms the village heart, lined with restaurants serving fresh seafood and local orecchiette pasta. The entire old town is navigable in 90 minutes on foot.

Monopoli, 15km southeast, offers a different character—a working fishing port with a restored medieval castle (Castello di Carlo V) dominating its waterfront. The beaches here are sandier, the nightlife more developed, the atmosphere less exclusive than Polignano. The historic centre clusters around the cathedral and castle, pedestrian-friendly for wandering.

Castellana Grotte lies 25km inland, where an underground network of caves descends 60 metres into the earth, passages adorned with stalactites and stalagmites formed over millennia. The cave system is Italy’s longest, with guided tours lasting 1-2 hours—an exceptional option on hot summer days when the constant 14°C underground feels like air conditioning.

Alberobello, 35km south, is the UNESCO-listed town of trulli houses—the conical-roofed dwellings that give this region its distinctive silhouette. Walking its narrow streets feels like stepping into a fairy tale, though summer crowds can be intense. Visit in May or September to experience the architecture without the shoulder-season crush. Explore our Puglia travel guide for more on these iconic towns.

Bari airport (50km north, approximately 50-minute drive) handles flights from most European cities. Brindisi airport (100km south, approximately 90-minute drive) offers budget airline options. Both have car rental desks.

The Adriatic coastline north of Polignano offers sheltered coves and quieter beaches: Torre Carbona, 8km away, attracts fewer visitors than the main town. Boat hire operates from Polignano’s marina—ideal for exploring hidden caves accessible only from the water. Cycling routes loop through the countryside connecting villages; local rental shops in Polignano provide maps and bikes.

Spring (April-May) brings wildflowers and warm weather without heat. Autumn (September-October) offers calm seas and harvest season at local wineries. July-August is peak season—expect crowds, higher temperatures (30-32°C), and premium pricing. Winter (November-March) is mild but unpredictable; some days are perfect for exploring, others rainy.

For more luxury options in the region, explore our luxury villas in Polignano a Mare and our full collection across Italy.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Extended families benefit from the three-building layout—grandparents claim one suite, adult children take another, and the guest bedroom accommodates visiting friends or nannies without crowding anyone. The pool and outdoor kitchen make group entertaining straightforward.

Groups of close friends renting together find the bedroom separation practical: couples or small families can claim their own spaces while maintaining shared social areas. The pool and terrace naturally pull everyone together for aperitivos.

Families with young children appreciate the secure pool setup, the cot and highchair availability, and proximity to shallow-water family beaches at Lama Monachile and Torre Carbona. The outdoor kitchen means cooking dinner while children play safely visible in the pool.

Couples seeking privacy will find the citrus grove bedroom quiet and secluded, though ten-person capacity suggests Trulli Francesco works best for groups rather than romantic pairs alone.

Practical Information

Trulli Francesco accommodates 10 guests across 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. The nearest supermarket (Carrefour) operates in Polignano a Mare town, approximately 3km away. Local restaurants like Grotta Palazzese and La Locanda del Poeta serve dinner reservations-only during high season—book ahead.

Bari Airport (Bari Karol Wojtyła) is 50km away; standard transfer time by car is 50 minutes. Rental companies operate desks in the terminal.

Included in rental: Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, pool access, utilities, linen, and towels. Check-in is typically 4pm, checkout 10am, with flexibility dependent on availability. Cots and highchairs incur a small additional fee and must be requested when booking.

Frequently Asked Questions about Trulli Francesco

How many guests does Trulli Francesco sleep?

Trulli Francesco sleeps 10 guests: five double bedrooms across three separate structures (the main lamia, the trullo, and the modern annexe), with 6 ensuite or adjacent bathrooms. A cot is available on request for an additional fee if you’re travelling with an infant.

What is the nearest airport to Trulli Francesco in Polignano a Mare?

Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport is 50km away, approximately 50 minutes by car. Brindisi Airport (100km, 90 minutes) offers budget airline options. Both have car rental services; hiring a car is standard for exploring the Puglia region independently.

What is the best time of year to rent Trulli Francesco?

May and September offer ideal conditions: warm weather (22-26°C), calm seas, fewer crowds than July-August, and lower pricing. June and October are excellent secondary choices. July-August reaches 30-32°C and brings peak crowds to Polignano and Alberobello. Winter (November-March) is mild but rainy; plan indoor activities (cave tours, museums) alongside outdoor days.

Is Trulli Francesco suitable for families with children?

Yes. The 5 x 10 metre pool is shallow enough for confident swimmers and floaties, with sun loungers for supervising adults. Lama Monachile beach, 3km away, has a small sandy cove protected by cliffs. A cot and highchair are available on request. The outdoor kitchen and multiple seating areas let parents relax while children play visibly. Castellana Grotte cave tours (25km away) engage children aged 6+. A washing machine handles inevitable laundry.

What is included in the rental price at Trulli Francesco?

Included: Wi-Fi, air-conditioning throughout, pool access with loungers, outdoor shower, all utilities (electricity, water, heating), linen, bath towels, and a fully equipped kitchen. The outdoor barbecue and wood-burning oven are available for guest use. Cots and highchairs incur additional fees and must be booked in advance.

What restaurants and shops are near Trulli Francesco?

Polignano a Mare (3km) has supermarkets (Carrefour), butchers, bakeries, and the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II ringed with restaurants serving fresh seafood and pasta. Grotta Palazzese (the most famous, built into cliff caves) requires advance reservations. La Locanda del Poeta offers modern interpretations of regional cuisine. Local trattorias serve traditional dishes daily. Monday mornings, Polignano market operates near the main square, selling vegetables, fish, and local produce. Monopoli (15km) offers larger supermarkets and additional restaurant variety.