Working Remotely from Puglia 🇮🇹 Polignano a Mare 🌊
Meet Valerio, a Software Engineer who works remotely from the beautiful southern shores of Italy
Background soundtrack recommended for enhanced reading
When I got in touch with Valerio he happily accepted to tell me his story and how Polignano a Mare is a perfect location for Remote Workers in Italy.
He shared with me the pros and cons, and how to avoid picking overpriced accommodations in the area.
Let’s read together what he has to say about himself, Polignano a Mare and Puglia.
Hey Valerio, who are you and where are you working from in Italy?
Hi, my name is Valerio, and I'm 28 years old. I'm from Castellana Grotte, a small city near Bari in the Puglia region of Italy.
However, I've primarily lived in different Italian regions other than Puglia for most of my life: Calabria, Abruzzo, Marche, and Piemonte.
Recently, in the wake of the global Covid pandemic, I decided to travel the world while working simultaneously, maintaining a stable base in Polignano a Mare.
This small gem is famous worldwide for its emerald sea waters and charming white houses perched on cliffs overlooking the sea.
As a person, I'm easy-going, and I love to engage in sports and immerse myself in nature. My free time is mainly occupied by inline skating along the nearby coastline and scuba diving.
I consider myself a digital nomad, since the nature of my work allows me to be productive without being tied to a specific location.
All I need is a reliable internet connection and occasional peace of mind to successfully carry out the projects I'm working on.
What do you do for a living, what do you love about it?
For the past 5+ years, I have been working as a Software Engineer specializing in web and app development. Currently, I am employed at a company called 3Bee, which is dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity, regenerating damaged habitats, and raising awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for the health of our planet.
When it comes to identifying my primary source of motivation and what I love most about my job, I would say that I take great satisfaction in working on projects used by millions of people.
Through this, I am able to enhance their digital experiences and make a positive impact on our planet's well-being.
Even when I wasn't working for a “green” company, I didn't enjoy my job any less. Quite the opposite, I worked on a diverse array of projects, aiming to reach as many individuals as possible with the software I produced.
The process of creating something functional and well-received by a wide audience is highly motivating.
Above all, I wouldn't trade my job for anything else due to the remarkable level of freedom it affords me. I can wake up in one country and go to sleep in another, all without having to interrupt my work or impose limitations on myself.
How does Polignano a Mare look like?
Returning to Polignano, I have witnessed its growth over the years, evolving into an international tourist destination. I am intimately familiar with this place.
Just as Domenico Modugno sang in his famous song "Volare", the blue color of the sea is something addicting and just having a walk on the seafront is enough to enjoy the beauty of this place.
Not to mention the abundant selection of exquisite, affordably priced local cuisine available year-round in the nearby shops.
The town's surroundings are as stunning as the town itself, and within minutes by car or train, you can explore places like Alberobello, Monopoli, Cisternino, and more.
During the peak season (July-August), the entire region transforms into an international hub, attracting people from around the world who come here for "workations" or pure tourism and to partake in the diverse range of available activities.
Through events and time spent at local bars and shops, I've had the opportunity to meet numerous individuals from various countries, including Americans, Japanese, Mexicans, and even Australians.
If I were to identify a downside to year-round living here, it would be the inevitable overcrowding in August.
Conversely, January and February are relatively quiet months, where there isn't as much to do. However, this pattern holds true in many places, so if you're not keen on being here during those periods, you can simply travel elsewhere in the meantime
If there is one thing you love about Polignano a Mare, it is ... ?
The weather!
We have up to 5-6 months of summer-ish temperatures and very mild winters without much rain.
If you are like me and enjoy spending time outside, sunbathing, breathing clean air and practicing a lot of sports, you’re definitely going to enjoy Polignano a Mare!
Any tips or tricks for the readers who would like to work from Polignano a Mare?
I have some advice for people willing to come over here, starting with accommodation.
Staying in the city is expensive, especially in the high season.
I highly recommend living in the countryside or in the nearby towns like Monopoli, Conversano or Mola di Bari at half the price, and you can reach Polignano just in a few minutes with a train or a bus.
Be aware of the fact that there are no coworking spaces over here and if you need to work from an office-like environment you must go to Bari for similar services.
There are though remote workers friendly bars where I usually go if I want to work outside my house.
In the end, if you can rent or bring your own car it’s a big plus in terms of freedom. It is true, you can get basically anywhere by train, bus and bike but the best way to enjoy Puglia is to go on the road and explore its beauty at your own pace.
Don’t forget to visit Salento, the southern part of Puglia, and it has one among the most beautiful beaches of all Italy and is definitely worth your time!
Will you meet Valerio in Polignano a Mare?
The words of Valerio describe us such a rich area, immersed in nature and facing the amazingly blue Adriatic Sea.
He’s tremendously lucky to have some working breaks in such beautiful places, while probably enjoying a typical “frisella pugliese”.
Would you choose to live and work for a while in Polignano a Mare?
Follow Valerio here