With its white-washed streets, beautiful hidden coves, and the freshest seafood by the sea, we liked Monopoli best during our Puglia trip. It’s the kind of town that you can explore at a slow pace, soaking it all in. We loved exploring its lively harbor and getting lost in the Old Town, where every corner reveals another postcard-perfect view or cozy little wine bar. Here are all the best things to do in Monopoli, Italy.
Best Things to do in Monopoli, Italy
Monopoli was our favorite town in Puglia, Italy! It’s a stunning coastal town less than an hour from Bari, making it an excellent spot for a day trip. However, although we didn’t do this ourselves, we think it would also be a great place to stay overnight on your Puglia itinerary.
Monopoli has a much more local feel (read: fewer tourists!) than some of the other places in Puglia, allowing you to catch a glimpse into everyday life. Watch as fishermen bring in their catch of the day in the beautiful harbor, and locals catch up with one another on the street. No wonder it got its name from the Greek ‘monos polis’, as with its 2000+ years of history, it really is ‘singularly unique’.
Where to park? We parked here, a 5-minute walk from the Old Town along the coast.
The Old Town lies right next to the sea and is the perfect size to explore for a few hours. Walk along the narrow, winding streets that have been inhabited for centuries and look out for the vibrant green window shutters and colorful balcony flowers. You’ll spot them right away in an otherwise all-white town.
You don’t necessarily need a destination in mind; we simply followed wherever the roads led, be it to cute boutique shops, small squares, or out to the harbor. Every corner is incredibly picturesque, so make sure to bring your camera with you!
2. Porto Antico
Our favorite spot in town was the iconic Porto Antico, a picturesque harbor filled with traditional blue fishing boats, whitewashed houses, and green shutters. The best way to enjoy this incredible scenery is with a picnic; grab a delicious Italian sandwich at Gustavo. Nick had the Parmigiana, which was so good!
The red and blue boats, called ‘gozzo’, are iconic of the region. Watch how the locally-made boats bob on the water, contrasting with Monopoli’s white-washed walls. They’re used in the shallows by local fishermen to catch the best seafood, like octopus and many fish.
Top tip: Craving a coffee? Close to Porto Antico is Caffè Letterario, which serves delicious coffee and pastries. An absolute must while you’re in Puglia, Italy!
3. Cala Porta Vecchia
After visiting Porto Antico, sleep off your lunch at Cala Porta Vecchia, a stretch of rocks along the fortified walls of Monopoli. You’ll see a good mix of locals and tourists sunbathing, and it’s the perfect spot for a dip.
Other Beaches in the Area:
If you’re like us and have a rental car, you can also head a bit further out to find other stunning beaches. A few highly recommended are:
- Porto Bianco. This large patch of sand is close to the center and a local’s favorite. (You can walk here, no need for a car).
- Cala Porto Rosso. Just around the shore from Porto Bianco lies another stunning beach. This sheltered inlet has good, shallow waters to swim in. You can choose the sand or the rocks to put your towel down. About a 20-minute walk from the Old Town.
- Calamarena. Another local favorite with stunning, crystal-clear water, sunbeds, and a small bar.
- Cala Paradiso. This is a popular spot during the summer, with a little beach club and a free section to lay your towel down.
- Lido Santo Stefano. In the shadow of a medieval castle, this is one of the prettiest beaches in the area!
4. Church of Purgatory (Unique site in Monopoli, Italy)
While in the old town, you should also check out the fascinating (even if a little creepy) Chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffragio: ‘The Church of Purgatory’. It might look like a typical Italian church, but inside, discover mummified bodies and skulls on display, designed to remind visitors of how quickly life passes by.
Unfortunately, it was closed when we were there, so we couldn’t see the inside. However, the skull carvings on the front door said a lot about the creepiness!
Also read: Best things to do in Puglia, Italy
5. Stroll along the Lungomare
In the evening, just before the sun sets, head out to the town’s lungomare, the paved promenade along the coast. This spot lies just in front of Monopoli’s Old Town, and is such a picturesque spot to end the day. Enjoy the cooling sea breeze while soaking up another viewpoint of the town’s historical sites.
You’ll pass the Carlo V Castle that sits on a little peninsula, the famous old defense tower, Bastione Santa Maria, and Chiesa di San Salvatore, a little church built by pirates at the edge of the sea. These are all iconic medieval buildings that hold many stories and are a must-see when you are in Monopoli, Italy.
Join this walking street food tour of Monopoli to learn more about the town’s history and good food.
6. Monopoli Cathedral
The Monopoli Cathedral (Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria della Madia) is one of the highlights of the seaside town, with an incredible interior. However, the story behind the building is even more interesting.
It’s said that during construction in the 12th century, the builders eventually ran out of roof beams. To their luck, a wooden raft carrying an image of the Virgin Mary drifted into the harbor. These wooden beams that made up the float were precisely what they needed to finish the building — how lucky!
Even though this wooden church has since been replaced by the Baroque cathedral that now stands in the very same spot, it’s still a marvel to look at. The interior is especially worth a visit (free to enter).
7. Day Trips from Monopoli, Italy
Even though we only visited the town on a day trip, we think Monopoli would be a great base from which to explore the rest of Puglia’s beautiful region. After meandering through the town, hop in a rental car and head to neighboring beaches and beautiful villages. Some must-sees perfect for a day trip are:
Alberobello
One of the most famous things to do in Puglia is to witness the iconic Trulli Houses of Alberobello. These curved, limestone huts with conical roofs are unique homes (locals still live here!) and a must-see in the region. We were excited to visit this ancient city, and it definitely exceeded our expectations.
Matera
Discover the oldest city in Europe and one of the most magical we’ve ever seen! While Matera isn’t officially in the Puglia region, it’s just a 1-2 hour drive away. The city is built into a valley and divided into two equally beautiful parts, one with ancient cave dwellings and the other a more modern part of town. You’ll have to climb many stairs to reach this beautiful location, but it’s worth every step!
Note: Although you could come to Matera for a day trip, we wish we had stayed here for a night or two. The boutique hotels nestled within the caves looked really tempting!
Getting to Matera: If visiting on a day trip, you can arrive using your rental car (park here). Alternatively, join an organized tour of Matera from most cities in Puglia; there are lots to choose from!
Locorotondo
Locorotondo is a circular town and one of the most picturesque in Puglia. The city has unique ‘cummerse’ houses, with sloping roofs covered in the same stones as the iconic trulli.
Although you won’t find any actual trulli houses within the city, Locorotondo looks down onto the Itria Valley, where you’ll see olive groves and farmland dotted with the unique cone-shaped structures. It’s a 30-minute drive from Monopoli, Italy.
Join this fantastic bike tour to Locorotondo, passing through the Itria Valley.
Ostuni
Known as ‘the white city’, Ostuni sits atop a hill with incredible views across Puglia’s flat olive-grove-covered landscapes. Wander up the hillside streets, marveling at the lovely white houses surrounded by pots filled with flowers and cacti, and stop off at must-see sights like the Arco Scoppa or Piazza della Libertà.
It’s a 35-minute drive to Ostuni from Monopoli. You can also get there by bus. Browse tickets and timetables here.
Where to Stay
Even though Ostuni was our base while exploring Puglia, Monopoli is another great option for this. Stay in a hotel in the Old Town to be close to the most impressive sites.
Alternatively, there are also several beautiful Masseira (farmland residences) just outside of Monopoli if you’re looking for a bit more peace and quiet. We stayed in a countryside villa later on during our trip, which was so good.
How to Visit Monopoli, Italy
The closest airport to Monopoli, Italy, is Bari (40-minute drive). From here, it’s really easy to travel onwards to the seaside town, either by rental car, bus, or train.
By Car: We highly recommend renting a car during your time in Puglia, Italy. This gives you complete freedom on where to go and at what time. Plus, you can get closer to hidden gems between the main highlights. We did this during our trip in October, allowing us the opportunity to go off the beaten path.
We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
By Train: There are regular departures from Bari Airport and Bari Centrale to Monopoli, Italy. The journey takes roughly 30-50 minutes and costs about 3 – 4 EUR per person. Once you get to the train station, it’s a 25-minute walk to the Old Town.
Getting Around
Once you get to Monopoli, the best way to explore the Old Town streets, beautiful harbor, and promenade is on foot. We parked our rental car here, which is only a 5-minute walk along the coast to the Centro Storico.
Best Restaurants and Cafes
Apulian food is absolutely delicious, and many must-try dishes and experiences are available! Nick and I are both pescatarians and were so happy that we had so many options on the menu, as the cuisine here is very seafood-based. Plus, there are plenty of good vegetarian meals to try, too.
- Gustavo (delicious sandwiches)
- Caffé Letterario (coffee)
- La Locanda sul Porto (seafood)
- Madià morsi di felicità (for panzerotti)
You’ll find many places across Puglia to try panzerotto, an Apulian classic. These mozzarella and tomato-filled pastries are deep fried (and look like a mini calzone) and must-try in the area.
Join this highly-rated street food tour of Monopoli to learn more about its local treats.
Best Time to Visit
While July and August are the most popular months to visit, they are also the hottest (and busiest!). This is an excellent time to relax on the many beautiful beaches, but make sure to book your hotels, restaurants, and tours well before your trip. Parking can also fill up quickly during these times, so we recommend visiting beaches and other significant attractions first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon.
We visited in October, and it was just perfect! The average daily temperature was 23 degrees Celsius, there were fewer crowds, and in the late afternoons/evenings, we often had the busy streets to ourselves. Plus, it was just warm enough to sunbathe — bliss!
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