MONOPOLI, ITALY: TRAVEL GUIDE TO PUGLIA’S SEASIDE GEM
Monopoli is one of my favorite destinations in southern Italy. I’ve visited the seaside city three times, and I love it more with every visit. It’s doable as a day trip, but Monopoli really is an ideal base for exploring north Puglia. Walkable white-washed streets in the Centro Storico are lined with historic churches, storied passageways, outdoor dining and little shops, all surrounded by medieval city walls that overlook the sparkling sea. Below is my complete guide to Monopoli including the best sights, beaches, hotels, restaurants, gelato, travel tips and more.
The Centro Storico is filled with potted plants and flowers.
WHEN TO VISIT MONOPOLI
- APRIL, MAY, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER (shoulder season) – May and late September offer the best mix of warm weather, manageable crowds and reasonable hotel prices. April and October can be hit and miss with the weather, possibly too cold for the beach in Monopoli.
- JUNE-AUGUST (high season) – This summer window offers the highest probability of sunshine, but the scorching temperatures, peak hotel prices and summer crowds can make this time of the year pretty miserable.
- NOVEMBER-MARCH (low season) – Avoid the winter months when the weather is cold and rainy.
The flag-lined streets in the Centro Storico.
HOW MANY DAYS IN MONOPOLI
ONE DAY OR ONE WEEK. If you’re looking for a home base to explore northern Puglia, Monopoli is one of the best options. The Centro Storico is completely walkable with bars, restaurants, gelato, shopping and the beach all a short stroll away. And to fill a weeklong stay in Monopoli, there are plenty of day trip options within striking distance including Alberobello, Cisternino, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Polignano a Mare and even Matera. Alternatively, if you’ve already made plans to stay in another town, a full day’s visit to Monopoli is enough time to explore the Centro Storico, sunbathe at the beach, enjoy a drink and dine at a restaurant or two.
This little picturesque chapel is the Church of Saint Vitus Martyr.
MONOPOLI TIPS
- CURRENCY – The official currency of Italy is the Euro. Almost everywhere in Monopoli takes credit card, but it’s always useful to have cash handy for small purchases.
- STAY CONNECTED – Most hotels and restaurants have free wi-fi available to guests. If you want connection 24/7, the best option is to purchase an e-SIM to use while in Italy (Airalo, Holafly and Jetpc Global are all great options).
- SAFETY – While Italy is notorious for pick pockets, I felt pretty safe in Monopoli. That said, always be weary of your belongings, especially in crowded places.
Views of the medieval walls from Cala Porta Vecchia, the main beach in Monopoli.
PLACES TO VISIT IN MONOPOLI
CALA PORTA VECCHIA
Cala Porta Vecchia is the main beach in Monopoli that sits along the Centro Storico. The beach is an absolute vibe thanks to the medieval city wall backdrop. The beach itself is pretty narrow leaving very little towel real estate when it’s busy.
CASTELLO CARLO V
It’s impossible to miss the Castello Carlo V while strolling the Lungomare Porto. The towering 16th century fortress that sits at the tip of the Centro Storico overlooking the sea.
CATTEDRALE MARIA SANTISSIMA DELLA MADIA
Absolutely stunning Roman Catholic cathedral located in the heart of the Centro Storico. The Baroque facade of this church is soaring and beautiful, but it’s a connecting wall that looms over the cathedral churchyard that is particularly stunning – I love the row of sculptures that surround the clock. This is one of my favorite sights in Monopoli.
CENTRO STORICO
The historic Centro Storico sits along the sea and serves up a maze of pedestrian lanes filled with picturesque passageways, charming squares, bustling restaurants, boutiques, gelato shops and more. It’s generally quiet during the day, and bustling in the evenings. Spend a morning or afternoon wandering the lovely labyrinth of streets.
CHURCH OF SAINT VITUS MARTYR
This tiny stone chapel sits at the edge of the Centro Storico across from Locanda Don Ferrante. The facade is completely lovely, and surrounded by dozens of potted cactus, plants and flowers.
LUNGOMARE PORTO
The Lungomare Porto is a seaside walkway that lines the Centro Storico’s string of bars, restaurants and the iconic fishing harbor.
MONOPOLI SUNBATHING ROCKS
If the narrow stretch of beach at Cala Porta Vecchia is too crowded, there are plenty of sunbathing rocks that line the medieval city walls.
PALAZZO PALMIERI
This 18th century palazzo sits on a serene piazza in the Centro Storico.
PIAZZA GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI
A busy little square lined with restaurants, bars and cafes that comes to life in the evenings.
PORTO ANTICO
This is the stunning old harbor of Monopoli that is filled with blue fishing boats, and surrounded by beautiful storied structures. The setting is completely iconic to Monopli, a great place to sit down with gelato and soak in the view.
VIA PORTO
There are plenty of charming streets in Monopoli, but Via Porto is one of my favorites thanks to the hundreds of Italian flags that hang above the narrow pedestrian lane.
There are lots of cute shops scattered throughout the Centro Storico.
The white-washed exterior of Locanda Don Ferrante, the best luxury hotel option in Monopoli.
WHERE TO STAY IN MONOPOLI
This airy loft is located in a historic building in the Centro Storico. The lower level of the Giada Apartment boats a living space and kitchen with a bed on the upper level loft.
Locanda Don Ferrante is the best place to stay in Monopoli, and the only luxury option in the Centro Storico. It sits in the heart of town, overlooking lovely views of the sea. Everything is walking distance from the historic white-washed structure. There are a variety of room and suite options, the prettiest boasting exposed white stone and vaulted ceilings.
Pusa Mare sits in the middle of the Centro Storico. The suite boasts antique stone barrel vaults and tiled floors that give the white and neutral toned space lots of character. There is one bedroom, two bathrooms and private sunny terrace with a hot tub.
PLACES TO EAT IN MONOPOLI
BELLA BLU GELATERIA
Delicious gelateria near the harbor that serves dozens of delicious flavors including mint straciatella, berry cheesecake, chocolate, coffee, almond, crunchy cherry, pistachio and more.
CONDOMINIO 60
Condominio 60 is a small restaurant that resides in an old palace in the Centro Storico. Menu includes homemade pastas, fresh fish and a local wine list. Reservations recommended.
MICHELANGELO GELATERIA
Tiny gelato shop that serves a handful of flavors including pistachio, hazelnut, mango and more.
SOTTOCOPERTA
Food is underwhelming and drinks are standard, but the outdoor setting of Sottocoperta is worth a stop for an evening apertivo. The small cluster of tables and chairs that overlook the little harbor are an absolute vibe in the early evening, after a long day in the sun.
Fresh pasta for lunch.
GET AROUND MONOPOLI
Within the Centro Storico, everything is accessible on foot. In fact, this part of Monopoli is a pedestrian-only zone. The main beach, swimming rocks, viewpoints, bars, restaurants and shops are all within walking distance of each other.
The iconic coastline of Monopoli.
GET TO MONOPOLI
- PLANE – There are two airport options for Puglia – the Bari International Airport and Brindisi Airport. Both connect Puglia to a handful of cities across Europe, as well as domestic destinations. Most major car rental brands have locations at both airports. From Bari, it’s a 40-minute drive to Monopolu, and from Brindisi it’s a one-hour drive.
- TRAIN – The train station in Monopoli is located in the middle of town. From there, it is a 10-minute walk to reach Old Town.
- CAR – If you arrive by car, there is plenty of paid meter parking along the streets that surround the Centro Storico.
The beautiful Porto Antico.
