Among the most beautiful towns to see in Puglia in Italy, make sure you visit Monopoli. The historic center, with its winding alleys, fortress, and white-fronted houses, has preserved its charm without falling into mass tourism. In fact, during our stay in Monopoli in October, there were not many people around to discover the city’s lovely buildings.
What to do in Monopoli ? Which are the must-see sights in the old town ? Where to stay in Monopoli ? I share all my tips in this travel guide.
Things to do in Monopoli : the old town
As in all the towns in Puglia that we have seen so far, all the must-see sights are located in the historic center. This makes it easy to visit Monopoli on foot once you have left your car in a parking lot. The old town is not very large, but you will enjoy getting lost in its alleys to discover the authentic charm of this seaside town.
Porto Antico
The old port of Monopoli is one of the first places you will see when arriving in the historic center. You can reach it directly from the port parking lot or by passing under the arch of the former 15th-century gate (porta dell’antico porto). The latter connects with the streets of the old town.
The narrow harbor is protected to the east by the imposing fortress guarding the entrance. On the right stands Palazzo Martinelli, an 18th-century palace recognizable by its loggia with white columns. A small tip for photographers: it is best to come in the afternoon so that the sun fully lights up the harbor and the pretty blue boats.
Piazza Garibaldi
This small square located just behind the port is the liveliest spot in Monopoli’s historic center. You will find several bar and restaurant terraces here. Piazza Garibaldi is surrounded by several historic buildings that are worth spending a few minutes admiring. To the south stands the Torre Civica, a 16th-century clock tower, and to the east Palazzo Rendella, a palace built on the foundations of a former Spanish prison. Today it houses a library and the visitor information center.
Fifty meters north of the square you will find the church of Santa Maria degli Amalfitani, built in the 12th century (the facade and the chapel date from the 18th century). From the original building, a crypt with frescoes remains. However, the church was closed during our visit to Monopoli, and no opening hours were displayed outside. You can still see a photo of the crypt on the sign in front of the church.
Basilica della Madonna della Madia
Monopoli’s cathedral is located at the very south of the old town. It was built at the beginning of the 12th century near an ancient Roman temple and a burial site. Legend has it that construction had to stop due to a lack of wood to build the roof structure. That is when a miracle occurred: a raft carrying an icon of the Virgin ran aground here in 1177. The 33 beams of this raft (made of Aleppo pine) were used to complete the cathedral’s roof.
The icon of the Virgin is now kept in the chapel behind the altar. In the first chapel on the right, you can see a piece of beam placed on a small gilded chest. The church was entirely rebuilt in 1742 in a neoclassical style, with an abundance of stucco work, gilding, and polychrome marble. Some remains of the original church are still visible and can be visited via an archaeological route (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 6 pm to 9 pm).
Opening hours : daily from 8 am to 9 pm.
Chiesa del Purgatorio
This church, also known as chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffragio, is located on Via Argento just after the cathedral. It was built in the 18th century and features a wooden door depicting the Triumph of Death. This reminds us that whether rich or poor, and regardless of one’s place on the social ladder, death always triumphs over life. The church has a Latin cross plan with five altars, the main one being a Baroque altar made of Lecce stone. Inside are two mummies of brothers who died in the 18th century. Unfortunately, it is difficult to visit as opening hours are very limited. If you are visiting Monopoli over a weekend in the late afternoon, you may be able to go inside. Otherwise, you can simply admire the original door.
Opening hours : Saturday and Sunday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Mass every Saturday at 6 pm.
Lungomare Santa Maria
Between the castle and the Babula bastion stretches Monopoli’s lungomare, a pleasant seaside promenade. If you arrive from the south of the historic center, it starts at the beach along the city walls (spiaggia Cala Porta Vecchia). At first, the route winds between the old ramparts and white houses until it reaches the Chapel of San Vito Martire (16th century), whose façade has been heavily worn by time. At the end of the street, the sea view opens up.
The route continues past the chiesa Rettoria del Gesù Salvatore and reaches the Santa Maria bastion. This former defensive tower, partially in ruins, is topped with a cannon. The lungomare then continues as far as Castello Carlo V.
Castello Carlo V
Monopoli’s castle is built on the strip of land that juts furthest out into the sea. Its position allowed it to defend the city and the port, as intended by Charles V. The monarch, who ruled over an extensive list of territories, was King of Naples, which included Puglia. The castle bears the same name as the one in Lecce.
The pentagonal fortress is typical of 16th-century military architecture. However, it has the distinctive feature of incorporating a pre-existing cylindrical Roman-style tower that forms the main entrance. The castle served as a prison until the 1950s. Today it hosts art exhibitions. During our stay in Monopoli, the Photography Festival was taking place, with an exhibition by Phillip Toledano.
As a result, entry to the castle was not free (to be checked outside exhibition periods). During the two months of the festival, you need to buy a €10 ticket that gives access to the following sites : palazzo Palmieri, casa di Santa Teresa, stalle di casa Santa, chiesa di Pietro e Paolo and palazzo Martinelli.
Opening hours : 10 am–1 pm and 4 pm–8 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Largo Palmieri
This square, where time seems to stand still, is located right in the heart of the old town. It is one of the things to do in Monopoli, yet it is almost deserted. The absence of bars and the ban on children playing football—under penalty of a €50 fine—are probably part of the reason. And yet, the square is surrounded by several important buildings that should encourage visitors to come here.
To the north of the square stands the Chiesa di Santa Teresa (9 am–12 pm and 5 pm–8 pm), with its dome dating from the 18th century. To the east is Palazzo Palmieri, a late-Baroque 18th-century palace commissioned by the most powerful family in the city. It can be visited during special events, which was the case during our stay in Monopoli. From September 1st to November 1st, the Photography Festival (PhEST, 10 am–1 pm and 3 pm–9 pm) takes place here. Access is included with the €10 ticket for the castle or with a single €7 ticket.
Alleys of the historic center
One of the main attractions of Monopoli’s historic center is strolling through its alleys. Historic buildings, Baroque architecture, houses with white façades or built from Lecce stone, this is what gives Monopoli its charm. And to discover its architecture and history, you simply need to wander through the narrow streets at your own pace. It is impossible to get lost, as the center is relatively small. But this is how you discover places that tourists who stick to the shopping streets never see. In short, we loved walking through the streets of the old town.
Beaches of Monopoli
There is a sandy beach at the foot of the old town walls, spiaggia Cala Porta Vecchia. The strip of sand is not very wide, but you can also settle on the rocks of the breakwater. We were there in October, with slightly cloudy weather, but with sunshine and calm seas it makes a great spot for swimming or having a picnic.
Leaving the historic center to the south, you will find other beaches. The first one, Cala Cozze, a pebble and rocky beach, is 300 meters away on foot. More intimate, it is not necessarily convenient for laying out a towel. For that, continue further south to spiaggia Porto Bianco, which has a free sandy beach. The cove of spiaggia La Scaletta, 1.5 km away (20 minutes on foot), is also very beautiful.
In this part of Puglia, the coastline is rocky with a few small sandy coves. You will not find long, wide sandy beaches like those south of Gallipoli, for example. For swimming, we found Salento (the southernmost part of Puglia) to be more beautiful.
Boat rental
Set off to explore the surroundings of Monopoli by sailing along the coast. It is a great opportunity to stop at the most beautiful beaches and secret coves. For this, I recommend renting a boat through Click&Boat. This leading online boat rental company for sailboats, catamarans, and motorboats offers competitive prices and a choice of from private owners and professionals. You can choose a boat with or without a license, and with or without a professional skipper, the options are numerous for spending one or several days at sea.
You can also take part in a boat excursion departing from Monopoli. The 3-hour trip includes an aperitif and drinks.
Where to stay in Monopoli ?
Monopoli’s old town is a good base for visiting northern Puglia around Bari (see my guide on where to stay in Puglia), especially if you want to be by the sea to enjoy the beaches. This part of the region has many towns to discover, enough to keep you busy for several days.
Here are a few places I recommend for staying in Monopoli. Many apartments and Airbnbs require a minimum stay of two nights. Prices vary depending on the season, peaking in July and August. During this period, make sure to book well in advance.
- 44 € : Casa Barletta, the cheapest accommodation for staying in Monopoli while still receiving very good traveler reviews. The apartment has a double bedroom and a private kitchen, and is well located just a few minutes’ walk from the historic center.
- 57 € : Fanfulla, another budget-friendly option in Monopoli. The modern double room has a balcony, and the property includes a garden. Rooms for 3 or 4 people are available. Free street parking nearby.
- 60 € : Barbacana46 Guest House, ideal for lovers of charm, this accommodation in Monopoli’s old town offers modern rooms or rooms with vaulted ceilings. Porta Vecchia beach is only 300 meters away.
- 63 € : HolidayMonopoli, this apartment in the historic center is very well located for visiting Monopoli. Breakfast is included, and bicycles are provided free of charge, making it easy to reach beaches further south.
- 84 € : Guardian’s House, located in the countryside 2 km from the center, this accommodation is perfect for exploring the region over several days. The rooms overlook a peaceful garden. Breakfast included and free private parking.
Where to eat in Monopoli ?
It is impossible to go hungry in Italy, you can find something to eat on almost every street corner. Whether you are looking for a takeaway snack or a restaurant, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to lunch or dinner in Monopoli’s old town. We often rely on online reviews to find a restaurant or on good recommendations from our hosts.
I am not going to give you a list of the best restaurants in Monopoli (for that, we would have had to stay quite a while), but rather share one address where we ate very well : Trattoria Il Brigante. You can go there with your eyes closed—the dishes are excellent and the prices reasonable. Expect to pay between €15 and €18 for primi and secondi.
If you have rented an apartment and can cook at home, I recommend going to the port (where the parking lot is located) to buy fish, shellfish, and octopus. The day’s catch is sold directly as the boats come in—you can’t get any fresher. It is also a great opportunity to mingle with locals doing their shopping.
Travel guide and tips for visiting Monopoli
How to get to Monopoli ?
To reach Monopoli, you need to fly into one of Puglia’s two airports. Bari Airport is the closest, but as part of a Puglia road trip, Brindisi Airport is also a good option. To choose between the two, I recommend comparing flight prices on Skyscanner.
Monopoli is located 45 km south of Bari. Via the strada statale (the equivalent of national roads), it takes just under 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. In summer, there may be traffic jams. A vehicle is essential for visiting Puglia, especially to reach beaches away from towns. To find the best rates among all rental companies, I always use this comparison site, which guarantees the lowest prices.
The town of Polignano a Mare is only 8 km south of Monopoli. Visiting both historic centers can easily be done in the same day.
Where to park in Monopoli ?
We did not have too much trouble finding a parking space to visit Monopoli. In October, most tourists had left, and street parking was free (except on weekends). We parked on Corso Goffredo Mameli, right at the entrance to the historic center.
If you visit during high season, you may have more difficulty parking in Monopoli. A little further from the center, there is this parking lot. Street parking (blue markings) is paid every day from June 1st to September 30th from 8:30 am to 1:30 am, as well as on weekends in April, May, and October. The rate is €2 per hour.
Be careful : the Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo parking lot located at the port is reserved for vehicles authorized to drive in the ZTL, as Monopoli’s old town is a limited traffic zone (see my article on ZTLs in Italy). Traffic is prohibited from 8 am to 10 am and from 3 pm to 5 pm. The sign indicating “ZTL attivo closed” means entry is forbidden without authorization. Be careful—the fines are steep.
How much time to spend in Monopoli ?
As mentioned several times in this travel guide, the historic center is not very large. Allow half a day to visit Monopoli and see the main sights. Faster travelers who just want an overview of the town without visiting all the monuments can easily do it in 2 hours.
You know now the best things to do in Monopoli. If you have any questions, you can use the blog’s comment section.