Monopoli is a charming coastal town with whitewashed houses in the Puglia region of Italy. It often goes unnoticed by tourists, because it is tucked between the larger cities of Bari and Brindisi. Which is probably how Monopoli managed to keep its genuine, lived-in ambience, unlike its more popular neighboring towns. This is a place where you still get a taste of the southern Italian daily life. Monopoli has to be experienced by just living in the moment and by the “dolce far niente”. Still, there are plenty of fabulous things to do in Monopoli!
I absolutely loved the vibe of Monopoli. The locals were super friendly and loved to joke around. Especially when they notice you speak Italian! I never felt I had to tick off a bucket list, while visiting this town. It was more of a relaxed strolling around and seeing where I would end up. Still, I feel there are some activities in Monopoli that you should not miss. So, I listed them for you!
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11 Best things to do in Monopoli; the ultimate guide to plan your trip
TABLE OF CONTENT
- 11 Best things to do in Monopoli; the ultimate guide to plan your trip
- 1. Stroll around the old town & discover the local life
- 2. Wander along the lungomare, one of the most local things to do in Monopoli
- 3. Visit the cathedral of Monopoli
- 4. Try to find all the churches in the Centro Storico
- 5. Watch the boats and fishermen at Porto Antico
- 6. Enjoy the beaches of Monopoli
- 7. Shop in the cute boutiques of Monopoli
- 8. Eat & drink where the locals go
- 9. Enjoy aperitivo
- 10. Stay in a B&B or boutique hotel by the sea
- 11. Day trips you can do from Monopoli
- Practical tips to experience the best things to do in Monopoli
- Watch the best day trips around Monopoli
- Pin this post to plan the best things to do in Monopoli
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1. Stroll around the old town & discover the local life
As soon as you step inside Monopoli’s ancient city walls, you will be surrounded by winding alleys lined with whitewashed homes with green window shutters. Balconies are often decorated with flowers in full bloom and pots with massive cacti can be found everywhere. I loved exploring the tiny piazzas and seeing the laundry hanging outside, as I walked through arches and along the narrow streets. The alleys are often decorated with garlands of cute colorful hats.
Make sure to explore the side streets as well as the “main streets” that are lined with stores and eateries, if you want to get lost in the historic center’s labyrinth. Each narrow alleyway leads to a new hidden square or church. You will frequently see nonnas hanging out of their windows or perched on their balconies, watching the world go by. I also loved the chatter of TVs and families and music coming from the open windows. The men loved nothing more than to joke around and start a conversation.
My favorite encounter was with Giuseppe. An elderly man who lives in the house near the Church of Saint Vitus Martyr. Everyone is taking photos of it, because it is so beautifully decorated with cacti and plants. You will find Giuseppe often sitting in his chair in front of his house. I was also taking photos of his house when he came outside. Another neighbor of his also came outside and he said to me in Italian “Questo uomo è un fenomeno!” in a really dramatic funny way. So, we started talking and Giuseppe asked me if he could show me something.
I followed him to the little piazza behind the church, where he showed me his little workplace. Apparently, he used to be a shoemaker. He still has his old shoemaker machine in a small room packed with tiny souvenirs he got from tourists. He explained he did not repair many shoes anymore “Ora tutta plastica!”, so when he gets bored, he reads comics!
2. Wander along the lungomare, one of the most local things to do in Monopoli
The lungomare is the seaside promenade. The most popular part to walk is the lungomare from Porto Antico all the way to Porto Rosso. Especially in the late afternoon and the evening, it is one of the most local things to do in Monopoli. The locals love to do this walk. It takes you along the old city walls and the bastions, along the waterside and different beaches. You’ll also encounter two important monuments you can visit in Monopoli: the Carlo V Castle and the famous Bastione di Santa Maria. I had to do this walk every day, since my B&B was located near Spiaggia di Cala Porto Rosso. I loved it, because it meant that the first thing I saw everyday was the beach! Walking up to town, I had this magnificent view of the city being surrounded by the sea and the medieval walls.
Along the lungomare you can find streetfood stalls, restaurants and bars. But there were also playgrounds and sport fields. I really feel like Monopoli is a town that places a high value on its community.
3. Visit the cathedral of Monopoli
Monopoli’s cathedral is the Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia and a must visit when exploring Monopoli! It is located on a beautiful square constructed by G. Palmieri, which is also surrounded by the Bishop’s Palace and a theatrical great wall, containing ten statues and a big clock. The cathedral was first built in the 12th century. Its construction was temporarily halted due to a lack of materials. However, when a raft carrying a Madonna icon drifted into the harbour, the construction could resume, using the raft beams to build the roof. What a miracle! The cathedral was renovated and enlarged in the 18th century in the Baroque style. Make sure to visit the inside so you can admire the amazing ornate interior!
Entrance: free / opening hours: daily from 8 am until 12 pm / from 4 pm until 8 pm
4. Try to find all the churches in the Centro Storico
The historical center of Monopoli houses about 20 churches. I dare you to find them all in the winding streets! Chiesa di San Salvatore is said to be the oldest church dating back to 313. The areas around the Santa Teresa d’Avila and the Chiesa Rettoria San Leonardo di Noblac are fun to explore and have a very medieval feel. The most photogenic little church I found was the Church of Saint Vitus Martyr in the Via San Vito. It was this old little chapel with gorgeous ancient facade and its entrance was flanked with beautiful cacti and plants.
5. Watch the boats and fishermen at Porto Antico
Porto Antico is a small harbor in the old town center and definitely one of Monopoli’s most picturesque features! Little blue fishing boats dance gently on the azure blue water in stark contrast to the whitewashed buildings of the old town. You can even see the fish swimming through the crystal-clear water! If you are lucky, you will see fishermen arriving with their catch of the day! Both locals and tourists love to gather here with picnics. It is also the perfect place to enjoy sunrise and sunset.
6. Enjoy the beaches of Monopoli
When you visit Monopoli during the warm weather months, one of the must things to do is going to the beach! Monopoli does not have sandy beaches that extend for miles. But it does have a few sandy stretches and gorgeous coves within walking distance from the city center.
- Cala Porto Rosso: This tiny sandy beach was situated right in front of my B&B and only about a 10-minute walk from the old town. Even at the end of September on sunny days, it was a very popular place.
- Cala Porto Vecchia: This was the place where all the locals seemed to go before work or during lunch break. It is situated just outside the city walls by the lungomare. I saw quite some people coming out from the historic center, hang their clothes on a rock pointing out from the city wall and go for a swim. But a lot of people come here as well to just enjoy the beach as well. Even though it is very tiny!
- Porto Verde: When you walk a little further east along the coastline from Porto Rosso, you will encounter this golden sand cove. It even has a sea cave! Nearby there is also a beach bar “Maritimo Urban Sun” where you can rent lounge chairs.
- Cala Paradiso: Bigger beach with a beach club, but it also has a free section.
7. Shop in the cute boutiques of Monopoli
Monopoli has quite some cute clothing boutiques. Especially in the Via Giuseppe Garibaldi I discovered some beautiful stores selling the most gorgeous clothes and accessories! My absolute favorites were:
- Scirock: beautiful colorful dresses, original designs, cute cardigans, gorgeous accessories… you can find it all at Scirock!
- Valentina: a trendy designer store
- Murales: if you are looking for a bohemian dress, you will definitely find it here!
- Antica Sartoria: the famous store I discovered at the Amalfi Coast selling the brightest colorful Positano dresses
8. Eat & drink where the locals go
One of the best things to do in Monopoli is to eat and drink where the locals go. To know where to eat well at a good price, I simply asked the locals. So here is a list of the places I visited that were all recommended by Monopoli citizens!
- Mi Casa: This was my absolute favorite restaurant in Monopoli! The staff is super friendly and their fish dishes are the best! The restaurant has a big terrace by the Castello Carlo V, so it is nice to sit here for both lunch and dinner. Also make sure to order their aperitivo! I cannot name everything that was on that plate, but it was delicious!
- La Locanda dei Pescatori: It is not the fanciest place, but most definitely one of the loudest! If you are looking for that typical Italian ambiance; this is the place! It is a fish restaurant right by the Porto Antico (you bump into it once you walked through the little gate connecting the harbor with the Via Porto), but you can also order a pizza if you don’t like fish.
- The King: This place was popular with both tourists and locals. Their terrace was always full at any time of the day. The King serves street food such as pizza, pucce (the local sandwich), fried food, but also salads.
- Viamare: I did not visit Mi Casa’s neighbor myself, but I heard the reactions of the people sitting next to me, while I was eating at Mi Casa. Apparently, the food was delicious, and I have to say it also looked really good! I regret not being able to try it myself.
9. Enjoy aperitivo
Aperitivo is an essential part of any trip to Italy. It is tradition! Before eating, it is intended to “open” the stomach. One of the most popular places in Monopoli to have aperitivo is the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi. But I always prefer a place with a nice view, so I had mine at Sottocoperta. It has a great view on the Porto Antico and the Aperol Spritz was huge!
10. Stay in a B&B or boutique hotel by the sea
When staying for a longer period in Monopoli, I would recommend staying in a boutique hotel by the sea with a pool. That way you can relax after exploring the town with a nice view on the crystal-clear sea and have a dip in the pool.
I stayed at Playa del Mar, which is actually a B&B located just outside the historic city center by the sea. I absolutely loved the decor of this place. Especially the rooftop pool area was stunning with its true bohemian beach vibes! So, I didn’t mind having my extensive breakfast there every morning! Eggs, bacon, croque monsieurs, cornetti, toppings, fruits, juice, bread rolls, … name it, it was there!
Also, the room was marvelous, and I even had a jacuzzi! The bed was huge and so comfortable! I slept like a baby! I loved my stay here!
The only downside is that the owner wants to make money out of everything! You want to leave your bags after checking out? That’s 5€! You want to stay at the pool after checking out? That’s 15€ per hour. Never ever in my entire life have I experienced a hotel charging for these things! So, keep that in mind! The hotel also charges enormous prices for transfers (in case you don’t have a rental car), so I recommend arranging this yourself. Also make sure to let them know in advance at what time you will arrive. The reception is not always staffed.
Next time I will try the Hotel Don Ferrante, which is in the same price category and situated in the historic center of Monopoli. It also looks absolutely stunning, and I was really hestitating between the two. Bellavista Suites also looks stunning, but keep in mind it is from the same owner as Playa del Mar!
If you are looking for a more budget friendly B&B, you could opt for I Nobili Suite or il B&B di Alice.
11. Day trips you can do from Monopoli
There are plenty of day trips to do from Monopoli. Here is a short overview:
Alberobello
This is the most famous town in Puglia thanks to its massive amount of trulli. A trullo is a traditional limestone hut with a cone-shaped roof. In Alberobello you can find several streets lined with these cute little houses. The main activity in this town is to walk along the trulli and check out the tourist shops, but also don’t forget to visit the more authentic area Rione Aia Piccola to escape the crowds at Rione Monti. Make sure to visit before 9.00 am if you want to take some decent pictures. After that the town turns into tourism madness!
Read my honest and complete Alberobello travel guide here!
Polignano a Mare
This charming seaside town is nestled on a 20-meter-high limestone cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea’s pristine waters. It is smaller but way more touristic than Monopoli. It has the cutest boutiques and bars and a very lively ambience during the evening. Its most famous feature is probably its compact cove beach Lama Monachile with its impressive cliffs and Roman bridge. Read my day trip guide about Polignano a Mare here!
Locorotondo
This is one of the most beautiful towns in the Valle d’Itria! Locals still live in the historic center, which is why it kept its authenticity. While wandering through its narrow alleys, I encountered nonnas hanging their laundry or cleaning their house. I even met with a nun who was filling her buckets at a public water fountain. Everyone makes sure their plants keep blooming and their cacti keep being in place. This town is so clean and well maintained! The scents of fresh laundry and authentic Italian cuisine kept seducing my nose. Find out what the best things to do in Locorotondo are here!
Ostuni
This charming town is called la città bianca or the white city. The historical town is built on a hill and on top you’ll find its cathedral and splendid views of the never-ending surrounding olive tree fields this region of Puglia is famous for! It is very touristic and full of shops, bars and restaurants. But if you make an effort and take the off the beaten path streets, you will get rewarded with some stunning corners! Discover the best things to do in Ostuni here!
Matera
Even though I would not recommend visiting Matera as a day trip, since there is way too much to see and do. I still add it to this list for those who are short in time, because I truly think this is a must visit! If you want to know everything about Matera, check out my Matera travel guide!
Other day trips from Monopoli
There are more towns to visit in the area, that I was not able to go to on this trip, but will surely visit next time.
- Martina Franca: the highest town in the Murgia with alleys lined with whitewashed houses, beautiful piazzas and exquisite churches and palaces in a particular type of style called Barocco Martuinese. It is rather big with a population of 49.000!
- Cisternino: another small, charming town located on a hill just like its neighbors Ostuni and Locorotondo.
- Conversano: an ancient town with a castle overlooking the city
- Lecce: the capital of its province and famous for its baroque architecture. It is also called the Florence of the South!
- Bari: Puglia’s capital city has a charming old harbor and if you are lucky, you can see nonnas preparing orecchiette, the local pasta, in the street!
Practical tips to experience the best things to do in Monopoli
- Nearest airport is Bari, but you can also fly to Brindisi
- The most practical way to travel around is by car. I did not, because I thought it would be too expensive for a solo traveler in the current economic circumstances (gasoline prices, post Covid rental car prices). But it seemed to be rather OK, prices were very fluctuant.
- You can travel by train from Monopoli easily to Polignano a Mare, Bari, Lecce, Ostuni and Matera.
- Taxis do not exist in this area, only NCC (Noleggio con conducente), which is more expensive.
Watch the best day trips around Monopoli
Pin this post to plan the best things to do in Monopoli
So that is it! I hope you enjoyed this “11 Best things to do in Monopoli, Italy; the ultimate guide to plan your trip” blog post and that it will help to plan your own trip! I really tried to cover everything you need to know. Do not hesitate to leave your comments or questions down below! That way I can add more information if necessary!
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