Monopoli Holidays

Monopoli is one of Puglia's best-kept coastal towns. Sitting on the Adriatic about 40 minutes south of Bari, it's got a gorgeous whitewashed old town wrapped around a working fishing harbour, a string of sandy coves with water so clear you can see straight to the bottom, and some of the best seafood in southern Italy. It's also a brilliant base for day trips to Alberobello's famous trulli houses, the clifftop drama of Polignano a Mare, and the hilltop charm of Ostuni. Proper authentic Puglia without the crowds.

Monopoli Holiday Highlights

• 🏖️ Cala Porta Vecchia is the town's star beach, tucked right below the medieval walls of the old town with the skyline as your backdrop

• 🏰 The Castello di Carlo V (Charles V Castle) overlooks the harbour and coastline, with panoramic views from the ramparts that are worth the climb

• 🍝 Puglia is Italy's food heartland, and Monopoli's trattorias serve up brilliant orecchiette pasta, fresh burrata, and seafood pulled straight from the Adriatic that morning

• 🏘️ Alberobello is about 30 minutes inland, where you can wander the UNESCO-listed trulli district with its iconic cone-roofed limestone houses

• 🌊 Boat trips run along the coast from the old harbour, passing sea caves, rocky coves, and swimming spots you can't reach on foot