Monopoli

Travel Guide
Monopoli showing a pebble beach and rocky coastline as well as a large group of people
Embark on guided tours of old churches, inspect artifacts on display in the museums and climb to the castle summit.

Monopoli is a stunning town recognizable from its historic white and brown structures and seafront walls overlooking the scenic Adriatic Coast. Castles and palaces adorn the Old Town area, while the spectacular Monte San Nicola Faunal Reserve straddles the municipality. Get a sense of the local culture with a trip to the various museums and churches.

Among the highlights within the walled Old Town is the Cathedral Basilica of S.S. Mary of Madia. Admire its neoclassical façade, with pillars flanking the main portal. Enter this holy site to see the polychrome décor of the altar and marvel at the acclaimed works of art that decorate the church interior.

Continue on the ecclesiastical theme with a trip to the Cathedral of Romualdo Museum. Explore its fascinating archeological artifacts and tombs dating back thousands of years. Nearby is the 18th-century Salviamo San Salvatore. Take a guided tour for a comprehensive understanding of the church, its history and its reputable art.

Stroll along the defensive walls that run parallel to the coast. Lay down a blanket on the sandy beach for a picnic and cool down with a swim in the Adriatic Sea. Here, you will find the 16th-century Charles V Castle, which has a wonderful viewing platform at its summit. Enjoy the thrill of a soccer game at the Stadio Vito Simone Veneziani, where local team S.S. Monopoli 1966 plays.

For a change of scenery, head to the western outskirts of the town and relax in the green and spacious Parco Belvedere Lama. This vast urban park is home to many wild donkeys.

Find the town in the region of Puglia in the southeastern part of Italy’s Adriatic Coast. It is at the northern end of the Salento heel at the bottom of the country’s topographical boot. Arrive via train to Monopoli Railway Station or get here by car from Bari in about 30 minutes.

Monopoli is a preserved gem with a scenic coastline and intriguing historic center.

Where to stay in Monopoli

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Centro Storico

5/5(8 area reviews)

Historical sites, waterfront views and seaside views highlight some of the noteworthy features of Centro Storico. Make a stop by Cathedral Basilica of SS. Mary of Madia or Cathedral of Romualdo Museum while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Centro Storico
Torre Cintola Greenblu Sea Emotions
Torre Cintola Greenblu Sea Emotions
4 out of 5
Località Capitolo, Monopoli, Bari
The price is €99 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
€99
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Monopoli. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Zoosafari and Cala Verde are located nearby. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (158 reviews)
"We used the resort as base to drive/visit other towns (Alberobello. Monopoli, Ostuni, etc) Attentive, helpful reception staff. Convenient on-site self parking and manned security gate. Well maintained grounds, 2 pools (chlorine & sea water). Buffet breakfast with plenty of seating, including outdoor. ..."

Reviewed on 23 Oct 2023

Torre Cintola Greenblu Sea Emotions
Masseria Torrepietra
Masseria Torrepietra
4 out of 5
c.da Grotta dell'acqua 338/a, SS 16 uscita per Castellana Grotte, Monopoli, BA
The price is €135 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
€135
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Monopoli. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Parco Belvedere Lama and Lido Bianco ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (37 reviews)
Sneaky upscale
"Great place! Awesome staff and pool. Easy place to base a few days in Puglia."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2023

Masseria Torrepietra
Palazzo Indelli
Palazzo Indelli
4 out of 5
Piazza Garibaldi 27, Monopoli, BA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €183 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
€183
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Monopoli. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (186 reviews)
"The hotel was very well located, close to the waterfront with restaurants and shops minutes away too. The station was just a 15 minute pleasant walk away."

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2024

Palazzo Indelli
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Santa Maria 24 - Luxury Apartments
Santa Maria 24 - Luxury Apartments
Via Santa Maria, 24, Monopoli, Bari
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Monopoli. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (68 reviews)
Wonderful
"Fantastic hotel! Wonderful breakfast, great communication before and during, very helpful and supportive staff and lovely apartments that have every need you could want. Could not recommend Santa Maria 24 enough. Fantastic."

Reviewed on 20 Sep 2023

Santa Maria 24 - Luxury Apartments
Trulli with private pool and air-conditioning close to amazing beaches
Trulli with private pool and air-conditioning close to amazing beaches
Monopoli
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Monopoli. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Zoosafari and Calette del Capitolo ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
Beautiful place
"Really beautiful Trulli property, well placed for exploring Puglia. Wish we'd stayed for longer - so many great places to visit, but also wanted more time to just hang out and relax by the pool - a week really wasn't long enough!"

Reviewed on 12 Sep 2023

Trulli with private pool and air-conditioning close to amazing beaches
THE TRULLI DELLE FATE FUFFE
THE TRULLI DELLE FATE FUFFE
Monopoli (Ba)
Stay at this vacation home in Monopoli. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Cathedral of Romualdo Museum and Cathedral Basilica of ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
Beautiful Country Setting!
"Friends together in this architectural marvel. This traditional trulli set in a grove of olives and an orchard of cherries was amazing. Friendly greeter had left the house clean and sparkling. One note, this is a country house property with short drives to local sites and restaurants. That being ..."

Reviewed on 6 Dec 2023

THE TRULLI DELLE FATE FUFFE
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Monopoli

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 81.25%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 18.75%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Stéphane
27 Oct 2019

Wonderful combination of culture, leisure, range of food choices and exceptional weather.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
16 Sep 2019

Monopoli is simply stunning. Beautiful town with amazing views. The beaches are great. There’s countless places for food and drink - all reasonably priced. We visited for a wedding at the cathedral but would definitely return

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Sep 2019

Amazing choice of restaurants and bars. Rail connections to nearby picturesque towns.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 May 2019

Lovely old town. Nice place for an evening meal and a walk around the old town and harbour.

5/5 - Excellent

Debora
22 Apr 2019

We made Monopoli our base city to go and visit other cities and it was definitely the best option. The city is calm but also has a nice vibe in the evenings with great places to eat and drink. From there we visited Alberobello, Ostuni and Polignano.