• Home
  • Start Here
    • Skye Gilkeson
    • Contributors
  • Work with Us
  • Media
  • Disclaimer and Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Email Disclaimer
    • Competition Terms and Conditions
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

The Fit Traveller

  • Home
    • Start Here
    • Skye Gilkeson
    • Contributors
      • Contributor Login
    • Work with Us
    • Media
    • Disclosures
      • Privacy Policy
      • Email Disclaimer
      • Competition Terms and Conditions
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Maldives
      • Myanmar
      • Nepal
      • Singapore
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • North America
      • Bahamas
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • United States
    • South America
      • Brazil
      • Peru
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Denmark
      • Finland
      • France
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Malta
      • Norway
      • Serbia
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • The Netherlands
      • United Kingdom
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
      • New Zealand
      • Samoa
  • Travel
    • Bookings
    • Foodie Guides
    • Packing Guides
    • Retreats
    • Stay
    • Travel Guides
    • Travel Hacks
    • Family Travel
    • Flights
    • Lounge Reviews
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Gift Guides
    • Photography
    • Profiles
    • Style
    • Tech
    • Wisdom
  • Wellness
    • Adventure
    • Fitness
    • Health Hacks
    • Hiking
    • Running
    • Yoga
  • Shop
    • Tech
  • Nourish
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Healthy Treats
    • Lunch
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Snacks

Destinations, Europe, Featured, Italy, Travel Guides / September 2, 2019

Monopoli: Beat the Crowds to this Charming Seaside Town in Puglia

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Flipboard

Puglia has become one of the hottest regions to visit in Italy in recent years, with good reason. Both novice and seasoned travellers are heading to the country’s southeast to explore the coastal towns that cling to its craggy cliffs. Like much of Italy, a visit to Puglia is like waking up in a dream; rich in history, wrapped in Adriatic blue waters, serving up mouthwatering local cuisine and offering visitors a slower pace than the traditional tourist stomping grounds over on the busy west coast. I discovered some of the many unique things to do in Monopoli Puglia – where postcard moments are set against spectacular backdrops, in a place like no other in Italy.

Pat Bailey

polignano a mare

The very popular Puglia stop Polignano a Mare. | © Pat Bailey

How to Get to Monopoli Puglia

Contents

  • How to Get to Monopoli Puglia
  • Explore Monopoli with Locals
  • Where to Stay in Monopoli
  • Things to Do in Monopoli
  • Day Trips from Monopoli

Puglia is located in Southern Italy and is surrounded by water; bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Otranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. It is located in the heel of the boot and the capital city is Bari. When it comes to how to get to Puglia, there are multiple ways of arriving with ease.


Flights to Puglia. There are actually four airports in Apulia, the two major airports being Bari Palese Airport in the city of Bari and Brindisi Casale Airport in Brindisi which serves the entire area of Salento. I flew directly from Paris into Brindisi and then made my way by airport transfer to Monopoli which was just shy of an easy hour drive. Search flight deals with Skyscanner.

Trains to Puglia. If you are arriving domestically you can find a Rome to Bari train (or other major tourist spots) easily. Then change to a regional train from Bari to Monopoli, which takes about 40 minutes. Search European Rail for train tickets.

Drive to Puglia. Monopoli is a short 25-mile drive south of Bari, just south of Polignano a Mare and close to Alberobello – which makes it super easy to combine these trips for a Puglia road trip.

 

Montepulciano: Exploring one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Towns

things to do in Monopoli puglia

Pat fell in love with the history and beauty of Puglia. | © Pat Bailey

polignano a mare

A typical cosy laneway in Puglia – compete with stone and Juliet balcony.| © Pat Bailey

Explore Monopoli with Locals

My home for the week was Monopoli Puglia. Best known for the Baroque Monopoli Cathedral with its tall bell tower, it is a small town with a beautiful legend of faith. My hosts, Apulia – La Finestra Sul Mare are based here. They offer full-service accommodation, local, authentic activities and adventures, and hands-on expertise, while you visit.

monopoli church

A stone church in the backstreets of Monopoli. | © Pat Bailey

what to see in monopoli

A street performer entertaining Pat during her bike tour. | © Pat Bailey

monopoli puglia sights

Puglia oozes history, charm and ancient beauty. | © Pat Bailey

Where to Stay in Monopoli

I stayed like a local in Monopoli thanks to my hosts who offer several local apartment stays. Choose between the Apartment Via Barbacana, which can accommodate up to six guests, the Dimora Porto Canale perfect for four guests, or the Porto Canale a sweet spot for a couple to stay.

Each central Monopoli apartment is fully furnished and can be rented by the day while you visit. The biggest benefit, of course, is the no-hassle location, and the feel is much more authentic than staying in a hotel in Monopoli.

I felt very at home in the Apartment Via Barbacana with its cozy stone walls, narrow staircase, windows with picturesque views of the town and rooftop terrace with a view of the bell tower.  The entire apartment is thoughtfully decorated with local treasures, and the location could not be better for exploring Monopoli and beyond.

 

Search accommodation in Puglia with TripAdvisor 

What to See in Paris in 4 Days

monopoli puglia

The charming port town of Monopoli Puglia and its brilliant blue Gozzo. | © Pat Bailey

Things to Do in Monopoli

Start at the Monopoli Port

We began with a guided tour of the old fishing village that is in the centre of Puglia. Rich with history I learned about the legendary Madonna della Madia, the Virgin painted on a byzantine icon which according to the legend was tied to a raft that washed up on the shore of Monopoli on the night of December 16, 1117.

It just so happened to have the exact amount of wood needed to finish the repair of the cathedral roof. The town of Monopoli Puglia is a charming port town built almost entirely out of white stone and dotted with other white-washed buildings of a similar façade which contrasts beautifully with the spotless Italian blue skies.

 

How to Spend Two Days in Rome

inside monopoli cathedral

The breathtakingly intricate work inside the Monopoli Cathedral. | © Pat Bailey

Monopoli Cathedral

There were a few highlights on my tour which you must see when you visit Monopoli, the Cathedral (nestled in the middle of many other churches which seem to be around every corner and on every street in Monopoli).  Construction of the Basilica Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia began in 1107. The roof was finished after the legendary raft was discovered in 1117.  The Baroque cathedral now sits in the exact same spot as the original cathedral that was built in 1772.

You can also still find a piece of wood from the original raft in the front of the church along with the story of the legend and a beautiful altar of the Madonna that this town worships.

A Luxury Loire Valley Cruise

polignano a mare bridge

Walking bridges in Polignano a Mare, Puglia. | © Pat Bailey

what to do in Monopoli

A cute, curated wall in Puglia. | © Pat Bailey

puglia bike tour

The Porta Vecchia is a must-stop spot on a Monopoli bike tour. | © Pat Bailey

Take in the View at the Porta Vecchia

The second spot high on my list is the Porta Vecchia, this scenic old harbour is full of traditional and iconic blue and red boats known as gozzo and you cannot take a bad photograph here. It is a famed Puglia viewpoint, serving up an iconic scene of Monopoli.

It is from these gozzo that you can see local fisherman fishing daily, and from where the most delicious locally caught octopus and other local fish come from and are served in town daily. I watched the catch of one day arriving in awe while I visited, the sea is abundant and the locals reap the benefits – be sure to taste the local fish when you visit.

A Complete Guide to Lucca Italy

polignano a mare from the water

Polignano a Mare as seen from the water. | © Pat Bailey

polignano a mare cave restaurants

The now Insta-famous Ristorante Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare. | © Pat Bailey

Visit Polignano a Mare by Boat

It was also from this port that I jumped on a boat for the boat tour between Monopoli and Polignano a Mare to see the coast and surroundings from the water. It was a spectacular afternoon and sunset and I highly recommend it.  The boat is chartered especially for the tour and slips along the coast for a different perspective of the coastline. We enjoyed an aperitif by sunset on our way back to Monopoli and my camera was full of postcard-worthy photos.

 

Florence in Two Days

monopoli beach

A Monopoli bike tour is a great way to see beaches, churches and countryside. | © Pat Bailey

Take a Monopoli Bike Tour

We chose from four different Monopoli bike tours, catering to all fitness levels. Each tour includes a fitted mountain bike, helmet, water and guide for the day along with stops that include feasting and absorbing an authentic experience.

Our found myself winding my way through grotto churches, fortified large farms and thousand-old olive trees – it was an absolute dream. The tour lasted just shy of five hours and was an easy 18-kilometre ride. 

The stops included Porto Ghiacciolo, the picturesque beach near Saint Stephen castle (an iconic part of the Monopoli coastline), churches, old olive mills which have been thoughtfully excavated and refurbished, XIII century authentic farms and my very favorite: a ride straight through an orchard of more than two thousand olive trees, some dating more than one thousand years old.

 

Things to do in Taormina Sicily

things to do in monopoli

Riding through the countryside during a Puglia bike tour. | © Pat Bailey

trulli houses Aberobello

The unique whitewashed trulli houses of Aberobello, Puglia. | © Pat Bailey

Visit the Iconic Trullo Houses

Just a short distance from Monopoli we found ourselves exploring the “Grotta del Trullo” in Putignano and the iconic trullo houses of Aberobello.  The bell-shaped cave, discovered in 1931, is a fascinating adventure to explore. Our guide took us below the earth deep into the cave and shared how it was created.  Afterwards, we wandered the historic area of Aberobello, which included a visit to Trullo Sovrano, the only two-floor trullo house built.  These unique houses, built by dry stones with typical conical roofs are on the UNESCO list of heritages.

 

Cruising the Canal Du Midi France

Aberobello puglia

The cone-shaped rooftops of Aberobello, Puglia. | © Pat Bailey

Go Olive Oil Tasting

You shouldn’t leave any area of Puglia without tasting the olive oil, and if you can find yourself at an old olive mill tasting it from a maker, even better. Our private tour of both old and new mills was a delicious way to gain an appreciation for this area, the olives and the oil that comes from it.

Every mill was privately owned and has been lovingly restored from generation to generation. We finished our visit with a private olive oil tasting, in the mill by candlelight.

 

48 Hours in Copenhagen

olive oil tasting monopoli

Olive oil tasting by candlelight in Monopoli, Italy. | © Pat Bailey

Learn How to Cook Puglian Food

On the last day of my trip one of my Italian dreams came true. I visited a local farm and was invited into Mrs. Lucrezia’s kitchen to learn how to make a few of the local dishes and Puglia specialties. I learned how to make panzerotti, a beautifully light dough-stuffed pastry that is deep-fried.

Of course, I was thrilled to learn how to make orecchiette from scratch and from one of the best pasta makers in the area. After the class, the students are invited to join Mrs. Lucrezia for a feast enjoying the goodness that we made together.

 

The Quiet Side of Ibiza

cooking class Puglia

Pat making traditional Puglian food in a Monopoli cooking class. | © Pat Bailey

things to do in monopoli

Insta-moments around every corner in Puglia. | © Pat Bailey

Do Some Monopoli Wine Tasting

Of course, we squeezed in a wine tasting at a local winery. I Pastini was established in 1996 and it is located in the valley of the trulli. This winery stretches over 12 hectares of native grape varietals such as Verdeca, Bianco d’Alessano and Minutolo white grapes, as well as Susumaniello and Primitivo red grapes.

The tasting room is beautifully modern, and the guided tour through the facility was an interesting step-by-step farm to bottle education which made the sipping taste even better. You can easily purchase wines you like here or have them shipped back home to meet you when you return.

 

A Montepulciano Wine Tasting Guide

wine tasting puglia

Wine tasting at I Pastini Puglia was incredible. | © Pat Bailey

Day Trips from Monopoli

Monopoli to Matera

Leaving the coast inland about an hour and a half drive will take you to Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site worth visiting while you are close enough. I first visited Matera a few years ago.  The cave homes of this area are unique and some of the oldest homes in the world.  I stayed at a one-of-a-kind cave hotel and the experience was (and still is) a highlight of my entire trip of Italy, that year.

 

A Luxury Cave Hotel Stay in Matera

monopoli to matera

The unique town of Matera is just 1.5 hours drive from Monopoli Puglia. | © Pat Bailey

Monopoli to Bari

Bari is a 40-minute drive from Monopoli along the coast. This capital city is a mazelike old port city with 19th-century architecture and narrow streets. Bari is another destination worth exploring that has plenty of diversity and local, authentic adventure. You’ll find a castle, piazzas, churches, and cathedrals along with ample beaches.

What to do in Mykonos Greece

cala porto polignano a mare

The famed Cala Porto in the centre of Polignano a Mare at dusk. | © Pat Bailey

Monopoli to Polignano a Mare

The “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Polignano a Mare has become particularly busy over the last few years, thanks to an increasing number of photos of its Cala Porto Beach seemingly all over social media with each European summer. The easiest way to get from Polignano a Mare from Monopoli is to catch the bus or train. In high summer, it is very difficult to find parking, particularly in the middle of the day. Get up and go early in the morning to beat the crowds.

 

A full tummy, happy heart and a camera full of incredible photographs is the mark of a holiday well-spent in Italy. My visit to Monopoli Puglia was just that.  Gaining access to ancient treasures through a robust itinerary created by a locally owned and run tour company made this trip even better.

 

The Fit Traveller was a guest of Apulia – La Finestra Sul Mare for our visit to Monopoli Puglia. As always, the words, images and opinions are independently our own.

monopoli puglia

A pink and golden sunset in Puglia. | © Pat Bailey

 

Pat Bailey
Pat Bailey

Pat Bailey is a certified Bhakti Yoga Teacher, published poet, writer and entrepreneur with a passion for exploring the globe. Pat is also the founder of The Hell Yes Life, where she has created her own branding academy helping to elevate brands and students through authentic and intuitive coaching.

www.thehellyeslife.com

Read these next

  • Beating the Crowds to Beautiful Sulawesi, Indonesia

    I love Bali. I love it so much I got married on a cliff in Uluwatu, a couple of years…

  • Ranong: The Quiet Gateway Town to Thailand's Southern Islands

    When you make your way south from Bangkok you’ll find yourself on a tiny strip of land called the Kra…

  • The Ultimate First Timer's Guide to Hong Kong

    A Hong Kong stopover promises the ultimate blissful assault to the senses. From the moment you step off the MTR…

  • Is Barwon Heads Victoria's Best Kept Secret?

    Barwon Heads is a small, sleepy, coastal town about 90 minutes drive southwest of Melbourne. It’s close to the better-known towns…

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Flipboard

Filed Under: Destinations, Europe, Featured, Italy, Travel Guides

« A Quick Guide to Krabi, Thailand
The Ultimate Local’s Guide to Zurich »
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

The Fit Traveller may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Prices may be subject to change without notice

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read more here.

 

All content on The Fit Traveller, including but not limited to articles, images or videos are the property of or explicitly licensed to The Fit Traveller.

Reproduction, copying or use of any content on this site is prohibited without written permission and consent by The Fit Traveller.

The opinions expressed in the content on this website are those of the individual contributor. We encourage you to do your own research before booking any part of your trip. We take no responsibility for your personal experience.

Copyright © 2014 ‐ 2022 — The Fit Traveller • All rights reserved • Privacy Policy Disclaimer