The main tourist attractions in the southern Italian region of Puglia are the towns of Polignano a Mare and Alberobello. However, there are many other hidden gems in the region. One of these is the town of Monopoli.
The seaside city of Bari, the capital of the Puglia region in southern Italy, is convenient for tourists because it is surrounded by many interesting towns that are tourist attractions in their own right, and you don’t have to pay to visit them. Some places are faster to get to, some are longer, some have trains every half hour, and some have three buses a day. And it all costs no more than 5 euros one-way.
Most tourists head to the region’s main tourist highlights – Polignano A Mare, known for one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, and Alberobello, recognizable for its snow-white houses with cone-shaped roofs.
However, these two cities, especially during the peak of the summer tourist season, are usually crowded with tourists. If you want to escape the crowds, you can choose other locations, such as the cozy and beautiful city of Monopoli.
Some facts about Monopoli
Historians claim that the first settlers on this site on the Adriatic coast appeared approximately 15,000 years ago. At the same time, the first documented permanent settlement on this site was the fortified city of Messapia, which dates back to approximately 500 BC.
In order to improve communication with the East, between 108 and 110 AD, Emperor Trajan ordered the construction of a public road in this area, which was named after him. This road was the longest section of the Trajan Road, one of the most important routes in the Roman Empire. In 2012, the city of Monopoli established an archaeological park around the remains of this ancient road.
Monopoli, which means “one city”, received its modern name after the destruction of Gnatia by the Ostrogothic king Totila in 545, when its inhabitants fled here. In the following centuries, the territory was controlled by the Byzantines, Normans and Hohenstaufen, and at its peak the city was the starting point for naval expeditions during the Crusades.
In 1484, the city came under the control of Venice and experienced an economic boom as a seaport on the Adriatic Sea, as well as through its trade in agricultural products. In the following decades, it was frequently attacked by Muslim pirates, leading to the construction of powerful fortifications in Monopoli, many of which still stand today.
In 1529, the city, protected by its highly effective defensive system, successfully withstood a three-month siege by the Spanish, who were forced to retreat due to their losses, with the help of Venetian soldiers and its citizens. After the peace treaty with Venice, the city peacefully passed into the hands of the Spanish Emperor Charles V of Habsburg, but it was still granted the status of a free city.
Monopoli became part of the newly established Kingdom of Italy only in 1860.
The city experienced some economic development during the 1960s, thanks to the opening of the Toniana industrial plant (an important Italian ceramics manufacturer), but its closure in the late 1990s was a major blow to the city’s economy.
Today, Monopoli, with a population of just under 50,000, covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometers and is primarily known as an agricultural, industrial, and tourist hub.
What to see in Monopoli
Given the rich history of Monopoli, there are many interesting places to visit in this city. Walking through its old, snow-white streets is a pleasure. Even if you visit during rainy weather, as we did.
The city’s main tourist attraction is its old port with a lighthouse, where small fishing boats, tourist boats, and large ferries still dock.
The castle-fortress of Emperor Charles V of Habsburg, built here in 1525 on a pentagonal plan, is also located there. It is situated on a promontory that was originally separated from the medieval city, but was restored and expanded in the 17th century. Since the early 19th century, the castle has been used as a prison, a status it maintained until 1969. Today, it hosts various art exhibitions and cultural events.
Another interesting fortress in Monopoli is the coastal castle of St. Stephen, built by the Norman Lord Godfrey in 1086. It was later converted into a Benedictine monastery.
However, we didn’t make it to the castle because it started raining heavily, and we had to return to Bari. The walk from the castle of Charles V is a little over 4 kilometers along a beautiful coastline. There are also several beaches near the castle of Saint Stephen where you can relax on a nice day.
Another must-visit attraction in the city is the Cathedral of Monopoli, or more formally known as the Basilica Concattedrale di Maria Santissima della Madi. According to legend, the cathedral was built near the site of a Roman temple and burial ground in 1107, but construction was halted due to a lack of roof beams. However, a miracle occurred in 1117 when a raft carrying an icon of the Virgin Mary was washed into the harbor, and the beams from this raft were later used to construct the roof.
The Romanesque-style building was not completed until 1442, when it was consecrated. However, over the next two centuries, the cathedral was regularly damaged due to constant attacks, and it was not until 1693 that a new bell tower was built, and in the second half of the 18th century, Baroque elements were added.
In addition, the Church of San Salvatore and the Church of San Domenico, both located in the historic part of Monopoli, are worth a visit.
In general, there are many historical buildings and hidden treasures in the city that you can stumble upon just by wandering around the streets, depending on how much time you have.
How to get to Monopoli
The city of Monopoli is located approximately 40 kilometers from Bari, and it can be reached by train in less than half an hour – a ticket costs only 3.9 euros. Trains run quite often, so there will be no problems with getting there and back (you can check the schedule and ticket prices here).
We combined our visit to Monopoli with a trip to Polignano a Mare (about 10 minutes away, the ticket costs 1.3 euros), and after spending three hours in the bustling tourist town, we found the cozy streets of Monopoli to be the perfect contrast.
As a reminder, tourists should be very careful when traveling by train in Italy. Not only do they need to purchase tickets at the ticket office or terminal before their trip, but they must also validate them at a special machine located at the platform exit before boarding. Failure to do so may result in a significant fine.
Where to eat in Monopoli
Another undeniable advantage of Monopoli over Polignano a Mare, in addition to the smaller crowds and lack of noise, is the significantly lower prices in food establishments. However, there is also a downside – the opening hours of many local establishments, especially those not in the most touristic area, are quite lazy, and they may even not be open on Sundays.
For example, while hiding from the rain, halfway between the train station and the historic center, we stopped at a typical Italian family restaurant with the rather banal name Spaghetti d’Italia, where we enjoyed a delicious bolognese pasta dish for only 10 euros (plus an additional 1 euro per person for coperto, which is a must in Italy).
Of course, prices will be higher in the historical part of the city, but the atmosphere will make up for it.
By the way, since Monopoli is a fishing town, we recommend trying the local seafood dishes.
Places to stay in Monopoli
If desired, tourists can stay overnight in Monopoli itself – fortunately, there are enough options here, although the city is not very large. So, on popular services for booking accommodation for tourists for September 2025, you can find about 160 accommodation options, however, the prices are biting, and accommodation in Bari is 2 times cheaper.
In particular, the cheapest accommodation option costs 74 euros per night for two people (including taxes), and it is located approximately 7 kilometers from the city center, while apartments near the beach or in the historic center start at 100 euros.
Sometimes, moving away from the beaten path, you can find real hidden tourist gems. Monopoli are one of them.
