Monopoli holidays

An antique fishing harbour and historic old town form the backdrop of holidays to Monopoli, along with cosy local beaches.

Fishing port of Puglia

Monopoli is a picturesque port in the region of Puglia – an authentic corner of Italy that makes up the heel of its boot. Pinned to the Puglian coastline, Monopoli is known for its antique fishing harbour, where bright blue boats bob in front of the sun-bleached walls of the Centro Storico – Italy’s name for a historic old town. Inside, you’ll find a warren of white stone streets dotted with cafés, spritz bars, and artisanal boutiques. The whole thing is encircled by the Lungomare – a seafront promenade fortified by 16th -century castles and bastions.

Treasure chest beaches

There’s more to Monopoli than fish and history. If it’s the year-round Puglian sun you’re after, do not pass go and head straight to one of its bonus beaches. Collect tucked-away coves like Cala Copacabana and Porto Marzano, or jostle for a spot on the sand at Monopoli Town Beach. Most beaches in Italy are privately owned, which means a free place to prop up your parasol can be hard to come by. However, if you land at a local lido – similar to a beach club – you can pay rent on a comfy lounger for the day. Try Lido Bambu and Lido Cala Paradiso, both a short drive from the city centre.

A cave new world

The region of Puglia is underpinned by a vast system of caves, with dozens scattered along the coastline and underground caverns to explore in-land. The most famous is called Grotte di Castellana, just 25 minutes from Monopoli by car. This natural wonder features a vast system of caves over three-kilometres in length, concealed over 100-metres below the ground. Take a guided tour of the caves to check out curious rock formations shaped over millions of years and hear the fascinating stories about how these caves were discovered. If you prefer to stay above ground, you can explore sea caves on land and by boat, or dine in a fancy cave restaurant in nearby Polignano a Mare.