Located south of Bari, on the east coast of Puglia, Monopoli is absolutely brimming with history, gastronomy and Italian style. The Old Town of Monopoli is remarkable, even by Italian standards – compact, bordered by the turquoise Adriatic and teeming with historic, intimate streets hosting irresistible retail and culinary offerings.
Around 45 minutes south of Bari airport, with fine dining in exquisite locations and fantastic activities on the water and inland locations, Monopoli is a stand-out destination for incentive events. The weather is sublime, and the region is blissfully unspoilt by mass tourism.
One of the principal destinations to the south of Bari, Monopoli offers the usual public squares of Italy but additionally a magical Old Town that opens out onto the seafront - both beaches and a harbour. Wander the art-filled streets of the Old Town, marvel at the incomprehensible harmony between the dwellings and entertainment venues, and finally reach the Adriatic views, the turquoise waters, sand, and shimmering horizon.
In a country which offers visual marvels like few others, Monopoli Old Town is something really special. Enjoy a coffee with locals, duck the drying washing or feast on truly memorable cuisine.
Just to the north of Monopoli are the rock faces of Polignano a Mare, famed for their boat cave tours, the unique dining venues, and the Red Bull cliff diving spectacles. Heading north are more gentle cliffs, marinas and numerous sea inlets where the locals park their (in need of body repairs) Fiat 500s and plunge into the photoshopped waters of the Adriatic.
Inland from Monopoli, the flat agricultural plains of Puglia give way to hills and a very different climate, architecture, and experience. Equally historic, this inland region is a wonderful contrast to the coast.
Monopoli activities are found on the coast and inland from the town. On the coast, diving and snorkelling are popular in the magical Adriatic waters. On the surface, there are sailing and boat tours of the coast. One of the most remarkable activities is the boat tour that enters the cliff face and explores the underground world of the sea caves that dot the coast.
The Old Town of Monopoli is full of history and culture. Iinland from Monopoli is the UNESCO village of Alberobello with its remarkable domed houses. Another destination inland from Monopoli is Lecce. It is the region's principal city and has many cultural things to see and do.
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Even by Italian standards, the seafood dishes of Monopoli are sublime. The Puglia peninsula has an extensive coastline, and the numerous harbours are busy processing local catches. Fresh is one thing, the other being the long tradition of putting seafood at the heart of the Monopoli menu. Sometimes, it is grilled with a squeeze of lemon, other times in a sauce or broth - however it is prepared, the dining is extraordinary. Pure pleasure without any hype.
Cliff-face dining at Polignano a Mare is one of the iconic regional highlights. Cut into the rocky coast, these caves are exposed to the Adriatic to the east and an underground world of rock, water, and shafts of light to the other. Hugely popular, this cave dining experience hogs the area's limelight (possibly unfairly). Suffice it to say, there are equally good menus and locations in the area. Away from the waterfront, the Old Town of Monopoli is a labyrinth of streets with other-worldly aromas and super-stylish terraces filling the streets.
During the peak months, the Old Town of Monopoli is teeming with visitors, with both the streets and the venues & terraces brimming with predominantly Italian guests. The atmosphere in these intimate streets is wonderfully Italian – the beautiful life of Puglia is unmistakable. Outside of the peak summer months, the pressures in the Old Town ease, the Monopoli locals become more visible and there are more openings on the compact terraces and in the intimate venues.
Escaping the intimacy of the Old Town for the waterfront bars and dining is just steps away. In the peak summer months, these magical beach and harbour settings are like honeypots. Outside of the Old Town, the town beaches and harbour, there is an entire coast to explore with bars offering magical views and escapism. Considered the ‘Florence of the South’ Lecce is the principal city of the region, occupying an inland location and can offer a fantastic night out amongst the historic baroque squares.
