Monopoli day trip from Bari or Polignano a Mare or Alberobello
A day trip to Monopoli from Bari, Polignano a Mare or Alberobello: a swim or a look at the little Cala Porta Vecchia beach under the walls, the Baroque cathedral, the Romanesque church of Santa Maria Amalfitana, Piazza Garibaldi and the old harbour, then a walk on the sea walls to the Castle of Charles V. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Monopoli in 1 day
Day 1
Cala Porta Vecchia
Small sandy cove right under the old town walls, with clear water and a lively summer scene of swimmers and sunbathers.
Monopoli Cathedral (Maria Santissima della Madia)
Rich Baroque cathedral holding the icon of the Madonna della Madia, which legend says arrived by sea on a raft of beams.
Church of Santa Maria Amalfitana
Romanesque church built by merchants from Amalfi, over an older cave chapel, a quiet stone interior in the old town.
Historic centre of Monopoli (Piazza Garibaldi)
The old town's main square, ringed by cafés and old palaces, with white lanes and small churches all around it.
Old harbour (Porto Antico)
Little harbour of blue wooden fishing boats inside the old town, where fishermen still mend nets on the quay.
Sea walls and Bastione Santa Maria
Walk along the old sea walls and the Santa Maria bastion, with the open Adriatic on one side and the white town on the other.
Castle of Charles V
Sixteenth-century castle on the point of the old town by the sea, now used for exhibitions and events.
Getting there
Monopoli is on the Bari-Lecce railway: about 30 minutes by train from Bari and about 10 minutes from Polignano a Mare. From Alberobello the drive is about 30 minutes. The station is a walk of about 10 minutes from the old town.
Staying in Bari or Polignano a Mare or Alberobello? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Monopoli
May, June and September are the best months, warm enough for the beach without the crowds of August. Summer is hot and lively, with long evenings in the squares and on the harbour. Winter is mild and quiet, good for walking the old town and the sea walls.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Monopoli on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Monopoli on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Monopoli on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Monopoli
- The old town is small and best seen on foot; leave the car outside the walls, where parking is easier.
- Cala Porta Vecchia is a small beach and fills quickly in summer: come in the morning or late afternoon.
- The Castle of Charles V opens mainly for exhibitions and events; check before you plan to go inside.
- Cover shoulders and knees for the cathedral and the other churches.
- In the evening Piazza Garibaldi and the lanes around the harbour fill with people; it is a good time for a drink and fresh seafood.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Cala Porta Vecchia: Giorgio Galeotti, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castle of Charles V: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Church of Santa Maria Amalfitana: Alisa58, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Monopoli Cathedral (Maria Santissima della Madia): Hagai Agmon-Snir حچاي اچمون-سنير חגי אגמון-שניר, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sea walls and Bastione Santa Maria: Мирослав Василев, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
