Italy

Monopoli

A picturesque fortified port town with a photogenic old harbor, historic bastions, and lovely hidden sandy coves.

Region: Adriático
Country: Italy

What to see

Porto Vecchio

The historic old harbor packed with colorful wooden fishing boats beneath ancient stone fortifications.

Castello Carlo V

A 16th-century fortress erected on a seaside promontory to guard the harbor against maritime invaders.

Cala Porta Vecchia

A picturesque sandy beach right against the town's centuries-old defensive seawalls.

Experiences

Just a short journey down the coast from Bari, Monopoli blends authentic working-town charm with centuries of maritime history. Enclosed by medieval seawalls and dominated by the 16th-century Castle of Charles V, the town's historic core unfolds through an immaculate network of stone alleys and lively whitewashed squares.

The town's centerpiece is the Porto Vecchio, a postcard-worthy harbor where traditional blue-and-red gozzo fishing boats bob on sparkling waters against ancient stone facades. Beyond the walls, quiet sandy coves like Cala Porta Vecchia provide refreshing spots for a swim within footsteps of the historical center.

Nearby