It was “winter” in Puglia. A warm, bright, sunny afternoon that required nothing more than a light jacket and a pair of sunglasses. No hats, scarves, gloves, boots, or down-filled coats were needed. It was the antithesis of Toronto, which was gripped in yet another chilling polar vortex at the time.
Yet there I was in Italy, about to enjoy one heck of a day exploring some beautiful towns in the area with Southern Visions. One of my favorite towns ended up being Monopoli.
Photos To Inspire You To Visit Monopoli, Italy
We started our day driving through a rural area and stopping to take a look at a typical farm in the Puglian countryside. Olive trees dotted the landscape, complemented by low-lying vegetables whose appetizing, fresh scent filled the air we breathed. The farms were surrounded by low stone walls that had been there for centuries. It was quiet and no one was around except for a handful of workers tending their crops.
It was perfect. An ideal image for a postcard or a movie set. This was the Italy everyone dreams of seeing, the one that everyone pictures. This was when I began to understand Puglia, to experience “that Puglia feeling” as I’ve come to call it. In that moment, I had a rush of emotions. Happiness to be in that place, at that time. Re-emerging affection for the country that I’ve visited more than any other in the world. Melancholy, as my trip suddenly seemed too short and I didn’t want to ever leave. Excitement at discovering a new region I’d never visited.
Leaving the countryside behind, we continued our journey to visit the seaside town of Monopoli. Monopoli (Monòpolis in Greek) is a small city gracing the Adriatic coast. Like nearby Brindisi, Monopoli has been a vital port city since ancient times and is connected to Rome through an important road called Via Traiana.
It was ruled by Byzantines, Normans, Hohenstaufen, and eventually by Venetians in 1484. Under their reign, the economy boomed and subsequently attracted an onslaught of attacks from Muslim pirates. The constant threat forced the city to erect strong fortifications, which can still be seen today as you walk around the old port area. Later the city fell under Spanish rule and eventually became part of Italy in 1860.
As much as I loved the port area in Brindisi, the old port area in Monopoli was even better. So another reason to visit Monopoli is definitely this. Maybe it was the traditional fishing boats, remnants of castle walls with medieval cannons tucked into their crevices, or the wide blue expanse of the Adriatic Sea that all made me fall in love with this town.
This is where the Greek influence on the town is the most obvious, through the whitewashed buildings and playful splashes of bright blue paint. I haven’t been to Greece just yet, but this is what I imagine the streets of a small Greek town to be like.
The folks in Italy are religious, made evident by the sheer number of churches all within close proximity to one another.
Have these photos made you want to visit Monopili, Italy? Do you have any tips for this lovely Italian town?
Good to Know
1) If you base yourself in Brindisi, you can reach Monopoli within one hour by car or train.
2) Due to its relatively small size, Monopoli can easily be visited in a single day. View a full list of things to do in Monopoli.
3) The old port area plays host to an especially popular swimming spot during the summer months. It’s a great place to work on your tan and people-watch.
4) Stop for lunch or dinner at Osteria Perricci, a small family-run restaurant that offers traditional southern Italian food. Be sure to order some antipasto and sample a broad range of the region’s specialties like fresh seafood and deep-fried bread dough containing meat, fish, or cheese. Be careful of their spicy oil, as it’s very hot. I added some to my pasta and while it tasted good at the time, my tummy hurt later on. Only consume if you can handle spicy flavors.
5) If you need a place to stay in Monopoli, look no further than booking.com.
Booking.com6) Find something to do in the area and go on a guided tour.
7) If you like to travel in Europe, check out some of our top posts.
- A Day Trip from Berlin To Görlitz In Photos – Take a day trip from Berlin to Görlitz, one of Germany’s prettiest towns. With a stunning old town & proximity to Poland, it’s worth a visit.
- How Not To Spend A Weekend In Sofia, Bulgaria – A weekend in Sofia chronicling the misadventures of a newbie tourist who got stood up by her Tinder date and lost her card to a bank machine.
- Visit These Cool Places in Budapest, Hungary – A mini-guide to Budapest that features eight cool places in Budapest, be it coffee shops, ruin bars, and community art spaces.
*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Beautifully written post, Cheryl, and that “Puglia feeling” is the kind of Italy I know and love too. I would have not been able to put Monopoli on the map, I have to admit, but it looks like a lovely place to visit. I can’t wait to go back to Italy this spring!!
Thanks Satu, that’s so nice of you to say! I’m jealous that you’ll be there so soon. I miss Italy dearly and look forward to following along with your adventures. 🙂
I love these photos from Monopoli, so rustic and pretty – especially by the seasides where those little boats are. I have had this desire for years to explore Italy and following your posts are really making to want to start planning a little tour around!
Thanks Reeta! Italy is a beautiful country so you can’t really go wrong anywhere. I highly recommend Monopoli, as it’s so beautiful.
LOVE the tree photo at the beginning!
Your photos are lovely! I hadn’t heard of Puglia until recently and it sounds like a beautiful region of Italy to plan to visit.
Oh Lisa, you would love it! It’s so wonderful there. I’ve been home for a month and that Puglia feeling still holds me captive.
Thanks, one of my favorites too!
Gorgeous. I always enjoy your Instagramming posts, but this one might be my favorite.
Thanks Jenna, so nice of you to say that! Monopoli is a pretty special place. 🙂
I’m loving these shots, especially the one in Puglia with the single tree.
Thanks Devlin! As I said above, it’s one of mine too. 🙂
I completely understand that Puglia feeling — I’ve gotten in myself. I fell in love with that region. Although I didn’t get to Monopoli, it reminds me of other towns I visited and you’ve taken me back to them with your photos.
Hi Cathy, Puglia is wonderful and I only wish I visited sooner. I guess you’ll have to go back soon so you can also experience Monopoli. 🙂
These are awesome photos. My favorites are of The Old Port in Monopoli. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Mary! Very kind of you to say. 🙂
This is not a travel must for me.
Bad mistype… I meant “NOW” 🙂
Ha ha. Puglia is beautiful and most especially, Monopoli. 🙂
Great photos Cheryl! Italy such a photogenic place.
Frank (bbqboy)
Thanks Frank! Monopoli is a photographer’s dream, for sure.
Terrific Instagrams! You are right, southern Italy does look quite similar to some of the northernmost Greek islands. Corfu was the first place I visited in Greece and I must admit that I disappointingly exclaimed that it looked a lot like Venice. Not because it wasn’t beautiful, but I was expecting all of Greece to be whitewashed with blue shutters just like in Mamma Mia. I found that on other islands like Mykonos, Santorini and Folegandros.
Thanks Jennifer, I simply adore Monopoli. I also look forward to exploring Greece this fall when TBEX happens! 🙂
Am interested in learning more about Monopoli–eg. weather-temps–many expats?
Cost of living–availability and costs.
Thanks
Carol Jacks
Hey Carol – Thanks for reading! As I only visited Monopoli for a few hours, I cannot really to speak to expat life there – if there are a lot of expats, cost of living, etc. Perhaps check out InterNations for more info? https://www.internations.org/
Best,
Cheryl