Frequently asked questions

In southern Italy, in Apulia. Almost in the middle of it 🙂

Definitely yes! The town is amazing in itself, and there are plenty of beautiful places to explore nearby. Start with Visit Monopoli and Monopoli Tourism.

Getting to Monopoli is quite easy!

• By train: the station is about a 20-minute walk from the old town and connected to Bari Centrale by fast, cheap trains every 20–30 minutes.
• By plane: Bari airport has direct flights from many European cities (and, with a connection, from almost anywhere in the world). From the airport to the station by train, bus or taxi; rent a car at the airport, the station or in Monopoli to explore the surroundings.
• By car: motorway to Bari, then about 45 minutes on the toll-free main road.
• By ship: Οι Έλληνες φίλοι μπορούν να ταξιδεύσουν με πλοίο από Ηγουμενίτσα ή Πάτρα. For everyone else: ferries sail from Igoumenitsa and Patras in Greece to Bari and Brindisi, where you can take a train to Monopoli.

All the details in Visit Monopoli.

Glad you asked! All in the heart of Monopoli, a short walk from each other. We’ll publish the 2027 venues and map alongside the programme.

We made a page just for that: getting here, choosing where to sleep and getting around town, shared bikes included. See Visit Monopoli.

According to Wikipedia: a member of the lute family of instruments, of Portuguese origin and popularised in Hawaii, where its name roughly translates as “jumping flea”, perhaps because of the movement of the player’s fingers.

According to us: a small, affordable (in almost every sense of the word) instrument you will start loving in seconds.

You can grab the very basics in a couple of hours! That’s why the fest has Ukulele 101: free lessons for complete beginners, and we even lend you the instrument. Days and times will be in the programme.

(Of course, a lifetime won’t be enough to become a maestro.)

Yes! In 2027 there will again be an exhibition area with instruments, strings and accessories from some of the best brands around. The exhibitors are knowledgeable, friendly people, and they all speak ukulele. The location will be in the programme.

From Friday 28 to Sunday 30 May 2027: three days of ukulele in Monopoli.

Yes, the fest is free, with no entrance ticket. If there are any paid workshops, the programme will list them with fees and how to sign up.

We’re working on it. It will be published on this site: you will find artists, venues and times there as soon as they are confirmed.

Associazione Voltare Pagina ETS, with lots of people lending a hand.

Monopolele is free because many people help make it happen. You can make a donation or choose one of the perks on Support the fest, and you will receive a receipt from Associazione Voltare Pagina ETS.

The street performances are one of Monopolele’s most beloved features: the squares of the old town turn into open-air stages. No audition, no ticket, no stage fright: just you, your instrument and the city. Sign-ups for 2027 are not open yet: we will announce them on the Play at the Fest page.

Every evening Caffè Mezzopieno becomes the beating heart of Monopolele’s community. Around 22:30 a jam leader kicks things off, then anyone with an instrument (or just a voice) is welcome. No set list, no rehearsal, no minimum level. They often go past 1am and tend to be among the most memorable moments of the fest.

Just show up with your ukulele and follow the groove. If you’d like to lead a jam, there will be a Lead the Jam page.

Ukulele 101 lessons are free and we lend you a ukulele on the spot: no experience, no instrument, no registration needed. Spots are limited, so arrive a few minutes early. Days, times and venue will be in the programme.

For Ukulele 101 you don’t: we lend you one. For jams and street performances, yes, you’ll want your own. And if you’re travelling light, the exhibition area has quality instruments for sale.