Visit Monopoli

Monopoli is a seaside town in Puglia, southern Italy, about 40 km south of Bari. It is a compact, welcoming town whose centre is easy to explore on foot; outlying areas are connected to the centre by shuttles and public transport.

The areas of the town

• Old town: a maze of alleys, squares and white houses overlooking the sea, with views and historic monuments. This is where Monopolele comes to life.
• Murat town: a grid of neat avenues, «the Borgo», built between the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Around Porta Vecchia: the area between Via Cadorna, Via Lepanto and Via Giacomo Leopardi, a 10–15 minute walk from Piazza Palmieri and 5 minutes from Caffè Mezzopieno, home of the evening jams. There is also a handy car park for those arriving by car.
• Modern area: wide streets, shops and newer residential neighbourhoods.

Map based on © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Getting here

By air

The nearest airport is Bari Karol Wojtyła (BRI), with domestic and European flights. Brindisi (BDS) is about an hour away too.

• By train: the railway from the airport takes you to Bari Centrale, then a regional train to Monopoli (about 1 hour 15 minutes in total).
• By car: about 45 minutes.
• By bus: direct shuttles run in some seasons.

By train

Monopoli station is close to the Borgo, about a 20-minute walk from the old town. Indicative times:

• Bari Centrale: 30–40 minutes, trains every 20–30 minutes
• Brindisi: 50 minutes
• Lecce: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Rome: about 5 hours, high-speed trains with a change in Bari
• Milan: 7–8 hours, direct or with a change in Bologna or Bari

Check operators’ timetables and connections before travelling.

By car

• From Bari: 45 minutes on the SS16 southbound.
• From Brindisi and Lecce: about an hour on the SS16 northbound.

Traffic can be heavy on festival days: see parking and transport below.

By sea

From Greece there are ferries to Bari and Brindisi; from there, continue by train or car.

Where to stay

• Old town: to live the festival atmosphere to the full, a few steps from everything.
• Murat town: an excellent alternative, with neat avenues and open spaces, within a 10-minute walk of the main venues.
• Around Porta Vecchia, between Via Cadorna, Via Lepanto and Porto Rosso: a quiet area close to Piazza Palmieri and Caffè Mezzopieno, with a car park nearby.
• By the sea, from Porta Vecchia to Capitolo: resorts and hotels to combine the festival with the beach; you will need transport to reach the centre.
• Holiday homes and apartments: handy for groups and families, in the centre or in quieter areas.
• Farm stays and masserie nearby: the Apulian countryside to rest after festival days; you will need transport to reach Monopoli.

You can find accommodation on the main booking platforms, on the venues’ own sites or by contacting them directly; for a smaller budget, look at hostels and guesthouses too.

Parking and transport

• Parking: free and paid car parks are available in several parts of town; some outlying car parks are connected to the centre by shuttles. Up-to-date information on the Comune di Monopoli website.
• New, bike sharing: the town now has Vaimoo shared bikes, handy for getting between the centre and outlying areas.
• Local buses: they connect the centre with outlying areas, including Capitolo beach. Timetables on Miccolis.
• Accessibility: access varies across narrow streets and historic buildings. For specific requirements, write to info@monopolele.com.

Beyond the festival

Explore the old harbour, churches and coves, or venture into the surrounding area. Ideas and visitor information on Monopoli Tourism.