Monopoli Old Town: History and Unmissable Attractions
The historical centre of Monopoli, known as the “Old Town”, is a labyrinth of white alleys, lively squares and monuments that narrate 30 centuries of history, from its Messapian origins in the 7th century BC to the Norman and Spanish splendours. Founded as a “single city” (monos polis), it became a commercial crossroads between West and East thanks to its natural harbour, with traces of Roman baths, basilicas and early Christian churches. Today, this authentic village attracts tourists looking for authentic holidays in Apulia, ideal for booking holiday homes or stays immersed in the local culture.
Explore the Castle of Charles V (1552), the defence towers over the harbour and the Cathedral of Maria Santissima della Madia in Neapolitan Baroque style, with relics linked to the legend of the Madonna protector of sailors. Stroll around Piazza Garibaldi , a lively heart with open-air cafés, and visit Palazzo Palmieri or the Church of Santa Maria Amalfitana , amid noble palaces and flower-decked balconies. From the Porto Vecchio , watch colourful fishermen's boats and ancient walls, perfect for panoramic sunsets and photos to share on social media.
Historical Centre and Port Tourist Development
Tourism in Monopoli has exploded with a +19% of arrivals in the last year (268,875 total), driven by the historic centre and port that attract foreigners thanks to its beaches, coves and quality accommodation offer. Historically the only port between Bari and Brindisi during the Crusades, today it is a hub for yachts, diving and fresh fishing, catalysing events such as the Festa della Madonna della Madia. Book your holiday now: the tourist boom makes Monopoli a top destination for itineraries in the Itria Valley, with steady growth for families and couples.
What to See and Do in the Historic Centre
Get lost in the picturesque alleys towards Piazza Vittorio Emanuele , the largest in Puglia, and admire the Torre Civica.
Visit rock churches and the Old Port for boat tours or fresh fish markets.
Enjoy the promenade at the Red Lighthouse, ideal bike rides or summer events such as concerts.
Join a local festival for an authentic immersion, combining history and the sea for an unforgettable holiday.
Where to Eat in the Old Town and Harbour
Savour authentic Apulian cuisine: Trattoria da Zi Ottavio (Via Barbacana) for timeless traditional dishes. Try La Locanda sul Porto for fresh fish overlooking the sea or Il Punto Cardinale (Piazza Vittorio Emanuele) with burrata and Slow Food cherry tomatoes. Komera offers elegant dining on the historic patio, while Osteria Perricci and Vini & Panini (Piazza Garibaldi) are perfect for cheap street food. Ideal for gourmands looking for food and wine experiences while on holiday.
Where to Sleep: Hotels and B&Bs in the Historical Centre
Choose Hotel Don Ferrante (5-star) or Palazzo Indelli (4-star) for luxury in the old heart. Top-rated B&Bs: B&B Casa Cimino , Carpe Diem , La Porta Vecchia or Al Picchio , renovated and centrally located with excellent reviews for location and hospitality. Perfect for booking holidays in Monopoli, near the harbour and attractions, with affordable rates for longer stays in Apulia. (here you will find a selection of holiday homes in Monopoli in the historic centre)
3-day itinerary in the historic centre of Monopoli
3-day itinerary in the historic centre of Monopoli
Day 1 - Discovering the Old Town and Main Monuments
Morning: Start with a walk through the heart of the historical centre, starting from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II , the largest square in Apulia, where you can admire the Civic Tower . Continue to the Cathedral Maria Santissima della Madia , a religious and artistic symbol with frescoes and a history linked to the miracle of the patron saint Madonna.
Afternoon: Visit the Castle of Charles V , a 16th-century fortress overlooking the historic port and the sea. Then explore the alleys around the castle, with its craft shops and picturesque views.
Evening: Typical Apulian dinner in one of the harbour restaurants, such as La Locanda sul Porto or Trattoria da Zi Ottavio , to enjoy fresh fish and local dishes.
Day 2 - Culture, Sea and Tradition
Morning: Explore the oldest part of the village, visiting the Church of Santa Maria Amalfitana and noble palaces such as Palazzo Palmieri . Take a break at a local café to savour an Apulian coffee.
Afternoon: Stroll along the waterfront to the Red Lighthouse, enjoying the view and taking photographs. Join a boat tour from the harbour to see the coastline up close and discover small sea caves.
Evening: Aperitivo in Piazza Garibaldi, a lively evening centre with bars and live music. Continue with dinner in one of the historic venues, tasting the famous panzerotto or focaccia pugliese.
Day 3 - Markets, Relaxation and Local Experiences
Morning: Visit the fish market near the harbour to experience the local atmosphere and, if you wish, buy fresh produce for a picnic.
Afternoon: Relax on the beach or visit one of the nearby bathing establishments, such as Porto Verde, a natural place where sea and land meet in harmony.
Evening: Finish with a typical dinner at an osteria in the old town, such as Osteria Perricci or Vini & Panini , to enjoy local wines and traditional dishes until late in the evening.
This itinerary combines history, culture, cuisine and the sea to experience the authentic charm of Monopoli.
Where to park in the historic centre of Monopoli
In Monopoli, parking in the historic centre is possible both for free and for a fee, with different options for tourists and residents.
Free Parking
Park and Ride : Monopoli has activated three peripheral Park&Ride car parks with free shuttle buses connecting the car park to the historic centre, particularly active during the tourist season to reduce traffic in the centre. An important area is Via Nazario Sauro, with free parking and shuttle buses every 20-25 minutes to the centre.
Parking Ex Scie : Offers around 260 spaces and is located near the harbour, with free shuttle bus connections at peak times, suitable for campers and large vehicles.
Paid parking
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II : The closest car park to the historic centre with 118 paid parking spaces managed by Gestopark srl, unattended but convenient for quick visits.
Via Padre Manghisi, Via Carlo Levi, Via Giovanni Verga and other strategic streets offer 125 paid parking spaces with regulated rates for tourists. These parking spaces are close to the centre and facilitate the flow of tourists while maintaining order in the restricted traffic zones.
Other paid parking spaces include Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo (mainly reserved for accommodation customers) and various blue lines in the city centre.
To avoid penalties, it is advisable to respect the ZTL very much present in the historic centre, with strict electronic controls, and to use the recommended car parks with shuttle services to reach the attractions comfortably.
In summary, to move around the historic centre of Monopoli without stress, it is best to leave your car in one of the free peripheral car parks and use the shuttles, or choose a nearby paid car park, such as the one in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II if you prefer proximity.
Car parks with disabled parking spaces and motor home access in the centre
In Monopoli you can find car parks with disabled parking spaces and areas suitable for campers within walking distance of the historic centre.
Car parks with disabled parking spaces near the centre
Vittorio Emanuele II Square
It is the closest car park to the city centre (118 spaces in total).
It has 4 parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.
No height limit: also accessible to motorhomes, but it is an unguarded parking area.
Parking Ex Scie (harbour area)
Large car park with around 260 spaces, connected by free shuttle bus at peak times.
It has 5 spaces reserved for the disabled with a badge.
No height limit, therefore suitable for motorhomes and tall vehicles.
For the ZTL in the historic centre, residents with a disabled badge can apply for a permanent access permit; for occasional accesses, it is recommended to contact the toll-free number indicated by the municipality before entering, in order to avoid fines.
Motorhome parking areas near the centre
Vittorio Emanuele II Square
Also suitable for motorhomes (no height barriers), convenient for visiting the centre on foot.
Parking Ex Scie
Large area, close to the harbour, often used by campers due to the wide spaces and the absence of height restrictions.
Motorhome parking point Via dei Cappuccini/Via Aldo Moro
Fenced and guarded area, on paved roads, a few steps from the centre of Monopoli; used as a garaging and camper van stop, convenient for reaching the village in a few minutes.
To summarise, for those with disabilities it is best to opt for Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II or Ex Scie (reserved spaces and no height limit), while for campers who still want to be close to the centre, Ex Scie, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and the Via dei Cappuccini area are very practical.
Shuttles and connections from the Ex Scie and Cristoforo Colombo car parks
Shuttles and connections from the Ex Scie and Cristoforo Colombo car parks in Monopoli
From the Ex Scie car park (harbour area, approximately 260 spaces), free shuttle buses run to the historic centre, operating especially at peak times and in the high tourist season to reduce traffic in the ZTL. The frequency is every 20-25 minutes, with direct stops in the old town and convenient connections to reach Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II or the Old Port in a few minutes; check the updated timetables on the municipal website or local apps.
For the Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo car park (reserved mainly for guests of accommodation facilities), connections are part of the Park & Ride system with three free shuttle bus lines to the historic centre, integrated into the 2025 traffic plan for tourists and visitors. The shuttles connect the area to the “Old Town” avoiding the ZTL, with frequent departures (approx. every 20 minutes) and short routes to the main attractions; it is ideal for those staying nearby.
These services are free of charge, accessible also to the disabled and campers, and represent the main solution to move from the parking area to the centre without stress, especially with the new plan limiting private cars. For precise details on the 2025 timetable, consult the Monopoli Municipality website or the Moveo app for blue stripes and transport.
Timetables and frequency of shuttles from Ex Scie to the city centre
he shuttles from the Ex Scie car park (harbour area, 260 spaces) to the historic centre are part of the free Park & Ride service activated by the Municipality of Monopoli with three lines to reduce traffic in the ZTL, especially in the high tourist season.
Frequency: Every 20-25 minutes during peak hours (mornings 8-12 a.m. and afternoons 4-8 p.m.), with more frequent runs on weekends and holidays.
General timetable : Operates from approximately 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with an evening extension in summer; the service is seasonal and extended from June to September.
Route and stops : Direct to the “Paese Vecchio”, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and Porto Vecchio; duration 5-10 minutes, accessible to the disabled and campers.
Since there are no detailed timetables updated to 2025 in recent results, always check the official website of the Municipality of Monopoli (comune.monopoli.ba.it), the Moveo app for transport or information panels on site for precise timetables and variations. The service is free and ideal for tourists, with ecological buses and luggage capacity.
Where the shuttle stop is located in the city centre
Shuttle bus stop from the Ex Scie car park in Monopoli's historic centre
The main stop of the Park & Ride shuttles from the Ex Scie car park is located in the historic centre near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II , the largest and most central square in the “Old Town”, a few steps from the Carlo V Castle and the Old Port. This is the primary arrival stop for tourists, easily recognisable thanks to the information panels and signs for the free service, which directly connects the parking area to the ZTL without the need to enter a car.
Other secondary stops in the centre include areas near the Old Port and Piazza Garibaldi, but Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is the reference point for most of the lines of the three active shuttles. The service is designed to drop passengers off in the heart of the borough, allowing them to explore monuments and restaurants on foot; look for the “Park & Ride Shuttle Stop” signs or ask at the tourist info points on site.
For precise confirmations, check maps or panels at the Ex Scie car park or the Monopoli municipality website, as locations may vary slightly for seasonal events.
In the historical centre of Monopoli, Park & Ride stops are distributed to facilitate tourist access to the main attractions of the “Old Town”. The main stops are located at:
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II: the main and most central stop, the arrival and departure point for shuttles to visit the historic heart, close to the Carlo V Castle and the Porto Vecchio.
Porto Antico : stop providing easy access to the historic port, fish markets and seaside restaurants.
Piazza Garibaldi: a stop nearby to reach areas of cultural and leisure interest in the historic centre.
These stops are located along the shuttle bus routes that depart from outdoor car parks such as Ex Scie and Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo, offering frequencies of approximately 20-25 minutes and a free and accessible service. Information panels and signage in the centre help to easily identify each stop. For detailed maps and shuttle service updates, it is advisable to check via local info points, the official website of the Municipality of Monopoli or dedicated apps such as Moveo.
Ultimately, the shuttle network is designed to facilitate pedestrian tourism in the historic centre, avoiding direct access by car to the ZTL, and ensuring fast and frequent connections to the main squares and the port.