What to see near Monopoli: the places we recommend to our guests
From the Castellana Caves to Alberobello, from Polignano a Mare to Matera: the places to see around our masserie in the Monopoli countryside.
Our two masserie stand in the countryside between Monopoli, Conversano and Castellana Grotte. From here the sea, the Itria Valley and even Matera are within easy driving distance. These are the places we recommend most often to the people who come to stay with us.
A few minutes away
Castellana Caves
They are 7 minutes from us. The speleologist Franco Anelli discovered them in 1938, and you visit them with a guide, going down through the Grave, the huge opening that lets light into the first chamber. The longer tour goes all the way to the White Cave.
Monopoli
The town centre is 15 minutes away. The old town looks out over the sea, with the old harbour, the cathedral of the Madonna della Madia and the castle of Charles V. In the evening it is lovely to wander through the white alleys.
The sea at Capitolo
20 minutes away, south of Monopoli, there is a long line of coves and sandy beaches, with beach clubs and free stretches.
Polignano a Mare and Conversano
Polignano is built on the cliffs: see the Lama Monachile beach, tucked between the rocks, and the terraces over the sea. Conversano, inland, has a castle, a Romanesque cathedral and the monastery of San Benedetto.
The Itria Valley
Alberobello
The trulli of Alberobello have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. You can walk around the Monti and Aia Piccola districts: the first is the liveliest, the second the quietest.
Locorotondo and Cisternino
Locorotondo has a round, all-white old town that looks over a valley full of trulli and vineyards. Cisternino is famous for its fornelli pronti: butcher shops where you choose your meat and they grill it for you on the spot.
Martina Franca and Ostuni
Martina Franca is baroque, with its Ducal Palace and, in summer, the Valle d’Itria Festival. Ostuni is the White City: the whitewashed houses climb the hill up to the cathedral, and from the top you can see the sea.
Along the coast
Savelletri and Torre Canne
Savelletri is a small fishing village; just north of it is the archaeological park of Egnazia, the ancient Gnathia. Torre Canne has long beaches and a thermal spa.
A little further away
Putignano
It is famous for its Carnival, one of the oldest in Europe, with huge papier-mâché floats.
Bari
Bari Vecchia, the Basilica of San Nicola and the women making orecchiette by hand outside their homes, in the Arco Basso street. Bari also has the airport closest to us.
Grottaglie
The ceramics quarter, with the workshops of craftsmen who have been working clay for generations.
Matera
The Sassi of Matera have been a UNESCO site since 1993, and in 2019 the city was European Capital of Culture. It deserves a whole day.
Just ask us
When you arrive, tell us how many days you have and what you enjoy: we will tell you where to start, depending on the season. In the meantime, you can discover our two masserie, Villa Antonelli and Casina Piangevino.