Best Hotels in Monopoli: Old Town Boutiques, Coast, and Masserie

Monopoli is one of the more underrated coastal towns in Puglia — a genuine fishing port with a medieval old town built around a harbour, less visited than Polignano a Mare (16km north) despite having more to explore. The accommodation reflects this: mostly mid-range boutique hotels and guesthouses rather than the cliff-top luxury of Polignano, with prices that are noticeably better value.

Old Town Hotels

Don Ferrante

The best-positioned hotel in Monopoli’s old town — a converted 16th-century palazzo directly on the harbour at Muraglia 13, with rooms and suites facing the Adriatic. The hotel restaurant is well-regarded; the rooftop terrace is one of the best spots for a drink in the evening. 20 rooms, each different in size and layout.

Rates: approximately €180—300/night for a sea-view room in July and August; approximately €120—200 in June and September (as of 2026). Breakfast included.

Good for: couples who want a hotel with a genuine harbour atmosphere. The terrace bar justifies a drink even if you are not staying here.

La Pescheria Rooms

Converted former fish market (pescheria) in the old harbour area — boutique rooms with high ceilings, exposed stone, and careful renovation. Seven rooms; the building’s maritime history preserved in the fittings. Walking distance to the castle, the port, and the main restaurants.

Rates: approximately €130—210/night in peak season; approximately €90—150 in shoulder (as of 2026).

Good for: travellers who want character over conventional hotel amenities. The location inside the old port area is excellent.

Palazzo Brunetti

A restored 17th-century palazzo in the heart of the old town at Via Garibaldi — eight rooms with period stone walls and good beds. Breakfast served in a vaulted room. No pool; no large common areas. The owners are helpful with local restaurant recommendations.

Rates: approximately €110—180/night in peak season (as of 2026). Breakfast included.

Good for: travellers who want old-town character without paying harbour-premium prices. A 5-minute walk to the water.

B&B Porto Antico

A small B&B in the old town near the castle — three rooms above a ground-floor cafe, simple and well-kept. The breakfast at the cafe downstairs is better than many hotel breakfasts (fresh cornetti, local pastries, good coffee). No frills, but good value for the location.

Rates: approximately €80—120/night as of 2026. Breakfast included.

Good for: budget-conscious travellers who want old-town access without paying boutique prices.

Masserie and Countryside Stays

Masseria Monacelle

A working farm converted to accommodation approximately 8km from Monopoli — pool, garden, and rooms in the farmhouse buildings. The kitchen serves dinner using estate produce on request. Less polished than the top-tier masserie near Ostuni, but more affordable and with a genuine farm atmosphere.

Rates: approximately €130—200/night in peak season (as of 2026). Breakfast included; dinner approximately €30 extra per person.

Good for: families and groups who want a countryside experience with a pool, without the luxury-masseria price.

Agriturismo Torre Guaceto

Close to the Torre Guaceto nature reserve (approximately 20km south of Monopoli) — an agriturismo with rooms and a restaurant serving the local catch and estate olive oil. The reserve itself has good birdwatching and a fine-sand beach with strict conservation rules (no sunbeds, no umbrellas, naturally clean water).

Rates: approximately €90—150/night as of 2026. Breakfast and dinner included in some packages.

Good for: travellers interested in nature, birdwatching, and a quiet coastal experience away from the resort towns.

Masseria San Domenico

One of the better-known luxury masserie in Puglia, approximately 10km north of Monopoli near Fasano. Golf course, spa, pool, and private beach club. At the top end of Puglia accommodation.

Rates: approximately €350—600/night in peak season (as of 2026).

Good for: travellers wanting a full luxury resort experience in Puglia. The private beach access and golf are the distinguishing features.

Coastal Apartments

Monopoli and the stretch of coast to the south have a good supply of self-catering apartments through short-term rental platforms. This suits families and those staying 4+ nights:

• Apartment in old town: approximately €100—160/night for a two-bedroom in peak summer
• Coastal apartment with pool: approximately €120—200/night in peak summer
• Studio near old town: approximately €70—100/night

The fish market (Piazza Orto Maltese) and the port-side shops make self-catering particularly practical — good fresh fish and local vegetables are available daily.

What to Know Before Booking

Getting around: Monopoli’s old town is walkable; the beaches (Cala Porta Vecchia, Porto Bianco, Santo Stefano) are within 1—3km of the centre by foot or taxi. A car is useful for the masserie and for day trips to Alberobello or Polignano. The train is adequate for reaching Bari and the coast.

Beach access: the beaches immediately around Monopoli are a mix of paid (sunbed and umbrella hire from approximately €12—18/pair/day as of 2026) and free sections. The town beaches get busy in July and August; the coast south toward Savelletri and Torre Guaceto is less crowded.

Booking timing: Monopoli is less booked up than Polignano a Mare or Ostuni. In most years, booking 4—6 weeks ahead secures good options in peak summer. The luxury masserie (particularly San Domenico) should be booked 2—3 months ahead.

High season note: July and August bring Italian domestic tourism at its peak. The town is busy and animated but not overwhelming by the standards of the more famous Puglia towns. Rates in shoulder season (May, June, September) are 25—40% lower with nearly identical weather.