Monopoli is a wonderful town along the Adriatic coast with about 13 kilometres (8 miles) of coastline. This is a place where you can enjoy the laid-back, Italian slow way of life and the best Apulian food.

Even if just for a day, Monopoli is worth visiting for a paddle in its waters, a stroll round its streets and a lunch in one of its cafés.

The town’s history is very much still present. For instance, its fortified seafront walls and the castle that lies on its promontory indicate its important past.

Enjoy the “lungomare” – the path along the sea starting from the Castle of Charles V with its fortified walls. From the scenic harbour you can embark on a labyrinthine journey through the city’s historic centre where you will find a number of charming churches, crypts and countless cobbled streets!

Depending on the path you choose you can encounter (to name a few notables) the majestic Palazzo Palmieri, the Cattedrale (cathedral) with its revered icon of the Madonna della Madia, the daily open air fruits and vegetable market and the old city library – a gateway from the inner harbour to the quaint, but lively, Piazza Garibaldi.

If you are a food addicted and an Apulian food lover, we recommend you to taste the typical “Focaccia Barese“. This Apulian delicacy is traditionally prepared with a soft, yeasted dough that combines semolina, wheat flour, and mashed potatoes.

It is usually topped with cherry tomatoes and olives, but some varieties occasionally employ other combination of ingredients, such as different vegetables, coarse salt, or rosemary.

Always baked in round tins, focaccia is usually doused in olive oil and is best served lukewarm.

For a perfect pit stop: “Panificio l’Assunta“.A bakery that should have 2 Michelin stars. Everything your eyes see will make you hungry for more.

You will end up taking with you far more than you will eat! The varieties of Pizza, Focaccia and typical local dishes is stunning and all your senses will be fascinated.