Cala Tre Buchi in Monopoli

I stayed at a B&B in Monopoli's center, near the seafront. It was a really convenient spot: the sea is just steps away. In theory, you could skip using a car entirely.

But reality is different. The small public beaches in town are always crowded, both in low and high season. The beach clubs are quite pricey. So, I decided to spend less and find less crowded spots. I took the car to search for an unorganized public beach. About 7 km away, we found Cala Tre Buchi. It became one of our go-to places, along with Cala Sottile.

We liked Cala Tre Buchi right away. We went once, enjoyed it, and returned several times. It's a unique beach: fine sand on one side, rocks on the other. The water is clean and, where we were, very clear. The sea is truly beautiful, and you can even do a bit of snorkeling.

The name Cala Tre Buchi comes from the cliff. Three cavities in the rock were created by wind and sea over time. This makes it stand out from other nearby coves. It's located south of Monopoli, along the coast towards Capitolo.

To reach the cove, you must park a few minutes away and walk. You can't drive directly there.

Unlike Cala Sottile, there are no pine trees here. So, there's almost no natural shade. It's smart to bring a screw-in umbrella. The wind often blows, and it might fly away.

Keep in mind, the sandy area fills up quickly. If you want a spot, arrive early in the morning. Alternatively, there's usually space on the rocks. But you'll need water shoes, as entering the water without them can be uncomfortable.

Cala Tre Buchi is free and just a few minutes by car. But it requires some patience. You need to drive, park, and then return to Monopoli to find parking again. It's not a big deal, just part of the experience. In high season, a beach day for two can easily cost 50 euros at a lido. So, it's worth it. I prefer free beaches, though they're getting rarer in Puglia. For now, Cala Tre Buchi is still a good option.