Dream Beaches in Monopoli

We vacationed in Bari, choosing a B&B in Bari Vecchia. It's a lively historic center with an endless seafront, all within walking distance. But after two days, we had one thought: the sea 😎. Sand. So, from Bari, we headed to Monopoli.

We decided to spend two days in Monopoli.

First day: train and historic center

The first time, we took the train. In the morning, Bari station was full of young people heading to the sea: light backpacks, towels on shoulders. In less than half an hour, we were in Monopoli. From the station, we walked to the center.

The first beach we saw was Cala Porta Vecchia. You exit the alleys of the old town and it's right there: a crescent of sand under the walls, with boats still and the bell tower behind. In person, it looks just like the photos.

The seabed is shallow and sandy, easy to enter, calm water. For someone like me who prefers sand, it's almost a natural choice. The only downside is space: in summer, towels get so close they almost touch. It's central, convenient, beautiful, but crowded.

After a while, we decided to walk to Porto Verde, just to see the difference.

The atmosphere changes immediately here. The cove is more secluded, hidden among rocks and vegetation. At noon, the water turns bright green, much more vibrant than the uniform blue of Cala Porta Vecchia.

The sand mixes with rocks, and past the shoreline, the water gets deep quickly. I'm a sand person: here, the sandy strip isn't wide, and you inevitably end up on the rocks. It's not a flaw: more air passes over the rocks, it's less hot, and the view is wide, open. But it's not a beach where you stay knee-deep in water for long. It's free, no invasive facilities, but it's small!

At the end of that first day, we returned to Cala Porta Vecchia and stopped there. Why? Simply because I prefer sand.

Second day: driving to Porto Ghiacciolo

The next day, we changed plans. We took a car from Bari and headed towards the Santo Stefano area.

Porto Ghiacciolo is further from the center and feels more open. The sand is fine, the water is very clear--and yes, it's cold. The first dip is noticeable, but you get used to it.

There's a well-equipped (not cheap) beach club and a large, well-kept free area. In August, it's crowded here too, especially in the free zone, but it feels less cramped than smaller coves.

The large paid parking (about 5 euros for the day) is convenient and saves you endless loops.

Of the three, this was my favorite: it combines sand, space, and a more open view.

Thinking back, next time we might stay directly in Monopoli, maybe in the Murattiano district, and go to Porto Ghiacciolo by bike. No schedule juggling, no parking worries. Just the sea, at a different pace.