Beaches and Coves of Monopoli

The coast from Monopoli heading down towards Ostuni is dotted with lots of little coves and beaches tucked in among the low limestone rocks that make up the shoreline of Puglia. Many are hidden and not easy to find. Here is a list of some of the beaches around Monopoli.

Cala Porto Vecchio. Starting in town, the easiest to find is the narrow strip below the ancient protective walls. It is right in town and is a free-access public beach, with all the services and shops convenient to reach.

NORTH OF MONOPOLI

Lido Pantano. A private beach club with a nice piece of sandy beach and sun decks built on the rocks with colorful umbrellas, sun beds, changing cabins and services. Established in the 1930s it is one of Monopoli's "institutions" for beach-goers. They have a bar and restaurant, snacks, and canoe and pedal boat rentals, as well. Easily reached off Via Marina del Mondo.

The Coves to the North of Town. Just past Lido Pantano there is a very large parking area from which you can access several small coves. There are maps in the parking area to assist you.

• Cala Susca; you'll find a very small cove here but easily reached. Then the coastline is a long, low rocky stretch where you can stretch out and sun, and if you're agile scramble down to the water. (BRING WATER SHOES!)
• Cala Monaci and Grotta Verde - another cove at the parking area, this time at the northern end. The small beach is very easy to reach and there are several covered picnic tables above it.
• Northern Cove. Further up is another narrow parking area with a cove that has no name.

Beyond these you'll find the ancient tower Torre d'Incina and a swimming cove and beach, which is well-designated by signs.

SOUTH OF MONOPOLI

The south end of town has some tiny but popular coves and swimming holes which are easy to reach along Via Procaccia.

• Cala di Porto Bianco is the first one, easily reached from the street and the bike path. It's a small patch of sand tucked into the low rocks, with seafront restaurants anchoring the cove on both ends, like delicious promontories. A bar, Caffe del Mar, is on the street facing the cove to satisfy your thirst or snack cravings.
• Cala di Porto Rosso is the next one, located at the south side of the "promontory" restaurant, again easy to get to from the street and with the same structure as the above. Both are free and open.
• Porto Nera is the next cove, also called La Perla Nera for the long-time beach concession that manages the resort. More than just an "umbrella rental" Perla Nera is a pearl of a day resort with a swimming pool, nice restaurant, two bars, a "cliff garden" and of course the beach umbrellas and sun beds. All in all, it's "classier" than most beaches in the area and perhaps worth the splurge for a day of pampered sunning.

Cala and Lido Paradiso is a sports complex and beach club that offers services, umbrellas and sun beds, and a small portion of free beach (though you'll have to pay for parking). Restaurant, pizzeria, bar and snacks along with evening disco under the stars.

The coves at Copacabana: The reception hall Copacabana is a good landmark for find the series of four coves that are tucked away behind. There is street parking, then take the path that leads to the water; there is one on the north side and one of the south side of the restaurant. At the shore you'll find the coves and reefs, pocked with some sea caves.