A quaint little town in the southern region of Puglia offers up the quintessential Italian experience, described as being similar to Santorini but with much a calmer ambiance.

Monopoli charmingly combines its historic medieval centre with its picturesque coastline and is one of the loveliest places to stroll.

The town is home to a number of small coves, pristine beaches and delicious local cuisine serving up the authentic southern Italian atmosphere.

Add in a photogenic harbour, old town architecture, beautiful villages and the heavenly Adriatic coast, and you’ll get a slice of Monopoli.

Social media user @CharmOfCulture spoke of Monopoli in a thread on X in which they rated the less known Italian spots they have visited.

They said: “The town was buzzing with life at night which made it great to walk around in. 

“Being on the water too made the sunsets here incredibly picturesque”.

They added how, despite only being there for a few hours, “I recall being surprised by how nice it was. 

“Some parts of the town reminded me of Santorini with its white-washed buildings”.

Monopoli offers the perfect balance between attractions and a relaxed pace.

Its old port serves as an integral part of the fabric of the town, bearing witness to Monopoli’s strong link with its sea.

The town is also famed for its Baroque Monopoli Cathedral with its crypt housing an archaeological museum with ancient tombs and sculptures found here. 

There’s a 16th-century Castle of Carlo V with a massive stone portal and the frescoed Palmieri Palace also worth a gander.

Other top sights in Monopoli include la Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia, Porto antico, Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi and Convento San Francesco da Paola.

Monopoli’s square is bustling with restaurants, cafes and gelato shops with traditional dishes including seafood soup and onion focaccia.

“The view of the old port is just amazing. This is one of the must visit places while visiting Monopoli,” read one review of Monopoli on TripAdvisor.

Another added: “A beautiful experience to visit Monopoli and the city center. Well maintained, with nice corners and churches.”