A Perfect Girls’ Trip to Puglia: Monopoli & Polignano a Mare with Kids
here’s something truly special about a girls' trip — and when I say girls, I mean three generations of us: me, my mom, my daughter Doen (4.5 years old), and my two nieces, Inid and Ilisa (aged 7 and 10). This May, we decided to escape routine and soak in a bit of the Italian sun, flavors, and charm with a quick getaway to Puglia, Italy.
How We Got There: Budget-Friendly & Easy
Italian sun, gelato flavors, and charm with a quick getaway to Puglia, Italy…
We scored some last-minute tickets from Tirana to Bari with WizzAir for around 60 EUR per person. Had we booked earlier, we might’ve gotten even better deals (so tip: book in advance if you can!). The flight itself was super quick and easy — perfect when you’re traveling with kids and want to avoid long layovers or complicated routes.
Once we landed at Bari Airport, getting to our base in Monopoli was smooth. There’s a convenient train connection right from Bari Airport. First, we took the FR2 train to Bari Centrale, which costs about 5 EUR per person and takes roughly 20 minutes. From Bari Centrale, we hopped on another train heading south to Monopoli. Tickets for this leg were about 3-4 EUR per person, and the ride took around 30 minutes — the perfect amount of time to keep little ones entertained without them getting restless!
Why We Chose Monopoli as Our Base
While Polignano a Mare often steals the spotlight (and rightfully so, it’s stunning!), we opted to stay in Monopoli. Why? It felt a bit calmer, more spread out, and more manageable with kids aged 4 to 10. Plus, it’s still incredibly picturesque with its whitewashed buildings, colorful fishing boats, and welcoming piazzas.
For accommodation, we stayed at Route 64 Monopoli East, located right in the historic center. The location was ideal — walking distance to restaurants, gelato spots, and the seafront, yet tucked away enough to be quiet at night. The kids loved exploring the winding streets, and we appreciated the convenience of everything being nearby.
Lama Monachile
Polignano a Mare
Day 2: A Quick Trip to Polignano a Mare
On our second day, we took a short train ride (just about 10 minutes!) to Polignano a Mare. Again, train tickets were affordable (around 1-2 EUR per person) and the ride was hassle-free.
Polignano is famous for its dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters, and postcard-perfect Lama Monachile Beach. Despite it being early May, the kids couldn’t resist jumping in the water! It was a bit chilly, but honestly, their excitement made up for the cold. For adults, the town offers plenty of scenic viewpoints, cozy cafes, and little artisan shops worth browsing.
Highlights in Polignano a Mare:
- Lama Monachile (Cala Porto) Beach
- Domenico Modugno Statue (the singer of “Volare” was born here!)
- Walking along the cliffs and peeking through the arches
- Sampling delicious seafood and, of course, gelato!
Day 3: Bari & Shopping Time
Our last day was more relaxed. After checking out, we took the train back to Bari Centrale. Bari itself is lively and has a fantastic mix of modern shopping streets and historic old town charm.
With some hours to spare before our 23:20 flight, we walked around Via Sparano for a little shopping and enjoyed a leisurely dinner. Bari has plenty of options for families, from casual pizzerias to more traditional trattorias, so it was easy to find something to please everyone.
Quick Tips & Costs Summary:
- Flights: Around 60 EUR/person (last-minute, but cheaper if booked earlier)
- Trains:
- Bari Airport to Bari Centrale: ~5 EUR, 20 mins
- Bari Centrale to Monopoli: ~3-4 EUR, 30 mins
- Monopoli to Polignano: ~1-2 EUR, 10 mins
- Tickets can be bought easily at the stations or online
- Accommodation: Monopoli offers great family-friendly options, especially around the historic center
- Kid-Friendly Factor: Both Monopoli and Polignano are walkable, full of piazzas and pedestrian streets. Beaches are accessible, and locals are welcoming to families.
This trip was proof that a short break doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive to be memorable. With charming towns, easy train connections, delicious food, and happy kids, our girls’ trip to Puglia was everything we hoped for — and we’re already planning the next adventure!
BICA FAMILY
Hi, we are Bica family! We are Eneida, Dolsin, our almost 5-year-old Doen, our little one Ian who is 3-months old and our golden Shadow. As a blogger family we love to share our stories, experiences, and trips with the world! From fashion to parenthood, parenting to travel, we have a wide range of experiences that we love sharing with our online friends. We strive to bring our followers unique content that is both informative and entertaining.
