Casa Moeca: Our Airbnb in the Heart of Monopoli
The Only Airbnb That Made the Cut
The Short Version
The rooftop terrace at Casa Moeca is the star of this property. With sweeping city views and outdoor seating, it provides the perfect spot for your morning coffee, afternoon tanning, and evening glass of wine.
Location: Monopoli, Italy
Sleeps: Up to 4
Layout: Two bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, kitchen, rooftop terrace, and bedroom balcony
Perfect for: Friends, small families, and couples
Highlights: Everything you need for the beach, a balcony, beautiful local pottery, and a walkable location.
In March 2026, my friend Bailey and I decided we should take a trip to Italy. After lots of back and forth and countless shared Instagram reels, we landed on Puglia, a region we knew very little about but were absolutely mesmerized by.
Once we booked our flights, our next step was figuring out where we wanted to stay. We knew we wanted to do a multi-city itinerary, hopping from town to town to see as much of the region as possible. Naturally, I began my search for the perfect Airbnbs, and when it came to Monopoli, I found exactly one that met my admittedly high standards.
Casa Moeca was a charming apartment tucked into one of the whitewashed buildings in Monopoli’s historic center. With two bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, a rooftop terrace and a balcony off the master bedroom, it seemed like the perfect setup for a pair of friends exploring Puglia.
Arriving at Casa Moeca
By the time Bailey and I reached Monopoli, I had developed a newfound appreciation for anyone willing to carry my suitcase. We’d spent the better part of a day traveling from Charlotte to Puglia, navigating airports and train stations before finally arriving in Monopoli, where we still had to drag our luggage from the train station to the property-management office.
Fortunately, that’s where we met Fabrizio, who turned out to be an absolute angel. He offered to carry both of our suitcases to the apartment, which was incredibly sweet of him, but I don’t think I fully appreciated the gesture until we reached the building and discovered a set of the steepest stairs I’ve ever seen in my life. I honestly don’t know how he managed to carry both bags up there, but we were so grateful that he did.
The walk to the apartment had been a perfect introduction to Monopoli. As we made our way into the historic center, Fabrizio pointed out places we might want to visit during our stay, including Caffè Roma, which would become quite the main character in our time in Monopoli. The streets became narrower, and the buildings turned into these beautiful whitewashed stone houses, all tucked together along winding passageways. Casa Moeca was right in the heart of it all, and it didn’t take long for us to fall in love with the place.
The Rooftop That Made It Feel Like Vacation
After Fabrizio showed us around, we headed upstairs to see the rooftop terrace, where we could look out over neighboring rooftops dotted with old-fashioned television antennas, the Adriatic Sea sparkling in the background. The terrace had an outdoor seating area, lounge chairs and even an outdoor shower, making it a wonderful place to relax after a day of exploring.
The apartment had come with a bottle of wine, which we were more than happy to break open after a long day of traveling. We poured ourselves a glass, settled into the sunshine on the rooftop, and finally had a chance to appreciate where we were. We’d been planning and talking about Puglia for months, and now we were sitting on a rooftop in Monopoli, looking out over the town. It was incredible.
That rooftop quickly became one of our favorite places to spend time together. One evening, Bailey and I brought out a deck of Uno cards and spent the next hour or so playing, talking and enjoying ourselves without being distracted by our phones. I also won almost every game, which I feel is worth mentioning. Bailey managed to win one round, but otherwise, it was a very successful evening for me.
Inside Casa Moeca
The apartment itself was a great setup for two people traveling together. Directly inside the entrance was a smaller bedroom with a queen bed, while a hallway to the right led past the two bathrooms and opened into a spacious living room, dining area and kitchen.
The living space had large windows that opened onto little balconies, letting in plenty of natural light, and the kitchen was fully stocked with everything we needed, whether we wanted to prepare our morning espresso or make a full meal. Past the living area was the master bedroom, which had a king bed and large balcony doors that opened onto the street below and let in the prettiest morning light.
The apartment also had air conditioning, which is a must in Italy in August.
The master bedroom did get fairly noisy at night, but I ended up using earplugs and white noise to help me sleep and it was fine.
I also loved the local pottery and decorative pieces throughout Casa Moeca. The apartment had plenty of character, with details that felt connected to the region rather than a generic vacation rental. Several of the ceramics were so beautiful that I later purchased some of it at a flea market in Ostuni.
Balcony Mornings and a Moka Pot
As much as I loved the rooftop, I also loved the little balcony off my bedroom. One morning, I woke up early, made myself some espresso in the moka pot and took my coffee outside. Across from our balcony was an older woman who would come out to shake her laundry and water her plants, and I loved sitting there watching her go about her morning routine.
That morning, the sun was just beginning to peek between the buildings, giving everything this pretty golden glow. I was perfectly content sitting there with my espresso, watching the laundry blowing in the breeze and enjoying the quiet before the town came to life.
Staying in the Heart of Monopoli
One of the best things about Casa Moeca was its location in Monopoli’s historic center. We could walk down to Porto Antico to take pictures by the fishing boats, stop for gelato or coffee at Caffè Roma, or wander around the old town before heading back to change for the nearby beaches.
Being so centrally located was especially convenient during the August heat, when we could easily return to the apartment for a break or outfit change before heading back out in the evening. We were within walking distance of everything we needed in Monopoli, so a car wasn’t necessary.
Would I Stay at Casa Moeca Again?
Absolutely. It was the perfect start to our time in Puglia, and we loved both the location and the beautiful outdoor spaces. I’d recommend it to friends, couples or small families who want to stay in the heart of the old town, explore on foot and have somewhere relaxing to come home to at the end of the day.
When I think back on our stay, I remember that first glass of wine on the rooftop, playing Uno with Bailey, drinking our morning espressos and watching the neighborhood wake up. Those are exactly the kinds of moments I love about staying in an Airbnb, and Casa Moeca gave us plenty of them.