Last Updated on December 25, 2024
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Bari is an old Port city, a Capital and one of the biggest cities in Puglia. Having one of two airports in the region, Bari serves as a gateway to Puglia, but a lot of people skip the city and immediately head south after picking up their rental car. Despite being often overlooked in favor of other Puglia towns like Monopoli, Ostuni or Polignano al Mare, there are some great things to do in Bari, that make the city worth a quick stop.
So, if you are planning your Puglia itinerary, set aside one day either at the beginning or at the end of the trip. There is a beautiful Old Town in Bari, and this is the part you want to visit. That’s where all the top attractions and landmarks are. It’s best to stay a couple of nights, which will give you a full day of exploring.
One day in Bari is all you need, unless you want to visit some towns nearby as well. Bari makes an excellent home base for exploring the region, especially if you don’t plan on renting a car. The city is well connected with many Puglia destinations by either a train or bus.
How to get to Bari, Italy
If you are traveling by plane, you’ll arrive at Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport, located 12 km outside of the city. To reach the city center, you can take a bus, train or a taxi.
The direct trains, operated by private railway Ferrotramviaria, run frequently throughout the day. As you come out of the Arrivals, head left, and you’ll see Ferroviara Station. Take the escalator down and get your ticket from one of the yellow machines or the ticket counter. It costs €5,30 one way. After getting your ticket, follow the underground tunnel for a few minutes until you reach the platform. It’s a 17-minute train ride and you’ll arrive at Bari Nord station, which is just to the side of Bari Centrale.
You can also catch the bus #16 right outside of the Arrivals and reach Bari’s Center in about 40 minutes. The bus arrives at Piazza Aldo Moro by Bari Centrale.
Once you get to Bari’s center, either by bus or train, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Old Town. Very easy, pretty much all the way straight down Via Sparano, a pedestrian street lined with fancy stores and cafes. The street goes all the way to the Old Town, you’ll know when you’re there.
Best things to do in Bari, Italy
Explore the Old Town
One of the top things to do in Bari is to explore the Old Town, known as Bari Vecchio. This is the part of the city that has all the attractions and if you decide to visit Bari, the Old Town should be your focus. While the other parts of the city can be a bit gritty, Bari Vecchio is very charming.
Bari Vecchio is full of beautiful old architecture, many churches, narrow alleys, cobblestone streets, lively piazzas and a medieval castle. It’s very compact and everything is within walking distance. Best way to explore Bari Vecchio is to simply walk around, put away your map and get lost in the beautiful streets.
Bari’s Old Town is easy to explore on your own, but you can also join this 2-hour Walking Tour of Bari, which covers all the important landmarks and attractions like Basilica of Saint Nicholas, Bari Cathedral and Orecchiette Street, just to name a few. As a special treat, every tour includes a tasting of something local.
Visit Basilica di San Nicola
Bari’s most popular church is the beautiful Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus. His remains were brought from Myra (today’s Turkey) back in the 11th century and are kept in the crypt inside of the Basilica. This makes the church a popular pilgrimage site for both Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
The Basilica is open every day and it’s free to visit.
Visit Bari Cathedral
Bari’s Cathedral, known as Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale San Sabino, is one of the churches in Bari built in Apulian Romanesque Style. It doesn’t get as much attention as Basilica of Saint Nicholas, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
The interior of the Cathedral is rather simple, and not as ornate as some other Cathedrals in Italy and Europe. The most impressive part is actually below the main Cathedral. When you visit be sure to take the stairs on the side and go down to the crypt.
The entrance fee is €7 and includes access to the crypt. If you’d like to visit the Museum, which is in the separate building, it’s additional €4. The Cathedral is open 8.30 am – 7 pm (Sunday hours might differ slightly).
Explore Castello Normanno-Svevo
Built in the 12th century by the Normans, Castello Normanno-Svevo is one of Bari’s biggest landmarks. It was rebuilt several times under different rulers and today it’s open to visitors.
Inside of the castle you can see the inner courtyard and visit several rooms, that are used for various permanent and temporary exhibitions. Despite the castle being pretty big, only a few rooms have exhibits, the rest are empty. You won’t need more than one hour to see it all. Note, that all the descriptions are in Italian, but you can rent an audio guide for €6 Euro.
I thought the best part about visiting Castello Normanno-Svevo was the multimedia projection on the walls about the history of the castle and Bari. Very well done and interesting.
The Castle is open from Tuesday-Sunday 9 am-6pm (closed on Mondays). The admission price is €10 Euro (extra €6 if you get an audio guide). It’s free to visit 1st Sunday of the month.
Stroll Arco Basso
Right across the street from the Castello’s entrance is Arco Basso, better known as Strada delle Orecchiette (Orecchiette Street). On that little street, every day around 10 am local woman set up tables outside of their homes and make traditional pasta from Bari called orecchiette. Orecchiette means “little ears” in Italian and that’s exactly what the pasta looks like.
The pasta making ladies became quite an attraction and no trip to Bari is complete without seeing them. It’s amazing to see how fast they work and how effortless they make it look, while chatting with each other and tourists. One of them, Nunzia, seems to be the most popular pasta lady with an almost celebrity like status.
You can also pick up a bag of orecchiette to bring home. Besides the traditional ear shaped pasta, they also sell other shapes and some traditional snacks as well.
Stroll along Lungomare Nazario Sauro
Lungomare is a seaside promenade you can find in a lot of towns and cities in Italy. Bari is no exception. Lungomare Nazario Sauro is just a small section of the very long promenade, but it’s the most popular since it’s right by the Old Town.
No matter how much of it you want to cover, Lungomare is great place for a walk, any time of the day, especially in late afternoon during Golden Hour and sunset. You can enjoy the breeze and the beautiful views of Adriatic Sea along the way.
If you walk away from the Old Town heading south, you’ll eventually end up at Pane a Pomodoro, one of Bari’s beaches. It’s a city beach, so not the prettiest you will see in Puglia, but if you’d like to check it out, it’s about a 25–30-minute walk from Bari Vecchio.
I personally enjoyed walking the other way, as that has the best views of the city and the Old Town. If you go earlier in the day, keep walking past Teatro Margherita and stop at Porto Vecchio (the Old Port), that’s right next to it. This is when fishermen hang out and bring in their daily catch. There’s a fish market there, where you can get some raw seafood for just a few Euros.
Stop at Teatro Margherita and Teatro Pertruzzelli
Bari is home to two beautiful theatres. Both have beautiful architecture and
Teatro Petruzzelli was built in 1903 and is one of the biggest theatres in Italy. It’s a beautiful venue that over the years hosted performers like Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Callas. Sadly, the theatre was burned down in the 1990s but got rebuilt and reopened in 2008. If you are in the mood to attend a concert, ballet or opera while in Bari, you can check the schedule here. They also run tours of the theatre, if don’t have time or interest in attending a performance. The 30-minute tour takes you through the Lobby and Auditorium and costs 5. Check the tour schedule for your dates here.
Just a short walk away, sitting right by the water, is Teatro Margherita. It’s a beautiful building, built in 1914 in Beaux-Arts and Liberty style. It was used as a theatre and cinema until 1979, then closed for several years. Today it’s used as a museum and space for photography and contemporary art exhibitions. Even if you have no interest in any of it, the building itself is worth seeing up close.
Try Focaccia Barese
You are in Italy, so naturally this list of best things to do in Bari will include a good amount of eating. One of the things you HAVE to try in Bari is Focaccia Barese. The Italian flatbread originated in Liguria, but you’ll find different varieties of it in different regions of Italy.
In Bari, Focaccia is made with durum wheat flour and potatoes, topped with salt, olives, tomatoes and rosemary. It’s cooked in a pan with olive oil, making it very crunchy, but thanks to the potatoes in the dough it’s soft inside.
A small bakery Panificio Santa Rita is where you will find the best focaccia in Bari. It was recommended to me by a local, and it sure did not disappoint. It’s a popular place with both tourists and locals and there’s almost always a line out the door, but trust me, it will be worth the wait.
When you go, you want to get Focaccia Tradizionale, which is topped with olives and tomatoes. It was honestly one of the best things I ever ate in Italy. Panifico Santa Rita is open every day but Sunday, from 8:50 am – 2pm and 6.15 pm – 9:15 pm.
If you happen to walk by Panificio Fiori, that is another place, that makes excellent Focaccia.
Enjoy a fish cone from Don John
Being a port city, seafood is a big part of Puglia cuisine. For a snack while strolling around Old Town, stop at Don Fish and grab a seafood cone or tray and enjoy it on the go or on the steps in front of the Cathedral right across.
They have calamari, prawns, cod, shrimp and squid, all fresh and fried to perfection. While they are mostly known for fried seafood, they do have a delicious octopus salad. Great option, if you need a bite, but are not hungry enough for dinner.
Try the Octopus sandwich from Mastro Ciccio
There is so much great street food in Bari, that you could easily get through the day without having a proper sit-down dinner. Another must visit spot for any sea food lover is Mastro Ciccio. And the reason is their grilled octopus sandwich.
Go on a Food Tour
Food tours are a great way to sample many regional dishes in one day, so they are perfect on short trips, when it’s virtually impossible to try every local specialty. Orecchiette, Spaghetti all’Assassina, Panzerotti, Focaccia Barese and Buratta are just a few of the foods to try. So, if you are visiting for just one day and are a foodie, taking a food tour is one of the must things to do in Bari.
There are several great ones to choose from. During this 2.5-hour Bari Street Food Tour with Wine Tasting & Historic Sights, you get to the best of Bari’s street food like focaccia, panzerotti and octopus sandwich, along with Primitivo, which is a local wine. All while exploring the Old Town.
This Bari: Italian Street Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks is also highly rated and recommended. It’s a 3-hour tour with lots of delicious food, so you might leave pretty full. You’ll also learn some of Bari’s history while enjoying the tastings.
Take a cooking class
If you enjoy cooking and would like to learn how to make some of Puglia specialties you got to try, why not take one of the cooking classes in Bari. A lot of these take place in the locals’ homes, which makes for such a great experience.
Try Panzerotti from Venezia 40
Venezia 40 is a small place right on Bari’s City Walls and the spot to get the best Panzerotti in Bari. Panzerotti is a deep-fried pocket with all kinds of fillings from meat, cheese, tomatoes . It’s basically like a mini calzone and eaten it. It originated in Puglia and it’s one of the most popular street foods
They have a huge variety of Panzerotti to choose from, with all kinds of fillings. It’s a great little place, nothing fancy, just a few tables indoors and a couple outside right on the City Walls facing the water. They are open every day from 7pm-11pm, so if you need a late-night snack, it’s the perfect place.
Day trips from Bari
While there are some fun things to do in Bari, the city is also an excellent base for exploring other towns in Puglia. There are many great places to visit near Bari, that make for a perfect day trip, most within an hour’s drive or a train ride.
Having a car makes it easy to explore Puglia and take all these day trips, but if you don’t want to rent one, you can definitely get there by a train or bus. Bari Centrale, which is the main train station, connects the city with many other popular Puglia destinations.
And if you don’t want to neither drive nor navigate the public transportation, there are also plenty of organized tours you can join. It’s not my preferred way of exploring but might be yours. Since most of these towns are small, guided tours usually combine 2 or 3 places for a fun full day. Anything more than that is way too much for one day. Don’t book those tours.
Alberobello
Alberobello is easily one of the most popular and most photographed places in Puglia. It’s located in Itria Valley, about one hour away from Bari and makes for a great day trip from Puglia’s Capital.
The town’s claim to fame are the dry-stone white houses with cone shaped roofs, known as Trulli. They are typical for the region, and you can see them scattered all over Puglia, but only in Alberobello you’ll find hundreds of them clustered together. Trulli houses earned Alberobello a UNESCO World Heritage Status and are the town’s main attraction.
On your Alberobello day trip, you can walk around two Trulli filled neighborhoods: Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccoli. First one is the more touristy part, where many of the Trulli are now souvenir stores, hotels and restaurants. Rione Aia Piccoli is more residential and less commercialized. Both are worth visiting, either on your own or by joining a Walking Tour.
Be sure to stop at Parrocchia di Sant’Antonio di Padova, the only Trullo church in the world and Trullo Sovrano, the largest Trullo turned heritage museum you can visit for just 2 Euro.
This fairy tale like village is on everyone’s Puglia itinerary, and it can get really crowded there mid-day. Best time to go is early in the morning, before other day trippers and tour buses arrive. And even better, if you have time, stay overnight in one of the Trulli hotels. It’s one of the top things to do in Alberobello and a fun experience you won’t have anywhere else in the world.
Alberobello is a small town, and you don’t really need a full day to see it all, so if you get there early, you can also visit Locorotondo in the same day. It’s another beautiful town, just 10 minutes away, much quieter with less people.
The easiest way to get from Bari to Alberobello is by driving. It’s 54 km away and it takes a solid hour to get there. It’s a bit tricky without a car, but not impossible. You can reach Alberobello from Bari by bus, that leaves from the bus stop behind the train station. The second easiest way is to visit Alberobello on a guided tour like this one, that visits both Alberobello and Matera in one day. Highly rated and recommended.
Monopoli
Being just 45 km south of Bari, Monopoli is another great place to visit on a day trip. This beautiful seaside town is one of my favorite places in Puglia. It has the classic Puglia whitewashed houses, picturesque little harbor and several beaches nearby. And it doesn’t get as busy as other more popular Puglia destinations, so the vibe is more local and relaxed.
While in Monopoli, spend some time walking around Centro Storico, visit the Cathedral (free), and take a walk along Lungomare, the seaside promenade. Porto Antico, old harbor with the blue and red fishing boats, is one of the most picturesque spots in Monopoli and a must visit. There’s a great little wine bar around the corner, Tuttoapposto, if you’d like to have a drink with a view of the harbor.
One of Monopoli’s landmarks is Castello Carlo V, a 16th century medieval castle. Walk around it for beautiful views of the Old Port and the City. You can skip going in, as it’s just a couple exhibitions inside, not worth the admission price.
There are also several beaches in and near Monopoli. Cala Porta Vecchia is the closest one right outside of the historic center. And if you’d like to get out on the water, take a boat trip to see the Polignano a Mare caves.
To get from Bari to Monopoli, hop on the Trenitalia train at the main Bari Centrale station and you’ll be there in just 35-45 minutes, depending on how many stops the train makes along the way. Once you get to Monopoli, the old Town is an easy 10-minute walk from the station.
Polignano A Mare
Polignano a Mare is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Bari. It’s known for whitewashed buildings, dramatic cliffs, crystal clear water and beautiful beaches.
This is where Lama Monachile (or Cala Porto), one of the most famous beaches in Puglia, is located. Chances are, if you start researching Puglia, a picture of Lama Monachile will be one of the first images that appear. The beach sits in a cove, and it’s nestled between two huge cliffs, creating a really beautiful setting.
For a great view of the beach from above, head to Belvedere su Lama Monachile or the bridge. If you actually want to spend some time at the beach, try to get there early. It’s not big and it gets really crowded in high season.
Spend some time strolling around the Old Town. It’s small but full of charming narrow alleys, piazzas, cafes and restaurants. When you walk around, keep an eye out on poetry on walls, doors and staircases.
No visit to Polignano a Mare is complete without a stop at Domenico Modugno statue, who was born in town. He wrote and performed the famous Nel blu, dipinto di blu song, better known as Volare and the town is clearly really proud of him.
One of the best things to do in Polignano al Mare is it take a boat tour along the coast, see the caves and take a dip in the crystal clear water. There are plenty of boat tours available, and if you’d like to book one in advance, I took this specific one and highly recommend it. You have to get out on the water in Polignano a Mare and this was a fun way to spend 1.5 hours.
Polignano al Mare is also where you will find Grotta Palazzese, the world-famous cave restaurant with some of the best views in Puglia. Despite being on the pricey side and mixed food reviews, it’s very popular, so be sure to make a reservation if you’d like to dine there.
You can get from Bari to Polignano a Mare by train in just 40 minutes. They run frequently and leave from the main Bari Centrale station. Once there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Old Town. Another option is booking this guided tour, that combines Polignano a Mare with a visit to Alberobello.
Ostuni
Known for whitewashed houses, which earned it the nickname White City, Ostuni is one of the most popular day trips from Bari. Located in Itria Valley, Ostuni sits on top of a hill overlooking the countryside, endless olive trees and Adriatic Sea.
The best thing to do in Ostuni is to just wander around the Old Town and get lost in the narrow streets and alleys. Stop at Piazza della Liberta for coffee or Apperitivo, walk the City Walls and enjoy the beautiful views around. As you stroll around, Ostuni’s Gothic Cathedral, Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta is also a must see.
You should know that Ostuni is one of the most popular day trips in Puglia, so it can get pretty crowded mid-day, especially in high season. Plan to arrive early on the earlier side to enjoy it with fewer people around.
You can reach Ostuni from Bari by car in about an hour, and that is by far the best way of getting there. Getting to Ostuni by train is also easy, but the train station is a bit of a walk (2km) and a steep one, to the Old Town. You’ll most likely need a take taxi or a bus to the town center. You can also visit Ostuni on a guided tour, which includes stops in Polignano a Mare and Cisternino.
Trani
This beautiful seaside town, 48 km north of Bari, and is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s not as popular as the other Puglia day trips, but just as beautiful and charming.
Like many other Puglia towns, Trani has a beautiful Old Town, full of narrow alleys, churches and a medieval Castle. You can wander around on your own or join a Walking Tour.
One of the highlights of your Trani day trip will sure be seeing the incredibly beautiful seaside Cathedral. Built using Trani stone in Romanesque style, Cattedrale di Trani, sits right in big square right by the water. You can visit the Cathedral and go up its bell tower every day for free.
Trani has a big and picture-perfect harbor, full of all kinds of boats. Hands down the most beautiful harbor out of all the towns I visited during my 10 days in Puglia. It’s surrounded by many cafes and restaurants, so you can have a bite to eat right by the water. There is also a long seaside promenade, with beautiful views, that leads to Trani’s lighthouse.
You can easily get from Bari to Treni by train. Trenitalia trains leave from Bari Centrale every 20-30 minutes, and it takes 30 minutes to get there. Once you get to Trani, the Old Town is about a 20-minute walk from the train station.
Matera
This stunning Cave City is located in Basilicata, just over the border with Puglia, which makes it easy to visit on a day trip from Bari. To be completely honest, Matera deserves an overnight, but if a day trip is all you can do, be sure to get an early start, so you have a long day to explore this unique city.
Matera is a place that went from being a Shame of Italy to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. As recently as in 1950s, people lived in the caves known as sassi sharing one room their animals in terrible conditions. After government intervention, the city got cleaned up, many of the caves turned into boutique hotels and Matera is now a city people love to visit.
One of the best things to do in Matera is to explore both Sassi, visit Cave churches, a Cave Museum, where they recreate what it was like to live in one of the Caves. Matera is very hilly and there are many great viewpoints with amazing views of the Sassi.
The history of Matera is fascinating, and I highly recommend taking a walking tour of Sassi during your visit. You will learn so much about the city and its past, which will make your visit that much better.
The quickest and easiest way to get from Bari to Matera is by car and it’s about a 50-60-minute drive. Keep in mind though, that parking is restricted in the Sassi area, and you’ll need to leave your car outside of the Old Town.
Getting to Matera by public transportation is also possible, either by bus or train. Buses are quicker and direct but will drop you off at a stop 2 km from the Old Town. Trains take close to 2 hours and require a change in Altamura, but the train station in Matera is a very short walk to the Sassi area. Trains from Bari to Matera are operated by Ferrovie Appulo Lucane and leave from a small station around the corner from Bari Centrale. You can find more details about that in my Matera guide.
And finally, if you don’t want to drive and public transportation seems like a hassle, you can book a Matera day trip from Bari like this one. Another option is this longer day trip, that visits both Matera and Alberobello.
Where to stay in Bari, Italy
The Old Town is where you want to stay in Bari, especially if you are going for just a day or two. It’s where majority of the attractions are and this way, you’ll be in the midst of all the action. Bari Vecchio is very compact, and nothing is too far away. It’s also the most charming part of the city.
A lot of Bari accommodations are apartments and B&Bs, which you can find on Booking.com. Keep in mind, that those are in old, historic buildings with no elevator, so if your apartment is on the higher floor, you have to be OK with the stairs.
B&B Murex – great comfortable place in an excellent location in the Old Town near the Castle. Great breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace. The host gets high praises for the amazing hospitality. Note, that there’s a rather narrow and steep staircase to get to the room, so might not be the best choice for anyone with mobility issues.
Casa di Zia Puppeta – beautiful 1 bedroom apartment in the perfect location for exploring the Old Town of Bari. It’s close enough to all Bari attractions, but on a quiet street. There is a small, well-equipped kitchen with a fridge and stovetop. All past guests mention the host who goes above and beyond to make the stay a memorable one.
Suite Torre Arcobasso – stylish apartment in central location, overlooking Arco Basso, the famous Orecchiette Street. There is a terrace on top of the building with great city views.
Is Bari worth visiting?
A 100% yes! Many people skip Bari when visiting Puglia, which I think it’s a mistake. Especially if that’s where you fly into. You traveled all the way there, why not stop for a day and see the highlights of Puglia’s capital. And one day in Bari is all you need, so shouldn’t be that hard to work that into your Puglia itinerary.
I think Bari is a very underrated city. It might not have a huge list of world known attractions like Florence or Rome, but it’s definitely worth visiting. It has a beautiful Old Town, great architecture, lively harbor and amazing food. It’s also a place that is very welcoming, yet doesn’t really cater to tourists, so you get that authentic Italian experience.
I really enjoyed Bari, and I’m glad I decided to spend a full day in the city before heading south and I highly recommend you doing the same.
READ MORE:
- 17 Amazing Things to do in Matera, Italy – The City of Caves
- Is Alberobello worth visiting? – A Guide to Puglia’s Trulli Town
- How to visit Pisa and Lucca in one day – day trip from Florence
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