Things to do in Bari
Welcome to Bari
Its sprawling modern cruise-ship and ferry port may be daunting, but Bari’s old town (Bari Vecchia) captivates with historic churches and castle, narrow lanes lined with nonne (grandmothers) rolling out fresh orecchiette pasta, and vibrant atmosphere around Piazza Mercantile and along the waterfront. Top things to do in Bari include city sightseeing tours on foot or by bike, rickshaw, or Segway; street food experiences and cooking classes; and day trips to Castel del Monte, the villages of Polignano a Mare and Conversano, and the ancient ruins of Gnatia.
Top 5 attractions in Bari
Trulli of Alberobello World Heritage Site (Trulli di Alberobello)
Piazza del Ferrarese
Swabian Castle (Castello Svevo)
Trani
Gravina Di Puglia
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All about Bari
When to visit
Scorching in summer and buffeted by sea winds in winter, Bari is at its best in the spring, when the days are mild and long. The most important local festival, the Feast Day of San Nicola, is held each year in early May. Locals celebrate their beloved patron saint with processions on land and sea and fabulous fireworks. Bari is also an ideal spot for a final swim at the end summer; the sea here holds its warmth through October.
Getting around
Bari is Puglia’s main transportation hub, with an international airport, a train station, a bus terminal, and a ferry port. It’s also easy to explore. The historic center is small enough to walk around, and local buses cover the rest of the city and link to outlying towns. The terrain in this coastal area of Puglia is flat, so biking is also an attractive alternative, even for casual cyclists.
Traveler tips
Vegeterians and vegans will be pleased to learn that Bari is one of the few cities in Italy where the most famous local specialty contains no meat or dairy. Orecchiette com cime di rapa is made with fresh pasta tossed with sautéed turnip greens, a bit of olive oil, chili pepper, and garlic. Some versions do add anchovies or sausage for extra flavor, so check with your server before orderings … then dig in!
People Also Ask
The port city of Bari serves as a gateway to (and the largest city of) the Puglia region. It’s known for its charming Old Town, bustling street food scene, and for hosting the bones of St. Nicholas—aka Santa Claus—in its Basilica di San Nicola.
...MoreYes. Though it’s largely known as a gateway to villages such as Alberobello and Polignano a Mare, Bari itself has historic sites worth visiting. Check out the Old Town with historic buildings and churches such as the Basilica di San Nicola, Bari Cathedral, and 12th-century Bari Castle.
...MoreExplore the waterfront and taste local food. Sign up for a cooking class, street food experience, or guided market tour and get to know this charming city in Puglia. Don’t miss Bari’s Old Town, including historic churches and a castle.
...MoreMany travelers will spend only a single day in Bari. This city in Puglia is a gateway to the region’s charming villages such as Polignano a Mare or Alberobello. It is possible to explore the Old Town of Bari, with its historic churches and castle, in a single day.
...MoreYes, many consider Bari to be one of the prettiest cities in Italy’s southern region. From its setting on the turquoise Adriatic Sea to the charming streets and elegant piazzas of its Old Town, Bari is striking in a variety of ways.
...MoreYes, Bari can be touristy around the modern cruise ship and ferry port. But this city is also home to a charming Old Town where grandmothers roll out fresh orecchiette pasta in narrow lanes. Explore the waterfront to see Bari’s vibrant side or get lost in the Old Town for a quieter experience.
...MoreBari information
Number of Attractions | 5 |
|---|---|
Number of Tours | 361 |
Number of Reviews | 2,850 |
Currency | EUR |
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