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Bari is a standard entry level to the Italian area of Puglia with prepare, flight, and ferry connections to the remainder of the nation and past.
Visitors used to only cross by way of Bari on their method to close by scenic hill cities, however that’s altering, and the town is nicely price together with in your Puglia journey.
Bari’s previous city includes a maze of picturesque lanes, spectacular church buildings, and scrumptious road meals. We love immersing ourselves within the energetic environment.
In this Bari Italy journey information, I share our favorite issues to do in Bari together with the very best meals, tips on how to get there, the place to remain, and a map with all our suggestions.
Contents
Where is Bari, Italy?
Bari is the capital metropolis of Puglia (also called Apulia), a area within the far south of Italy (within the heel of its boot).
It’s positioned a five-hour drive southeast of Rome (4 hours by prepare) and three hours from Naples.
Towards the top of this put up, I share a map and particulars on tips on how to get to Bari.
What is Bari Known For?
Bari is named a serious transport hub in southern Italy with a global airport, main prepare station, and ferry port.
It’s additionally identified for its charming previous city with a maze of slim streets the place native girls make recent pasta exterior.
The Basilica of Saint Nicholas is one in every of Bari’s most well-known sights because it homes the stays of St Nicholas. It’s an essential pilgrimage vacation spot for Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
Best Things to Do in Bari Puglia
1) Get Lost in Bari Vecchia (Old Town)
My primary choose of the very best issues to do in Bari is to wander the streets of Bari Vecchia, the compact previous city on a peninsula jutting into the ocean.
The labyrinth of slim lanes could be very totally different from the large, orderly grid of streets within the newer a part of Bari.
It has a energetic, lived-in really feel. This isn’t only a place for vacationers to admire the great thing about the tiny piazzas, church buildings, and archways. When you duck down a aspect road you are feeling such as you’re strolling by way of somebody’s front room.
Life is lived on the streets right here. Doors are open, elders sit exterior, youngsters play on the road, washing dangles from strains. You can hear households arguing and cooking and laughing.
Bari Vecchia has a barely chaotic vibe, however the vitality is enjoyable to immerse your self in. And because it’s largely pedestrianised, it’s a pleasure to wander.
Most of the highest Bari sights detailed beneath are in Bari Vecchia.
2) Take a Walking Tour with Food Tastings
Taking a meals tour is one in every of our favorite methods to discover an Italian metropolis, so we signed as much as this Bari Street Food Tour by Velo.
It was the least food-focused of the culinary excursions we’ve taken in Italy, and the one one the place we’ve gone hungry (till the very finish).
I do nonetheless suggest the tour, but it surely’s finest to think about it as a cultural strolling tour with just a few meals tastings.
If you might be quick on time, the tour takes you to the primary Bari sights and teaches you about its historical past in simply three hours. You’ll additionally attempt a few of Bari’s most well-known meals together with focaccia and sgagliozze (extra on these beneath).
Our information was pleasant and educated and we did study rather a lot in regards to the metropolis.
We additionally received to affix in with a neighborhood musician enjoying conventional tarantella music, which isn’t one thing we’d have been capable of do on our personal.
Check availability for the Bari Street Food Tour right here.
3) Watch Fresh Pasta Being Made
Space is restricted in Bari Vecchia, so native girls started making and promoting recent pasta on the road exterior their houses.
Now nicknamed Strada delle Orecchiette after the regional “little ears” pasta they make, the pasta road is without doubt one of the most well-known locations to go to in Bari.
You’ll discover the pasta stalls on a tiny road referred to as Arco Basso, named for the archway that leads from Piazza Federico II Di Svevia (the place you’ll discover Bari’s Castle).
Please be respectful when taking images of the pasta makers and purchase one thing from the stalls.
The recent pasta is dried and lasts as much as 15 days with out refrigeration (orecchiette value €2.50 for half a kilo on our go to), so you possibly can take some residence. They additionally promote sun-dried tomatoes and taralli (a crunchy native snack).
We stayed at B&B Murex, which is conveniently positioned proper on Arco Basso.
4) Hang Out within the Main Squares
An Italian piazza or sq. is all the time a hub for assembly associates and having drinks or dinner.
The two principal squares in Bari Vecchia are Piazza Mercantile and Piazza del Ferrarese, which sit aspect by aspect.
In Piazza del Ferrarese you possibly can see the place the previous indoor markets was once, now the Spazio Murat up to date artwork gallery.
Just south is Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the dividing line between the previous and new cities. There was as soon as a gate right here to separate the 2. You can see the place the previous partitions have been and the stays of the primary road from the thirteenth century.
In Piazza Mercantile you possibly can see the disturbing Colonna della Giustizia (Column of Justice). In the sixteenth century, the column was used to punish debtors by tying them bare to the column for 3 days. You can nonetheless see the marks from the ropes on the stone.
There are loads of bars and eating places within the two piazzas. We particularly loved sandwiches at Voglia Pane e Vino and antipasti at La Cecchina.
5) Sample Local Focaccia
Trying focaccia is a Bari should do as the town has a few of the finest focaccia in all of Italy (solely Liguria rivals it).
The bread is topped with tomatoes and olives and glistens with native olive oil.
The finest locations to attempt Focaccia Barese are Panificio Fiore (our strolling tour stopped at this bakery that was once a Byzantine church) and Panificio Santa Rita (our B&B purchased it from right here each morning).
Both are finest within the morning when it’s freshly baked and nonetheless heat, however count on to queue. It’s price it!
6) Try Bari Street Food
Bari is thought for its reasonably priced, tasty road meals. As nicely as focaccia, you possibly can attempt sgagliozze, squares of fried polenta.
We tried them on our strolling tour from Le Sgagliozze di Donna Carmela on Largo Albicocca. You can seize a bag to remove from the stall exterior the restaurant. Maria delle Sgagliozze is one other widespread spot.
Honestly, we discovered sgagliozze just a little boring, however some individuals love them.
Even tastier (in our opinion) are panzerotti, fried dough full of varied fillings comparable to mozzarella and tomato. It’s like a fried model of a calzone (stuffed pizza) or a savoury doughnut.
You can discover panzerotti throughout Bari. The finest we had was at Pizzeria di Cosimo.
7) Feast at Largo Albicocca
Largo Albicocca is a tiny, picturesque piazza in Bari Vecchia that’s often called Piazza degli Innamorati (Square of the Lovers).
It actually has a romantic vibe with its strings of lights and old style lanterns.
Quiet by day, it comes alive within the evenings when locals flock right here for scrumptious meals.
Pizzeria di Cosimo serves up a few of the finest pizza we’ve ever had. It’s reasonably priced (€4.50 for a margherita), easy, and excellent.
This isn’t a elaborate place to eat. You queue to position your order on the counter and get given a quantity, which you might want to pay attention out for (in Italian) or look ahead to on the display.
The pizzas are available in a field so you possibly can seize a seat at one of many plastic outside tables or perch on the steps within the piazza.
On a Sunday evening, it was pure chaos, and it took us an hour to get our pizza. Luckily, we’d ordered a panzerotto as nicely, and these come out extra rapidly than the pizza. It was definitely worth the wait, and we returned just a few days later (a lot quieter on a Tuesday).
Pizzeria di Cosimo is open from 6.30pm to midnight and is closed on Mondays.
If you get hungry ready in your pizza, seize some takeaway scagliozze from the stand subsequent door.
8) Visit Basilica di San Nicola
Basilica di San Nicola is the town’s most well-known church and one of many prime issues to see in Bari.
The Twelfth-century church has a easy however imposing Romanesque facade. The hovering inside is crossed with arches, and the austere stone contrasts with the gold frescoed ceiling.
The crypt downstairs homes the bones of St Nicholas (yep, the one often called Father Christmas), which have been stolen from Turkey in 1087.
Many Orthodox pilgrims come right here, and it’s additionally essential to locals, who have a good time St Nicholas with an enormous competition each May.
Entry to Basilica di San Nicola is free, and it’s open from 7am to eight.30pm.
9) See the Duomo
Bari’s Cathedral or the Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale San Sabino is often known as Il Duomo.
It has an analogous Romanesque facade to Basilica di San Nicola and is surprisingly plain (if immense) inside.
Entrance is free, but it surely closes within the afternoons.
The bar on the piazza, Stefy’s Cathedral Coffee, is an effective spot for a drink and to admire the carvings on the entrance of the Duomo.
10) Walk on Bari’s Old Walls
Past Basilica di San Nicola you’ll discover stairs that take you as much as the previous metropolis partitions, that are an excellent place for a stroll with sea views and the next perspective of the town.
You may entry the partitions from additional down at B&B La Muraglia.
A superb place for a drink is La Ciclatera Sotto il Mare, a bar with outside seating overlooking the marina. Afterwards, if you wish to proceed strolling, head right down to the Lungomare.
11) Stroll the Bari Lungomare
Bari’s Lungomare (seafront promenade) is the longest in Europe at 15km (9.3 miles).
The large walkway is good for a stroll, particularly round sundown. In the mornings, it’s in full solar and a bit intense in the summertime warmth.
The finest part to stroll is from close to Piazza del Ferrarese and previous Teatro Margherita and the previous port with vibrant fishing boats.
You may proceed all the best way to the favored Bari seaside, Pane e Pomodoro, which is 2km (1.2 miles) and 25 minutes from Teatro Margherita.
12) See Museo Teatro Margherita
On your stroll alongside Bari’s Lungomare you’ll come throughout Teatro Margherita, a particular pink constructing overlooking the fishing harbour.
It was inbuilt 1912 after the unique wood theatre burnt down in a hearth only a yr after opening.
It’s on pillars within the sea as there was already one other massive theatre within the metropolis and no different theatres have been allowed to be constructed on Bari land.
While it not features as a theatre, there are generally up to date artwork exhibitions inside (test within the close by vacationer info workplace).
13) Relax on the Beach
While the very best Puglia seashores are farther from the town, in case you are searching for some leisure, Spiaggia Pane e Pomodoro (Bread and Tomato Beach) is a good choice.
It has powdery white sand and shallow clear water. We thought it was busy on a weekday morning in July however later realised how Puglia seashores get a lot busier than this.
Unlike many seashores in Italy, Pane e Pomodoro is free, and also you’ll must carry your personal chairs and umbrella if wanted.
It’s a 30-minute stroll from Bari Vecchia, or there’s paid parking close by.
14) See Bari Castle
I wouldn’t say the fort is a Bari should see, but it surely’s price strolling previous this imposing fortress on the sting of Bari Vecchia.
Castello Svevo di Bari was initially constructed by Norman King Roger II in 1132 and destroyed just a few many years later earlier than being rebuilt by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in 1233.
It’s surrounded by a moat besides on the aspect that borders the ocean.
There’s a small museum inside with altering exhibitions, however we skipped it. Reviews are blended and you may’t stroll on the fort partitions.
15) Eat a Gelato
Opposite the fort is the very best gelato in Bari at Antica Gelateria Gentile. The Chocolate Africano flavour with chunks of chocolate and cherry was wonderful.
This place will get busy so count on to queue, particularly on weekend evenings.
When we couldn’t get in on a Sunday evening, we walked to Gelateria Piccinni within the new a part of Bari. It wasn’t nearly as good as Gentile, but it surely was nonetheless pleasurable and wonderful worth (€1 for one flavour).
16) Shop on Via Sparano
While most of those prime issues to do in Bari are within the historic centre, in case you like procuring, head to Via Sparano within the fashionable half.
This pedestrianised procuring road options a mixture of designer names (Prada, Louis Vuitton) and extra reasonably priced manufacturers, in addition to pavement cafes spilling out from Art Nouveau palaces.
17) Enjoy an Aperitivo
An night aperitivo is one in every of our favorite rituals in Italy. Enjoying a pre-dinner drink with snacks is an effective way to take a break, watch Bari life unfold, and tide you over till the put up 8pm meal time.
Bari just isn’t in need of locations to partake within the basic Aperol Spritz. Piazza del Ferrarese is a energetic spot to go to with many bars with outside seating.
We loved Voglia Pane e Vino (additionally nice for a sandwich lunch) and Mercantile Nove.
For a sea view, head to La Ciclatera Sotto il Mare as an alternative.
Or in case you are on a decent finances, El Chiringuito is a quite simple bar subsequent to the previous port the place younger Barese hang around.
You’ll have to take a seat on the steps, however you received’t discover cheaper than the €1.20 bottles of Peroni (it’s all in regards to the beer right here).
Note that not like in northern Italy, you’ll must pay additional in your aperitivo snacks.
Day Trips from Bari
Bari could make an awesome base to discover Puglia, particularly in case you don’t need to rent a automotive.
Here are a few of the finest day journeys from Bari:
- Trani – An elegant seaside city half-hour north on the prepare.
- Polignano a Mare – A spectacular small city perched on rocks above the ocean. It takes 15 to 45 minutes on the prepare south from Bari.
- Monopoli – A fairly seaside city simply south of Polignano.
- Matera – This metropolis of caves in neighbouring Basilicata is a should see. It’s price spending an evening or two right here, however it’s attainable as a day journey from Bari. It’s a one hour drive or 1 hour 45 minute prepare journey from Bari. Or take this Matera day journey by minivan. See our Matera Italy journey information for extra particulars.
- Alberobello – The picturesque city of trulli is touristy however price visiting. It’s simpler by automotive from Bari (50 minutes), however buses and trains can be found (test schedules upfront).
Our information to the finest locations to go to in Puglia has many extra concepts for exploring the area.
Where to Stay in Bari Italy
While staying near Bari prepare station is handy in case you plan to take day journeys, I extremely suggest staying within the far more charming Bari Vecchia.
On our newest go to, we stayed at B&B Murex and couldn’t have requested for a greater location. It’s on the pasta road and across the nook from our favorite piazza Largo Albicocca. We may simply stroll in all places and it’s solely quarter-hour from the station.
It’s run by a pleasant younger couple who gave us a number of ideas and meals suggestions.
There are 4 easy however pretty rooms with a clear, recent really feel. There’s a shared fridge with free bottled water (unusually in glass, not plastic) and comfortable drinks.
Breakfast on the roof terrace is sweet and contains freshly baked focaccia from a neighborhood bakery.
Another B&B that appears pretty is La Muraglia, which is true on the town partitions with sea views.
Check out extra lodging choices in Bari right here.
How Long to Spend in Bari
Bari Vecchia is compact and you may see the primary sights in half a day.
For most guests who’re making an attempt to see as a lot of Puglia as attainable in every week or two, one evening can be sufficient in Bari.
We stayed three nights on our final go to, although, and loved having extra time to wander and eat.
If you need to use Bari as a base to discover Puglia, you could possibly simply spend 4-7 nights right here.
Getting to Bari
Bari is a superb entry level to Puglia.
Bari Karol Wojtyla International Airport (BRI) has flights from throughout Europe with finances airways like Easyjet, Ryanair, and Wizzair. It’s a 20-minute drive exterior the town and taxis, buses, and a prepare can be found.
Bari Centrale station has trains to Lecce (90 minutes), Rome (4 hours), Bologna (6 hours), and Milan (7.5 hours). To get to Naples (4 hours), you’ll probably have to vary in Caserta or take a bus.
Bari port has ferries to Greece, Albania, Croatia, and Montenegro.
While I like to recommend hiring a automotive to discover Puglia, you may need to choose it up whenever you go away the town as parking generally is a problem.
If you do must park, Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo Parking on the sting of the previous city is without doubt one of the finest choices (paid in the course of the day and free at evening and on weekends).
On our newest journey, we flew into Bari, took a non-public switch to Matera and again to Bari (after 4 nights in Matera) and solely collected our rent automotive when leaving Bari. The taxi made the journey straightforward and we didn’t have to fret about parking in both metropolis.
We normally use Rental Cars and Kayak to search out the very best offers on rent automobiles.
Bari Italy Map
Is Bari Worth Visiting?
Yes, Bari is nicely price visiting in your Puglia journey! The previous city is a superb, chaotic maze to discover, the meals is great, and it’s straightforward to go out on day journeys.
I hope this put up has given you some concepts on what to do in Bari. While there aren’t a ton of main sights, it’s a wonderful place for wandering and consuming.