Luxury Holiday Villas in Bari

Towns and Cities in Bari

Covering an area of nearly 4000 square kilometres, the towns and cities in Bari are many and varied.

Alberobello

One of three cultural UNESCO World Heritage sites in Puglia, Alberobello is famous for its collection of approximately 1500 conical-shaped trulli.

Altamura

Altamura is affectionately known as Italy’s bread capital. Wander around its streets on your Bari villa holiday, and you will smell the Pane di Altamura being baked in its historic wood ovens. There is much to admire in Altamura’s historic centre, not least the 13th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. However, Altamura is perhaps most famous for being home to the 130,000-year-old skeleton of the Neanderthal Altamura man and for a number of 70 million-year-old dinosaur footprints.

Bari

A lively port city, Bari is known for the walled Bari Vecchia (old town), a charming Medieval area characterised by a narrow maze of streets where you will find local women still making fresh orecchiette pasta outside their homes. This is where you will also find the Basilica di San Nicola, a 12th-century church that houses the relics of Saint Nicholas. Just outside the old walls is the Castello Normanno-Svevo, an impressive medieval castle originally built by the Normans but which was subsequently expanded. This part of the city contrasts greatly with the modern, grid-patterned Murat district, with its wide streets, train station and opera house.

Gravina in Puglia

A cliffside town, Gravina in Puglia is famous for its deep canyon and ancient cave homes. Its underground city is filled with historic tunnels and cellars. A stone aqueduct bridge, which featured in the James Bond film No Time to Die, spans its dramatic gorge.

Locorotondo

Officially one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Locorotondo is filled with cummerse, ancient buildings with slanted roofs whose houses are festooned with flowers. This is a town to simply wander in during your stay in one of our luxury villa rentals in Bari, getting lost in its maze of streets.

Monopoli

Another of Bari’s charming coastal towns, Monopoli’s sandy beaches, whitewashed streets, historic churches and lively piazzas make it well worth the trip. Watch the fisherman bringing in their catch in the picturesque harbour, visit the 17th-century cathedral which dominates the town and head to the top of the 16th-century castle to take in the views.

Polignano a Mare

One of Puglia’s most striking coastal towns, Polignano a Mare is perched on dramatic limestone cliffs above the Adriatic Sea below. Narrow white-washed streets, hidden terraces and piazzas wait to be discovered on your luxury villa holiday in Bari. Below, the famous Lama Monachile beach offers a unique and spectacular setting for sunbathing and swimming whilst divers launch themselves into the sea from the rocks above.

Best areas to stay in on a luxury holiday in Bari

Whilst we encourage our guests to spend a night in the city of Bari, we recommend you opt to spend most of your Puglia holiday in a luxury villa in the countryside outside the city.

Our strongest recommendation would be to choose a luxury Bari holiday villa in the Valle d’Itria. This is the picture-postcard landscapes visitors expect when opting for a Puglia holiday. Consider the areas around Alberobello and Locorotondo. Alternatively, if you prefer to be near the coast, opt for the stunning views and sandy beaches around Polignano a Mare or Monopoli.

Amenities for your luxury holiday in Bari

Large villas for families

With something for everyone to enjoy, Puglia is a great choice for multi-generation families in search of a luxury villa holiday. With 8 bedrooms, this Polignano Masseria can accommodate all the family in the lap of luxury.

Villas by the sea 

Puglia is the perfect luxury holiday destination for beach lovers. And, if you are looking for a luxury villa rental in Bari near the sea, then you won’t get much better than Casa Clementine, a contemporary 5-bedroom Bari villa with direct beach access as well as a private pool.

Things to do on a luxury holiday in Bari

As well as discovering all of the villages, towns and cities in Bari – Alberobello, Gravina in Puglia, Locorotondo, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare – there are plenty of other things to see and do on your luxury villa holiday in Puglia.

Head to the beach

With 90 kilometres of coastline, Bari has a long stretch of shoreline to discover. Opt to go snorkelling in a quiet rocky cove, enjoy water sports close to dramatic cliffs or simply relax with a book on an idyllic stretch of long sandy beach.

Discover the Alta Murgia National Park

This is one of the natural UNESCO World Heritage sites in Puglia. It spans both the region of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani. Walkers will discover an abundance of wildlife here as well as a number of fascinating architectural buildings which reveal the history of the area. These include poste – dry stone walled buildings once used by shepherds – as well as jazzi which were on. It also includes some fascinating architecture in towns such as Altamura and Gravina in Puglia situated on the southern and western edges of the park boundaries.

Discover the pasta ladies

Bari is famous for its pasta ladies. Head to the Strada Arco Basso in Bari Vecchia close to the Normal castle to watch the ladies sitting on the street, rolling and cutting their dough to form orecchiette.

Taste the Pane di Altamura

Each Italian region has its own type of bread, but the Pane di Altamura in Bari is arguably the most famous. It dates back centuries – the Latin poet Horace described it as ‘the best bread in the world.’

Go underground

The Grotte di Castellana are a fascinating network of underground caves. Choose between two guided tours – a shorter 50-minute path or a longer 2-hour one.

Frequently asked questions about booking a luxury holiday villa in Bari

What is the closest airport to fly into for a luxury villa holiday in Bari?

Bari has its own airport – Bari International Airport – Karlo Wojtyla, making it extremely convenient to reach your luxury Puglia villa. However, Puglia also has a second airport in Brindisi just over an hour away from Bari airport. Depending on where your luxury villa rental in Bari is situated, Brindisi airport can be just as convenient. As an example, Alberobello is equidistant from the two.

Do I need to hire a car on my Bari luxury villa holiday?

Whilst we do have some luxury villas in Bari where you can walk to amenities, we strongly recommend you hire a car during your stay. A car will give you the freedom to easily access local beaches, villages, restaurants and attractions that are not easily accessible by public transport.

What is the difference between a trullo and a masseria?

Both trulli and masserie are traditional buildings in Puglia, many dating back centuries. Trulli are most commonly found in the Valle d’Itria and have distinctive conical roofs. They tend to be smaller than masserie, which are much larger historic farmhouses or country estates, usually constructed around a courtyard. You will find both trulli and masserie restored and converted into luxury villas in Bari.

Do you offer villas with heated pools in Bari?

Yes. Our collection includes luxury villas with heated pools in Bari and elsewhere in Puglia. With high temperatures the norm in the summer months, guests usually find a heated pool is not needed in July and August, but it can be appealing for Bari villa holidays in the spring and autumn. Pool heating may only be available during certain months and can incur an additional charge, so do check the property details carefully.