Our best Bari guide yet – everything you need to know for a perfect trip to Bari, Puglia.
It’s no secret that we love Puglia. Italy’s southern gem is a great year-round holiday destination. However, we’ve realised that too many visitors arrive in Bari and swiftly move on to explore Puglia’s more top-of-the-tourist-guide towns and villages. And what a travesty this is! Bari is rich in history, culture and culinary treasures. We hope this guide to Bari helps you discover one of Puglia’s best kept secrets.
While we have included lots of things to do in Bari, make sure that you save some time to simply soak up the unique southern Italian vibe hidden in Bari’s maze of narrow streets and alleys. Allow yourself to get a little lost. Take time to explore the workshops local craftsmen have opened up as shops. Here you’ll find a stunning array of art and some beautifully hand-crafted leather, wood and ceramic goods. We can almost guarantee that you will love Bari. On my first trip to Puglia’s capital, I loved it so much that I came back just four days later! Until you have visited Bari, it’s hard to explain the wonderful blend of upbeat modern Italian culture and beautifully preserved ancient history, which combined make this such a fabulous city.
Bari Guide: How to get to Bari
Most visitors to Bari will arrive at Bari Karol WojtyÅ‚a Airport. However, the city’s port still brings a good share of travellers directly into the centre from Greece, Albania and Croatia. Flights to Bari are plentiful and in the summer months there are multiple arrivals each day from all major European cities. Bari’s airport is small and easy to navigate. The train station can be found directly at the terminal and the journey to Bari Centrale takes about 20 minutes. There are also many options for car rental at the airport. Click here to check availability – we always recommend booking in advance for the best deals.
Additionally, high speed intercity trains run from Rome, Milan, Bologna and Venice; along with regional lines to smaller cities in Puglia including Monopoli, Lecce and Ostuni. An important note on Bari Centrale: the station is called both Bari Centrale and Bari FNB or FAL and can often be listed on travel apps and departure boards by any of these names. This can be be a little confusing! But rest assured, there is just one station in central Bari. These naming variations refer to the type of line: intercity, local etc. All of these ultimately arrive in the same building: Bari Centrale.
If you have a rental car, you will need to think about where to park. While you can’t really drive in the old town there are several car parks just on its edges along with some on-street parking too. We have driven and parked in Bari. While it can take a little while to find a space, if you’re patient you should find somewhere. Just remember the rules around different coloured spaces in Italy. For more information on this and general rules of the road in Italy click here.
Bari Guide: what to do in Bari
Bari is relatively small and most visitors plan to spend their time in the old town (Bari Vecchia). That said, the more modern area of the city, around the train station, has some lovely shops and restaurants too. However, for this Bari guide we will assume that you plan to spend most of your time in Bari’s beautiful old town.
Take a tour of the old town
We always recommend joining a tour when visiting a new city. There really is no substitute for the knowledge of a local who has been raised on the very streets you’re exploring. Thankfully, Bari has many options for tours of the old town and we have listed some of our favourites as part of our Bari guide:
- Bari Food Tour – This is probably our favourite way to see any city in Italy. Not only do we love Italy but we also love food! These experiences can be enjoyed on foot, by segway, bicycle or as we most recently opted for, by rickshaw. Our guide Simona was both entertaining and wonderfully knowledgeable about the streets where generations of her family have grown up. It was a great experience. And that’s before we mention the delicious food we sampled. The focaccia was the best we’ve ever tasted – and we’ve tried a few! Book your tickets here.
- Rickshaw or Bike Tour – If you’re fond of exploring but also like to spend some time on two wheels, Bari has a some great options for bike tours. You can also hire bikes yourself and do a self guided tour. However, if you’re less fond of working up a sweat while on holiday, there is also the option to take a tour of the old town on a rickshaw. In all cases, we would recommend doing this with a guide. There is really is no substitute for a local’s knowledge. Book your experience here.
- Walking Tour – Sometimes there’s nothing better than strolling around a new city with a guide, learning about the centuries of history which are built into its culture. While there are plenty of traditional walking tours available, Bari also offers a tour which includes a pasta making class – a great way to learn about the city and learn aĀ new skill too. Book your walking tour here.
Explore Bari’s Castle
Originally built in the 12th century by Roger the Norman, Bari’s castle stands on the ruins of an ancient Byzantine structure. Nowadays it marks the edge of the the old town and is surrounded by perfectly preserved gardens once established for Isabel of Aragon. She was the Duchess of Bari form 1501 to 1524. The architecture is both impressive and imposing. Tickets should be bought in advance here. However a tip is that the castle offers free entry on the first Sunday of every month. So if you time your trip well, you can save on the entry ticket.
Discover Bari’s Ancient Churches
Like all Italian towns and cities, Bari has no shortage of churches! However there are two that are a ‘must see’ so have made into this Bari guide. The first is actually now a museum. Palazzo Simi is a palace, home to the Simi de Burgis family until 1900. It was then abandoned until the 1980s when archaeologists discovered that the palace was in fact built on a 10th century Byzantine church. After many years of careful excavation, the palace and church below are now open to the public. It offers the perfect way to discover Bari’s underground past. Book tickets in advance. Click here for availability.
The next is perhaps Bari’s most famous landmark so had to be included in this Bari guide. The Basilica di San Nicola (Saint Nicholas) stands tall in the old town. The church was built in the late 11th century to house the relics of Saint Nicholas when they were stolen form Turkey. However, its simple and typically Romanesque-Puglian walls can not prepare you for what you’ll find inside.
As is true of most Italian churches, its walls and ceilings boast beautifully ornate art work. However the ceiling at Basilica di San Nicola is really incredibly impressive. Take some time to appreciate it. You will also notice a staircase that leads to the church’s basement. Here you’ll find an orthodox altar and the much treasured remains of San Nicola. Pilgrims travel from all over the world to visit this sacred site so it can become busy. Arrive early or later in the evening to avoid the crowds. We think this church is particularly stunning as the sun is setting when its walls glow with hues of orange and yellow. Unlike some churches in Italy, entry is free of charge. However, to get the most out of the experience we recommend joining a tour. Book your ticket in advance here.
Have Dinner at a Local’s Home
This is a wonderful experience which has become popular all over Italy. In a country so famed for its food, being invited into a local’s home for a meal is a real treat. Not only will you be served a delicious meal filled with local delicacies, but you will also have an evening in the company of a host who gets to call Bari home. Book your place at the table here.
Bari Guide: Food and Drink
Puglia’s culinary heritage is rich and wonderfully interesting. Perhaps Puglia’s most famous food feature is Bari’s ‘pasta ladies’. Flung to fame when they featured in a Dolce and Gabbana film (Pasta, Amore & Emotioneyes), these ladies represent generations of women who have worked from their open kitchens in Bari Vecchia.Ā This iconic area of Bari’s old town is directly opposite the entrance to the castle. It is a maze of narrow alleys teaming with industrious mothers and grandmothers who spend their days hand crafting orrechiette – Bari’s world famous ear-shaped pasta.
Often in a rainbow of colour, kilos of Italy’s staple food dry on huge mesh trays in the shadow of the family’s washing – dancing in the breeze on the balconies above. No Bari guide would be complete without suggesting a wander down these winding streets. There is a wonderful connection between these hard-working women who traditionally opened their kitchens to help support their families when unemployment was prolific in the region. Today there is no denying that this part of Bari Vecchia is also a tourist attraction. Especially at the weekend, you may find yourself jostling for space as you watch the women’s nimble fingers and thumbs effortlessly shape the pasta into ‘ears’ (orrechiette). However, it’s still an experience which is unique to Bari and mustn’t be missed.
Beyond pasta, the main event in Bari is its fish and seafood. As well as our recommendation of enjoying a food tour of the city we would also recommend squeezing in time and stomach space for an octopus sandwich. Sold from hatches and bars throughout the old town’s myriad of narrow streets, this is a delicious local delicacy that shouldn’t be missed!
Bari Guide: Where to stay
Central Bari has many small hotels and apartments. If you you intend to stay in the centre, our advice is to use a comparison site such as Trip.com to compare what’s on offer. Alternatively, consider staying in a villa or apartment in the beautiful Puglian countryside. Bari is easy to navigate by car for a day trip and even easier to reach by train. Click here to explore our stunning collection of villas and apartments in Puglia.Ā
Bari Guide: Top Tips
- Give Bari the time it deserves – don’t just visit the airport!
- Arrive hungry – you won’t regret it.
- Book at least one tour of the old town.
- Make time to wander the old town and visit the local craft shops.
If you would like more information about visiting Puglia, read our other posts here. Or if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Puglia, click here.