EVERYTHING TO DO IN BARI, ITALY
- Gaiaonthego
- Jan 25, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 25, 2024
Bari is the capital of Puglia, one of Italy's most southern regions, and I've had the pleasure of calling this charming city home for the past two years. In this blog post, I'll guide you through the best things to do in Bari, sharing my personal recommendations, favorite spots, and must-do activities for an unforgettable visit.
HOW MANY DAYS & WHEN TO VISIT
To make the most of your time in Bari, I suggest spending 2 days exploring. This way, you can see everything the city has to offer, stroll through its charming streets, and try out the local food. Plus, you'll still have time to take a day trip to check out some nearby towns.
For the best weather, plan your visit to Bari between May to mid-July or September to October. These months offer warm and pleasant conditions, perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. I would suggest avoiding the end of July and August because, in the past years, we have experienced intense heat, making a city visit rather unpleasant and unenjoyable. Since the city and its buildings are historic, many Airbnbs still do not have air conditioning units. Additionally, it's important to note that the Italian August holiday known as "Ferragosto" means that the majority of locals will be on vacation and businesses will be closed for weeks on end.
However, I'm not saying to ignore the region completely in these months! For beach lovers, July and August are some of the best months to visit Puglia, and I suggest using this time to escape the city and explore nearby charming beach towns instead.
EVENTS IN BARI TO PLAN YOUR VISIT AROUND:
May 9 - Festa di San Nicola
A vibrant celebration lasting 3 whole days, and dedicated to the patron saint of Bari. During this period, the city comes to life with street food stands all down the lungo mare and firework shows.
June - Locus Festival:
A music festival which takes place in Puglia in the summer months.
Christmas Time & Saint Nicholas
Visiting Bari during Christmas time is a magical experience, especially for the celebration of Saint Nicholas, as the city comes alive with festive decorations and traditions honoring its beloved patron saint.
HOW TO GET TO BARI
Bari is the main point of entry for most people arriving in Puglia and is easily accessible by air, ferry, train, or car.
By Air:
The Bari Airport is extremely well-connected and easily accessible from the city. There are direct and affordable flights to most major airports in Italy, as well as many budget-friendly international flights. the Bari Airport is just a 20-minute drive from the city center. There is a train station directly in the airport, which runs trains every hour and will get you downtown in 20 minutes for €5. There are also busses every hour, as well as plenty of taxis parked outside. Unless absolutely necessary (I'm imagining people traveling with strollers and many bags). would recommend against the taxis, because they are incredibly overpriced and known to rip people off (€30 - €40 for a 15-minute drive).
By Train: Bari Centrale is the main railway station and is located in the heart of the city center. It is connected directly to the Bari airport, as well as most major cities throughout Italy.
LOCAL DISHES TO TRY IN BARI
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"Assassin's Pasta"
Invented in 1967, Spaghetti all’Assassina is an authentic Bari specialty, earning its name from the abundant use of chili peppers, and it's uniquely prepared by cooking both the tomato sauce and spaghetti in a single iron pan to achieve a crunchy, slightly burnt texture.
photo by gaiaonthego
Orecchiette pasta with "cime di rapa"
Translated as "little ears" pasta, orecchiette pasta traces back to the 12th century, and is traditionally made with "cime di rapa," also known as rapini or broccoli rabe.
photo by gaiaonthego
Focaccia Barese
Undoubtedly the most beloved snack in the city, Focaccia Barese is the perfect addition to your city stroll or beach picnic.
Rice, potatoes, and mussels
AKA "riso patate e cozze," this dish resembles the Spanish paella and blends the local flavors of land and sea.
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Raw Seafood
Referred to as "The Fisherman's Breakfast," you cannot leave Bari without a taste of the fresh raw seafood. Some of the most well-known dishes are raw octopus, sea urchin, and local red shrimp.
Taralli
You'll most likely find this local snack accompanying your afternoon aperitif, along with a serving of olives and peanuts.
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Sgagliozze & Popizze
Some common celebratory snacks, scagliozze are fried cubes of Polenta, and popizze are little donut-hole-like balls of fried dough, found plain or with powdered sugar. These snacks can be found cooked fresh in Largo Albicocca, and are a common street food during festivals.
THINGS TO DO IN BARI
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Teatro Petruzzelli
The largest theatre in Bari, and the 4th largest Italian theatre. They have plenty of interesting and international shows and you can get tickets here! Conveniently right next door is my absolute favorite pastry shop in the city, Salvatore Petriella.
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Teatro Margherita
One of the most historic theatres in the city, they always have a variety of art exhibits going on inside. You need to pay to enter the art exhibits, but you can peep inside for free and see the beautiful paintings inside the duomo.
Porto Vecchio Fish Market
Right next to Teatro Margherita is the most famous fish market in the city. Early in the mornings, you can find fishermen selling fresh-caught fish or playing cards. In the evenings, you'll find young people gathered here to have a beer from El Chiringuito by the sea.
photos by gaiaonthego
Walk Lungomare
One of the most characteristic areas of the city is the "lungomare" or seaside promenade, which is among the longest in Europe. I recommend walking the entirety of it, taking in the clear turquoise water of the city and the characteristic street lamps.
Pinacoteca Metropolitana di Bari Art Museum
Along the lungomare, you'll find this public art museum which displays various paintings connected to the Puglia region.
Pane e Pomodoro Beach
One of my favorite places no matter what time of year is this little city beach, literally called "bread and tomato." I recommend grabbing a focaccia and going for a picnic or cool down in the summer and take a dip in the shallow water.
photos by gaiaonthego
Shopping
Along the main streets of the city is where you can do the best shopping. All of the most well-known stores are along Via Sparano, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and Corso Cavour, as well as all of the streets within this area.
Mercato Shopping
It's not a visit to Italy without some shopping in the local markets!
Saturday Market: Every Saturday from 8am - 12pm, located next to "Parco Don Tonino Bello" on Viale Mohandas
Thursday Clothing Market: Great for vintage finds, open every Thursday from 8am - 2pm, located on Via Gaetano Salvemini in "Piazzale Lorusso."
Food Market: "Mercato Coperto Via Nicolai Bari" is open every morning
Flea Market: Located in Piazza Giuseppe Massari, and occurs the first weekend of each month.
Street Food Tour
If you're looking to try lots of local delicacies but are not sure where to get started, there is a fabulous street food tour that will take you through the old town to uncover all the best hidden spots.
photos by gaiaonthego
Cattedrale San Sabino
One of the best examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture.
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Museo del Succorpo della Cattedrale di Bari
Nestled next to the church, this room is decorated with frescoes and mosaics and is home to the mummy of Santa Columba.
photos by gaiaonthego
Castello Svevo
A scenic castle on the outskirts of the old town now serves as a museum.
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Visit Largo Albicocca
Arguably the most famous piazza in Bari and nick-named "the Piazza of Lovers." During the evening, you'll find plenty of people gathered in this piazza eating outside having a beer, and enjoying some freshly cooked orecchiette pasta and sgagliozze at Le Sgagliozze di Donna Carmela, an outdoor street-food restaurant.
photos by gaiaonthego
Arco Basso AKA The Orecchiette Street
Arco Basso is most likely the most famous street in Bari. It's lined with older ladies who handmake orecchiette pasta, and here you'll be able to see up close just how this special pasta form is made!
Walking Tour with Pasta Making
If you're looking for a more immersive experience than strolling through the orecchiette street, you can actually take a cooking class in a local's home! This experience will take you through an expert-guided walk through the old ten, and give you a chance to try your hand at making your own orecchiette pasta!
Take a Cooking Class
After having toured the city and tasting all of the local goodies, it's time to try your hand at making orecchiette pasta and local Focaccia yourself! Become an expert at Bari cuisine with this cooking class and make some unforgettable and delicious memories.
Cattedrale San Nicola
The most important church in the city, and recognized internationally as an important pilgrimage destination for Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
DAY TRIPS FROM BARI
If you have an extra day or two in Bari and want to get out of the city, these are some of the best day trips to take. The majority of these towns are close by and quite small, so you'll get to pair some of them as well or do half-day visits.
POLIGNANO A MARE
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An incredibly scenic and quaint seaside town nestled on the cliffs, located south of Bari. Polignano a Mare is best reached by train, with direct trains from Bari Centrale every 30 to 60 minutes. The train ride is 30 minutes and costs €3 one way. I suggest spending half a day here (preferably staying until the evening for sunset) if you don't plan to spend the day at the beach in town, and pair this with a visit to Monopoli!
MONOPOLI
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Another gorgeous seaside town located south of Bari, Monopoli is the next train stop after Polignano a Mare and makes a great destination for a morning stroll and seaside aperitif. Monopoli is a 38-minute train ride directly from Bari Centrale, and tickets cost €3.80 one way.
GIOVINAZZO
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Located north of Bari, Giovinazzo is a quaint seaside town definitely worth visiting for a few hours (it will be hard to stay for longer since it's quite small). It takes 19 minutes by train from Bari Centrale, and a one-way ticket costs €1.70. I suggest spending an afternoon here, and then heading to Trani for dinner!
TRANI
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Located a little further north of Giovinazzo, Trani is a beautiful seaside town with many water-front restaurants and bars to enjoy. Trani is located 3 train stops after Giovinazzo, and takes 38 minutes to arrive directly from Bari Centrale, with a one-way ticket from Bari Centrale costing €3.80.
OSTUNI
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Known as the "white city" for its iconic white buildings, Ostuni makes for a great in-land day trip from Bari. You can take a train from Bari Centrale, which takes 48 minutes and costs €6.80 one way.
Important note: The Ostuni train station is not located in the city center. Upon arrival, you'll have to take a bus, a taxi, or walk 45 minutes (2.7km) to the historic center of the city.
CASTELLANA GROTTE
Arguably the most iconic natural spot in Puglia, the Castellana Grotte is a system of unique and scenic caves. I suggest booking a tour to visit the caves. You can get here by bus from Bari Centrale, which takes 1 hour and 20 minutes, and one-way tickets are €4 on Omio.
ALBEROBELLO
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Alberobello is a unique fairytale-like town unlike any other you've seen, and a must-see in my opinion. It is known for its "Trulli" which are the unique miniature buildings and roofs that make up the village. I recommend spending 1/2 a day here since the town is quite small and there's not much to do beyond the main streets. The best way to reach Alberobello is with a bus, which takes around 1 hour. The busses all depart from Bari Centrale train station, on the street across the station called "Via Capruzzi." Tickets start at €5 and I recommend booking in advance through Omio.
LOCOROTONDO
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A very tiny town that gives a similar vibe to Alberobello. It's a great stop in the morning before heading to Alberobello. The bus ride from Bari Centrale takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and you can once again find tickets on Omio starting at €6. However, I suggest heading to Alberobello first and then taking a 20-minute bus ride here for €2.
CISTERNINO
Another small town nestled outside of Alberobello, You can reach Cisternino with a 10-minute bus ride from Alberobello.
MATERA
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One of my absolute favorite places, Matera is a must-see when visiting Bari. Matera is one of the oldest cities in the whole world and is made of ancient rocks and caves. Although technically located in the region of Basilicata (and not Puglia), it is still very easily accessible from Bari. You can get to Matera from Bari Centrale in two ways: By bus, which takes 65 minutes and costs €8 one way, or by train which takes 1 hour and 45 minutes and costs €6 one way. Bus tickets can be found on Flixbus, meanwhile, train tickets can be purchased at ferrovieappulolucane.it. Although it's a little farther out, I've been multiple times for a day trip, going back and forth with the train.
LECCE
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Known as the "Baroque Capital of Italy" Lecce is another one of my favorite cities and a must-see in Puglia. The best way to get to Lecce from Bari is by train, which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and costs €13 one way.
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