It’s fairly easy to find the best area to stay in Bari, Italy. Given that only a few of its neighborhoods have something to offer travelers and considering its layout, it won’t take you long to choose the perfect one for your needs.
It’s also a very walkable city (I explored it thoroughly on foot), so don’t worry about getting around. And in terms of accommodation options, you have a variety for all budgets, from luxury hotels and B&Bs to apartments and hostels, so Puglia’s capital has got you covered. Let’s get started.
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables. I share my personal experience and cannot guarantee yours.
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Quick Recommendations
In this detailed post, I’ll give an overview of each area, including top features, things to do, pros, and cons, but if you’re looking for super quick recommendations, let’s focus on the two best districts – Bari Vecchia (the old town) and Murat.
Stay in Bari Vecchia if you love car-free old towns/historic centers, medieval landmarks, and a traditional vibe. Highly-rated accommodations in this area include Gesuiti 25, Al Pescatore, and TRESCA CHARME luxury Rooms.
Stay in the Murat district if you prefer a convenient location between Bari Vecchia and the Bari Centrale train station, as well as a more modern vibe with nightlife, shopping streets, and a better diversity of places to eat. Highly-rated accommodations in this area include Melo 48 (my pick) and BARI 102.
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Things to Notice Before Booking Your Accommodation
Parking: To get around the city, there’s no need to have a car, but if you decide to rent one while in Bari (for the purpose of taking day trips by car instead of public transport), don’t count on street parking and look for accommodations with a private/public garage nearby. Note that it can cost €15-€30 per day.
Breakfast: If breakfast is not included in the price of the room, check what it consists of before paying for it. Many accommodations only offer Italian breakfast (coffee and a pastry), which will usually be much cheaper to have at one of the local cafes.
Elevator: Some guesthouses and B&Bs are housed in buildings without an elevator, so if that’s a deal breaker for you, read all the details and reviews before booking your stay.
Coffee machine: It’s good to know that many accommodations equip their rooms with a coffee machine.
Best Area to Stay in Bari for First-Time Visitors (Option 1): Bari Vecchia
Overview
Probably the most beautiful part of Bari, Bari Vecchia (also known as San Nicola) is the city’s enchanting old town. This maze of picture-perfect narrow streets will win you over with its medieval flair.
From seeing the locals chatting with their neighbors in a tiny alley to relishing Apulian cuisine to discovering Bari’s history, Bari Vecchia is the place to immerse yourself in the city’s traditional atmosphere.
Here you’ll find most of Bari’s must-sees, including medieval landmarks like Castello Svevo (Norman-Swabian Castle) and Basilica San Nicola, charming piazzas, and even a few museums.
In addition to an abundance of Apulian restaurants, this district is also home to some of the most well-known places to indulge in typical street food.
You must try focaccia Barese, panzerotti (fried dough pockets filled with mozzarella and tomato sauce), and sgagliozze (square-shaped fried polenta) in places like Panificio Santa Rita.
Things to Do in Bari Vecchia
- Visit the 12th-century Castello Svevo (Swabian Castle).
- Admire the Basilica San Nicola and Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Sabino (Bari Cathedral).
- Visit the Archeological Museum.
- See the nonnas making pasta at Strada Arco Basso, known as the Street of the Orecchiette.
- People-watch at Piazza Mercantile.
- Walk along the Lungomare Imperatore Augusto.
- Walk on Via Venezia, which overlooks the sea.
- Take a street food tour.
Pros of Staying in Bari Vecchia
- It’s Bari’s most charming district.
- It’s a fantastic area to experience the traditional side of Bari.
- You’ll find plenty of places to eat, many of which are Apulian restaurants.
- It’s home to the city’s main historic buildings and monuments.
- It mostly consists of pedestrian-only streets, so there’s no traffic noise.
Cons of Staying in Bari Vecchia
- Considering its pedestrian-only streets, it’s more challenging to find accommodations that offer some kind of private parking. It also means that buses and taxis cannot get into the old town, although Bari is a walkable city.
- If you plan on taking several day trips from Bari, you’ll have to walk for 15-20 minutes to get to the central train station, which can be inconvenient for some people.
Highly-Rated Accommodations in Bari Vecchia
Tresca Charme Luxury Rooms
With a great location 2 minutes away from Basilica San Nicola, this lovingly decorated property offers fully-equipped spacious rooms for 2-4 people (including a small kitchen).
The quadruple room (more like an apartment) also has a private terrace. Browse TRESCA CHARME luxury Rooms’ latest prices and availability.
Palazzo Le Travi
Located in the southern part of Bari Vecchia, this B&B offers stylish double & triple rooms with a small balcony and a shared area where you can have coffee, tea, and snacks.
The Italian breakfast included in the price is served in a nearby cafe. Read more about Palazzo Le Travi and book it here.
Al Pescatore – B&B
Situated a stone’s throw away from Castello Svevo, this B&B offers cozy double rooms, some of which have a balcony.
A rich continental breakfast is served every day, and the property also has an on-site restaurant just around the corner. Read more about Al Pescatore – B&B and book it here.
Gesuiti 25
If you’re looking for a spacious fully-equipped apartment in the heart of the old town, this one is rated 9.8! With a rustic decor (with open brick walls), central location, and a capacity of 4 people, it might the right accommodation for you. Read more about Gesuiti 25 here.
Porta Piccola Luxury Home
This guesthouse in the heart of Bari Vecchia offers spacious rooms for 2-3 people, equipped not only with a coffee machine but also complimentary snacks and beverages.
It is located in a small alley, yet you’ll find plenty of restaurants only a minute away. Browse Porta Piccola Luxury Home’s latest prices.
Where to Stay in Bari for First-time Visitors (Option 2): Murat & Quartiere Umbertino
Overview
With its urban layout and 20th-century buildings, Murat, along with the adjacent Quartiere Umbertino, is a more modern district of Bari.
In fact, it’s named after Joachim Murat, the ruler of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples, who was the first to commission construction outside the walls that surrounded Bari Vecchia.
While it’s not necessarily the prettiest neighborhood in Bari, it’s definitely home to some photogenic buildings, including a few that boast beautiful Art Nouveau architecture.
It’s also the main shopping district and a beloved area to have an aperitivo.
You’ll find dozens of places to eat and drink in Murat, from neighborhood cafes and Apulian restaurants to trendy brunch places and international cuisine restaurants to bars and pubs.
I chose to stay in Murat because although I was looking for the charm of the old town, Murat had the best location right between Bari Vecchia, the train station, and the promenades (and I was more than happy with my choice because that was the ideal base for my car-free Puglia trip).
Things to Do in Murat & Quartiere Umbertino
- Go shopping on Via Sparano and the surrounding streets.
- Photograph the beautiful Palazzo Mincuzzi and Palazzo dell’Acquedotto Pugliese.
- Take a tour inside the stunning opera house Teatro Petruzzelli.
- Walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II towards Teatro Margherita and Porto Vecchio (Old Port).
Pros of Staying in Murat & Quartiere Umbertino
- It has a convenient location between Bari Vecchia, the central train station (Bari Centrale), and the promenades.
- You’ll find lots of shops here.
- There’s a large (and diverse) variety of places to eat.
- It’ll be easier to find accommodations with private parking in this area (or if you’re lucky, street parking).
- It’s a vibrant district, and its streets are always lively, even on weekday evenings.
Cons Of Staying In Murat & Quartiere Umbertino
- It’s not necessarily the prettiest part of Bari (though it’s home to quite a few lovely streets, avenues, and buildings).
- The streets near the central station are not so pleasant to walk through when it gets dark.
Highly-Rated Accommodation in Murat & Quartiere Umbertino
Melo 48
Out of the several accommodations I tried in Murat, this was my favorite. Housed in a residential building, I stayed at the “standard apartment,” but there are also a few other room types available.
First of all, the location is fantastic – within walking distance to the old town, the main shopping street Via Sparano, and the train station.
Next, the apartment itself is modern yet cozy, super spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped with everything you need. Also – good communication with the host Anna, and an easy self-check-in process. Book your stay at Melo 48!
B&B Alighieri 97
When I was traveling alone, I stayed in this lovely guesthouse, which has private single rooms, as well as rooms for 2-4 people.
It was simple but very clean and comfortable, and apart from the pastries and cereal I had inside the room, the shared area offered coffee, tea, milk, juices, and water.
The location was ideal for me, as it was right between the old town and the train station and only a minute away from the lively Via Sparano. That said, it’s important to know that the guesthouse is housed in a residential building. See B&B Alighieri 97’s latest prices.
Bari 102
Offering modern rooms and suites for 2-5 people (with a small balcony) and a highly-rated breakfast buffet, this B&B is well-located near Via Sparano and Piazza Umberto I.
With all of its services and amenities, it gets a rating of 9.9! Browse BARI 102’s latest prices.
Casa Almika Sparano
With a perfect location right on the main shopping street Via Sparano, this guesthouse offers double & triple rooms with balconies (some of which overlook the beautiful Palazzo Mincuzzi).
A coffee machine and a kettle are found in each room, and there’s also a shared kitchen/living room area. Read more about Casa Almika Sparano and book it here.
Other Places to Stay in Bari, Italy
Near the Beach: The Coastal Part of Madonnella
Madonnella is the coastal district where you’ll find the city’s Ferris wheel, the art museum Pinacoteca Corrado Giaquinto di Bari, and one of the best promenades in Bari, Lungomare Nazario Sauro, which leads to Pane e Pomodoro Beach (translating to Bread and Tomato).
While I had no problem walking through its streets in the morning, I can understand why some of them wouldn’t be pleasant to wander at night, so if you want to stay close to the promenade and the beach, stick to the coastal part of Madonnella.
Note that Lungomare Nazario Sauro stretches from the Ferris wheel to the beach and is roughly 1 km long, so if you also want to explore Murat and Bari Vecchia, you’ll have some walking distance to cover.
Highly-rated accommodations in this area include Casa dei Visionari and Attico Suite spiaggia Bari.
Near Bari’s Airport: Palese
If you’re in Bari for a quick layover or have an early flight to catch at Karol Wojtyla Airport (also known as Bari Palese Airport), you can also find accommodations in the coastal neighborhood of Palese, which can be a lot more budget-friendly than the city center.
*If your main reason to visit Bari is the San Nicola Stadium, there are a few hotels in that area too.
Is It Worth Staying in Bari?
Apart from the fact that you can visit Bari on a short Italian city break, it also makes for a great base for a trip to Puglia, so it’s definitely worth staying there if you want to take day trips to other cities and towns in the region.
Many people prefer renting a car in Puglia, though you can also use public transport to get from Bari to beautiful places in the region.
Other Puglia and Italy Travel Guides
Read more about Italy:
- Where to stay in Lecce
- Hidden gems in Puglia
- What to eat in Puglia
- Is Bari worth visiting
- Is Lecce worth visiting
- Places to visit in Salento, Puglia
- Visiting Puglia in March
- Puglia in May
- Hidden gems in southern Italy
- Best Italian road trips
- Prettiest Italian piazzas
- Italy travel quotes
- Gifts for Italy lovers
- Romantic novels set in Italy
- Things to do in Italy in winter
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* I haven’t stayed at every hotel I mention in this post, but each one is well-researched (by me) and has high ratings of 9+ on Booking.com. That said, you should always read the reviews and all the details about the facilities and services to see if they match your needs.
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