Puglia’s capital might not be the most famed destination, but those headed to the southern Italian city will surely find plenty of reasons to love it. From unique medieval landmarks to exquisite food to amazing day trips, here are some of the best things to do in Bari.
*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 Suggestions for Your Bari Trip
Highly-rated central accommodations in Bari:
1. Melo 48 (my favorite – I stayed at the “standard apartment”)
2. B&B Alighieri 97 (a simple B&B where I stayed on a solo trip)
3. Gesuiti 25 (a family apartment in the old town)
4. BARI 102 (rated 9.9 and located near many restaurants and shops)
Top experiences in Bari:
1. Street food tour (this city is a street food powerhouse!) – book on Get Your Guide or Viator
2. Boat tour with aperitif
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Best Things to Do in Bari, Italy
Wander through the Old Town’s Streets and Piazzas
At first sight, Bari is definitely not as impressive and striking as other cities in Italy, but if there’s one area that’ll steal your heart, that’s the Old Town – Bari Vecchia.
This medieval maze of quintessential Apulian streets and squares is dotted with traditional restaurants, lovely churches, and little moments of everyday life with locals chatting outside their doors. Take your time to roam it properly to soak in the atmosphere.
If you love people-watching as much as I do, spend some time at Piazza Federico II di Svevia (near the entrance to Strada Arco Alto), Piazza Mercantile, and Largo Albicocca – Piazza degli Innamorati (the latter is charming specifically in the evenings).
Stuff Your Face with Street Food
I know it’s a cliche, but Italian cuisine is my absolute favorite, and I love trying each region’s typical foods.
Puglia is no exception, and it doesn’t take long to see that Bari is home to some top-notch restaurants, but it also excels in the street food department.
My favorites were Panzerotto, fried dough filled with tomato and mozzarella, and Focaccia Barese, topped with cherry tomatoes (fun fact: some recipes add mashed potatoes to the dough). For the best, head to the bakeries of Santa Rita, Panificio Fiore, and Magda.
You should also try deep-fried polenta squares called Sgagliozze, which to me, tasted like popcorn!
To learn more about these delicacies and explore the best spots with a guide, book yourself a street food tour – on Get Your Guide or Viator!
Be in Awe of the Norman Swabian Castle (Castello Svevo)
Having been under the rule of the Greeks, Romans, and Normans, among others, Puglia’s capital (and the entire region) boasts a rich historical and cultural tapestry.
Its castle is one of my favorite landmarks, and I have to say it’s much more impressive in real life than in photos.
This fortress was commissioned by Norman King Roger II in the 12th century and was later rebuilt and remodeled by Frederick II of Swabia, Isabella of Aragon, and her daughter Bona Sforza.
It currently hosts temporary and permanent exhibitions, so if admiring its exteriors is not enough for you, visit its museum on your own or take a guided tour.
Admire the Basilica di San Nicola and its Crypt
Built over 1,000 years ago, the Basilica di San Nicola is one of the most prominent landmarks in the city (and the region).
It boasts an imposing location in the old town, as well as a unique Romanesque style, and its crypt houses the relics of Saint Nicholas, making it a significant pilgrimage site.
You can visit it on your own or opt for a basilica & crypt guided tour.
Visit the Cathedral of San Sabino and its Underground Museum
Just 5 minutes away, you’ll find another notable Romanesque site, the Cathedral of San Sabino (or Bari Cathedral), constructed in the 13th century.
If you love hidden gems as much as I do, know that for a small fee, you can access a secret archeological area called Museo del Succorpo, where you’ll find remains of an ancient Byzantine church, mosaics from the 6th century, and other unique relics.
Watch the Nonnas Making Pasta at Strada delle Orecchiette
If there’s one unique street to wander in Bari Vecchia, it is Arco Basso, also nicknamed “Strada delle Orecchiette” (Street of the Orecchiette).
Here, you’ll see the nonnas sitting in the open air, making this famous Apulian pasta by hand and selling it and other treats like the savory snack Taralli.
These women have become quite a tourist attraction in Bari, so buy something if you’re taking pictures and videos. I also have to mention that I know there’s some controversy around some vendors, saying they don’t actually make the pasta they’re showcasing and selling, and that it’s all a show for tourists, so if there’s one nonna I can truly vouch for, it’s nonna Lina.
Fun fact: Some say that the pasta shape of Orecchiette, translating to “little ears”, was inspired by the Jewish sweets we eat on Purim, “Haman’s Ears” (Hamantaschen).
Relish a Gelato
A trip to Italy is never complete without a few gelato tastings, and Bari has got you covered with several must-try spots.
My absolute favorite is Antica Gelateria Gentile, not only because the gelato is heavenly (the nocciola and ricotta with pistachios were sooo good) but also because it has a perfect location right next to Bari’s castle.
Visit the Museo Archeologico di Santa Scolastica
If you want to dive deeper into Bari’s past, head to the Archaeological Museum, which is housed in a former Benedictine monastery and bastion.
I’m not sure if it’s a hidden gem or if most travelers just don’t bother visiting it, but it boasts a great collection of artifacts from prehistory to the Middle Ages.
Discover the Remains of a Medieval Church
You might pass by this spot, marked on the map as Ruderi di Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio, and think there’s nothing special about it, but I found it enchanting.
All you can see now are a few columns, but it’s incredible to think that they’re the only remains of a church that was originally built in the 9th or 10th century.
Have an Aperitif in Murat
Immersing yourself in the aperitivo tradition (of enjoying a pre-meal drink alongside some snacks) is a must when traveling to Italy. While it was born in northern Italy, it became a popular cultural ritual all across the country.
I loved seeing the locals getting together to have an aperitivo in the Murat district, which seems lively throughout the week and not just on weekends.
Almost every bar, cafe, and restaurant offers an aperitivo deal, so you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Check out Teatro Petruzzelli
The striking Teatro Petruzzelli in the small yet elegant Quartiere Umbertino is Italy’s 4th-largest theatre, still functioning after 120 years. Beyond the ballet, opera, and classical music concerts you can attend, it’s also possible to take a behind-the-scenes guided tour.
Go Shopping on Via Sparano
If you’re craving some shopping time, Via Sparano and its surrounding streets (in Murat) are the spot to splurge. While wandering this area, don’t miss out on admiring the beautiful building Palazzo Mincuzzi.
Fun fact: Murat was named after Joachim Murat, the ruler of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples. He was the first to commission construction outside the walls that surrounded Bari Vecchia (back in the early 19th century).
People-Watch at the Gardens of Corso Vittorio Emanuele II
While I wouldn’t call it a garden, this part of the avenue Corso Vittorio Emanuele II is definitely prettier thanks to the palm trees that adorn it.
It’s a nice place for a little break or a leisurely stroll towards the waterfront, and there are also some restaurats and cafes here. It gets super lively when the tourist season begins, but not in an overwhelming kind of way – it just makes the perfect spot for people-watching.
If you head in the opposite direction, you’ll see two of Bari’s loveliest buildings – Teatro Piccinni and Palazzo del Governo.
Admire the Teatro Margherita and the Old Port
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II will lead you straight to Teatro Margherita, a beautiful Art Nouveau theatre that now functions as a contemporary art museum.
I haven’t visited the museum itself, but I did enjoy marveling at this stunning building overlooking the old port.
Head to the Fish Market
Puglia is THE region to indulge in fresh fish and seafood, and the morning-time produce at the N’ dèrr’a la lanze Fisherman’s Market is as fresh as it gets.
Located next to Teatro Margherita, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea because this is a place to try raw seafood, but you might still find it worth visiting as it provides a glimpse into the everyday life of local fishermen.
Try Regional Delicacies at the City’s Best Restaurants
From pasta to seafood, Puglia’s traditional dishes do not disappoint. You’ll want to devour:
- Orecchiette pasta with cime di rapa (broccoli rabe)
- Tiella Barese or riso, patate e cozze, a unique baked dish made of rice, potatoes, and mussels
- Spaghetti all’Assassina, a dish where raw pasta is cooked in spicy tomato sauce until slightly burnt (unconventional but amazing, as long as it’s not too burnt)
It’s obviously also important to choose the right places to eat, so my personal recommendations include Mamapulia, La Baresana, Urban Assassineria and Ristorante Antò, though I also had my eyes on La Cantina dello Zio and Ristorante Tiella.
Have a Morning Coffee with a Pasticcioto
Starting my morning at cozy neighborhood cafes is one of my biggest travel joys, especially in Italy, where the cappuccino is delightfully perfect and breakfast is all about delicious baked goods. Some of my favorites in Bari include Il Caffettaio and Melo Bakery.
Alongside your coffee, a regional treat you must try is Pasticcioto, an oval-shaped pastry usually filled with vanilla custard. You’ll find it in most cafes and pasticcerias in the city, though the best one I tried was actually in another town.
Take a Free Walking Tour
As much as I love exploring a city on my own, I also enjoy taking guided tours, especially themed ones.
If you’re like me, you’ll be glad to know that despite its relatively small size, Bari offers three different free walking tours, which you can check out here.
Walk on Via Venezia
On Via Venezia, you will find the restored city walls that once surrounded all of Bari Vecchia, originally built in the 4th century BC.
Stretching from the Archaeological Museum to Piazza del Ferrarese, this short street is a great spot for a leisurely stroll with views over Bari’s seafront.
Get on the Ferris Wheel
It was closed during my trips, but I would have loved to take a ride on Bari’s Ferris wheel. Situated on one of the promenades, I’d like to see the city and sea views it offers, whether in the morning or at sunset.
Walk Along the Lungomare Nazario Sauro
From the Ferris wheel, you have to stroll all the way to Bari’s beach on the promenade Lungomare Nazario Sauro.
Dotted with plenty of benches, it’s one of the best places to visit in Bari if you want to fully soak in the sea views. Its only downside is that cars pass right alongside it, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the experience.
Visit the Pinacoteca Metropolitana di Bari
While walking on the promenade, you’ll see the beautiful Pinacoteca Metropolitana building, an art museum mostly dedicated to Italian paintings and applied arts.
While it’s not necessarily a must-visit in my eyes, especially after seeing other art museums in Italy, avid culture and history buffs might find it more appealing.
Go to the Beach
The Puglia region boasts the longest coastline in mainland Italy, and it is home to some of the dreamiest beaches in the country.
While the ones often considered the best in Puglia are found in the Salento and Gargano peninsulas, you can still soak up some sun in Bari itself at Pane e Pomodoro Beach (translating to Bread and Tomato) or in the city’s surroundings.
Explore the Weekly Markets
As long as they’re authentic and not too touristy, markets are always a highlight for me. I love seeing what’s on sale, whether it’s antiques or food, and I enjoy watching the locals doing their market shopping.
Even in a relatively small city like Bari, you’ll find a few places to check out, like Campagna Amica, an incredible farmer’s market that takes place all across the country (I absolutely loved the one I explored in Turin). In Bari, there’s one on Via Bernardini 106 that operated 3 times a week, and you can see opening hours here.
Also, Piazza Giuseppe Massari is supposed to host an antique market every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, but I wasn’t there personally as I traveled to Bari towards the end of the month.
Take a Day Trip
Coming to Bari for a laid-back weekend getaway is a good idea, but I highly recommend adding a few extra days to explore more of Puglia.
Although renowned for its beaches, it also encompasses whitewashed towns, archaeological marvels, medieval castles, olive groves, vineyards, and even national parks.
You can take quite a lot of day trips from Bari by train (at the Bari Centrale train station), by car, or with a guided tour, so if you can only pick a few, don’t miss out on Alberobello with its UNESCO-listed Trulli houses, Polignano a Mare, and Trani, a hidden gem in Puglia.
Other Bari Tips
How many days do you need: I’m all for slow travel, but I think you can enjoy Bari in about two days (some might say that’s too much – you can definitely do it one day too). Dedicate the first to the old town and its landmarks and the second to the beach and the Murat district.
Getting around: While Bari has its bus system, it’s such a walkable city that you don’t really need to use public transport to get around. Plus, the old town is mostly pedestrianized. As for day trips, there’s a variety of bus and train lines that will take you to nearby towns and cities.
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