The Very Best Things to Do in Bari Italy
Discover Bari, Puglia’s capital in Italy and plan your itinerary with these top things to do in Bari. Keep reading for more.
Bari is one of the finest cities in Puglia and southern Italy. A transport hub for the region, you’ll most probably find yourself here for a short time when visiting Puglia.
Most people come to Bari either for the weekend, visiting the city as a destination in its own right, or because they’re starting or finishing a Puglia road trip. We fell into the later camp.
Whichever team you fall into spending some quality time in Bari is a very good idea.
Full of winding, narrow alleys, historic cathedrals and ruins that date back to the 12th century, grand public piazzas and some pretty good restaurants, there are many things to do in Bari that’ll keep you busy for a day or two.
If you’re looking for what to do in Bari or things to do in Puglia, keep reading to find out more and start planning your bucket list trip today.
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Getting to Bari
If you’re just beginning a Puglian road trip itinerary or you’ve decided to come to Bari for the weekend your first port of call will probably be Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport.
It’s located about 8km from the city center and there are many different transport links that will take you to the center.
You can opt for the train– the station is located right outside Bari arrivals terminal- and take the train direct to Bari Centrale.
You can also take the airport bus that goes to Bari Centrale Station just south of the historic center or Bari Vecchia. Both are super easy to use.
Taxis can also be flagged right outside the arrivals terminal and take you directly to your hotel in Bari. The journey takes about 25 minutes and costs around €20.
If you’re starting a trip around Puglia, it’s here that you’ll want to pick up your rental car. I highly recommend using Rental Cars to rent a car in Italy. We used Leasys through Rental Cars and had a great experience. They have some of the best rates, especially in the summer high season.
Find a rental car with Rental Cars here.
You probably don’t need a rental car if you’re just in Bari for the weekend as public transportation is good enough.
Where to Stay in Bari
Bari has quite a few different places to stay for all budgets. I recommend staying in the historic center or near it to be able to get the most out of your time in the city.
Staying in the center means that pretty much everything you’ll need or want to see is close by. Bari doesn’t seem to have all that many hotels, it has mainly B&Bs and rentals. Here are my personal favourites.
Hotel Imago Plus – A lovely little design hotel located near Bari’s central hub and within walking distance to the old historical center. With a beautiful lobby and cafe, perfect to grab a morning coffee before exploring, the hotel here is very modern, minimalist, and clean.
Rooms are super minimalist and are mainly white with natural elements. The perfect stay for any design-focused traveller. Check rates and availability here.
Al Pescatore – B&B – A wonderful, modern B&B with a great breakfast, comfortable, clean and luxury rooms and friendly staff. It also has a brilliant location right in the heart of the historic center in Bari. Check rates and availability here.
B&B Murex– Swoon-worthy design with natural and modern elements, exposed stone walls, friendly staff, comfortable beds, great location and a brilliant breakfast.
What else would you need from a B&B? Check rates and availability here.
Palazzo Calò – A newly renovated palace in the historic center, it makes the perfect stay during your time in Bari. Beautiful rooms, high ceilings, modern bathrooms and one of the best roof terraces in the city perfect for sunset spritzes.
Located just three blocks north of Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Check rates and availability here.
Best Things to Do in Bari Italy
Stroll Around the Old Town
Bari’s Centro storico is full of historic piazzas, Baroque churches and narrow alleyways with laundry hanging down from balconies and Vespas parked in doorways. It’s a Bari must see!
The best way to start to get to know Puglia’s capital is just to start strolling around and seeing where this leads you.
Strolling around the city will mean that you’ll soon come to most of the things to do in Bari in this guide, probably without really realizing it.
As you do so you’ll also see locals going about their day, nonnas on their balconies, and groups of local men meeting for chats in piazzas.
If you’re only passing through Bari for a day or even just a few hours while on a Puglia road trip, doing a guided Bari walking tour might be the best idea so that you can get the most out of your time.
Check out this great Bari Guided Walking Tour here.
Buy Fresh Pasta on Strada delle Orecchiette
For a glimpse into local food traditions, what to eat in Bari and to get your hands on some local orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta famous in Puglia) to take home make sure to weave this gorgeously narrow alley into your itinerary.
Orecchiette Street or Stada Delle Orecchiette is a lovely local street on which you’ll find local women making and selling fresh orecchiette right outside their homes.
You’ll be able to watch their fast-rolling and cutting techniques as well as choose from a selection of different colours and sizes which you can buy and take home.
There’s also the cutest little fruit and vegetable stand with local produce so if you’re staying in an Airbnb and self-catering you’ll get all the local basics here.
Relax in Largo Albicocca- Piazza degli Innamorati
Right around the corner from Strada delle Orecchiette is one of the most local and atmospheric squares in old town Bari Italy.
It’s here that you’ll find scenes like locals sitting on balconies enjoying the morning sun, laundry hanging from every available spot, locals meeting for a chat as well as a few different restaurants, cafes and bars.
There’s a famous pizzeria here, Di Cosimo, as well as the opportunity to grab some gelato and relax in the square, savoring the completely Italian atmosphere.
Walk the Lungomare
You’ll find a lungomare in most Italian seaside cities and Bari is no different.
One of the best things to do in Bari, especially early in the morning or at sunset is to walk along the seafront promenade- the lungomare– more specifically Lungomare Nazario Sauro in Bari.
The promenade follows the seafront for the entire length of the city making it the perfect spot for a long and leisurely walk, or even an evening jog.
You’ll be able to spot quite a few different buildings, both old and new while walking along including Il Fortino di Sant’Antonio, one of the oldest forts in the city and the Museo Teatro Margherita.
Visit Basilica San Nicola
The most popular basilica in Bari, the Basilica of Saint Nicholas is a grand Romanesque-style church that was completed in the 12th Century.
It took over 100 years to build by the Normans who occupied Puglia at the time. The church was built to house the relics of Saint Nicholas, the saint who inspired today’s Santa Claus, as they moved from present-day Turkey to a safer place in Bari.
