We visited Bari on a half-day trip and were instantly drawn in by its vibrant energy. Wandering through the Old Town, we passed grandmothers hand-making orecchiette on the streets and locals chatting outside their homes. It’s a place full of life and history, and even with just a few hours, we left feeling like it’s a must-see when exploring Puglia. Here are our tips for the best things to do in Bari, Italy.
Things to do in Bari
Bari is the capital city of Italy’s southern region, Puglia, and often the first stop for visitors arriving by train, plane, or ferry. While many people pass through quickly, we actually really liked the atmosphere here, with its mix of lively piazzas, coastal views, and authentic local life.
From getting lost in the narrow alleys of its Old Town to diving into the good food scene, there are many great things to do in Bari.
1. Stroll through Bari Vecchia
Bari Vecchia is the kind of place where getting lost is half the fun. Bari’s Old Town, with its maze of narrow alleyways and sun-dappled courtyards, feels worlds apart from its more modern side. Local life spills out on the streets, with locals chatting from balconies and elders playing cards in the shade.
With no real need for a plan, we followed whatever alley looked charming (which was most of them!) and always ended up somewhere picturesque. It’s lively, authentic, and full of character — yet so underrated in Puglia, Italy.
The Lungomare
Don’t forget Bari’s lungomare, the city’s beautiful seaside promenade. It’s one of the most stunning in Italy, stretching along the Adriatic with sweeping sea views and a cooling breeze. Especially nice for a sunset stroll, lined with palm trees, grand old lampposts, and benches facing the water. Although there are no real beaches outside the gates, this spot on the rocks is a great place to relax.
2. Strada Arco Basso
Our favorite spot in town was ‘Pasta Street’ (Strada delle Orecchiette), also called Arco Basso because of its archway. Here, local grandmas line the streets, forming their dough into fresh orecchiette. I was so amazed to see how fast they do it!
This pasta shape is typical of Puglia and directly translates to ‘little ear’. The best time to see the ladies of Bari in full pasta-making mode is between 9 AM and noon, so arrive in Bari early if you can! We parked in this location, just a ten-minute walk to Pasta Street.
3. Join a Food/Walking Tour
Perhaps one of the best things to do in Bari is discovering the town by joining a (street food) walking tour. This is one of our favorite ways to explore a city, especially in Italy! If you’re visiting Bari on a half-day trip like us, this is great to get to see the main sights and learn about its history in just a few hours.
Although you can join a free walking tour downtown, we think a food tour is even better. We loved trying Bari’s focaccia (which is said to be the best in the country!); there are numerous fantastic spots in town. This bread, topped with tomatoes, olives, and olive oil, makes the perfect lunch. But there’s so much to try on a food walking tour, like sgagliozze, fried polenta squares, and panzerotti (mini calzone).
To learn more about local ingredients, dishes, and Orecchiette in Bari, book this amazing food tour.
Tip: If you’re staying in Bari, don’t forget to enjoy an aperitivo. With your pre-dinner drink and some snacks, watch the local life unfold from one of the picturesque terraces.
4. Basilica di San Nicola
As one of the best things to do in Bari, we had to see the city’s iconic Basilica di San Nicola. This 12th-century church has a simple yet beautiful Romanesque facade, but the interior truly steals the show. With incredible arches, stone floors, and a gold-frescoed ceiling, it was stunning to look at.
The crypt downstairs is said to house some of Saint Nicholas’ relics. This makes it a religiously significant building in the country (and Europe!) and an important pilgrimage site. When you’re downtown, make sure to pop in and have a quick look. Entry is free (7 AM – 8.30 PM).
Tip: Walk past the church to find a staircase that leads to the old city walls. From here, you have the best sea views. If you walk a bit further along the walls, you can sit at one of the terraces that overlook the marina, like La Ciclatera Sotto il Mare.
Although relaxing on the beach and swimming in the turquoise waters is an absolute must, you can also see this coastal gem from a different perspective by boat. Book your boat trip from Bari here in advance (there’s plenty of time to stop and swim, and you’ll get a delicious Italian aperitif!)
6. Castello Svevo di Bari
At the northwestern edge of Bari Vecchia stands the city’s medieval fortress, Castello Normanno-Svevo. Surrounded by a large moat, it makes a fascinating structure to pass as you explore the Old Town.
Built atop a Byzantine structure by the Norman King Roger II in the 12th century, it proudly represents Bari’s historical defensive network. However, it was King Frederick II of Sicily who fortified the place a century later. Apart from admiring its exterior, you can explore the castle’s courtyard, towers, and exhibition rooms. Tickets cost 5 EUR.
How to Visit
Bari is a great access point to Puglia, with an international airport, train station, and ferry terminal. Bari’s International Airport has flight connections all over Europe and is only a 20-minute drive from the city.
By Car
Although Bari is great to explore at the beginning or end of your Puglia itinerary, you can also visit the city for half a day on your road trip, as we did. From Ostuni, we drove for one hour to Bari and parked our rental car at this location. Alternatively, you can also park here. From there, you can explore Bari on foot.
We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
By Train or Bus
If you’re not exploring Puglia by rental car, you can easily travel the region by public transport. Get to Bari from Lecce (90 minutes), Ostuni (1,5 hours), or Monopoli (40 minutes). It’s also possible to get to Bari if you’re traveling elsewhere in the country, like from Rome (4 hours) or Venice (7,5 hours).
Where to Stay
We only visited Bari for half a day while exploring Puglia on a road trip, which was enough to see the city. However, if you want, you can spend a little more time here, soaking up the local vibe. Even though we stayed in Ostuni, Bari is also a great base from which to explore some of the best things to do in Puglia.
The Best Restaurants in Bari, Italy
As mentioned, Bari is full of lively restaurants and trattorias, many with sunny terraces perfect for people-watching over a plate of orecchiette or fresh panzerotti. Along the lungomare, you’ll find seafood spots with stunning sea views where you can try dishes like the classic baked ‘riso, patate e cozze’.
While exploring Bari Vecchia, you’ll find plenty of delicious options to try the local food. Some of our favorites are:
- Panificio Santa Rita
- Voglia Pane e vino (best focaccia sandwiches!)
- La Cecchina (antipasti)
- La Cantina dello Zio
- Antò (local meals)
Best Time to Visit
While July and August are the most popular times to visit Puglia, they are also the hottest (and busiest!) months. If you’re visiting Bari during this time, it’s recommended to book your hotels, restaurants, and tours well in advance of your trip. Parking can also fill up quickly during these times, so we recommend visiting the biggest attractions first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon.
We visited in October, which was such a good idea! We had an average daily temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius, fewer crowds, and in the late afternoon/evening, we’d often have the busy city streets all to ourselves.
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