- Bari Vecchia is compact, safe-feeling and full of life in the evenings
- The airport is linked to the city by train in under 20 minutes
- Polignano, Monopoli, Alberobello and Matera are all day trips
- Eat focaccia, panzerotti and fresh orecchiette
- Airports
- Bari (BRI)
- Best time to go
- May-June and September-October
- Type
- Province
Bari is the capital of Puglia and the main gateway to the region for UK visitors. Many people pass straight through on their way to a masseria, but the city deserves a day or two. Its old town, Bari Vecchia, is a tight maze of white stone lanes where grandmothers make pasta on their doorsteps and everyone spills outside on summer evenings.
The surrounding metropolitan area stretches along the Adriatic and inland onto the Murgia plateau, taking in Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Alberobello, the Castellana caves and the bread town of Altamura. See our Italy guide for the wider picture.
Things to do in Bari
- Basilica of San Nicola – a Romanesque basilica built to house the relics of St Nicholas, brought from Myra in 1087. It draws pilgrims from across the Orthodox and Catholic worlds.
- Bari Vecchia – wander the lanes between the basilica and the cathedral, stopping for focaccia barese and fried polenta squares.
- Strada Arco Basso – the street where local women make orecchiette by hand and sell it from their doorways.
- Bari Cathedral – the Cathedral of San Sabino, a fine example of Apulian Romanesque, with a crypt beneath.
- The Swabian Castle – a Norman fortress rebuilt by Frederick II, used for exhibitions.
- The Lungomare – a long seafront promenade south of the old town, ideal for an evening walk.
- Teatro Petruzzelli – one of Italy's largest opera houses, rebuilt after a fire in 1991.
- Murattiano – the 19th-century grid of shopping streets, including Via Sparano.
Day trips from Bari
- Polignano a Mare and Monopoli – about 30-45 minutes by train.
- Alberobello – the trulli town, by local train or car in about an hour.
- Castellana Caves – a large show cave system, around 45 minutes by car.
- Altamura and Gravina in Puglia – famous bread, a cathedral and a dramatic ravine.
- Matera in Basilicata – about an hour by car, or longer on the regional railway.
- Trani – a harbour town with a seafront cathedral, in the neighbouring province of Barletta-Andria-Trani.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Bari Vecchia | Atmospheric, close to sights and restaurants |
| Murattiano | Central, good for shopping and the station |
| Near the Lungomare | Sea views and quieter evenings |
| Polignano or Monopoli | Seaside alternative with trains into Bari |
Getting there
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) has direct flights from several UK airports, with more in summer; check seasonal routes. A train links the airport with Bari Centrale in under 20 minutes. By rail, Bari is connected to Rome in roughly four hours, and to Lecce and Bologna along the Adriatic line. Ferries sail from Bari to Croatia, Albania and Greece.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and October are the most pleasant months. July and August are hot but lively, with seafront nightlife and beach trips. Early May brings the Festa di San Nicola, with processions on land and sea. Winters are mild but can be windy.
Bari makes a good first or last night on a Puglia trip, since the airport is so close.
Top attractions in Bari
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Bari on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Bari worth visiting?
Yes. Many travellers skip it, but the old town, the basilica and the food make it a rewarding stop of a day or two.
Is Bari a good base for Puglia?
It is practical if you do not want to drive, thanks to train links to Polignano, Monopoli and Alberobello. For a more relaxed stay, many people choose the Valle d'Itria or the coast.
How far is Bari from Matera?
About 65 km, roughly an hour by car. The Ferrovie Appulo Lucane railway also runs from Bari to Matera.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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