🇮🇹 What to do in Bari: The ultimate guide to discovering Puglia's hidden gem
Bari is the gentleness of Southern Italy, Between lively alleyways, secret beaches and generous cuisine, the capital of Puglia, often overlooked in favor of Naples or Rome, offers a concentrated dose of authenticity, culture and sunshine.
Want to visit Bari in 3 days? Follow the guide!
Do you want to explore Bari like a true local?
Guidly, It's the interactive audio guide that follows you everywhere: anecdotes, hidden spots, and useful information… all in your pocket.
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📍 Day 1 – Bari Vecchia, a vibrant historic heart
Start with Bari Vecchia, the old town:
Lose yourself intentionally in his labyrinth of alleyways where the nonnas make the orecchiette in front of their door.
Visit the Basilica of San Nicola, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Italy.
Climb up to the Castello Normanno-Svevo, a fortified castle overlooking the city.
Lunch break: eat a focaccia barese nice and warm at Panificio Fiore.
In the afternoon, take a stroll on the lungomare, one of the longest seaside promenades in Europe. The atmosphere is magical at sunset.
🍝 Day 2 – Apulian Cuisine & Lifestyle
Bari is a delight for food lovers:
In the morning, have a local cooking classes to learn how to do the orecchiette alla cime di rapa.
Next, head to fish market : a raw, lively market, where you eat sea urchins right on the sidewalk with a glass of white wine.
Slow life afternoon:
Beach at Pane e Pomodoro, the most popular, or Torre Quetta, more peaceful.
Next visit the Teatro Petruzzelli, one of the most beautiful opera houses in Italy.
Dinner in a family trattoria Home-style cooking, generous portions, reasonable prices, lively atmosphere.
🚗 Day 3 – Getaway around Bari
The advantage of Bari is that it is 1 hour from all the most beautiful villages of Puglia.
You can choose a day trip:
Polignano a Mare : a jewel perched on the sea with its white cliffs and its crazy divers.
Alberobello : fairytale village with its famous trulli.
Matera (at 1h30): incredible troglodyte city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you stay in Bari, rent a bike and explore the surrounding seaside area.
🔎 Practical information
When to go? April to October, May/June is perfect.
How to get there: Direct flights from Paris, Lyon, Marseille
Getting around: On foot in Bari Vecchia, train or car to explore
Budget: Very affordable: restaurants, accommodation, transportation
❤️ Why we love Bari
It's a an Italian city that is still “real”, without mass tourism.
The atmosphere there is warm, lively, sometimes a little rough, but genuine 100%.
We eat like kings for next to nothing.
It is perfectly located for exploring the entire region of Puglia.
Download Guidely to discover all the hidden spots in Bari.
FAQ
Is this a suitable city for a car-free city break?
Yes! Bari is very easy to explore on foot. For excursions, trains are convenient and inexpensive.
Is it possible to swim in Bari itself?
Yes, there are several beaches accessible on foot or by bicycle from the centre.
