Bari Travel Guide
Bari Travel Guide
Bari is the capitol city of Italy’s southeast region Puglia. I was so excited to have the chance to explore this region on my most recent trip to Italy. I started my trip in Bari. Bari is a charming coastal city with a lovely Old Town situated on the harbor.
I highly recommend spending some time exploring Bari before heading out to explore the rest of the Puglia region!
Jump To:
- *Backpacks & Bubbly – Top Picks for Drinks With A View*
- Best Restaurants in Bari
- Top Things to do in Bari
- How Many Days to Spend in Bari
- Getting to Bari
- Safety for Solo Female Travel in Bari
- Top Blog Posts – Bari
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
*Backpacks & Bubbly – Top Picks for Drinks With A View*
Terrazza delle Nazioni
Terrazza delle Nazioni located in iH Hotels Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni is a stunning rooftop terrace with views over Bari Vecchia (Old Town) and the harbor. Try to head there for sunset if you can time it!
Best Restaurants in Bari
Puglia has some amazing food! Each region of Italy has a unique cuisine and Puglia is no exception. Some foods you have to try while you’re in Puglia:
- Orecchiette – this small, ear shaped pasta is a staple in Puglia. You’ll find it served in many ways, but one of the most famous is with broccoli rabe. Definitely give it a try!
- Taralli – small rings made of dough and oil. These crispy rings are often serve topped with tomatoes, salt and oil.
- Focaccia – Focaccia is more popular in the Puglia region than pizza. This thick dough is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, often served with cherry tomatoes.
The Risto Pazzeria, Bari
Risto Pazzeria is one of the best spots in Bari to sample Puglia’s infamous orecchiette. Cannot recommend this place enough!
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
I came to Bari from Greece and was so excited to be back in Italy for the food! L’Antinca Pizzeria da Michele was my first stop and the pizza did not disappoint. Firstly, they are massive, but also delicious!
Ristorante Le Terrazze del Santa Lucia
Ristorante Le Terrazze del Santa Lucia is an oceanside terrace specializing in seafood. This is a great place for a late lunch on the water!
Terrazza delle Nazioni
If you’re looking for a meal with views try Le Terrazze del Santa Lucia, located in the iH Hotels Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni this stunning rooftop terrace offers some of the best views in Bari with your food.
Mastro Ciccio
If you’re looking for a more laid back spot try Mastro Ciccio a local cafe, serving sandwiches and pastas. This place is super casual, order at the counter and enjoy!
Voglia… Pane e vino
Another casual spot Voglia… Pane e vino is a sandwich spot. The bread is amazing and the ingredients are unreal! This cute little spot is a vibe, highly recommend! Perfect place to grab a panini and a glass of wine after exploring.
L’Osteria del Borgo Antico
This quaint Osteria serves traditional cuisine. The food is lovely. This is a great spot for a traditional dinner
In Alto Vineria
In Alto Vineria is a Gastropub in Bari Vecchia that is a popular local spot. Great charcuterie and vibes. This is a good spot for a light meal and drinks with friends!
Panificio Fiore
Popular local bakery for breads, focaccia, pizza & more!
Bakery Santa Rita
Another popular bakery in Bari Vecchia, this place has the absolute best focaccia! Grab one to snack on while you explore!
Orecchietteria San Nicola
Another great spot for trying the local cuisine, particularly the Orecchiette
La Baresana | Trattoria Pizzeria
La Baresana is a casual restaurant serving pizzas and pastas. The pizzas are unreal!
Tuccio – Cucina Caffè
Tuccio is a great, casual spot for local cuisine. Highly recommend the pastas!
Top Things to do in Bari
One of my favorite things about Bari is that there is not a huge list of “must see” and “must do” things like Florence and Rome, it’s much more like Venice, where the main experience is to explore the charming streets, relax and immerse yourself in the culture!
Explore Bari Vecchia
Bari’s Old Town, Bari Vecchia, is a maze of charming, picturesque roads and alleys. I loved exploring early in the morning before it got too crowded. The area is filled with restaurants, street food, shops, gelato spots, bakeries and more.
You’ll see many of the highlights of Bari simply by exploring this area! Like:
- Basilica San Nicola
- Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale San Sabino
- Piazza Mercantile
- Il Fortino di Sant’Antonio
- Lungomare Imperatore Augusto
Try the Local Cuisine
Bari has tons of amazing food, definitely visit hungry! You can explore Bari’s food culture on your own or can join a tour. There’s tons of options from street food tours, to bike tours, pasta tours, tours with cooking classes & more!
How Many Days to Spend in Bari
1-2 Days
I definitely recommend spending at least one day in Bari, if you have some extra time and want a little more time to relax and explore you could spend 2 days exploring the charming city, but if you’re crunched on time one day is enough!
Getting to Bari
By Plane
Bari has it’s own international airport located not too far from downtown. From the airport you can take the FM2 Trainline (the train station is attached to Bari Airport) to Bari Centrale, the main train station.
The train takes about 30 minutes and costs 5 euro one way. It runs every 20-30 minutes, so you’ll never have to wait too long.
By Train
Bari Centrale, the main train station in Bari is connected to all other major Italian cities via Italy’s extensive rail network. From Rome the fastest trains reach Bari in four hours.
Safety for Solo Female Travel in Bari
4 out of 5
Bari is a safe city for solo female travel, particularly if you’re staying in the Bari Vecchia area that is most popular for tourists. Like any major city, you’ll want to stay alert at night and avoid areas that seem unsafe, but in general I had no issues in Bari.
