One of the most essential parts of Southern Italy, Bari, has managed to grab the attention of globetrotters for many years and will continue to do so in the coming years.
This capital city of Puglia has seen a lot of historical changes over generations and still managed to pertain its rich heritage. A top spot for tourists recently, the city has gained some footfall, and people have a lot to say about this magical place. Full of twists and turns, narrow alleys, historic cathedrals and ruins dating 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.
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The Top 9 Things to do in Bari
You may be visiting Bari as part of a longer Puglia itinerary. In this post we share the top 9 things to do in Bari.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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Where to Stay in Bari
If you are looking for where to stay in Bari, there is a wide range of accommodations available, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Bari for any budget.
Luxury –Get world-class service and celebrity treatment at Dogana Resort in Bari, Italy. All rooms are air-conditioned with a safe and wifi and a restaurant is situated onsite. The rooms are comfortable and modern and the hotel is nearby to the centre of Bari and the beach.
Book your stay at Dogana Resort here.
Mid-Range –Dilman Luxury Stay is a beautiful accommodation that offers a bed and breakfast and is situated in the central district of Bari. Some bedrooms have a balcony and all rooms have air conditioning and wifi.
Book your stay at Dilman Luxury Stay here.
Budget – A comfortable yet affordable hotel, located in the historical centre of Bari and only 1km from the beach. A sweet and savoury breakfast is offered each morning at CconfortHotels R&B Semplici Emozioni.
Book your stay at CconfortHotels R&B Semplici Emozioni here.
Unfold the narrow valleys of historical fame
Bari is a city curated to be in a maze-like structure. Supporting this thought, the city can be best explored while cruising through the narrow valleys. These magical valleys hold a lot of historical significance and strolling in them would help you become a step closer to the city.
To explore the best of Bari, focus on these two- Old Town (Bari Vecchia) and the Murat. These two parts of Bari hold the key to unlocking the rich history wherein you can be a spectator of Baroque churches, historic piazzas, a lot of narrow alleyways with laundry hanging down from balconies and Vespas parked in doorways, probably a sight that discloses the raw Bari.
Get to know about the City’s Patron Saint at Basilica di San Nicola
Probably one of the best things to do in Bari is to pay a visit to the city’s patron saint at Basilica di San Nicola.
The historical significance of this basilica is that it was one of the first Norman churches to be built in southern Italy. Adding to this fact, it is also a spectacular example of amazing Pugliese-Romanesque architecture.
According to historical legends, it was originally constructed to be the house of the relics of St Nicholas or rather famous as Father Christmas, which were initially stolen from Turkey in 1087 by local fishing folk. As time went by, the Basilica found its own importance amongst the Catholics and Orthodox Christians and became their place of pilgrimage.
The Basilica holds rather more important than it is said. Home to the valuable remains of St Nicholas which are said to emanate miraculous myrrh with special powers is ensconced in a shrine in the beautiful and vaulted crypt.
Visiting the basilica will always be special and help you feel a strong and powerful vibe enough to make you come here again. One of the must-visit locations in your top 10 things to do in Bari, Italy.
Engage in a spiritual manner at Bari Cathedral a.k.a. the Cathedral of San Sabino
The Cathedral of San Sabino is the perfect place to engage and feel connected to the almighty. One of the top 10 things to do in Bari must include paying a visit to the Cathedral of San Sabino and experience the spiritual connection.
Built-in the 12th-13th century, the Cathedral of San Sabino has a lot of historical connections and mentions over the years. As believed, the cathedral is built over the original Byzantine church and has gained fame for being one of the highly influential and important churches in Bari. the fame is parallelly shared by San Nicola which measures its fair share of tourist footfall.
One of the major highlights of the cathedral are the subterranean Museo del Succorpo Della Cattedrale. It is the exact place where excavations have believed and said that remnants were left over from an ancient Christian basilica and various other Roman ruins. Apart from this, the cathedral also houses walls supporting the deep arcades and the eastern window is a tangle of plant and animal motifs.
Be a spectator of beauty at the Bari Castle a.k.a Castelo Normanno-Svevo
An imposing fortress and a symbolic building in Bari, the Castelo Normanno-Svevo is guarding the city by standing on its edge. The first glimpse of the great fortress justifies how well its grand exterior has weathered the years given the fact that it’s nearly 900 years old. History states that it was built around 1132 by the Norman King Roger and was refortified after 100 years when it was under attack.
One of the top 10 things to do in Bari must contain visiting this archaeological wonder. The interior of Castelo Normanno-Svevo, once upon a time, had the finest interior work although with time things changed. Nowadays, the Castelo is now used for permanent and temporary art and archaeological exhibitions.
Play along with your cinematic bug at Teatro Petruzzelli
One of the highly magnificent and eye-catching buildings in Bari, the Teatro Petruzzelli is a worthy sight not to be missed.
Constructed in 1903, the original theatre completely got lost in the flames when a fire broke out in 1991. The building standing today was reconstructed and completed in 2008. The building doesn’t have much ornate walls rather has stuck to the original design and retained the original essence too.
Teatro Petruzzelli was always famous and a favourite stage for world-class performers like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Liza Minnelli, and Luciano Pavarotti. Although, in today’s date, the stage is home to the finest performances of opera and ballet.
If while visiting you aren’t able to catch a show, you can always enjoy a tour of the theatre. Once you enter, you would be welcomed by a huge curtain on stage and gold and red seats, all contributing to a pleasing and luxurious sight.
Admire the magical view of Teatro Margherita and the Sea
One of the most influential theatres in Bari, the Teatro Margherita has its own version of history. Built as the only building constructed with cement at that time, the theatre has seen its fair share of time and history. The sea guards the theatre and has done so over time. The Teatro Margherita was connected to the ‘mainland’ via a pier- very unique in Europe at that time.
Designed in an Art Nouveau style, the former theatre now functions as a contemporary art museum and offers a lot for art lovers. Do include a visit to the Teatro Margherita as one of the top 10 things to do in Bari.
Be a sea-kid at Bari Beach
Bari is a city blessed with many beaches ready and perfect to enjoy some sand, sun and summer.
One of the top visited and best beaches in Bari is Pane e Pomodoro Beach. Crowded over the season, the beach has the basic facilities required to enjoy a luxurious time. Supporting the idea of promoting the beach-y facilities, you can find an almost resort-like area with a park, exercise area and beach bar available to use.
The crowd loves to come here on weekends, therefore, it is not a peaceful escape but rather a perfect one for people who enjoy swimming and people-watching.
The other people-attracted beaches include Spiaggia Torre Quetta and Lido San Francesco located south and north respectively.
Investigate the water-relation of the city at the Bari Lungomare
The relationship between Bari and the sea runs deeper than the thoughts and understanding it would not require much effort. To actually understand it you just need to live the city by wandering along the seafront and the roads that take you to your destination.
To enjoy the best of Bari, you can either take a stroll in the evening at the seafront promenade or enjoy a morning walk and enjoy the fresh fishes that were caught that day only! This would help get a glimpse of the connection between this city and water and also let you in understanding of the relationship.
Hop and shop in Murat
The Apulian capital city whose centre accommodates one of the most interesting locations in Bari- Murat. Murat is a district in Bari that extends between the railway and to the north a small part of the coast and the old town with which it forms the present-day centre of the city.
One of the highly participated activities that take place in Murat is shopping. People find themselves engaged in window shopping or even asking shopkeepers about the prices of certain items.
Amongst all this hustle-bustle, there is one studio which stands out and grabs enough attention. Spazio is a studio which offers some of the best designs from local Puglian designers and artists and that is why the studio also operates as a design store as well as a showroom.
Feel the vibe of Bari intact in Murat while shopping and exploring the streets as they offer the local produce at a cheaper rate. You can easily have access to offers a bit of everything – local brands, fast fashion, and even luxury designers.
Before You Leave for Bari
Before you set off on your way to Bari, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Italy. All of this is discussed in detail below.
How to Get to Bari
Bari is located right at the southern tip of Italy and is most commonly accessed by a flight due to how far it is. Other ways of reaching Bari are by train and bus if you are travelling from within Italy or by ferry if you are coming from Greece.
When to Visit Bari?
Being located at the south of Italy, Bari can get extremely hot during the summer months. Easter in Italy is a lovely time to visit as springtime tends to bring warm and manageable temperatures that make it more enjoyable to explore.
Where to Stay in Bari
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Bari, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Bari for any budget.
Luxury –Get world-class service and celebrity treatment at Dogana Resort in Bari, Italy. All rooms are air-conditioned with a safe and wifi and a restaurant is situated onsite. The rooms are comfortable and modern and the hotel is nearby to the centre of Bari and the beach.
Book your stay at Dogana Resort here.
Mid-Range –Dilman Luxury Stay is a beautiful accommodation that offers a bed and breakfast and is situated in the central district of Bari. Some bedrooms have a balcony and all rooms have air conditioning and wifi.
Book your stay at Dilman Luxury Stay here.
Budget – A comfortable yet affordable hotel, located in the historical centre of Bari and only 1km from the beach. A sweet and savoury breakfast is offered each morning at CconfortHotels R&B Semplici Emozioni.
Book your stay at CconfortHotels R&B Semplici Emozioni here.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Bari
What you need to pack for Bari will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and rainy days. During the Summer, you are pretty much guaranteed nice weather with temperatures ranging from 20-35 oC. The hottest months are July and August, so these will be the most popular for a Summer holiday.
During the winter months in Bari, the rain will become more frequent and the temperatures will drop to between 10-20 oc. If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Bari is very strong, especially during the summer months. Apply a lot of suncream regularly to prevent a nasty burn from ruining your trip. We use this specific sunscreen to protect us as it is not as oily and irritating as other sunscreens.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Bari, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Bari
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, your guide to all of the best things to do in Bari. If you are visiting this incredible city and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! Let us know in the comments below!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience visiting this beautiful place.
If you are planning a Italy trip soon then check out our other Italy content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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