Visit Bari: Your Complete Guide to the City

Bari is the vibrant capital of Puglia and one of the region’s most captivating cities. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, it offers visitors a mix of seaside charm, rich history, and warm southern hospitality. A favorite destination for religious pilgrims, cruise travelers, and curious tourists from all over the world, Bari will steal your heart with its sea breeze, timeless traditions, and delicious cuisine.

How to get to Bari

Bari is well-connected and easy to reach. If you're flying in, you can get to the city center by train, bus, or taxi. Once you're downtown, exploring on foot is a breeze—or hop on one of our guided bike or walking tours for an insider’s experience.

What to See in Bari

Bari Vecchia, The Historic Center

Step into the soul of Bari with a walk through its maze of narrow alleys, quaint churches, artisan boutiques, and buzzing cafés. The must-see here is the Basilica di San Nicola, a magnificent Romanesque church home to the relics of Saint Nicholas, beloved by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Just a short walk from the port and the train station, it’s a spiritual and architectural highlight. While you're there, don't miss Via delle Orecchiette, where local women make fresh pasta by hand right outside their homes—a true slice of authentic Bari.

The Seafront Promenade

Grab your sunglasses and smartphone for a walk along one of Italy’s most beautiful seaside promenades. Spanning over 15 kilometers, this stretch of coast is lined with elegant historic buildings on one side and sparkling sea views on the other. Pro tip: pick up a slice of warm focaccia and a cold beer to enjoy by the water—it’s the Bari way.

Murattiano District & Shopping Streets

Bari is not only beautiful but also stylish. In the upscale Murattiano district, just outside the old town, you’ll find top fashion brands, historic jewelry stores, artisanal leather goods, and perfumeries. This is the perfect place to indulge in a shopping spree or enjoy a coffee in one of the elegant cafés nearby. 

Norman-Swabian Castle

This 12th-century fortress stands tall near the port and the Cathedral. Today it hosts exhibitions and cultural events, but its ancient stone walls still whisper tales of medieval Bari. It’s one of the city’s most iconic monuments—well worth a visit.

Petruzzelli Theatre

The pride of Bari, Petruzzelli is Bari's firs Theatre and the fourth-largest theater in Italy. With a rich calendar of operas, concerts, and performances, it’s a cultural landmark. You can also book a daytime visit to admire its ornate interior and learn more about its storied past. 

What to Eat in Bari

One of the best ways to fall in love with Bari is through its food. Baresi cuisine is simple, bold, and full of heart—made with local ingredients and traditional know-how. Here’s what to taste during your stay:

Orecchiette with turnip greens: The most symbolic dish of Apulian cuisine. Handmade pasta, slightly rough to hold the sauce, dressed with turnip greens, garlic, oil, and a pinch of chili pepper.

Barese focaccia: Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, topped with cherry tomatoes, olives, and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Best enjoyed warm from the bakery while strolling along the seafront.

Sgagliozze and popizze: Typical Bari street food. Sgagliozze are small squares of fried polenta, while popizze are balls of fried leavened dough. You’ll mostly find them in the alleys of Old Bari, often served by ladies cooking right outside their homes.

Rice, potatoes, and mussels: A must-try traditional dish. A complete meal that perfectly combines sea and land. Best enjoyed baked, with the classic crispy crust.

Raw seafood: For the bravest and lovers of very fresh fish. Sea urchins, oysters, shrimp, raw mussels, and thinly sliced cuttlefish. All seasoned simply with lemon and oil.

Eggplant parmigiana: A comforting Apulian delight. Layers of fried eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and melted cheese. Perfect to enjoy hot or cold.

Taralli: A typical snack to munch on at any time of the day. Perfect to take home as a gastronomic souvenir.

Typical sweets: Among the most famous are cartellate (fried pastries with vincotto) and sporcamuss (pastry filled with cream, served warm and dusted with powdered sugar).

Where to Eat in Bari

All of central Bari (and beyond) offers a rich, diverse, and high-quality food and wine scene. From street food to elegant restaurants, from focacceria bakeries to bars where you can order aperitivi, Bari lets you eat well just about anywhere. Our tip? Don’t miss the chance to try some of the local specialties like focaccia barese, taralli, rice-potato-and-mussels, parmigiana, and fresh raw seafood. 

La Uascezze – A cozy and rustic little restaurant in the heart of Old Bari, perfect for tasting traditional dishes like fava beans and chicory, eggplant parmigiana, and bread meatballs. Here, the wine is homemade and the atmosphere warm and friendly.

Le Sgagliozze di Nonna Carmela – More than a restaurant, it’s an institution. Right outside her home, Nonna Carmela fries sgagliozze (the typical small squares of fried polenta) and makes handmade orecchiette right there on the street. Bari street food at its most authentic.

L’Assassineria Urbana – If you’ve never tried “assassina” pasta, this is the place for you. Here it is served in all its variations, from the classic with charred tomato and chili pepper to more creative versions with shellfish or burrata.

Ai 2 Ghiottoni – An elegant and historic restaurant, perfect for a romantic dinner with a view of the Teatro Petruzzelli. Must-try dishes include raw seafood, seafood risotto, and the classic baked sea bass.

La Tana del Polpo – A lively, informal spot beloved by locals. The fish is extremely fresh and cooked simply but deliciously. Must order: grilled octopus, mussels in pepper sauce, and seafood salad.

Antico Panificio Fiore – One of the oldest bakeries in the city, famous for its warm Barese focaccia, perfectly oily and crispy underneath. Stop by for a quick and authentic snack, but be prepared to wait: the line is almost always long.

Piccolo Bar – As the name suggests, it’s a small bar, but it has become a regular meeting point for the people of Bari. Here you can order inexpensive drinks to enjoy on the street, perfect for starting the evening or chatting with locals. The atmosphere is always lively, especially on weekends.