EuropeBari
Handmade orecchiette, Adriatic promenades, and sun-baked trulli.
Why visit
01 / 10The case for going
Bari, a working port city, often gets overlooked for the more polished towns of Puglia, but its gritty authenticity and the famed pasta-making nonnas of Bari Vecchia make it a living experience of Southern Italy.
It is also the ideal gateway, by short train rides, to the whitewashed cliffs of Polignano a Mare and the ancient cave dwellings of Matera, offering a trio of distinct, compelling Italian experiences.
What to do
02 / 10Ways to spend a day
Activities €50–100 total
- 01Watch orecchiette being made by hand in Bari Vecchia. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 02Walk the Lungomare Nazario Sauro, Bari's seafront promenade. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 03Day trip to Polignano a Mare, for cliff views and a swim at Cala Porto. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 04Explore the Sassi di Matera, an ancient cave city. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 05Savour focaccia barese and panzerotti from a local bakery. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
Book activities & tickets
Handmade orecchiette, Adriatic promenades, and sun-baked trulli.
Where to stay
03 / 10The right base
Accommodation €60–120/night
In Bari
Bari Vecchia
historic and atmospheric, close to authentic street food
Murat
elegant 19th-century grid, walkable to shops and restaurants
In Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare town
charming cliffside base with dramatic views
In Matera
Sassi
unique cave hotels, historic and quiet evenings
Find a place to stay
How to get there
04 / 10Easiest way in
Fly into:
- Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport BRI
Plan the journey
How to get around
05 / 10Once you land
Regional trains (Trenitalia) connect Bari to Polignano a Mare in 30 minutes and Matera (via a change at Altamura) in just over an hour. Within cities, walking is best, supplemented by local buses.
Get around
What to eat
06 / 10Order this
Food €30–60/day
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Orecchiette con le cime di rapa
pasta with turnip tops
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Focaccia barese
soft tomato focaccia
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Panzerotti
fried mini calzone
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Burrata
creamy mozzarella ball
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Risotto patate e cozze
rice, potato, mussels bake
By the numbers
07 / 10Cards on the table
Safety index
84/100
General guide, not advisory data
Best seasons
Spring · Fall
When it's at its best
Stay for
6 days
The sweet spot
Daily spend
$$
Mid-range
How to fit in
08 / 10Read the room
Embrace the local rhythm, with shops closing mid-afternoon for riposo and reopening in the late afternoon. The evening passeggiata along the Lungomare or through the old town is a social ritual, best enjoyed with an aperitivo.
How to pack
09 / 10What goes in the bag
Best in Spring
Spring: generally mild and sunny, with temperatures around 15-22C and pleasant sea breezes.
- comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets
- light layers for warm days and cooler evenings
- swimsuit for cliffside coves
- small day bag for exploring
How to prepare
10 / 10The boring bits
Three things worth sorting before you fly.
Tomorrow's detour
One place worth the trip.
Hand-picked, one a day.