Revised August 30, 2026
What are the best things to do in Bari, Italy? Start by getting lost in Bari Vecchia, where narrow lanes twist between centuries-old churches and tall stone homes.
Then follow the scent of fresh orecchiette made by local women outside their homes. Walk along the Adriatic Sea. Visit the Basilica di San Nicola. And don’t leave without tasting Puglia’s famous focaccia.
I first visited Bari while traveling through Puglia in 2018. Years later, I returned and discovered even more reasons to love this southern Italian port city.
In July 2018, I hiked in Southern Italy in the region known as the “heel” or “boot” of Italy. While Puglia is attracting more European visitors thanks to direct flights by low-cost airlines, it is not nearly as popular as star destinations such as Rome, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany.
Table of Contents
See the Coastline
I am still haunted by my first glimpse of the Adriatic Sea. Its long blue arm seemed to stretch across the broad shoulder of the horizon.
The Adriatic extends from the Gulf of Venice along Italy’s eastern coastline before meeting the Ionian Sea. Six countries border its shores: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania.
I first saw the Adriatic from my airplane window. Below me, shades of gray, blue, and sea green swirled, topped by tufts of white foam. The waves surged toward the shore before being pulled back again.
Watching this constant struggle reminded me of the human condition. Poet Robert Browning captured the sea’s immense power when he wrote, “The sea heaves up, hangs loaded o’er the land.”
The Adriatic is a constant presence in Bari, the capital of Puglia. Yet many travelers simply pass through on their way to Lecce or Puglia’s popular beach resorts.
But Bari deserves more than a quick stop.
Walk Along the Adriatic Sea
The sea is a constant presence in Bari. Cobalt blue fishing boats bob in the harbor. A salty breeze follows you as you walk along the waterfront. Bari may be a cosmopolitan city, but the Adriatic shapes its character. Long avenues run parallel to the sea, inviting you to wander beside the water.
Staying by the sea always uncorks my inner child. I remember long, sunburned days building sandcastles and wrestling with the waves on a flimsy air raft.
Take a Walking Tour of Bari
One of my favorite ways to discover a new city is on foot. In Bari, I join a walking tour through Bari Vecchia, the labyrinthine Old Town overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
Our guide leads us through narrow lanes, lively piazzas, and centuries-old passageways. We pass the Basilica di San Nicola and the Duomo di Bari. But I am equally fascinated by everyday life unfolding around us.
Laundry hangs from balconies. Neighbors chat outside their homes. Local women sit at tables rolling fresh orecchiette by hand. Walking through Bari Vecchia feels less like touring a historic district and more like stepping into a living neighborhood.
Learn to Make Orecchiette in Bari
One of my most memorable Bari experiences is learning to make orecchiette, Puglia’s famous ear-shaped pasta. I join a cooking class taught by a local mother and grandmother.
We start with simple ingredients and learn how to mix and knead the dough. Then comes the challenging part. I cut small pieces of dough and use my fingers to shape each one into a tiny “ear.”
Naturally, the Italian nonnas make it look effortless. My first attempts are considerably less elegant. But that is part of the fun.
The experience gives me a new appreciation for a tradition passed through generations of Puglian families. After seeing women making orecchiette along the streets of Bari Vecchia, I get to try this beloved craft myself.
Wander Through Bari Vecchia
After my cooking class, I explore Bari Vecchia on my own. I wander its skinny streets near the two medieval churches. The neighborhood feels like a maze waiting to be mentally assembled. Darkened alleys twist into narrow lanes and unexpected dead ends. This medieval enclave sits between Bari’s two harbors.
Tall homes rise four stories above the narrow streets. Intricate black wrought-iron balconies decorate their facades. Colorful pinwheels twirl from some balconies in the breeze. The windows seem to monitor my halting progress. I imagine old nonnas leaning from the upper stories, watching life unfold below.
I walk in perpetual twilight. The hot Italian sun struggles to penetrate these narrow passageways. I frequently stop and tilt my head upward to study the architecture.
Visit the Duomo di Bari
My next stop is the Duomo di Bari (Cattedrale di San Sabino). A Saturday morning wedding is underway. A long white carpet adorns the church steps, reminiscent of the train on a bride’s gown.
Built primarily during the 12th and 13th centuries, the Romanesque cathedral stands on the site of an earlier Byzantine church. Its pale stone façade feels almost austere compared with the treasures inside. I step inside to admire the soaring arches, elaborate crypt, and centuries of history preserved beneath this landmark of Bari Vecchia.
The Cathedral is massive, so I spend about 45 minutes wandering through the building.
Explore the Cathedral Crypt
I also descend into the cathedral’s crypt. Underground chambers always strike me as a little creepy. As I enter the enclosed space beneath the church, I immediately feel slightly trapped.
Yet the crypt is an important part of the cathedral’s history. It houses the relics of Saint Sabinus, Bari’s patron saint, which were brought to the city in the 9th century. The richly decorated crypt contrasts with the cathedral’s restrained Romanesque interior above.
The present Duomo di Bari was largely built in the 12th and 13th centuries over the remains of an earlier Byzantine cathedral. It was consecrated in 1292. Today, visitors can still see traces of the ancient structures beneath the cathedral.
Visit the Basilica di San Nicola
Equally notable in Bari Vecchia is the Basilica di San Nicola, one of Bari’s most important landmarks. The basilica is a major pilgrimage destination for both Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Its pale limestone exterior is a striking example of Puglian Romanesque architecture.
The basilica was built between 1087 and 1197 to house the relics of Saint Nicholas, better known to many Americans as the inspiration for Santa Claus. Sailors from Bari brought his remains from Myra, in present-day Turkey, in 1087. Today, his tomb lies in the basilica’s crypt and continues to draw pilgrims from around the world.
Learn about Saint Nicholas
The basilica is the resting place of the relics of Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Greek Christian bishop. His legendary generosity eventually helped inspire our modern-day Santa Claus.
How Saint Nicholas ended up in Bari is quite a story. In 1087, sailors from Bari crossed the Mediterranean to Myra, in present-day Turkey. They entered the saint’s tomb and removed most of his remains. They then sailed back to Bari with the precious relics.
Bringing Saint Nicholas to Bari elevated the city’s religious importance and attracted pilgrims from across Europe. Venice later acquired additional remains believed to belong to the saint, adding another chapter to the rivalry between the two maritime cities.
Saint Nicholas became famous for his generosity toward the poor. One legend tells how he secretly provided gold to an impoverished family. Stories of such anonymous gifts eventually contributed to the beloved tradition of Santa Claus secretly delivering presents.
FAQs
How many days do you need in Bari?
I’d recommend two days for the city itself.
Is Bari walkable?
Bari is a very walkable city, especially for travelers staying near the historic center. Many of the main attractions are concentrated in and around Bari Vecchia. You can easily walk between the Basilica di San Nicola, Bari Cathedral, the Old Town piazzas, and the Adriatic waterfront.
Walking is also one of the best ways to experience Bari. Wander through Bari Vecchia’s narrow lanes, watch local women make orecchiette, and stroll along the Lungomare. Comfortable shoes are essential because you will encounter cobblestones and uneven surfaces.
Is Bari worth visiting?
Absolutely! Whether you enjoy walking by the sea, eating fresh-caught fish, wandering down medieval streets, or visiting historic churches, there is much to see and do in Bari. The city also makes a wonderful introduction to Italy’s Puglia region.
When is the best time to visit Bari?
The best time to visit Bari is May through June or September through October. The weather is generally pleasant for exploring Bari Vecchia and walking along the Adriatic waterfront. Spring and fall also offer a more relaxed experience than the peak summer season.
I would avoid July and especially August if you dislike crowds and intense summer heat. Italians love their summer beach vacations, and Puglia is an extremely popular seaside destination. August is particularly busy, when many Puglians return home, and Italian and international vacationers descend on the region.
Can you visit Bari solo?
Yes, Bari is a great destination for solo female travelers. The historic center is compact and walkable. This makes it easy to explore Bari Vecchia, the waterfront, churches, and piazzas on your own. Dining alone is also common. Join a walking tour or pasta-making class to meet other travelers. As with any city, take normal precautions. Keep valuables secure in crowded areas and stay on well-lit streets after dark. I would also be more alert around Bari Centrale train station, particularly at night. Overall, Bari makes an enjoyable and manageable base for a solo adventure in Puglia.
Continue Your Puglia Adventure
Bari is an ideal gateway to Puglia and the fascinating destinations I explored throughout southern Italy. From here, you can discover Matera’s ancient cave dwellings, Alberobello’s whimsical trulli, Lecce’s Roman ruins, and Ostuni’s whitewashed streets.
If you are planning your own Puglia adventure, read more about my travels:
- Matera — Explore the extraordinary Sassi cave dwellings in one of southern Italy’s most unforgettable cities.
- Locorotondo — Wander through the town, famous for its circular layout.
- Lecce — Discover Roman ruins, ornate churches, and the exuberant architecture of the “Florence of the South.”
- Ostuni — Get lost in the narrow lanes of Puglia’s beautiful White City.
- Stay at a Masseria — Experience the countryside and traditional hospitality that make rural Puglia so special.
Final Thoughts
Bari plundered my heart from the moment I first glimpsed the Adriatic Sea. I loved wandering through Bari Vecchia and admiring its medieval churches. Learning to make orecchiette made my return visit even more memorable.
But Bari is more than a gateway to Puglia. It deserves time to explore on its own. Walk beside the sea, get lost in the Old Town, and linger over a plate of fresh pasta.
Most of all, slow down and experience Bari like a local. You may discover that this Adriatic port city plunders your heart too.
Leeanne G Seaver
January 5, 2020 at 3:46 pmbucket-listed NOW . . . thank you!
Terri Markle
February 8, 2020 at 10:44 amI highly recommend a minimum of a week to travel to Puglia, Italy. There are so many great places to see including Matera. You will love it Leanne!