Its sprawling modern cruise ship and ferry port may be daunting, but Bari’s old town (Vecchia) captivates with historic churches and castles, narrow lanes lined with nonne (grandmothers) rolling out fresh orecchiette pasta, and the vibrant atmosphere around Piazza Mercantile and along the waterfront. Top things to do in Bari in southern Italy include admiring historical landmarks such as Saint Nicholas Basilica (Basilica San Nicola) on Bari walking tours; feasting on pasta at Strada delle Orecchiette (aka Strada Arco Basso) during street food tours and cooking classes; and day trips to Castel del Monte, the villages of Polignano a Mare and Conversano, and the ancient ruins of Gnatia.
Scorching in summer and buffeted by sea winds in winter, Bari is at its best in the spring, when the days are mild and long. The most important local festival, the Feast Day of San Nicola, is held each year in early May. Locals celebrate their beloved patron saint with processions on land and sea and fabulous fireworks. Bari is also an ideal spot for a final swim at the end of summer; the sea here holds its warmth through October.
Bari is Puglia’s main transportation hub, with an international airport, a train station (Bari Centrale Station), a bus terminal, and a ferry port. It’s also easy to explore. The historic center is small enough to walk around, and local buses cover the rest of the city and link to outlying towns. The terrain in this coastal area of Puglia is flat, so biking is also an attractive alternative, even for casual cyclists.
Vegetarians and vegans will be pleased to learn that Bari is one of the few cities in Italy where the most famous local specialty contains no meat or dairy. Orecchiette con cime di rapa is made with fresh pasta tossed with sautéed turnip greens, a bit of olive oil, chili pepper, and garlic. Some versions do add anchovies or sausage for extra flavor, so check with your server before ordering…then dig in!
