Things to do in Bari

Things to do in  Bari

The long and port of it

Its sprawling modern cruise-ship and ferry port may be daunting, but Bari’s old town (Bari Vecchia) captivates with historic churches and castle, narrow lanes lined with nonne (grandmothers) rolling out fresh orecchiette pasta, and vibrant atmosphere around Piazza Mercantile and along the waterfront. Top things to do in Bari include city sightseeing tours on foot or by bike, rickshaw, or Segway; street food experiences and cooking classes; and day trips to Castel del Monte, the villages of Polignano a Mare and Conversano, and the ancient ruins of Gnatia.

Learn more

Top 9 attractions in Bari

#1

Swabian Castle (Castello Svevo)

star-51,431
The 12th-century Swabian Castle (Castello Svevo), with its fortified ramparts and vaulted halls, is one of top sights in Bari and a refreshing break from the port city’s Romanesque churches and art collections. Climb the Hohenstaufen tower and Aragon walls for sweeping views of the city and sea.More
Tours & Tickets
#2

Trulli of Alberobello World Heritage Site (Trulli di Alberobello)

star-5887
Feel like you’ve been dropped into a gnome village with a visit to Alberobello, one of the most unique towns in Italy and home to over 1,000 roundtrulli, fairy-tale-like whitewashed cottages topped with conical roofs. The trulli of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a top destination in Puglia’s Itria Valley and a must for photographers.More
Tours & Tickets
#3

Piazza del Ferrarese

star-5867
Piazza del Ferrarese is, along with the adjoining Piazza Mercantile, the main square in Bari’s historic center (Bari Vecchia. Today the largest city in Puglia, Bari has a rich history and vibrant local culture; experience both with a visit to the bustling cafès and shops on this newly renovated 17th-century square.More
Tours & Tickets
#4

Castel del Monte

star-4.5161
The imposing 13th-century Castel del Monte’s octagonal ramparts and towers are so iconic that an image of the UNESCO-listed fortress graces one-cent coins issued in Italy. Explore one of the most impressive of the many castles built by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in southern Italy and Sicily during his influential reign.More
Tours & Tickets
#5

St. Nicholas Basilica (Basilica San Nicola)

star-51,027
The Basilica di San Nicola is a centerpiece of Bari Vecchia, the old town at the heart of the modern city of Bari. The largest city in the region of Puglia and a major port on the Adriatic, Bari has a rich and varied history, and a visit to its imposing 12th-century Romanesque basilica is a must for architecture enthusiasts.More
Tours & Tickets
#6

Trani

star-5146
Trani is an unassuming seaside town on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It was a major maritime power in the Middle Ages—and home to one of the largest Jewish communities in southern Italy. Visit this relaxed city to see the vestiges of its former glory. Highlights include a Romanesque cathedral, the Scolanova Synagogue, and a medieval fort.More
Tours & Tickets
#7

Bari Cruise Port (Terminal Crociere di Bari)

star-00
Bari Cruise Port, a major cruise ship destination and ferry hub for routes to Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania, is the gateway to one of the largest cities on Italy’s Adriatic coast. Before exploring the surrounding region of Puglia or heading farther afield by ferry, tour Bari’s charming historical center and seafront promenade.More
Tours & Tickets
#8

Gravina Di Puglia

star-00
Considered one of the prettiest hill towns the region, Gravina di Puglia is home to a historic duomo, aqueduct, and castle, but its most remarkable treasures are hidden deep underground. Head below the town to tour the rupestrian churches, cave dwellings, and ancient tunnels dug out of its soft tufa stone.More
Tours & Tickets
#9

Museo del Confetto Mucci Giovanni

star-00
Uncover the tradition behind one of Italy’s most celebrated candies: the sugared almonds (confetti) exchanged at weddings, baptisms, and other important celebrations. The Mucci family has been producing this symbolic sweet for more than a century, and their dedicated museum offers a behind-the-scenes look at the confection’s history.More
Tours & Tickets

Explore Bari by interest

Itineraries for your Bari trip

Top activities in Bari

Boat tour of the Polignano a Mare caves with aperitif

Boat tour of the Polignano a Mare caves with aperitif

star-4.5
443
From
$38.15
Charming Exclusive Customized tours with your real Apulian friend

Charming Exclusive Customized tours with your real Apulian friend

star-5
48
From
$370.57
per group
The Original Street Food Walking Tour in Bari

The Original Street Food Walking Tour in Bari

star-4.5
126
From
$65.39
Bari Walking Tour with Pasta Experience

Bari Walking Tour with Pasta Experience

star-4.5
137
From
$46.95
UNESCO's Alberobello and Matera from Bari

UNESCO's Alberobello and Matera from Bari

star-4.5
188
From
$173.30
Bari Walking City Tour

Bari Walking City Tour

star-4.5
124
From
$29.43
Day Tour of Ostuni, Martina Franca, Alberobello from Bari
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Day Tour of Ostuni, Martina Franca, Alberobello from Bari

star-4.5
32
From
$199.83
MATERA tour from Bari
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

MATERA tour from Bari

star-5
10
From
$132.75
Matera Day Trip from Bari

Matera Day Trip from Bari

star-3
7
From
$147.14
Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Bari
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Bari

From
$158.04
LECCE & GALLIPOLI from Bari or customers accomodation
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

LECCE & GALLIPOLI from Bari or customers accomodation

star-5
6
From
$238.11
Wine tasting experience in the Apulian countryside

Wine tasting experience in the Apulian countryside

star-4.5
8
From
$234.33
Historic Center Of Bari, Locorotondo, Alberobello And Polignano

Historic Center Of Bari, Locorotondo, Alberobello And Polignano

star-5
19
From
$425.07
per group
Cesarine: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class in Bari
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Cesarine: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class in Bari

star-5
20
From
$147.14
Walking tour of Bari *private tour*

Walking tour of Bari *private tour*

star-5
7
From
$98.09
TOUR - Bari, Polignano a Mare and Alberobello (complimentary transfer service)

TOUR - Bari, Polignano a Mare and Alberobello (complimentary transfer service)

star-5
5
From
$643.05
per group
Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Bari
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Bari

star-5
5
From
$158.04
Tour of Matera and Altamura

Tour of Matera and Altamura

star-5
14
From
$435.97
per group
Day Tour of Bari, Alberobello, Matera
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Day Tour of Bari, Alberobello, Matera

star-4.5
21
From
$217.98
Bari Street Food Bike Tour

Bari Street Food Bike Tour

star-5
86
From
$61.04
See all Bari tours

Explore our promoted experiences

Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

All about Bari

When to visit

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 summer; the sea here holds its warmth through October.

Getting around

Bari is Puglia’s main transportation hub, with an international airport, a train 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.

Traveler tips

Vegeterians 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 com 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 orderings … then dig in!

Attractions
9
Tours
424
Reviews
4,758
EN
7176f819-b53a-496b-a821-99fff7ab9614
geo_hub

People Also Ask

What is Bari known for?

The port city of Bari serves as a gateway to (and the largest city of) the Puglia region. It’s known for its charming Old Town, bustling street food scene, and for hosting the bones of St. Nicholas—aka Santa Claus—in its Basilica di San Nicola.

...More
Is there anything to see Bari?

Yes. Though it’s largely known as a gateway to villages such as Alberobello and Polignano a Mare, Bari itself has historic sites worth visiting. Check out the Old Town with historic buildings and churches such as the Basilica di San Nicola, Bari Cathedral, and 12th-century Bari Castle.

...More
How do I spend a day in Bari, Italy?

Explore the waterfront and taste local food. Sign up for a cooking class, street food experience, or guided market tour and get to know this charming city in Puglia. Don’t miss Bari’s Old Town, including historic churches and a castle.

...More
How many days are enough for Bari?

Many travelers will spend only a single day in Bari. This city in Puglia is a gateway to the region’s charming villages such as Polignano a Mare or Alberobello. It is possible to explore the Old Town of Bari, with its historic churches and castle, in a single day.

...More
Is Bari a beautiful city?

Yes, many consider Bari to be one of the prettiest cities in Italy’s southern region. From its setting on the turquoise Adriatic Sea to the charming streets and elegant piazzas of its Old Town, Bari is striking in a variety of ways.

...More
Is Bari touristy?

Yes, Bari can be touristy around the modern cruise ship and ferry port. But this city is also home to a charming Old Town where grandmothers roll out fresh orecchiette pasta in narrow lanes. Explore the waterfront to see Bari’s vibrant side or get lost in the Old Town for a quieter experience.

...More
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in Bari?
A:
Q:
What are the top activities in Bari?
A:
Q:
What are the top things to do near Bari?
A:
Check out things to do near Bari:

More Tours in Bari