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Bari is the capital of Puglia, in the heel of Italy, right on the Adriatic Sea. It has that typical Italian coastal charm: narrow old streets, pasta made on doorsteps, raw fish and a seafront made for evening walks.
I spent a weekend in Bari on my own in June 2023, including a day trip to Alberobello. Here are the best things to do in Bari, my 2-day itinerary, and what the weekend cost.
Quick answer:
- Worth it? Yes, especially for a long weekend.
- How many days? Two: one for Bari, one for a day trip to Alberobello.
- What it cost me: about €88–108 for the weekend, including one night in a hostel.
- Safe solo? I felt safe, including in the Old Town at night.
Is Bari worth visiting? And how many days do you need?
Yes, especially for a long weekend. Two days is enough for Bari itself: the Old Town, the seafront and a big seafood dinner. Add a third day for a day trip to Alberobello or another Puglia town. That’s what makes Bari great for a short trip on limited annual leave: one flight, and you’ve got a whole region on your doorstep.
My 2-day Bari itinerary
This is how I did my weekend, and I’d do it the same way again.
Day 1: Bari. Get lost in Bari Vecchia, watch the pasta being made on Orecchiette Street, then see the Basilica di San Nicola and walk past the cathedral. Grab focaccia for lunch and gelato at Gelateria Gentile. In the afternoon, walk the seafront out to the lighthouse, and finish with a raw-fish dinner at Al Pescatore.
Day 2: Alberobello. Take an early bus and get there by 9 am, before the crowds, and walk the trulli streets for 2-3 hours. You’re back in Bari for the afternoon. Here’s my full Alberobello day trip guide.
Got a third day? Add another day trip: Polignano a Mare or Monopoli are close by train (see other easy day trips below).
Getting from Bari airport to the city centre
I took the airport train, and it’s the easiest option. It runs from a station connected to the arrivals hall by a short indoor walkway, takes about 25 minutes to Bari Centrale and costs €5.30 one way. Trains run every 20 to 30 minutes from early morning to late evening.
Other options: local bus 16 costs about €1 but takes 45 to 60 minutes, and a taxi is a flat rate of around €25 to €28.
Things to do in Bari
1. Get lost in Bari Vecchia
The Old Town, Bari Vecchia, is exactly what you’d expect from southern Italy: narrow streets, washing hanging between balconies, pasta shops, good food and cute cafés. It sits right next to the port, and most of what’s on this list is in or around it, so you’ll spend most of your time here.
Don’t miss Piazza Mercantile, the city’s commercial centre since the 14th century. Today it’s the place to sit on a terrace with an Aperol or a small bite.
I walked around the Old Town at night on my own too, and it felt fine.
Just south of the Old Town is the new town, Murat, laid out in a neat grid. Via Sparano is its main shopping street. I walked through it, but most of my time was in the Old Town.
2. Watch the pasta being made on Orecchiette Street
Strada delle Orecchiette (Orecchiette Street) got its nickname from the women who make orecchiette pasta in their homes and sell it right on the street. It’s all handmade, and you’ll see it drying on wooden boards as you walk past. The name means “little ears”, from the shape, and the pasta has been made in this area since around the 12th century. The street’s real name is Arco Basso, in the Old Town.
3. Go inside the Basilica di San Nicola
The basilica was built in the 11th century and is one of the most important examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture. It’s on the eastern edge of Bari Vecchia, and you can’t miss it because of its size. Once inside, look up at the gilded 17th-century wooden ceiling. Entry is free.
Bari Cathedral (San Sabino) is a few minutes’ walk away, also in the Old Town. I only walked past it.
4. Try raw fish (crudo barese) at Al Pescatore
“Il crudo barese” is Bari’s centuries-old tradition of eating raw fish and seafood. The most popular things to try are octopus, sea urchins and baby cuttlefish.
After a bit of research, I chose Al Pescatore in Bari Vecchia. It has an impressive open fish counter, a good selection of raw fish, delicious mains and plenty of wine. My dinner came to around €30 to €50. Book a table in advance!
5. Have gelato at Gelateria Gentile
No trip to Italy is complete without gelato. I stopped at Gelateria Gentile, very close to Orecchiette Street, and it has to be one of the creamiest artisanal gelatos I’ve ever had. It was founded in 1880 and still uses traditional recipes. It’s a bit more expensive than other shops, but honestly, it’s worth it.
6. Walk the seafront to the lighthouse
Bari’s seafront promenade (the Lungomare) is about 15 km (9 miles) long, one of the longest in Europe. You’ll pass fish markets, grand old buildings and little harbours. I walked out to the Molo Sant’Antonio lighthouse for a great view back over the city. It’s the perfect way to start or end the day.
7. See Castello Svevo
Just outside the Old Town, Castello Svevo is a medieval fortress, probably built in 1132, that now houses a museum. I only saw it from outside. If you want to go in, check the current opening hours and ticket price on the museum’s website before you go.
8. Eat focaccia barese
Bari’s focaccia, topped with tomatoes and olives, is the cheapest great lunch in town. Bakeries like Panificio Santa Rita often have a queue, which is a good sign.
9. Watch the sunset at the fish market
In the evenings, the area around Bari’s fish market (Mercato del Pesce) on the seafront fills up with people having a beer and a snack as the sun goes down. It’s a very local, very cheap way to end the day.
10. Take a day trip to Alberobello
If you’re in Bari, don’t miss a day trip to Alberobello, the town famous for its trulli: whitewashed stone houses with conical roofs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It takes two to three hours to walk around all the trulli-lined streets.
It’s about 55 km (34 miles) from Bari. I took the bus, which cost around €11 return and took about an hour each way. The bus leaves from the other side of the train station, and on the way back, catch it where it dropped you off: Google Maps shows the wrong stop. You can compare buses and trains on Omio.
Full guide: Alberobello day trip from Bari, with a map of the bus stop, what to see and what my day there cost (about €31).
Other easy day trips from Bari
I’ve only done Alberobello so far, but these are the other easy day trips from Bari:
| Day trip | How | Time from Bari |
|---|---|---|
| Alberobello (I went) | Bus | About 1 hour |
| Polignano a Mare | Train | About 30-45 minutes |
| Monopoli | Train | About 30-40 minutes |
| Matera | Bus, or the slower FAL train via Altamura | About 1 hour by bus, 2.5 hours by train |
You can compare trains and buses on Omio.
What my Bari weekend cost
A solo weekend in June 2023, with one night at Habari We Dorm. Prices in euros, with dollars at about €1 = $1.12 (October 2026).
| What | € | $ |
|---|---|---|
| Airport train, both ways (€5.30 each) | €10.60 | $12 |
| Dinner at Al Pescatore | €30–50 | $34–56 |
| Hostel, 1 night (Habari We Dorm) | €36.72 | $41 |
| Bus to Alberobello, return | about €11 | about $12 |
| Basilica di San Nicola, Old Town, seafront | Free | Free |
| Total | about €88–108 | about $99–121 |
Most of Bari’s best things are free: the Old Town, Orecchiette Street, the basilica and the seafront. Your big spends are the hostel and the seafood dinner.
Is Bari safe for solo female travellers?
I felt safe in Bari overall, including walking around the Old Town at night. The area around the train station felt a bit dodgy, though, so after dark I’d stick to the Old Town, the seafront and the main shopping streets. The usual city habits apply: keep your bag in front of you in busy streets and on the train.
Where to stay in Bari
I stayed at Habari We Dorm and paid €36.72 for one night in June 2023. It’s a great place for solo travellers, close to both the Old Town and the train station: clean rooms, self check-in, and both dorms and private rooms.
Bari FAQ
When is the best time to visit Bari? Late April to June, or September to early October: warm, without the July and August heat and crowds. I went in June.
Is there a beach in Bari? Yes, Pane e Pomodoro is the town beach, reached by local bus. I didn’t go, so I can’t vouch for it.
How many days do you need in Bari? Two days for the city, three with a day trip to Alberobello.
How do I get from Bari airport to the city? The airport train takes about 25 minutes to Bari Centrale and costs €5.30.
Is Bari worth visiting? Yes. It’s authentic, affordable and a great base for exploring Puglia.
Is Bari safe? I felt safe overall as a solo woman, including in the Old Town at night. The area around the train station felt a bit dodgy, so stick to the busier areas after dark.
How do I get from Bari to Alberobello? By bus (about an hour, around €11 return) or by the slower FSE train (about 1h 50m). Details in my Alberobello day trip guide.
For more southern Italy, read my tips for driving in Sicily, and for keeping trips cheap, my budget travel tips for Europe.
