A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Bari for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Aegina or Bari?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Aegina or Bari? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aegina

Aegina is a active, relaxing, and vibrant island. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Bari

Bari is a cultural, authentic, and local port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Aegina and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Bari?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bari. Although Aegina and Bari are popular destinations, Bari has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bari is very popular for its food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Aegina attracts visitors for its small town charm. Aegina is more touristy than Bari and is popular for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. Bari is famous for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. It is also well known for San Nicola.

How is Aegina different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bari and Aegina. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aegina or Bari?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Aegina or Bari.

Aegina offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

Many visitors head to Bari specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

Is the Food Better in Aegina or Bari? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bari is an amazing port city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Bari is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Aegina or Bari Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Aegina or Bari has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Aegina know how to have a good time. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

The nightlife in Bari has something for everybody. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

Is Aegina or Bari Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Aegina and Bari are nice choices.

Aegina is a good option for a beach vacation. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Many people head to Bari to enjoy the beach. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Is Aegina or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Bari?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bari and Aegina.

Many visitors go to Aegina to go shopping. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bari. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Is Aegina or Bari Better for Families?

Bari is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bari is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

Aegina offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Is Aegina or Bari Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Aegina and Bari make for a nice place to visit.

Aegina is a good island for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Bari is a nice destination for couples. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Aegina or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bari is a very popular port city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

Aegina is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Is Aegina or Bari Better for Students?

Bari is a great destination for students. However, Aegina is not popular with students.

Bari is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

Aegina is not popular with students.

Is Aegina or Bari Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aegina and Bari.

You'll find some public transit in Aegina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

While Bari offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Aegina or Bari a more walkable city?

Bari is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Bari is a very walkable destination. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

Aegina is somewhat walkable. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Aegina Worth Visiting? and Is Bari Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bari or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aegina and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bari than in Aegina. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Aegina, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

Families should spend more time in Bari than Aegina. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bari, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bari than Aegina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bari that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bari than Aegina if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bari.

One day in Aegina or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Aegina. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Aegina or Bari?

Aegina is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bari is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Aegina or Bari?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Aegina. This island offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bari. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Aegina or Bari?

The fun island of Aegina offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Bari. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Honeymoon Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aegina and Bari, we can see that Bari is more expensive. And not only is Aegina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aegina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aegina and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bari would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bari than you might in Aegina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aegina Expensive? and Is Bari Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Bari, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Aegina or Bari?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aegina or Bari in the Summer?

Both Bari and Aegina during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Aegina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bari because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Aegina is a little warmer than Bari in the summer. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bari fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

In Bari, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aegina. In the summer, Aegina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bari. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in July than Bari. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Bari in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Bari. The autumn months attract visitors to Aegina because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

In the autumn, Aegina is around the same temperature as Bari. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aegina in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Bari averages at about 18°C (65°F).

In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Bari during autumn. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Aegina usually receives less rain than Bari. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aegina or Bari in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Bari. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aegina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bari for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Aegina is generally around the same temperature as Bari. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 10°C (51°F), and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Bari. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in January than Bari. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Bari in the Spring?

Both Bari and Aegina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Aegina for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Bari in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Aegina is a little warmer than Bari in the spring. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Bari. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aegina. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Bari during spring. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Aegina usually receives less rain than Bari. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bari and Aegina