A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Bressanone vs. Bari for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Bressanone or Bari?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bressanone and Bari can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bressanone

Bressanone is a idyllic, charming, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

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 nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bressanone and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bressanone or Bari?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bari. Although Bressanone and Bari are popular destinations, Bari has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bari is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Bressanone attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bressanone is more touristy than Bari and is popular for its charming old town and its idyllic setting. 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 Bressanone different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bari is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bressanone is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bari. 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.

Bressanone is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most visitors simply enjoy soaking up the town's atmosphere, but sights around town include The Royal Palace, the cathedral, and Franzenfeste Fortress.

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

Bari is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Bressanone is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Bari have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Bressanone. Despite its small size, there are many family run restaurants that make use of ingredients from local farms. The town also hosts a few culinary festivals throughout the year.

Is Bressanone or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Bari is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Bressanone is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Bari know how to have a good time. 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.

Bressanone doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small town with some quaint bars and pubs where you can enjoy a beer and chat with other visitors.

Is Bressanone or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is a port city with good options for the beach. However, Bressanone is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Bari. 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.

Bressanone is not a beach destination.

Is Bressanone or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Both Bressanone and Bari have very good historic old towns worth visiting.

Bressanone is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The cathedral and beautiful old buildings make this a charming place to explore.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Is Bressanone or Bari Better for Hiking?

Bressanone is a great town for hiking. However, Bari is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bressanone for the hiking trails. There's a huge variety of hikes in the surrounding countryside. You can walk alongside the river, head into the foothills, or explore the nearby vineyards.

Bari is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bressanone or Bari?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bari and Bressanone.

Many visitors go to Bressanone to go shopping. The medieval streets are lined with family-owned shops, boutique clothing stores, and other unique local shopping opportunities.

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 Bressanone or Bari Better for Families?

Bari is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bressanone is a town with minimal options 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.

For families, Bressanone is not always the best place to visit. It's a great town to take a lunch break. The kids will enjoy wandering the alley-like streets. There's a river through town and great views of the Alps.

Is Bressanone or Bari Better for Couples?

Bressanone is a great town for couples. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Bressanone is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This charming town is seeped in romance. The quaint streets and surrounding mountain setting make this an idyllic place to take a romantic trip.

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 Bressanone or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Bressanone 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bressanone. There's a couple of hostels and cheaper guesthouses in town, so backpackers can enjoy a few days in this picturesque alpine town.

Is Bressanone or Bari Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Bari. 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.

Bressanone is not popular with students.

Is Bressanone 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 Bressanone and Bari.

You'll find some public transit in Bressanone, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are trains and buses throughout the region.

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 Bressanone or Bari a more walkable city?

Bressanone and Bari both are very good when exploring on foot.

Bressanone is a very walkable destination. The town is compact and small enough to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Bressanone?

How long in Bressanone or Bari?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bari than Bressanone 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 Bressanone or Bari?

Bressanone is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the cultural port city of Bari, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bari, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Bressanone or Bari?

Bressanone is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bari, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Five days in Bressanone or Bari?

Bressanone is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bari, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Bressanone or Bari?

Because Bressanone is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Bari is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy, and The Best Adventure Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bressanone and Bari, we can see that Bressanone is more expensive. And not only is Bari much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bari would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bari 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 Bressanone would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bressanone than you might in Bari.

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

Which is Bigger, Bressanone or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bressanone. When comparing the sizes of Bressanone 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.