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

Should you visit Calais or Bari?

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

Should I visit Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. 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.

Calais and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Bari?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bari than Calais. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. 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 Calais different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bari is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Bari offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Bari is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Bari is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Bari is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Calais or Bari Better for Beaches?

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

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

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 Calais or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais 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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Bari?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bari and Calais.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

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 Calais or Bari Better for Families?

Bari is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Calais or Bari Better for Couples?

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

Calais is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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 Calais or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Calais or Bari Better for Students?

Bari is well known for students. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Calais 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 Calais and Bari.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

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 Calais or Bari a more walkable city?

Bari is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais 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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Calais?

How long in Calais or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Calais and Bari. In our opinion, Bari has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bari than Calais. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Bari than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Calais. 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 Calais or Bari?

Calais 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 Calais or Bari?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Calais. This city 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 Calais or Bari?

The undiscovered city of Calais 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 Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Calais and Bari, we can see that Calais 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais 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 Calais Expensive? and Is Bari Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Calais or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais 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 Calais or Bari in the Summer?

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

Calais is cooler than Bari in the summer. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 17°C (63°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 Calais. In the summer, Calais often gets less sunshine than Bari. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets more rain in July than Bari. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Bari in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Calais is much colder than Bari. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Calais in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Bari averages at about 18°C (65°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Bari during autumn. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Calais usually receives less rain than Bari. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Calais or Bari in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In January, Calais is generally much colder than Bari. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 4°C (40°F), and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Calais often gets less sunshine than Bari. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in January than Bari. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Bari in the Spring?

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

Calais is much colder than Bari in the spring. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Bari. Calais usually receives less sunshine than Bari during spring. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Calais usually receives more rain than Bari. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bari and Calais