A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Bari for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a charming, character-filled, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.

Bari

Bari is a local, cultural, and authentic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Edinburgh and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Bari?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Bari, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bari is known for its food and beaches. Edinburgh is more touristy than Bari and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Bari is popular for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic.

How is Edinburgh different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Edinburgh has many famous sights for visitors. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Bari Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great city for its shows and theatre. However, Bari is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Bari is not a theatre destination.

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

Bari is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Bari Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Bari.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Bari Better for Music?

Edinburgh is terrific for its music scene. However, Bari is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Bari is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is a port city with good options for the beache. However, Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its historic old town.

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Bari?

Edinburgh is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Bari is a great destination for shopping. 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 Edinburgh or Bari Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Bari are very good to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Bari Better for Couples?

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

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples 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 Edinburgh or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Edinburgh, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bari. 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.

Is Edinburgh or Bari Better for Students?

Both Edinburgh and Bari are very good destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Many students visit 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.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Edinburgh and Bari.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Bari, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Edinburgh or Bari a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Bari Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bari or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Bari. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Bari 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Edinburgh. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Bari. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bari has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Bari?

Edinburgh 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Bari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the character-filled destination of Edinburgh. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the local port city of Bari. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Bari?

The gothic city of Edinburgh offers museums and theater. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Bari?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Bari. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Bari?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bari in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Bari. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bari for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Bari. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Bari averages at about 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bari this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Bari during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Bari. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bari in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Bari. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Bari in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Bari. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Bari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Bari. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bari. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bari in the Winter?

Both Bari and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bari for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. Edinburgh is much colder than Bari in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Bari during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bari. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bari in the Spring?

Both Bari and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bari because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Bari. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Bari averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In Bari, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Bari. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in April than Bari. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bari and Edinburgh