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

Should you visit Hamburg or Bari?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hamburg and Bari can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a historic, energetic, and cultural port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the live music, food, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hamburg and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hamburg or Bari?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bari than Hamburg. While Hamburg is larger than Bari, Bari has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bari is very popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, and big city activities, while Hamburg attracts visitors for its music, shopping, and impressive beauty. Hamburg is more touristy than Bari and is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. 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 Hamburg different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Many visitors head to Hamburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bari can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Hamburg or Bari? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bari is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Bari has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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 Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Hamburg or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Hamburg and Bari.

Hamburg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

Many people head to Bari for the nightlife scene. 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 Hamburg or Bari Better for Music?

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

Hamburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Bari is not a live music destination.

Is Hamburg or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is very good for the beach. However, Hamburg is not a beach destination.

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.

Hamburg is not a beach destination.

Is Hamburg or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hamburg or Bari?

Hamburg is a great port 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 Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

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 Hamburg or Bari Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Hamburg or Bari.

Hamburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Bari is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Hamburg or Bari Better for Couples?

Both Hamburg and Bari are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Hamburg is a good port city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

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 Hamburg or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is well known for backpackers. Also, Hamburg 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Hamburg or Bari Better for Students?

Bari is well known for students. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Bari is very popular with students. 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.

It's common for students to visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

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

Hamburg is a great port city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Hamburg. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Bari has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Hamburg or Bari a more walkable city?

Hamburg and Bari both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Hamburg is a very walkable destination. Most tourist areas can easily be explored 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 Hamburg Worth Visiting? and Is Bari Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bari or Hamburg?

How long in Hamburg or Bari?

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

Families should spend more time in Bari than Hamburg. 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.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Hamburg. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bari, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Hamburg or Bari?

Hamburg is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. 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.

In Bari, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bari has to offer.

Five days in Hamburg or Bari?

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic destination of Hamburg. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bari is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Hamburg or Bari?

The energetic port city of Hamburg offers shopping and museums. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bari. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bari. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Hamburg and Bari, we can see that Hamburg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Hamburg or Bari?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bari. When comparing the sizes of Hamburg 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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg or Bari in the Summer?

Both Bari and Hamburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hamburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bari for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Hamburg is cooler than Bari in the summer. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 17°C (62°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 Hamburg. In the summer, Hamburg often gets less sunshine than Bari. Hamburg gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets more rain in July than Bari. Hamburg gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Bari in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hamburg and Bari. Most visitors come to Hamburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Bari because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Hamburg is much colder than Bari. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hamburg in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Bari averages at about 18°C (65°F).

Hamburg usually receives less sunshine than Bari during autumn. Hamburg gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hamburg usually receives less rain than Bari. Hamburg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hamburg or Bari in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hamburg as well as Bari. The winter months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

The weather in Hamburg can be very cold. In January, Hamburg is generally much colder than Bari. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 0°C (33°F), and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Hamburg often gets less sunshine than Bari. Hamburg gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bari. Hamburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Bari in the Spring?

Both Bari and Hamburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bari for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Hamburg is much colder than Bari in the spring. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Bari. Hamburg usually receives less sunshine than Bari during spring. Hamburg gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hamburg usually receives more rain than Bari. Hamburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bari and Hamburg