A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Ravenna vs. Bari for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Ravenna or Bari?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ravenna and Bari. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a authentic, historic, and off-the-beaten-path town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Ravenna and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ravenna or Bari?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bari than Ravenna, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bari is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and big city activities, while Ravenna is known for its small town charm. Ravenna is more touristy than Bari and is known for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires. Bari is popular for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. It is also home to San Nicola.

How is Ravenna different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Ravenna and Bari.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ravenna. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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

Bari is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Bari, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Dining out in Ravenna is an experience not to be missed. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is Ravenna or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Bari is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Bari has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Ravenna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is Ravenna or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is a good destination for the beache. However, Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Bari offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is Ravenna or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari is a very popular place for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

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.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ravenna or Bari?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Ravenna and Bari.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ravenna. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Many visitors go to Bari to go 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 Ravenna or Bari Better for Families?

Both Ravenna and Bari are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Ravenna is very family-friendly. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

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 Ravenna or Bari Better for Couples?

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

Ravenna is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

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 Ravenna or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

Is Ravenna or Bari Better for Students?

Bari is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Ravenna is not popular with students.

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.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

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

Ravenna has some public transit options. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

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 Ravenna or Bari a more walkable city?

Ravenna and Bari are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Ravenna is a very walkable town. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Ravenna?

How long in Ravenna or Bari?

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

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

Ravenna is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. 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 Ravenna or Bari?

Ravenna 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.

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 Ravenna or Bari?

Ravenna is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town 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 Ravenna or Bari?

Because Ravenna is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ravenna and Bari, we can see that Bari is more expensive. And not only is Ravenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ravenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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

Which is Bigger, Ravenna or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ravenna. When comparing the sizes of Ravenna 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 Ravenna 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 Ravenna or Bari in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ravenna and Bari. The summer months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

In the summer, Ravenna is around the same temperature as Bari. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ravenna in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Bari averages at about 25°C (76°F).

In July, Ravenna usually receives more rain than Bari. Ravenna gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ravenna or Bari in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ravenna as well as Bari. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bari for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Ravenna is generally cooler than Bari. Daily temperatures in Ravenna average around 14°C (58°F), and Bari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Ravenna usually gets less rain in October than Bari. Ravenna gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ravenna or Bari in the Winter?

Both Bari and Ravenna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bari in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ravenna. Ravenna is much colder than Bari in the winter. The daily temperature in Ravenna averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In January, Ravenna usually receives less rain than Bari. Ravenna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ravenna or Bari in the Spring?

Both Bari and Ravenna during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ravenna in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Bari for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Ravenna is cooler than Bari. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ravenna in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Bari averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Ravenna usually gets more rain in April than Bari. Ravenna gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bari and Ravenna