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

Should you visit Salzburg or Bari?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Bari, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. 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, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Salzburg and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Bari?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bari than Salzburg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bari is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Salzburg attracts visitors for its music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Salzburg is more touristy than Bari and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. 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 Salzburg different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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.

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

Bari is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bari is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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 Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Salzburg or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Bari is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Bari offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Bari Better for Music?

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

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Bari is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Bari has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Salzburg or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

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 Salzburg or Bari?

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

Many people travel to Salzburg specifically to go shopping. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg or Bari Better for Families?

Salzburg and Bari are both great destinations for the whole family.

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg or Bari Better for Couples?

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

Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Salzburg and Bari are great destinations for backpackers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Bari is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Salzburg or Bari Better for Students?

Salzburg is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Bari is a very popular 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.

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

Salzburg is a great 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 Salzburg. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

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

Is Salzburg or Bari a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Bari both are great when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Bari Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bari or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Bari?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg 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 Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Salzburg. 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.

The port city of Bari offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Bari?

Salzburg is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bari is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bari, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Salzburg. 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.

Bari is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Bari?

The musical city of Salzburg offers shopping and museums. 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 great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Bari?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Bari. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Bari in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Salzburg is cooler than Bari in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Bari fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bari. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salzburg this time of the year. In the summer, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Bari. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Bari. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Bari in the Autumn?

Both Bari and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bari for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Salzburg is much colder than Bari. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Bari averages at about 18°C (65°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Bari during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Bari. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Bari in the Winter?

Both Bari and Salzburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bari because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Salzburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Bari. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Bari. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in January than Bari. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Bari in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Bari. The spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

Salzburg is cooler than Bari in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bari this time of the year. Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Bari during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Bari. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bari and Salzburg