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

Should you visit Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a vibrant, friendly, and relaxed city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulouse and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Bari?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bari than Toulouse. While Toulouse is larger than Bari, Bari has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bari is very popular for its beaches, while Toulouse attracts visitors for its shopping and impressive beauty. Toulouse is famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. 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 Toulouse different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Bari and Toulouse.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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 Toulouse or Bari? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Toulouse and Bari offer a number of fantastic restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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.

Is Toulouse or Bari Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is very good in both Toulouse and Bari.

Many people head to Toulouse for the nightlife scene. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Bari has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Toulouse or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is a port city with good options for the beach. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Toulouse or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Both Toulouse and Bari have very good historic old towns worth visiting.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Bari?

Toulouse 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 Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

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 Toulouse or Bari Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toulouse. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

Bari is 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 Toulouse or Bari Better for Couples?

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

Toulouse is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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 Toulouse or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Bari Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

Toulouse and Bari both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

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

Is Toulouse or Bari a more walkable city?

Toulouse and Bari are very good when it comes to walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore 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 Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Bari Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bari or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Toulouse and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toulouse than in Bari. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Toulouse, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

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

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

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

Toulouse is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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.

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 Toulouse or Bari?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the dynamic destination of Toulouse. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Toulouse or Bari?

The friendly city of Toulouse offers nightlife and food. 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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulouse and Bari, we can see that Toulouse 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 Toulouse Expensive? and Is Bari Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Bari?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Bari. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Bari in the Summer?

Both Bari and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bari for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Bari in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Bari fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Bari. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulouse. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Bari during summer. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Bari. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toulouse or Bari in the Autumn?

Both Bari and Toulouse during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bari in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Toulouse is cooler than Bari. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulouse in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Bari averages at about 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Bari. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in October than Bari. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Bari in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Bari. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bari for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Toulouse is generally cooler than Bari. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 6°C (44°F), and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Bari during winter. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Bari. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toulouse or Bari in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Bari. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Bari because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Toulouse is cooler than Bari in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bari. In the spring, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Bari. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in April than Bari. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bari and Toulouse