Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bari?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bari?
Many travelers spend one to three days in Bari during their visit. After all, the local port city has plenty to explore such as the restaurant scene, the famous sights and museums, and the historic old town.
Bari is located in the Puglia region of Southern Italy. It's a port city that is popular with travelers who are catching ferries on to Greece or other Adriatic destinations. It's also a fascinating city in and of itself, with a great old town and many authentic local restaurants.
Do you have one or two days to visit Bari? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Bari?
Bari is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crowds. It has some interesting activities and attractions. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions around the city. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the local port city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have one to three days to fully enjoy the port city even though it's not huge. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in Bari
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Bari, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided tour and tasting at La Cantina Frrud - Wine Museum ($38)
- Bari Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($7)
- Short tour with dragees tasting in Museum Mucci and walking around the historic center ($109)
The culinary scene in Bari is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this port city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided tour and tasting at La Cantina Frrud - Wine Museum ($38)
- Street Food Tour in Bari old town - Do Eat Better Experience ($78)
- Bari Street Food Tour by Rickshaw ($82)
Bari is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the port city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Bari?
Many weekend travelers visit Bari, as 2 days is a good amount of time to explore this medium-sized city and check out the restaurant scene, the famous sights and museums, and the historic old town. If you're planning a weekend getaway here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
Bari, Italy
How to spend 2 days in Bari
With a weekend (two to three days) in Bari, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the port city has to offer.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Street Food Tour in Bari old town - Do Eat Better Experience ($78)
- Bari Walking tour in small group ($33)
- Walking tour of Bari *private tour* ($98)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. 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.
The public transit in Bari is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the port city quite easily and affordably. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Bari, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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