Bari

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Bari

The coastal gem in Southern Italy offers a captivating mix of history, culture, and stunning Mediterranean landscapes. Explore the historic Old Town and wander through the winding streets, where laundry flaps in the breeze and locals chat over espresso in lively cafés, savour the local cuisine known for its fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and delicious street food, and soak up the Adriatic's beauty along its picturesque coastline.

The City

The people of Bari love to repeat this phrase: 'If Paris was on the sea, it would look like a small Bari'. Obviously, this is an exaggeration, but it tells us a lot about the pride (and sense of humour) in this area. Bari was an important city under the Greeks, became a Roman municipality, and was later governed by the Saracens, the Venetians, the Normans, the Aragons, and the Bourbons before finally becoming a part of Italy. As a link between the Greek and Middle-Eastern worlds, Bari experienced its Golden Age during the medieval period. The glories of that age are perfectly symbolised by the stupendous Cathedral and Church of San Nicola. Today, Bari is a lively modern city that still retains traces of its rich history in its architecture, culture, and traditions. It is known for its picturesque Old Town, bustling port, and vibrant street life. The city's historical significance, combined with its contemporary charm, continues to make it an interesting destination for visitors from around the world.

Do & See

Bari, a busy port city on the Adriatic coast might not quite yet be able to compete with Italy's other tourist magnets, but it's not likely to stay this way for long: the charming port town does not lack in history or culture. Bari has many stunning sites to offer, such as the Cattedrale Di San Sabino, known as one of the most important attractions in town, and the Castel Del Monte, a unique medieval manor house, 70 kilometres from the centre of Bari. Additionally, be sure to enjoy a walk in the beautiful Orto Botanico or discover the Grotte Di Castellana — the famous caves of Castellana — and visit the Old Town to capture some photos of the medieval buildings, take a stroll by the harbour, enjoy the beautiful sea view, and watch fishermen at work. All the tourist highlights can easily be visited on foot.

Dining

Pugliese cuisine is usually associated with orecchiette, little-ear-shaped pasta accompanied by cime di rapa (turnip-tops), but there's much more to this region than that one dish. The fresh vegetables found here are often prepared with oil and garlic and other specialities include fish, homemade pasta, and cereal-based soups. Most dishes are served with bread or taralli (similar to breadsticks). The burrata (mozzarella cheese with a cream centre) should not be missed. Pugliese cuisine with its delicate flavours is generally considered to be amongst the best in Italy.

Cafés

Italians are certainly passionate about their coffee and in Bari, you'll find many cosy, mostly family-owned cafés scattered all over the city. When in Bari, try the local pastry called 'pasticciotto' that is filled with creamy custard or the delicious 'bocconotto', a puff pastry stuffed with various fillings.

Bars & Nightlife

Aperitivo venues tend to open late, at around 8/9 pm, because in Bari people usually have dinner around 9 pm, and if you arrive earlier you'll probably find a lot of empty seats. People generally eat outside because it’s almost never cold and they like to chill out and chat in Piazza del Ferrarese or along the old walls. They also enjoy visiting the small villages by the sea, such as Trani, Poliniano a Mare, Molfetta, and Bisceglie, for a walk and a drink.

Shopping

If you want to find Italian fashion clothing, bags, shoes and accessories, you should visit Via Sparano — the most important shopping street in Bari. Here you can find all the famous labels as well as the major chains. Other fashion shops, with cheaper brands, can be found in Corso Cavour and Via Manzoni. And if you want to bring home typical food from Southern Italy, you can visit the markets in Corso Mazzini and on Via Nicolai (they are open every day).

Tourist Information