What to know about visiting Bari, Italy
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Bari, Italy. This port city on the Adriatic Sea is the capital of Italy’s Puglia region. While most travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Bari Italy, we want to be sure you know what NOT to do when visiting Bari!
Don’t Forget to Pay Respect to St. Nicholas
One of the most popular things to see in Bari is the 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola, which holds the tomb of St. Nicholas. It’s a pilgrimage site and you’ll see them praying at the tomb alongside tourists. The San Sabino cathedral is also beautiful.
Don’t Forget to Buy Orecchiette from the Nonas
Orecchiette comes from Bari and the name means “small ear.” There is a street in Bari, known as Strada delle Orecchiette, where older women set up little tables and sell their fresh handmade pasta. Many people come, take photos with the nonas, but then don’t buy from them! Make sure you buy some of their pasta!
Don’t Forget to Try Focaccia Barese
Another local specialty in Bari is focaccia bread. It’s kind of a fluffy bread to start with, and they put tomatoes and olives in it. It almost looks like a pizza, but it doesn’t have sauce. If you can get it fresh out of the oven, it will change your life! It’s even good reheated, so you can take it back to your apartment and warm it up.
Don’t Miss Out on A Cooking Class in Bari
When you are researching your trip to Bari, you’ll notice that many of the top Bari activities are cooking classes. There’s a reason for that! The food in the Puglia region is fantastic, and if you learn how to make it at home, you can keep those memories from your Bari trip alive!
Don’t Forget Sun Protection
The sun in Bari is strong and it gets super hot. Make sure you have your sunscreen and a hat, plus lightweight clothing that covers your skin. And don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day. Don’t let a bad sunburn ruin your trip to Bari!
Don’t Think Pane e Pomodoro is a Sandwich
It sounds like a sandwich, and it translates as bread and tomatoes, but in this case, it’s actually one of the most convenient beaches in Bari. Depending on where you stay in Bari, you can walk to this beach or take the bus. This is the most convenient beach from Bari, but it’s not the best beach. You’ll need to take a day trip to reach some of the best beaches in the region.
Don’t Miss the Norman-Hohenstaufen Castle
This Norman Castle in Bari has been preserved and offers a true glimpse at how Norman fortresses were built. While the inside does not contain many original artifacts, it is used for exhibitions, so you can usually tour the inside as well. When viewing the exterior, take notice of the pillars, which each have a different motif carved into them.
Don’t Feel Pressured to “Do Anything” in Bari
Bari is a great destination for relaxing. It’s a great town to just walk around. Old Town and the old walls are great for wandering, the piazzas are great for relaxing with a drink and a snack. The piazzas come alive in the evenings, with music and lights.
Don’t Be Lax with Safety in Bari
Bari has a reputation for theft. It’s been cleaned up a lot, but it’s still a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and not be careless with your belongings. We didn’t feel in any danger when we visited Bari, but we were also cautious with our wallets and did not wear flashy watches or jewelry. These are good tips no matter where you travel.
Travel Safety Tips for Every Destination
Don’t Stay Anywhere But Bari Vecchia
When deciding where to stay in Bari, we recommend staying in Bari Vecchia, or Old Town. This neighborhood is very centrally located, so you won’t have to travel far to see the best sites in Bari. There are tons of small alleys filled with sidewalk cafes and bars. Don’t be afraid to venture down some of these alleyways!
There are tons of apartment rentals in the area, and we wouldn’t stay anywhere else. Just don’t forget to ask where the fuse box is in your rental; the grid in Bari is old, and it’s pretty common to lose power temporarily.
Tips for Choosing the Best Vacation Apartment
Don’t Expect Free Beach Space
The beaches of Puglia can be crowded, so finding a spot can be difficult. You will probably end up paying for a beach chair and umbrella. It’s worth it, just know ahead of time that your beach day won’t be totally free.
Don’t Shy Away from the Locals
The locals in this region are awesome. They don’t see as many tourists, so they are super friendly. This is a great place to practice the Italian language because they are patient and will let you fumble through the words. It’s also a great place to study abroad. Eye contact and a smile are all you need to meet the locals; it goes a long way.
Don’t Miss These Day Trips from Bari
The best way to plan a Puglia road trip is to fly into Bari, rent a car there, and then drive to your destinations. At the end of your trip, return the car to the Bari airport and enjoy Bari using public transportation as you really don’t need a car to enjoy Bari.
- Matera is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Many of the original homes were carved into the rocks. You can tour some of these cliff dwellings but be prepared for a lot of steps and uneven pavement. It’s really beautiful, especially at dusk when the lights come on. Matera is about an hour from Bari, whether you are driving or riding the bus. There’s also a train, but that takes quite a bit longer.
- Alberobello is best known for the trulli houses with cone-shaped roofs; they look like little bee hives all over town. You can actually stay in one of these cave houses or in the newer part of town, but it’s also very doable on a day trip.
- Polignano a Mari has the best beaches in the area; the beach in town fills up quickly, but there are many beaches just outside of town. Your hotel can pre-arrange your beach chair and umbrella rental so it’s ready for you when you arrive. This area is about 45 minutes from Bari on the train.
- Monopoli is a great combination of beaches and history; it’s less than an hour from Bari, so this is a great day trip if you don’t have a ton of time. You’ll see a little bit of everything.
- Ostuni is another white-walled city and a beautiful day trip from Bari. It’s just 90 minutes by train from Bari.
- The Castellana Caves are more of an outdoor adventure day trip from Bari. The caves are only entered with a tour guide, and there are English tours daily at 11 and 4. It’s one of the biggest cave systems in the world, and the longer the tour, the more you will see.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Bari is a great place to visit if you want a more relaxing vacation, and it’s a great place to stay for exploring the surrounding region of Puglia. Visiting Bari is a nice change of pace from other more touristy destinations in Italy. Need more travel tips for visiting Italy? Check out these blog posts!