Are you looking for the best things to do in Bari, Italy? We have the perfect list for you.
Over the years, Bari – a major Mediterranean cruise port – has become the second most important city in Southern Italy, after Naples in the Campania region. It has, in fact, the largest port on Italy’s Adriatic coast.
The capital of Puglia (English: Apulia) and sometimes dubbed the Bologna of the South, Bari is a university city that is also known for its gorgeous old town with churches, stunning courtyards, and other hidden gems.
Being located in the heel of Italy’s boot, Bari is just a stone’s throw away from some of the country’s beaches, making it such a great springboard to these other exciting destinations.
However, the Apulian capital offers more than a traditional harbor. Its fantastic cuisine, magnificent churches, and genuinely friendly people make Bari such a delightful off-the-beaten-track destination. It is a historic but modern-looking town that’s more urban than Lecce and Brindisi, and with more exciting nightlife that attracts many young people.
12 Best Things To Do in Bari, Italy
Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Bari, Italy.
1. Stroll through the maze of the Old Town’s cobbled streets
Strolling through the Bari Old Town’s maze of narrow cobbled streets will lead you to some of the must-see attractions in Bari, including the Basilica di San Nicola and Castello Svevo.
The Old Bari, or Bari Vecchia as Italian call it, has remained untouched by the modern developments around it. Its old cobbled streets wind in an almost circular pattern, contrary to the series of straight, parallel ones in the modern part of the city.
For the authentic Barese colors and flavors, the Old Town is a place to be. This is the best way to start your tour of Bari.
2. Walk along the promenade on the Lungomare Nazario Sauro
For the stunning panoramic view of the coast of Bari, check out the promenade on the coastal avenue called Lungomare Nazario Sauro. This is in the modern part of Bari with old buildings sprinkled throughout.
Walk along the walls of the old city near the Castello Svevo, after which you can shop and snack or have a drink at the many shops and restaurants.
3. Explore Castello Svevo di Bari
The Castello Svevo of Bari, also known as the Swabian Castle or the Houhenstaufen Castle, was built in the 12th century by Norman King Roger II. It was destroyed by William the Bad but rebuilt and reinforced by Emperor Fredrick II, going through several transformations before it became what it is seen today.
The massive castle is one of the best places to visit in Bari. Explore the walls and towers, look out from these high vantage points, and imagine yourself defending the same walls from invaders back in the day.
Castello Svevo is currently used for exhibitions. For a fee of €6 you can enter the museum, but even without seeing the exhibits visitors can already enjoy just walking around the exterior – for free.
4. Visit the Basilica di San Nicola
Bari’s signature church, the Basilica di San Nicola (Basilica of Saint Nicholas) is an important pilgrimage site both for Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians. It houses the relics of Saint Nicholas that were stolen from his original shrine in Myra, in present-day Turkey. These relics, ensconced in a shrine in a vaulted crypt, are said to be miraculous – emanating myrrh with special powers.
A gorgeous example of Pugliese-Romanesque architecture, the Basilica di San Nicola was built between 1087 and 1197. It was among the first Norman churches to be built in southern Italy. Its 13th-century ciborium over the altar is Puglia’s oldest.
You can also visit the adjacent Museo Nicolaiano to see other items related to the basilica such as chalices, vestments, and crests.
5. Check out the Spazio Murat
Near the edge of Bari’s harbor is the nexus of galleries and exhibition spaces called Spazio Murat. Once a covered market between the ancient village and the Murat district, the heritage building was repurposed to showcase an ever-changing series of cultural and art displays.
Spazio Murat is one of the most interesting places in the Apulian capital, dedicated to the promotion of contemporary arts and culture. The place also caters to workshops and meetings.
You can give a small donation to visit the exhibits, or go for free to see the shop with original and interesting objects.
6. Visit Teatro Margherita
Teatro Margherita is a historic theater along the Lungomare Nazario Sauro in Bari. It has been restored and reopened to the public as a contemporary art museum.
A beautiful piece of architecture in Liberty style, visiting Teatro Margherita is one of the best things to do in Bari. You can go inside to see the exhibits or just admire the theater from the outside. Either is great, but you will love both!
7. Walk through the Palazzo dell’Acquedotto Pugliese
Bari’s Palazzo dell’Acquedotto Pugliese, or the Palace of the Apulian Aqueduct, is a historic building in Apulian neo-Romanesque style. The palazzo was built between 1927 and 1932 to serve as a monument to Puglia’s historic conquest of water, a resource that was rather scarce in the region.
Walking through the Palazzo dell’Acquedotto Pugliese is one of the best activities in Bari, with its beautiful salon and great pieces of furniture, and of course – the history of the place. Outside, the architecture simply stands out and merits a lot of photographs!
8. Hit the beach – Lido San Francesco
At just 2.6 km from Bari’s city center, Lido San Francesco is a beach situated in an urban area, very close to the road. It has all the amenities you will need. And while it could be very busy, the beach is huge and spacious so it doesn’t get too crowded.
Lido San Francesco is a straight coastline with clear blue waters and golden sands. Here you can swim, sunbathe, and participate in other water activities. It is also a great place for simply enjoying a morning coffee or a hefty seafood lunch.
- Also read: 10 Best Beaches in Puglia, Italy
9. Stroll around the Piazza Mercantile
Bari’s most important piazza, Piazza Mercantile, has been the city’s commercial center since the 14th century.
Plenty of must-see attractions in Bari can be found here, including the Palazzo del Sedile and its 16th-century clock tower, the Palazzo della Dogana, and the Baroque fountain called the Fontana della Pigna.
Located in the Old Town of Bari, Piazza Mercantile is perfect for those who want a taste of Bari’s nightlife – thanks to the slew of restaurants, cafés, and bistros dotting the area.
Bari’s famous square is also haven for fashionista shoppers. The plethora of clothing and shoe shops will never disappoint!
10. Shop at Palazzo Mincuzzi
Located on one of Bari’s main streets, on the corner of the via Sparano and Via Putignani in the Napoleonic Murat district, Palazzo Mincuzzi is a very well-ornamented historic building in a refined Liberty style.
The palazzo is illuminated by the glass dome that overlooks the building and features a monumental staircase. It has become the iconic symbol of Bari and one of the most prestigious shops in the city. If you’re looking to buy the Italian fashion brand United Colors of Benetton items in Bari, this is the place to go. There’s a slew of other shops on the street as well.
Palazzo Mincuzzi is one of if not the most photographed commercial building in the Apulian capital. It is especially stunning at night.
11. Visit a church inside a cave – Santuario Madonna della Grotta
About 15 minutes by car from the city of Bari, you can find the Santuario Madonna della Grotta in the village of Modugno. A beautiful church inside a cave, it is a fantastic spiritual place where you can relax and meditate away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can also hear the mass if you prefer.
The Santuario Madonna della Grotta is of ancient origins. It was a rock church in the 8th century, where the Basilian monks who escaped iconoclastic repression took refuge. In the Middle Ages, it was a pilgrimate site and a transit point for Crusaders heading to or returning from the Holy Land.
St. Conrad of Bavaria lived as an anchorite in this sanctuary from 1139 until his death in 1155. Today, visiting the Madonna della Grotta remains one of the most popular things to do in Bari.
12. Go on a day trip to Castel del Monte
A masterpiece of medieval architecture, the 13th-century Castel del Monte is one of the region’s most visited places. It is perched on a remote hilltop in Andria, less than an hour by bus or train from the Bari city center.
Claimed by many to be the most striking in Southern Italy, Castel del Monte is an enchanting octagonal castle where the number 8 is found all over. It features an octagonal courtyard and eight octagon-shaped towers, with the first two floors having eight rooms each.
Castel del Monte has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage status since 1996.
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