Visit Bari for spectacular food, castles, churches, and friendly people. With a gorgeous old town, bustling traditional harbor and Italy’s best beaches nearby, the Italian port city of Bari is well worth a visit. Add a thriving local food scene and you may never leave. The old city old city known as Bari Vecchia has narrow stone-lined streets of fading pastels and white, wrought-iron balconies and beautiful shuttered windows. If you did nothing but wander, camera in hand, you would still capture the best of what makes Bari such a lovely city.
If you journey down to the heel of Italy’s boot, it’s likely you’ll at least start your journey in Bari, one of the biggest cities in southern Italy. The large seaside city has the area’s biggest airport, a charming town center, medieval castle, and great local cuisine. Bari also makes a great starting point for exploring the rest of the region and traveling down to the famed beaches of the Salento Peninsula. You can also visit all of Italy’s great beaches on Pinterest.
Bari Weather – Best Time to Visit Bari
The coastal town of Bari is often visited in the summer to take advantage of the nearby beaches, but it can get uncomfortably hot and also crowded with Italian tourists. August is the month when most Italians are on vacation from work and rates skyrocket, so wait until fall when there are fewer crowds and milder weather. The Fiera del Levante is a massive annual exposition that takes place in September and also brings huge crowds, so check out the dates if you’re planning a September trip.
Best Beaches of Bari Italy
Spiaggia di Ponte dei Lapilli
The small public beach, hidden between rocks, is perfect for those who prefer a quiet beach holiday in Bari. The crystal clear water for which Puglia is so famous can also be found here. To get to the bay you have to descend a path along the on foot. It is therefore not suitable for children.
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Mola Di Bari Beach
This beach offers a wide range of diving opportunities for beach and water sports activities lovers. The coast of this beach is more of jagged and rocky, with shallow water and rocky sea bed along with sand on some parts. Porto Colombo, Braccio, and coastline between Cozze and Mola are the most popular areas.
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Lido San Francesco
Located in the East of the city, the Lido San Francesco all Rena is a private beach of several on a long stretch. This beach in Bari consists mainly of sand and is particularly wide. It is not only ideal for a quick swim, but also comfortable for families who need comfort and want to spend the whole day on the beach. There are many gastronomic offers and facilities.
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Lido Cala Paura
The pebble beach itself, framed by enchanting rocks, consists of a public part and a private beach. While you can rent deckchairs and parasols on the private beach, you should have these with you on the public beach. Pedalo boats can also be hired to explore the surrounding caves. In the attached snack bar you can get delicious fried fish and drinks. A second food truck specializes in the famous octopus sandwiches.
Polignano a Mare Beach
Polignano a Mare is probably the most popular destination for Italians who want to stroll, bathe and eat ice cream on weekends. The impressive coastal town is enthroned on high cliffs that offer spectacular views of the sea and rocks. This is the most famous beach is the city beach of Polignano a Mare, which is located in a small bay with fine sand in the middle of the city. The 20 meter high cliffs were used for the World Cliff Diving Championships in 2016 and have made Polignano a Mare world famous.
Best Bari Restaurants
Al Pescatore $11 – 30
This restaurant has been serving fresh fish and seafood for over 50 years. Located in the historic quarter just around the corner from both the Swabian castle and the Basilica di San Sabino, it makes for a great pit stop while out exploring. Telephone: 39 080 523 7039 Web: Al Pescatore
N’derr’a la lanze $30 & Up
This is hands down the place to go for all different types of crudo (raw shellfish most typically, but not only shellfish). It is a functioning marketplace right on the waterfront where you’ll be served your meal, caught just hours before, directly by the fishermen who caught it. Think raw mussels, tuna, and sea urchin with just a dash of lemon – sushi Pugliese! Telephone: Web: N’derr’a la lanze
Ristorante Corteinfiore $30 & Up
The atmosphere is refined and elegant, and the menu offers many regional staples as well as innovative creations. Settle in for a long lunch, select a wine (or two) from the excellent list, and prepare for one of your finest meals in Puglia. Telephone: 39 0883 508402 Web: Ristorante Corteinfiore
La Tana del Pulpo $11 – 30
When you want fabulous seafood, cooked or raw, and are feeling a casual night out with the locals, think La Tana del Polpo. This is authentic and simple, done right, with undeniably fresh ingredients. The seafood pasta dishes are excellent, the frittura di mare (fried seafood platter) is sublime, and the crudi are always top notch. Try the panino con il polpo (octopus sandwich). Telephone: 39 080 975 3338 Web: La Tana del Pulpo
Mastro Ciccio $11 – 30
The service is warm and friendly and the prices are super reasonable. The restaurant had a bit of a viral moment recently and it’s fairly trendy, so you may encounter a bit of a line. The star of the show is the fried burrata cheese and octopus sandwiches with pesto and fresh mozzarella, but there’s something here for everyone. Telephone: Web: Mastro Ciccio
Best Bari Nightlife
Taverna del Maltes
At Taverna del Maltese you can take pleasure in having a cup of coffee in the afternoon, a beer or a goblet of good wine in the evening. Acoustic live music makes the ambience more and more agreeable. By evening the place gets quite crowded and still, you can really enjoy drinking and nightlife with live acoustics sitting in a dimly lit bar. Telephone: 39 080 524 4577 Web: Taverna del Maltes
Noise
Noise is a small bar that is centrally located. It is extremely famous with the tourists and locals regardless of its size because of its calming drinking and nightlife. Here one can enjoy the best of their spirits and listen to live music. Telephone: 39 328 817 8688 Web: Noise
Divinae Follie
There are great nightclubs for dancing like the Divinae Follie which is just 40 km away and you can have a rocking nightlife in Bari, Italy and it holds around 3,000 people at a time. Here the DJs are the hosts of the clubs who play old numbers, rock, soothing music, and the music of the 70-80’s. Telephone: 39 345 176 2951 Web: Divinae Follie
Demode Club
Demode Club is quite a roomy venue where you can enjoy concerts with national and international artists. If you are inclined for some authentic music by well-known singers Demode Club is the best place where you shake a leg to live rock music, hip hop, etc. Telephone: 39 339 736 0006 Web: Demode Club
Thanks for the tips when traveling to Bari. I would travel during the September/October months when the weather is mild and crowds aren’t so big. Since I’m a big fan of good Italian food (at reasonable prices) I’m going to opt for Mastro Ciccio. I looked at their menu, and their pasta looks amazing. Thanks for providing a selection of affordable hotels as well.
You are very welcome Shalisha! I am glad you enjoyed your visit to my guide on Bari 🙂