Travel to Bari

Travel to Bari

A somewhat small town in southern Italy, Bari is located on a fabulous stretch of coastline in Italys Puglia Province. The second-largest city in the area, Bari is home to a number of fashionable boutiques and fantastic restaurants.

Transportation to Bari

Bari International Airport is only 11kms from the city centre and is serviced by an airport shuttle bus. Most flights into the airport are from inside Italy or Europe and an increasing number of these are charter flights. You can drive to Bari easily from anywhere in Italy. In addition, the city is connected to major Italian cities and the rest of Europe by rail.

What to see

The streets of Baris Old City are an intricate maze designed to confuse the unwary invader. Its likely the streets will confuse a good many tourists as well, although unlike the ancient invaders, visitors can enjoy a slice of some of the best pizza in the country while they find their bearings. The Old City is full of wood-fired ovens and the smell of freshly baked cakes, with many family-run bakeries also stocked with traditional Italian offerings such as orecchiette pasta and calzoni.

Located in the heart of the Old City is the Basilica di San Nicola, a Norman cathedral built with beautiful stone craftsmanship. Next door is the Cathedral di San Sabino, a building more than 900 years old, still with its original timber roof.

Daytrips

The extensive Puglia coastline offers plenty of options for a day out of the city. There are rocky beaches with great swimming and diving as well as sandy beaches for lounging in the sun. In the forests and woods outside Bari, you can rent horses, hike or go trekking. Molfeta, with its fashion district, is only 20kms away. Other daytrips include visiting the valley of the wines in Altamira, the Castelana Cave and the Castel del Monte.

Activities and leisure

In the evening, there are a number of excellent restaurants where you can pass the hours sampling Italian table wine and fresh seafood. Much of the citys produce comes directly from local farms and the sea, making it deliciously fresh. In the city centre, a number of bars have live music and late night entertainment. Bari has four notable playhouses with Italian theatre, although you may prefer to catch a subtitled film instead. The woods surrounding the city are an excellent place to hike through or explore on horseback.

Safety issues

Although seemingly quiet and peaceful, tourists should nevertheless be on the alert for pickpockets. The greatest danger in Bari, however, is on the road. Driving etiquette in Italy is slightly different that in Britain and elsewhere and some may find the signs difficult to decipher and the drivers more aggressive.

Its a good idea to stick to bottled water while in Bari. Especially if you are visiting during the summer, be sure to drink lots of water and wear sunscreen and a hat. The heat can be quite intense.