10 Classic Italian Things to Do in Bari, Puglia

Bari is not at the top of anyone’s Italian bucket list, but it should be. This city serves as the gateway to Puglia’s whitewashed towns, crystalline beaches and pristine countryside, scattered with old-growth olive trees. This charming – though sometimes gritty – Italian gem offers tourists stunning seaside spots, winding Old Town streets, and beautiful beaches, a unique mix of both traditional and modern Italian life. After several visits to Puglia, these are the best things to do in Bari, Italy for the trip of a lifetime. 

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The 10 Best Things to Do in Bari

Italy’s Bari is perhaps one of the most forgotten cities to time, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t history and culture and beauty around every corner. After visiting Bari multiple times, these are the absolute best things to do in Bari. 

Explore the Beautiful Old Town

Bari’s stunning Old Town, or Bari Vecchia, is perhaps one of the most beautiful regions of the city – and one of my favorite things to do in Bari. Most Old Towns can feel touristy and overcrowded, but Bari’s Old Town is a maze of narrow, winding roads filled with so much to uncover and explore. 

One of my favorite parts about visiting Old Town: you can tell people live here. You’ll come across friends and family chatting in the street, nonnas making pasta (more on that next!), and everything in between. 

You can – and should – spend all day wandering Bari’s Old Town. But while you’re there, don’t miss a couple of key parts. 

Piazza Mercantile and Piazza del Ferrarese are the two biggest squares in the Old Town. It’s a great place to grab a drink and people watch, or simply stop and take a break. Piazza dell’Odegitria is also a great place to stop, especially if you want to see Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale San Sabino (more on this later). 

If you happen to visit Piazza Mercantile, don’t forget to stop and admire the Column of Justice, which was used as a post to tie people up as punishment in the 16th century. Today, you can still see the marks. 

Orecchiette street

One stop you simply can’t miss on your trip to Bari: orecchiette street, or Arco Basso street.  Every day, the women of Bari will set up stools and tables on the street to make fresh orecchiette pasta (which you can buy!!). Even if you don’t plan to buy the pasta, this is still one of the best things to do in Bari, Puglia Italy. 

The women here are used to people taking photos and videos of their work – and watching them work is truly extraordinary. They can make those little orecchiette is simply insane; they also sell taralli and even cookies to take home. 

If you do happen to film them, make sure to be respectful; don’t shove cameras in their face. I always consider it respectful to purchase some treats if I’m going to film. 

Orecchiette street can get crowded, so if you do want to visit, make sure to get there early. One more thing to keep in mind: they pack up around 7 pm, generally. 

Saint Nicholas Church

Bari’s Saint Nicholas Church is perhaps one of the oldest examples of Romanesque architecture. The church is a significant pilgrimage destination for religious visitors, who like to venture into the crypt, where the church keeps the body of a saint. 

Iconically, Saint Nicholas Church is one of the only places where you can see a regular catholic church with a real greek-orthodox chapel. The church also has a sculpture in the shape of a seat held by little figures made during the XII Century. 

San Sabino Church 

Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale San Sabino, or simply, San Sabino Church, is the city’s cathedral, or the base for the bishop. This incredible 13th century building was built in the 12th century atop Roman ruins and is a prime example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. During the Equinox, you can catch a stunning glimpse of the rose glass window splayed on the floor, which has a mirror image of the window. It’s truly a remarkable sight. 

Take a Day Trip

As one of the largest cities in Puglia, Bari makes for a great jumping off point for exploring the rest of Puglia. One of the best day trips from Bari is to visit the beach; Puglia is home to some of the best beaches in the world. 

Some of my favorite day trips from Bari include Polignano a Mare (don’t skip the boat tour of the cliffs!) and Monopoli, two stunning seaside towns which are easily accessible on a train. Both offer a unique peak at Puglia life – and both offer stunning beaches. If you want to rent a car, there are plenty more places to visit nearby, too. I have a list of my favorite beaches in Puglia here. 

Alternatively, consider taking an organized tour to see some of the best spots in the region, including the trulli homes in Alberobello (I love this tour!) or the ancient city of Matera.  

Shop Via Sparano 

Via Sparano connects Bari’s Old Town to the train station, and it’s Bari’s best shopping street in Puglia. The best part about Via Sparano is the fact that it is all pedestrianized, so you can enjoy a classic stroll without dodging traffic. On Via Sparano, you’ll find all of the best shops in Puglia. 

Stroll down the Lungomare

In Italian, a lungomare is a seaside promenade where you can walk along the shore. Bari’s lungomare, built during the Fascist era in the 1920s and 1930s, is one of Italy’s longest seafront promenades and showcases elegant rationalist architecture along the Adriatic coast. It’s an absolutely beautiful part of the city, and you can’t skip it. 

Hands-On Cooking Class

Puglia has some of the best food in Italy, in my humble opinion. The city of Bari is home to some incredible restaurants, too. Bari and the Puglian region are famed for their rustic, flavorful cuisine rooted in local olive oil, handmade orecchiette pasta, and the freshest seafood from the Adriatic.

Why not learn from the best? Puglian cooking class are in a league of their own, and this one was my favorite. Learn how to make the region’s famous pasta, orecchiette and cavatelli, as well as focaccia and other treats. 

Not much of a cook? Try out this excellent Bari street food tour, which offers a taste of the region’s best street food. 

Bari’s Harbor

Bari is one of Puglia’s biggest harbors, and Puglia is famous for their seafood-based Italian cuisine. Why not try out the seafood, fresh from the source? Visit Bari’s fish market at the back of the Margherita Theatre to check out one of the liveliest spots in the city. 

Samantha Tatro

Samantha Tatro is a Czech-American third culture kid who grew up living and traveling abroad. Many years later, after living in California and working as a journalist, she decided to take the leap and move abroad again…this time to Prague, Czech Republic. Samantha started Undiscovered Path Home to help couples and solo female travelers find the courage to visit countries – and locations – off the beaten path. Her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, NBC News, The Adecco Group, and more.