Best Travel Guide Bari | ArrivalGuides.com

BariGuide was updated: 2025-07-09

The coastal gem in Southern Italy offers a captivating mix of history, culture, and stunning Mediterranean landscapes. Explore the historic Old Town and wander through the winding streets, where laundry flaps in the breeze and locals chat over espresso in lively cafés, savour the local cuisine known for its fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and delicious street food, and soak up the Adriatic's beauty along its picturesque coastline.

Do & See

Bari, a busy port city on the Adriatic coast might not quite yet be able to compete with Italy's other tourist magnets, but it's not likely to stay this way for long: the charming port town does not lack in history or culture. Bari has many stunning sites to offer, such as the Cattedrale Di San Sabino, known as one of the most important attractions in town, and the Castel del Monte, a unique medieval manor house, 70 kilometres from the centre of Bari. Additionally, be sure to enjoy a walk in the beautiful Orto Botanico or discover the Grotte Di Castellana — the famous caves of Castellana — and visit the Old Town to capture some photos of the medieval buildings, take a stroll by the harbour, enjoy the beautiful sea view, and watch fishermen at work. All the tourist highlights can easily be visited on foot.

Old City

The extraordinary Old City of Bari largely consists of narrow and winding streets, making it a charming place to stroll around. You'll find all the important medieval monuments, such as the Swabian Castle and many churches, including the Cathedral of San Sabino and the Basilica of San Nicola, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants.

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Swabian Castle

Dating back to 1132 under the reign of Norman King Roger II, Castello Normanno-Svevo is a true architectural testament to history. Although it endured destruction in 1156 by King William I of Sicily, it was resurrected and fortified in 1233 under the patronage of the Holy Roman emperor Frederick II. Over time, it saw various transformations during the Angevin domination, and after being held by several noble families, it eventually became a prison and barracks under the King of Naples. Encircled by a moat on all sides, except its northern border with the sea, accessible via a bridge and gate to the south, the castle primarily features Aragon walls and the prominent Hohenstaufen tower. Today, it serves as a venue for exhibitions, preserving a rich tapestry of history within its walls.

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Basilica of Saint Nicholas

This stunning, white-limestone church was constructed between 1087 and 1197 and has always held the remains of San Nicola (who is also known as Santa Klaus). It is both a Catholic and an Orthodox church and, partly for this reason, it is a place of annual pilgrimage for many people from all over the world.

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Bari Cathedral

Named in honour of Bishop San Sabino, Cattedrale Di San Sabino is the main church in Bari. It was originally built in Byzantine style in the 11th century but was destroyed in 1156, and thereafter it was rebuilt in Romanesque form in 1170. The cathedral is currently one of the most important attractions in town: definitely a must-see!

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Castel del Monte

Located 70 kilometres from the centre of Bari, this unique medieval manor house stands on top of a hill in the Apulian Murgia, 540 metres above sea level and 18 kilometres from Andria. It was built by King Frederick II between 1229 and 1249 and is today a national monument and one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Southern Italy. In 1996, Castel del Monte was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

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Castellana Caves

This series of grottoes, 40 kilometres southeast of Bari, are the biggest ones in Italy. They are 3 kilometres long and 71 meters deep and include long underground passages and deep caves covered with hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years by water erosion of the calcareous rock.

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Population:	624,000 (2023)
Currency:	Euro (EUR) €1 = 100 cents
Emergency Numbers:	Emergency: 112 Police, Carabinieri: 113 Fire Brigade: 115 Ambulance: 118
Newspapers:	Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno: www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it La Repubblica: www.repubblica.it Corriere della Sera: www.corriere.it La Stampa: www.lastampa.it Il Sole 24 Ore: www.ilsole24ore.com
Opening Hours:	Shops in Bari are usually open from 9am to 1pm and from 4pm to 8pm. They are normally closed on Sundays.
Tourist Information:	Tourist Information Centre Piazza del Ferrarese, 29, Bari +39 331 545 2520 Open daily 10am–6pm