Away from the fashion of Milan, the ruins of Rome, the swank of Sorrento, Bari has quietly carved itself a niche as a wonderful place to visit. It may not get all the attention lavished on its more famous Italian siblings, but it doesn’t have all the crowds either. Instead, you’ll find a friendly, waterside city with its own way of doing things and no shortage of Italianate charm.
Snatching Santa
One of Bari’s most famous sights is the Basilica di San Nicola. An early Norman church, it’s filled with grand arches, pillars and intricate religious artwork. More notably, it’s home to the relics of the man famously known as Father Christmas – St. Nicholas. He wasn’t born here, fishermen stole the remains from Turkey in the 11th century and interred them on this site.
Another sight that should be high on your list is the famous town of Alberobello. Just one hour away on the SS16, this hilltop location is filled with 1500 stone huts all topped with conical roofs. These quaint, traditional houses are a unique sight, and you can buy wonderful hand-crafted souvenirs here to take home.
A bite of Bari
Eating your way around Bari is just one way of discovering the city’s true soul – but it’s one of the best ways too. You’ll find unpretentious trattorias where recipes haven’t changed in generations – because you can’t improve perfection – and serious street food for a snack on the go. Pugliese food has its own specialities, from orecchiette pasta (the ‘little ears’ shape) to lamb, burrata cheese and zingy, peppery local olive oil.
Explore the squares at the end of Old Town, Piazza Mercantile and Piazza del Farrarese for places geared towards visitors or, if your Italian is up to it, ask a local for a recommendation. Near the harbour, there’s a fish market where you can tuck into baby octopus or sea urchin served simply with lemon.
Ramble through Roman ruins
In the old town, all narrow streets and charming piazzas, head to the cathedral, built in both the 12th and 13th century. It’s a relatively simple affair inside but worth visiting for the basement excavations which have unearthed Roman ruins and the stunning remains of a Christian basilica from the 5th century.
Located in the heart of the nearby square is a piece of ancient history – a piece of the original Roman road, named the Appian Way, dated from the second century AD.
Life’s a beach
Bari’s most famous beach, Pane e Pomodoro sits in the heart of the city and you’ll be joining plenty of locals if you choose to relax on the sand here. The coastline of Bari is studded with hidden coves and grottoes, romantic and rugged.
If you’re happy to head a bit further away from the centre, just a short drive away is Porto Cavallo, a small family-friendly beach directly next to an exciting new marina. Or take advantage of luxury beach huts in San Giovanni for the perfect place to unwind – there’s a lido here too.
Car hire in Bari opens up the city and the whole coastline for your visit – make sure you explore every last bit of this sensational corner of Italy.