Bari Old Town Travel Guide: What To See, Eat + Do In Bari Vecchia

I hate the phrase hidden gem, it’s cliched and overused, but Bari is genuinely a hidden gem. It’s not on many people’s Italian bucketlist, most people I spoke to never even heard of it.

I visited Bari with my sister and it ended up being the perfect destination for a relaxing trip but with just enough options for us not to get bored. Bari old town was the highlight for me, I just loved getting lost down the narrow cobblestone alleys, stumbling upon piazzas and fresh focaccia.

Getting lost in Bari old town is inevitable. The alleys all look identical, white stone, laundry hanging above you, scooters parked at odd angles. Eventually you just wander and stumble on it anyway. This Bari old town guide sets you on the right path, with the main attractions to visit along with the best food in the old town.

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Bari Old Town Map

Bari Old Town Walking Itinerary

Castello Svevo di Bari

Castello Svevo di Bari, also called the Norman Swabian Castle has had a rough history. Built in 1132, it was destroyed just 23 years later and wasn’t fully restored until the 13th century.

Although one of the oldest buildings in Bari old town, the exhibits are anything but ancient. Bringing the past to life with projections and audio, which could easily feel tacky it’s done well enough that I stayed longer than planned. There’s a 3D model showing how Bari and the wider Puglia region developed over centuries, along with underground areas where you can see ongoing archaeological work.

The one letdown is that you can’t access the walls for views over Bari old town. Which makes the price pretty steep for what you do get. Tickets are €12 and you’ll need around 30 to 40 minutes inside. It also doubles escape from the heat if you’re visiting in summer.

After the castle wander through the alleys toward Strada Arco Bassa which offers a more hands on experience of Bari old town culture.

Pasta Ladies

On Strada Arco Bassa, elderly women set up outside their homes each morning to make the region’s most iconic pasta, orecchiette. It has become one of the things Bari is best known for. These women learned the technique before they could read or write, a skill that’s been handed down since the 8th century. I personally didn’t have the best experience which made me question the authenticity of this street, but more on that later

The name means “little ears” because of their shape, they’re made with just semolina and water. The thick edges give them a chewy texture that’s great for holding sauce.

While it looks like a charming tradition for tourists, local restaurants actually buy from them in bulk. You’ll find orecchiette all over Bari menus, try it with broccoli rabe or braciole it’s very nice.

Watching them work is fascinating, kneading and shaping dough while surrounded by mounds of freshly made pasta. They have a talent of tuning out the crowds surrounding them, just chatting to one another until someone requests a bag. We ended up getting caught in a small scam. We asked to buy a bag of fresh pasta on the table but the lady disappeared into her home returning with a clearly factory-sealed package for €4. Not a disaster, but worth knowing it’s not always as authentic as it appears.

You’ll find them on Strada Arco Bassa, here’s the Google Map link. I’m sure your tummy is rumbling after the fresh pasta so from orecchiette we’re going to Bari’s next beloved food.

Focaccia Barese from Panificio Santa Rita

Embarrassingly, I didn’t realise that Bari is known for its focaccia, it was only after discovering Panificio Santa Rita and its queues did I do some research. I concluded that Panificio Santa Rita is where you’ll find some of the best focaccia barese in Bari old town. Right in the heart of the area, this bakery specializes in the traditional Bari style focaccia made with potato dough, topped with olive oil, tomatoes and oregano. It’s crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and incredibly light despite how filling it looks.

The focaccia is best eaten straight from the oven when it’s still warm. A whole one costs €4, or you can get a quarter (trancio) for €1, making it perfect for a quick snack while wandering around.

The queue is what caught my attention and then the smell of fresh bread made me join everyone else. There’s almost always a queue from morning until they sell out, and they’re not known for opening on time. Sometimes they’re 30 minutes late, sometimes more, but nobody leaves. Everyone waits because it is soo worth it.

They sell other types of bread and locally made handmade pasta.

Basilica San Sabino

Bari Cathedral sits in Piazza dell’Odegitria and dates back to the 5th or 6th century, making it one of the oldest structures in Bari old town, along with the most important. It was rebuilt on the ruins of a Byzantine cathedral that William I of Sicily (nicknamed “the Wicked”) destroyed in 1156.

The exterior has a Romanesque style with a rose window, similar to the Basilica di San Nicola but less ornate and flashy. Inside it’s fairly understated with stone walls and detailed carvings.

The real highlight is the crypt. It’s beautifully lit and holds the relics of Saint Sabinus and Saint Columba in two stone coffins. There’s also a bell tower you can climb for views across the rooftops of Bari old town.

Entry is €7 for the church and crypt, plus €2 if you want to see the small museum.

Piazza Mercantile

Piazza Mercantile sits in the heart of Bari old town, it was once the city’s main commercial hub where merchants gathered here for centuries to trade goods.

The most interesting feature is the Colonna della Giustizia, a stone column where debtors were publicly shamed. They’d be tied to it and left for people to mock, which seems harsh but was apparently standard practice back then.

It’s fairly quiet during the day, it’s a bit too hot to hang about but at night it fills up with people spilling out from restaurants, kids playing and locals just having a beer. A good spot to sit with a drink and watch Bari old town come alive at night.

Arco delle Meraviglie

Arco delle Meraviglie (the arch of wonders) is one of the prettiest spots in old town Bari, and it comes with a love story. Legend says it was built 500 years ago in a single night by a man who wanted to reach the girl living across from him. Her family had forbidden them from meeting, so he built the bridge to see her. They lived happily ever after.

The area around the arch is quieter than the rest of Bari old town, with locals actually living here and some excellent restaurants nearby like Lo Svevo – Birra e Cucina. In the evening it’s lovely, sitting on the cobblestones under the arch with an aperitif is a perfect way to end the day.

Basilica di San Nicola

The Basilica di San Nicola was built between 1087 and 1197 after local fishermen smuggled Saint Nicholas’ relics from Turkey to Bari. The saint who inspired Santa Claus! And the basilica has become an important pilgrimage site for both Catholics and Orthodox Christians.

It’s one of the most beautiful buildings in Bari old town, with its white limestone facade and twin towers. Inside, the white marble and gold ceilings are stunning. When I visited it was quite full, with people actually praying rather than just sightseeing.

The basilica has two levels with Catholic services happen in the upper church while Orthodox masses are held in the lower crypt where Saint Nicholas’ relics and Polish Queen Bona Sforza are buried.

There’s also the Manna of Saint Nicholas, an oily liquid that supposedly seeps from his tomb every May 9th. Monks collect and revere it, though scientists in 1925 found it was just condensation.

Entry is free, donations welcome.

Ancient Roman Ruins

We almost missed these ruins completely, they don’t really stand out that much, we just went round a corner and spotted them. The most accessible section is near Piazza del Ferrarese, where excavations have revealed part of the original Roman street layout.

These ruins date back to when Bari was a Roman settlement, and you can peer down at the old paving stones from street level. It’s not a grand archaeological site, more of a glimpse into the layers of history beneath the city. The Romans built their roads to last, and sections of them are still visible after nearly two thousand years.

It’s free to view and takes just a few minutes, but it’s a nice reminder that Bari old town has been inhabited for far longer than the medieval buildings suggest.

Walk The Old Town Walls

Bari was once a fortified city with a 1.2 kilometre defence wall protecting it from invaders. Its location on the Adriatic coast made it valuable, and over the centuries the Normans, Franks and Germans all tried their luck.

Today only 400 metres of the wall remain. Known as the Muraglia di Bari, it divides Bari old town from the modern city and runs along the seafront to the port. Walking it is one of the best free things to do in Bari.

Start at Piazza Ferrarese and take the ramp up to an elevated platform that leads to Fortino of Saint Antonio Abate. This fort and the Fort of St. Scolastica are the only two still standing. You can’t enter Fortino of Saint Antonio Abate as it’s used for events now, but St. Scolastica is open as an archaeology museum.

The elevated path is lined with stone houses overlooking Bari old town. It’s a quiet walk with white stone, sea breeze and views. Honestly, this was one of my favourite things in Bari old town. The views won’t exactly blow you away, but walking above the rooftops with locals walking their dogs, seeing a few locals sit outside, felt more authentic than any church or museum. It’s the perfect place to walk off all the focaccias and panzerotti.

Panzerotti

Panzerotti is another Puglian speciality you need to try in Bari old town. They look like small calzones but instead of being baked, they’re fried until the outside is golden and crunchy while the inside stays soft and pillowy.

The classic filling is tomato sauce and mozzarella, though you can also get them with meat. It’s simple but incredibly tasty, one of those street foods that’s hard to stop eating once you start.

La Puccia on Piazza Mercantile is the place to go. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but they make authentic panzerotti and don’t skimp on the fillings. Prices are between €2.50 and €3, which is a bargain for something this good. Eat it while it’s hot with tomato sauce running down your hand for the full experience.

Walk the Lungomare

Bari’s Lungomare is a 3 kilometre seafront promenade running from the old town to Pane e Pomodoro beach. It’s one of the longest in Italy.

The white stone path is lined with black street lamps and benches which gives it an elegant feel. You’ll see people jogging, walking, or sitting on the walls by the beaches that dot the route. The opposite side has plenty of bars and cafes with outdoor seating.

The Lungomare is packed at sunset, but go mid-morning and you’ll have space to breathe. We walked it twice, once in blazing afternoon sun which was a big mistake for my Irish skin and then again at sunset which although was busier it was more enjoyable. We rode on the 52 metre ferris wheel which had nice views of the sea and the city of Bari.

Street Food Walking Tour

A street food walking tour is one of the best ways to experience Bari old town, especially if you want to try local specialties without committing to a full sit-down meal.

Most tours take you through the narrow streets of Bari Vecchia, stopping at bakeries, delis and street vendors. You’ll typically try focaccia barese (thick, oily and topped with tomatoes), panzerotti (fried pockets of dough stuffed with mozzarella and tomato), sgagliozze (fried polenta squares), panini’s, and taralli (crunchy ring-shaped crackers). Some tours also include stops for gelato or pasticciotto, a custard-filled pastry.

The guides are usually locals who know the best spots and can explain the history behind each dish. Tours last around two to three hours and cost between €50 and €80 depending on what’s included.

It’s a good way to cover a lot of ground in Bari old town while eating your way through Puglian cuisine. Book ahead, especially in summer when they fill up quickly.

Restaurants In Bari Old Town

These are the best places to eat in Bari old town aside from the focaccia and panzerotti spots already mentioned:

• Martinelli Bari – delicious fresh fish sandwiches, so much seafood. The mercantil with tuna, stracciatella and pistachio cream is divine. [€]
• Mastro Ciccio -super famous Bari streetfood shop known for their octopus sandwiches. Try the burrozza deep fried parcels filled with burrata cheese, and the deep fried meatballs. [€€]
• Pieno o Ripieno – incredible Mortadella sandwich, very generous fillings. Best sandwich in Bari. [€]
• Lo Svevo – Birra e Cucina – craft beers, small food menu that is highly rated. Dishes to try are the baked octopus, braciole and orecchiette. Romantic setting under Arco delle Meraviglie. [€€]
• La Cantina dello Zio – very good pasta, especially the Spaghetti all’Assassina. [€]

Where To Stay In Bari Old Town

Bari Old Town FAQ

How many days do I need in Bari?

You only need 1-2 days to see the attractions in Bari, but I recommend 4-5 days so you can visit the coastal villages across the Puglia region along with the UNESCO Matera and Alberobello. Bari is an good base to explore Puglia, it’s one of the most affordable places to stay on this side of Italy and has really good food and lively nightlife.

Can I see Bari old town in 1 day?

Yes, Bari old town is compact with not that many attractions to see. The experience is walking around the alleyways, tasting the food, seeing the locals and just experiencing the atmosphere. It’s a good idea to dedicate a full day to the old town, relaxing in cafes and enjoying a spritz on one of the piazzas.

Is Bari a walkable city?

Bari is a compact city, the main attractions are within walking distance. You don’t need a car for the city, you don’t even need to take public transport. So pack comfy shoes, you’ll likely reach a new record on you pedometer.

What is the famous street in Bari Italy?

The most famous street in Bari is Strada Arco Bassa. Here is where you can find the iconic pasta ladies, the most famous attraction in Bari. These are local woman who make fresh orecchiette outside their house every morning. The skill goes back generations, it is said these ladies learned how to make this pasta before they could even read or write.

What is the nicest town near Bari?

My preference is Polignano A Mare. It’s very touristy but is so beautiful. The village appears to be carved into a limestone cliff, there are loads of little beaches and grottos along with a whitewashed old town.

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