Welcome to Bari, the third largest city in southern Italy and the capital of Puglia, a land of sea and sun, where you will be able to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine and embrace the experience of a slow life!
The eternal first image of Bari that will come to your mind every time you think of the city is for sure a snapshot of itsseafront. With its three elegant kilometers of lampposts and benches, the Lungomare frames the ultimate limit of the Porta d’Oriente. Within it, you will find the central shopping streets, with Via Sparano leading the way with the big luxury brands and the elegant chessboard that will give you respite from the labyrinthine alleyways of Bari Vecchia. Protected by the Muraglia, Bari Vecchia is the beating heart of the city. Amidst laundry hung out in the sun and old shops, get lost in its web to find yourself in its most characteristic places: the Basilica di San Sabino and the Cattedrale di San Nicola, the Castello Svevo and Largo Albicocca.
Along the way, don't forget to satisfy the pleasures of the palate: focaccia, sgagliozze, panzerotti, fave e cicorie, risopatate e cozze, are just some of the typical dishes you can taste in Bari. And if you fancy some good raw seafood, there is nothing better than N’derr alla lanz, the old fish market of the city also known as Chiringuito, where you can enjoy them in the company of a Peroni, the typical beer, strictly “sweated”! From here, you will also be able to enjoy the view of Teatro Margherita, one of the four theatres of the city center, along with Teatro Petruzzelli, Teatro Kursaal Santa Lucia, and Teatro Piccinni, each with its own history all to discover.
One thing you will quickly learn about the city is that Bari can be truly appreciated especially off the beaten tourist track. Lift your gaze from your daily commute to the university and admire the little gems scattered all around the city, such as Palazzo Fizzarotti, Palazzo Mincuzzi, Palazzo Atti, and many other period architectures of which the city still carries a strong echo. Take a moment to observe the customs of the old locals, the small traditions revived in the streets, the votive aedicules scattered in the alleyways, and the smells coming from the half-closed windows. Bari,through its daily folklore, is capable of telling more than any guide will ever can.
Moreover, when you will feel the urge for a quick escape from the routine, there is nothing better than going to Pane e Pomodoro, the beach of the locals a few steps far from the city center. Enjoy the sun or try your hand at a water sport, the beautiful mild climate the city enjoys allows it from the first spring sun to the more tired autumn sun.
For your evenings, the hub of the nightlife is for sure the historic center, in the areas of Piazza Mercantile and Piazza del Ferrarese, in the Murat and Umbertino districts, and on Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
Before we say goodbye, don't forget,Bari is the perfect starting point to explore the whole Puglia! A region beloved nationally and internationally for its natural beauty. Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Trani, Castel del Monte, the Castellana Caves... We mentioned just a few of its breathtaking spots, it's up to you to explore them all!