10 things to do in Bari not to be missed in 2024

We discover 10 things to do in Bari, the capital of Puglia. A place to discover at the weekend among good food, sunny beaches, long walks and enchanting evenings.

What are the things to do in Bari? A place that captures not only the eyes of tourists, but also the palate, with its street food and typical restaurants.

The things to do in Bari are endless. Visit its labyrinthine historic centre, Barivecchia. The Basilica of San Nicola, a favourite destination for pilgrims.

Visit the Murattiana area characterised by beautiful 19th-century buildings and a long pedestrian street full of shops.

Palazzo Simi is located on Strada Lamberti, in the historical centre, corresponding to the old quarter of 'San Gregorio degli Falconi'. The historical home of the Simid Burzis family, the palace has a very distinctive architectural façade that reflects the typical style of palaces that were particularly prevalent in the city in the 16th and 17th centuries. The interior and surroundings of the late Renaissance building are a privileged vantage point for viewing the underground city. A series of layers and structures have been anchored beneath the historic centre since ancient times. Various excavations in the basement of the palace have uncovered an interesting archaeological area with rich stratification, classifiable in the period from the 1st century AD to the Middle Ages. Completing the rich archaeological stratification of the castle's subsoil are the remains of Roman masonry on which the foundations of the Byzantine church rest directly. Book your visit to Palazzo Simi and don't forget to also select the underground city option among things to do in Bari.

We offer another walking or cycling tour to learn more about the history and culture among the things to do in Bari. Discover castles, taste artisanal ice cream and visit beaches on this epic city tour. With its huge university, opera house and vibrant nightlife, you're in a city worth exploring. Join an expert guide on foot or by bike to enjoy real history and culture and, of course, artisanal ice cream! Stroll along the sunny waterfront and past the lively squares. Admire the Roman ruins, the Basilica of St Nicholas and the crypt. With this option you can select visits to 2 museums and the 12th century Norman-Swabian castle built by the Normans. What is included in the package? English- and Italian-speaking guide during the tour. Entrance tickets to 2 selected museums. Tasting of homemade ice cream. Urban style bicycle hire (if selected). Luggage storage.

An undisputed symbol of the city that, at 16 kilometres, represents the longest coastal road in Italy. We are talking about the Lungomare (seafront promenade), a work of fascism that, however majestic and beloved, kept the Apulian capital away from the Adriatic Sea for almost a century. It was built between 1926 and 1932 at the behest of the Podestà of Bari and the Minister of Public Works, Araldo Di Crollalanza. It stretches along seven districts and changes its name according to the district it passes through. The Nazario Sauro promenade runs alongside the Pinacoteca Provinciale (Provincial Art Gallery) until it reaches Piazza Diaz, connecting it with the Perotti promenade. Bari's wide coastline includes several city arteries, including the most famous streets: Imperatore Augusto, Araldo di Crollalanza and Nazario Sauro. From there you can see majestic palaces and buildings, some of which were built after the road was liberated. An artery enriched by 197 iconic iron lanterns and many benches from which to admire the blue of the sea that fades and blurs into the sky in the distance.

Pane e Pomodoro is the name of a famous beach in Puglia's capital city. The beach, which is free, is open to anyone who wants to lie down and sunbathe after a walk along the Bari seafront or after a dip. Yes, because Pane e Pomodoro Beach has everything you need for fun. There is sea, sand, rocks, gardens, wooden platforms, gravel and play areas. Not to mention countless services. Indeed, there is no shortage of bars, toilets, showers, lifeguards and support staff for bathers. But the most interesting thing is that all this is just a stone's throw from the centre. Among the things to do in Bari, a dip in the sea at the Pane e Pomodoro beach should not be missed.

The historic centre, more commonly known as 'Bari Vecchia', is a pleasant discovery for both tourists and locals living elsewhere in the city. Bari vecchia is a maze of alleyways often underestimated and a victim of past prejudices, but today it is a powerful cultural redemption, not least because it houses the relics of the world's most revered saint, St Nicholas. The richness of the old city, the people who live there and the smells in the air have made it possible to erase from memory the fear that it was dangerous. Today, we can strongly affirm and must revalue the oldest part of Puglia's capital as the centre of the city. Definitely a hub of cultural and experiential activities for tourists. In addition to the many churches in the historic centre, mainly the Basilica of San Nicola and the Cathedral of San Sabino, the oldest part has a magnificent medieval castle, the longest beach in Italy and much, much more. There is no shortage of good food, such as the 'orecchiette street'. Are you ready to start this discovery tour of Bari Vecchia? Let's go!