Located in the southern part of Italy, Bari – the capital of Apulia (Puglia) region – makes a perfect destination for those seeking the sunshine, delicious homemade food, bright blue sea, and genuinely hospitable locals. What is worth seeing there?
The outward disorder and typical southern chaos, no hordes of travelers or strictly tourist-oriented eateries as well as beautiful architecture, excellent cuisine, and relatively low prices are among the reasons why the simple and authentic life of Bari attracts a growing number of travelers.
You can’t miss Bari Vecchia (Old Town), situated on a peninsula, with its narrow streets, monuments and lively squares, such as Piazza Mercantile. You also might want to see the city walls and old defensive towers, built at the seashore, where you can now find the atmospheric restaurants. Don’t forget to visit Castello Svevo, a well-preserved defense castle, and Lungomare, the long coastal promenade; see also the basilica named in honor of Saint Nicholas, the patron of Bari, and the famous fish market at Molo San Nicola. And if you like shopping, explore the Borgo Murattiano – the new part of the city.
In Bari there are many restaurants serving Italian food. Typical for the southern regions of Italy, focaccia and calzone di cipolla are to be found in every bakery (panificio) or focacceria and cost €1. It’s also worth taking a bite of home-made orecchiette baresi (ear-shaped pasta) or the local specialties – sgagliozze and popizze (polenta fritters) as well as panzerotti (a type of fried dumplings).
If you have some spare time, go to the countryside – you won’t regret it! Small towns located on the Apulia coastline attract tourist with clean and beautiful beaches, typical southern architecture and breathtaking landscapes. You can get there from Bari by train, bus, or a rental car in a short time. Among the most interesting places to see are Alberobello famous for its unique trulli houses, Polignano a Mare with amazing cliffs and spectacular Matera beach – hidden between the rocks – which was used as a setting for Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”, and Monopoli a Mare with white marble and limestone buildings.
