Do you know Bari? This city is a popular tourist destination in the south of Italy. Tourists visit Bari mainly for its surrounding beaches, for its delicious food and local culture. In the historic center you will find the church where St. Nicholas is buried and the nearby village of Alberobello is also worth a visit.
Location
If we imagine Italy as a boot, you will find Bari right in the heel. In other words, it is located in the region of Puglia, which we translate into Slovak as Apulia and it is its capital. Those interested in swimming in the sea do not swim in anything other than the Adriatic Sea, which, due to its southern location, maintains a pleasant temperature until the end of September.
What to visit in Bari
Beaches
Although Bari is a port city and therefore cannot be considered a classic resort, you will find two beaches there. Both are about a 15-minute walk from the city center, and although for safety reasons you can’t swim out to sea, so you can take a bath and swim there. We visited the beach of Pane E Pomodoro, which is closest to the city center and we really liked it there. In addition, there are nicely made sandy beaches and you can rent a paddleboard there, for example, so there is fun. During the day, quite a lot of people go to the beach, so we visited it early in the morning and it paid off.
The historic center of Bari
Bari also boasts a beautiful historic center, surrounded by city walls. There are many souvenir shops, local grocery stores. But there are also many seafood vendors who are hunted just outside the city walls. Probably the most important monument in the city center is the Basilica of St. Nicholas.
Basilica of St. Nicholas
Basilica of St. Nicholas is an important place for both Catholics and complete atheists because of its historical value. You will find here the remains of St. Nicholas, who is the patron saint of all believers. St. Nicholas chose Bari as his resting place during his trip to Rome. However, after his death, he was buried in today’s Turkey, where he originally came from. Later, when Myra (the place where Nicholas was buried) fell into the hands of Muslims, his remains were finally transported to Bari, where the well-known Basilica of St. Nicholas.
Promenade
The promenade is a great place to watch the evening sunset or for a romantic walk along the splashing waves of the Adriatic Sea. There is a large concentration of fishermen along the coast, and if you walk along the promenade longer, you will certainly come across one of the already mentioned sandy beaches.
Shopping arcade and nightlife
Bari, as the capital of Apulia, offers a wide range of luxury shops and the nightlife there is very varied. This port city is definitely a suitable destination if your holiday destination includes shopping, or if you are looking for a quiet nightlife with many bars and clubs.
Where to go for a trip from Bari
Alberobello
Popular tourist destinations around Bari include the town of Pugliano A Mare (approximately 1 hour), Matera (approximately 2-3 hours), Trani (approximately 40 minutes) and the UNESCO village of Alberobello. Alberobello is around 1 hour away from Bari by public transport and is one of the most visited places in the Apulia region. There is also an interesting history connected with Alberobello, and this place can really be considered truly fairytale.
