BARI

Effortlessly seducing and atmospheric; modern yet traditional; an enchanting sea-side town, spreading over a valley and overlooking, the Adriatic Sea; a city that vibrates with the energy of its thousands of students and the Mediterranean temperament of its residents. The locals love their traditions; they keep their unique dialect alive; they boast about their special culinary identity and they share the joy of life with open barbeques everyday all around the quarters of the Old Town and the port.

The capital of the captivating region of Apulia, on the north-eastern part of Italy and the second most important economic, trading and cultural centre of the Italian South, after Naples, Bari is a living, breathing city and port with a long and rich history. A large nautical and trading power of the Mediterranean, the city has known days of glory and decline in the shadow of powerful empires and mighty rulers. Home to the Illyrians for centuries; a Greek colony; a large trading port of the roman empire on the via Traiana, a strong administrative centre of the Byzantine era; the loot of the Arab conquerors, the city has gathered great glory and strength on the hands of Normans, Aragons and Bourbons before being included in the kingdom of Italy at the end of the 19th century. 

The city’s architectural heritage still preserves traces of its past, captivating history. Built on a peninsular at the north side of the city of Bari and surrounded by the medieval walls of Via Venezia, the stunning Old Town (Barivecchia or Old Bari) is an atmospheric labyrinth made of narrow, uneven streets with picturesque old houses and hanging washings, but also 40 churches, and important historical monuments; the Basilica di San Nicola (11th – 13th century), a fine example of roman architecture and a sacred pilgrimage; the impressive Cathedral of Saint Sabinus of Canosa (San Sabino); the imposing Castell Svevo, the Norman- Hohenstaufen Castle (13th century), which is today, the centre of Bari’s active nightlife; the historic Piazza Mercantile with the Palazzo dei Nobili (Palace of the Nobles) and Piazza Ferrasese, the centre of Bari’s political and economic life in medieval times.

The heart of modern Bari beats at the city’s south section, the modern Murat quarter. Erected in the 19th century by Joachim Murat, King of Naples, it is a grid-shaped area with vertical and horizontal streets and high-streets, majestic palazzi, elaborate art nouveau buildings and unique cultural centres. Don’t forget to stop by the magnificent Pinacoteca Provinciale di Bari, the most important gallery in Apulia with masterpieces by Veronese, Tintoretto and Bellini. Visit the impressive Teatro Petruzzeli (1903), the largest theatre in Europe. Enter the gates of Palazzo dell’ Acquedotto built in 1932 and admire the sublime water-theme decor.

All roads lead to the romantic Lungomare, the largest waterfront promenade in Bari overlooking the grand blue of the Adriatic Sea. This is where the Baresi love to stroll. They are so proud of their town that they say, “if Paris had the sea it would be a little Bari”.

  • view_headlineRoutes and sights close to Bari

    The spectacular Valle d’ Itria with its exceptional wine and culinary tradition; the mainland with the impressive castle and primordial architecture; the historic sea-side towns of the Italian coast on the Adriatic Sea. The kingdom of Apulia is surrounded by everlasting magic.

    • Spreading over two hills, the medieval village of Alberobello dates back to the 15th century and seems to have emerged out of a fantasy. A fabulous scenery of more than 1500 whitewashed rounded dwellings with cone-shaped, gray stone roofs, the famous trulli, that make a picture-perfect village, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

    • Also known as the “Cappadocia of Italy”, the ancient city of “Sassi di Matera” stands strong for 9000 years now next to a small gorge between the districts of Apulia and Basilicata. An outworldly, labyrinth cave-town where dwellings and churches are carved into the rocks; a unique specimen of prehistoric troglodyte settlement listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This breath-taking biblical scenery is the set of Pazolini’s drama “The Gospel According to St. Matthew” and Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”.

      A living postcard of Italy in the 1950s, the historic seaside town of Trani captivates the visitor with its picturesque beauty. Here, in a splendid location at the very end of the quay stands the imposing Cattedrale di San Nicola Pellegrino, the most beautiful specimen of roman architecture in Apulia, an epitome of elegance and harmony, built in the 12th century. Admire the fantastic relief decorations on the outside of the temple and the sublime flooring with the figures of Alexander the Great and Adam and Eve.

    • An open-minded monarch and a patron of the arts, Federico II di Svevia has put his seal on many imposing castles in the district of Bari. However, none of them has the grandeur, harmony, and enigmatic symbolism of Castel del Monte, which is still considered a mystery in terms of construction. This octagon masterpiece of the 1240s and a UNESCO World Heritage Site rises in isolation on the top of an evergreen hill, near the city of Andria.

    • To the south of Bari, safely perched on a white cliff, 20 meters above the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, the small town of Polignano Al Mare is a mesmerizing ensemble of balconies overlooking the sea. Whitewashed alleyways and beautiful churches make up a scenery that resembles the towns on the Cyclades islands while the tiny beach is a world destination for cliff diving.

    • The Castellana Caves (Grotte di Castellana) form approximately 3 km of underground passageways along the north-eastern section of the Valle d’ Itria and are considered as the most beautiful speleological complex in Italy. A labyrinth of ivory-coloured shapes made of amazing stalagmites and stalactites. Opt for the complete itinerary and visit the “White Cave”, the most astonishing hall of the complex.

    • Dazzling Lecce, the most beautiful gemstone on the crown of Apulia. A splendid open-air museum of baroque architecture built with the famous local sandstone (Pietra Leccese) in shades of gold, known as “Florence of the Baroque” and “Rome of the South”. A lively university campus with a history of more than 2000 years. A city with Greek roots and a long tradition of handcrafting with the papier mâché technique

  • view_headlineWhat’s not to miss...

    Stroll around the vineyards and wineries of Locorotondo, also known as the “wine valley”

    Enjoy a walk along the romantic Lungomare, Bari’s seaside promenade.

    Stop at Bari’s busy fish market and taste the locals’ favourite dish, grilled octopus sandwich with olive oil and lemon.

    Explore the Old Town shops and buy handmade ceramics and straw hats.

    • Join the local women of Bari Vecchia and learn how to make handmade orecchiette. Every morning, women gather around wooden work tables, outside their houses and turn the old town backstreets into outdoor pasta “factories”.

    Sample the famous local dishes, such as tiella barese (baked mussels, rice, and potatoes), favee cicorie (fava beans with chicory) and orecchiette with cimedi rape (a kind of bitter brocolli) in the traditional osterias of the Old Town.

    Buy some local wine of Apulia, such as Negramaro del Salento and Nero di Troia.

  • view_headlineTravelling to Bari

    Travel to and from Bari and enjoy a magnificent journey in the blue crystal-clear waters of the Ionian and the Adriatic sea.

    The port of Bari is connected with daily itineraries with the port of Patras and the intermediate ports of Igoumenitsa and Corfu.

    The routes ITALY - GREECE are jointly operated with Superfast Ferries.

    The modern fleet and highly trained crew, promise a pleasant on board stay, meeting the needs and demands of the modern traveller. All ferries serving the international routes have spacious cabins of all categories, comfortable and air-conditioned all-user areas with many entertainment options, modern stores, restaurants and café -bars, 24hour internet service (wi-fi) and on board camping facilities.

    Discover here our best prices for ferry tickets and unique offers for passenger tickets and cabin accommodation throughout the year.

  • view_headlineArriving at Bari

    Ferries dock at the state-of-the-art port of Bari, one of the most important ports of Italy and Western Europe’s gate to the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean. The terminal is located towards the north and is close to the town’s historic centre. You can easily reach Bari’s city centre on foot, by taxi or on a private shuttle bus. Municipal bus stops at the port exit and connects the port with Bari Stazione Centrale, the city’s main train station that is only 3 km away.

    Bari is not just a station on Italy’s national railway system but also a regional railway transport hub. From here, the visitor can easily travel by train to all large Italian cities, important towns in the Apulia mainland and significant destinations in Eastern and Southern Italy.

    The capital of Apulia is also the ideal point of departure for on-the-road explorations of the Italian coasts on the Adriatic Sea as well as South Italy. We offer reliable and value for money transportation services so you can take along your own car, motorcycle, trailer or caravan and enjoy unforgettable trips to unique destinations.

  • view_headlineUseful telephone numbers

    ΑΝΕΚ LINES - Central Reservation Dept.:0030 210 4197400, 0030 210 4197420 (Bari Agency) - PORTRANS s.r.I.: 0039 080 5282809, 0039 080 5282828 Bari Port Authority (Autorità Portuale): 0039 080 5788511 Tourist Office: 0039 080 5242244 Radio Taxi: 0039 080 5543333 Municipal Police (Polizia Municipale): 0039 080 5491331 Police (Carabinieri): 0039 080 5530533 Hospital: 0039 080 349 349 Ambulance service: 118 Bari Central Railway Station  (Station FS): 0039 080 5210600  Bari Post Office: 0039 080 5282439

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