What to do in Bari (on a long layover)

Although Bari is worth a 2-night stay while traveling in Italy, if you just have a day or a long layover then my guide will tell you what to do in Bari on a time crunch.  

Bari has an old town and a modern part. The old town area, called Bari Vecchia, is where you’ll spend most of your time when you’ve just got a day. However, you can also venture into the modern areas to get to the promenade, the beach, or do some luxury shopping.

To be fair, this is actually my second visit to Bari. Wilhelm and I first visited in 2018 for 2 nights. I recommend you try to spend a night or so here but if 6 hours is all you’ve got (like on our second visit), you can make the most of it!

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Getting to Bari

Take the train for €5.60 (one-way) to Bari Centrale Station from the airport. The bus and the train may run at about the same time, but the train is likely a more reliable option to avoid traffic.

We first thought to stand in line for a taxi, (€23 flat rate into Bari) but there were so few taxis—literally just 1 showed up in 10 minutes— that we decided to wait 30 min for the train would be faster anyway.

Once you reach the airport station, use the automated kiosks to buy your tickets or ask the people at the counter to assist.

Before you leave the train station in Bari, ask the staff or check the boards for the train schedule so that you know when you be back. We checked the schedule online but that’s actually for the main train station (which is across the street). You’ll be on a special airport train, which we didn’t realize. Instead, we thought we were taking a 4:45 pm train that didn’t exist and had to wait 20 minutes until the real airport train arrived. If you’re cutting things close, be sure to pay attention to this.

Luggage storage

There is no luggage storage at the airport, but you can drop it off at one of the luggage storage options by the Bari Centrale station. We used a storage service called Bounce (that I later also used in Istanbul). We booked spots for our backpacks while at the hotel Bounce is located at, but you can also book in advance. I definitely recommend this. We also stopped at this luggage storage but it was full when we were there.

What to do in Bari

Wilhelm and I visited Bari in 2018 in November (pre-blog times). We had one of the best meals of our lives here and purposely booked our return flight from Albania via Bari so we could come here for lunch.

Get lunch at La Tana del Polpo

La Tana del Polpo has incredible seafood dishes. Our lives changed after eating the squid ink pasta with pistachios and it’s the reason we returned for a long layover in Bari. The restaurant is so popular that we even saw an ad for it on a taxi at the airport.

The restaurant is spread out over the street it’s on. You can choose to sit inside or out or get one of their sandwiches to go. When we visited in 2018, we sat inside where the large octopus sculpture hanging from the ceiling so (for the memories) we sat inside again.

Wilhelm’s mother was with us during our long layover. Hi, Lena!

I highly recommend trying the squid ink pasta with pistachios – it’s a must-have. In addition to that, we opted for the pasta of the day featuring lobster, and it was truly fantastic. I also indulged in the octopus salad (a favorite I had enjoyed back in 2018), and once again, it didn’t disappoint. The portion sizes for the pastas are generous, and even though I had been eagerly waiting to have the squid ink pasta for years, finishing it was another matter. To make the most of your meal, I suggest selecting two dishes to share.

I love the octopus hanging from the ceiling!

If this post looks like an excuse to just post pictures of La Tana Del Polpo, you’re not wrong…

To prove my love for La Tana Del Polpo, here is a throwback to Wilhelm and me in 2018:

Walk along the Promenade

Outside of the gates of the old town, you can take a dip in the Adriatic Sea or walk along the promenade. Although it doesn’t look like there are beaches right outside the gates of the old town by the Basilica on google maps, trust me, they are there. There is a little rocky space that can be used as a beach if you take a left once you’re on the promenade outside the gates of the basilica (around here).

If you continue right, you’ll reach the Bari Ferris Wheel.

Go on a Free Walking Tour

Depending on your schedule, or if you’re spending more than a day, consider going on a free walking tour.  Tips are encouraged. I haven’t done this particular tour in Bari, but I typically do them in European cities. I’ve always enjoyed the tours and recommendations given by veteran tour guides or students in tourism.

Visit Basilica di San Nicola

The Basilica San Nicola is home to St. Nicolas. Yes, Santa Claus himself! His relics, said to have miraculous powers, are inside the basilica making it a popular pilgrimage site for believers seeking blessings, healing, and spiritual connection. The Basilica di San Nicola was constructed in the 11th century to house the remains of St. Nicholas, which had been brought to Bari from Myra (in present-day Turkey) in the 11th century. Over the centuries, the basilica has undergone various renovations and additions, preserving its historical and religious significance.

Wander Bari Vecchia

Get lost in the old town. This is literally the magic of the old town so I’m not going to bother giving you places to visit specifically. Wander whatever street looks cute to you and I promise you’ll get to the good stuff. There are plenty of photo opportunities, cute shops, and cafes.

As you walk around the old town, you’re bound to come across trays of orecchiette drying out in the sun. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some grandma’s hand rolling these little pasta.  The name “orecchiette” translates to “little ears” in English, describing its cute shape. You can buy bags for under 5 euros.

If you’d rather have someone show you the best spots in the old town to grab a bite, check out this popular street food tour that lasts three hours. Or go on a fun, interactive experience of making your own orecchiette pasta!

Besides orecchiette on the side of the street, you can also find tarallis. These are little, round, breadstick-like snacks with different flavors. We got a sundried tomato + chili bag and it was delish!

As with most (if not all) Italian towns, at night the town is magical (courtesy of my 2018 pictures).

Get a drink at La Ciclatera Sotto Il Mare

Wilhelm and I had a drink here back in 2018. It’s perfect for a sunset or late evening vibe. Well, we thought it was a drink and instead had some sort of chocolate pudding with alcohol, haha. It was good though!

Take a Cruise to the Caves

I love a European boat cruise. I’ve always felt it was a good value for the experience. Although I didn’t have a chance to do this in Bari, there are popular caves called Polignano a Mare that you can easily reach via boat. There are two cruise options. The first is 1.5 hours and includes snacks and a drink. The second cruise is a 2.5 hour ride on a catamaran. Both include a stop where you’ll be able to take a dip into the sea.

Check out the Castello Svevo di Bari

The Castello Svevo di Bari, also known as the Swabian Castle of Bari, is a historic medieval fortress. It was built by the Norman king Roger II in the 12th century, as part of a larger defensive network in the region. However, it was Emperor Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire, also known as Frederick II of Swabia, who expanded and fortified the castle in the 13th century. The castle became a symbol of the imperial presence in the area during this time.

Within the castle, you can explore various areas, including the courtyard, towers, and rooms. The castle’s interior now houses exhibitions, museums, and displays that provide insight into its history and the history of Bari. Tickets are 5 euros.

Visit Alberobello For the day

If you’ve got more than a day and have seen your fill of Bari, go on a tour of Alberobello, Monopoli, and Polignano. When we tried to visit in 2018, the train station we were supposed to use was out of service and the cab fare was too expensive for us to make this trip. I wish there was a day trip option back when we visited because Alberobello is such a unique town filled with traditional houses called Trulli.

Bari Long Layover Itinerary

Alright, now that you’ve got the deets on what to do in Bari, follow this itinerary to save you the hassle of planning. Or, make up your own itinerary using the suggestions above.

We had a 6-hour layover but spent 2 of those hours getting to and from the airport, and gave ourselves some extra time to arrive 1 hour before boarding. As such, in reality, we had about 3 hours in Bari; it was still worth it to leave the airport!

3 hours in town

I’ll assume you take the train from the airport to Bari Centrale and drop off any luggage at one of the luggage storage centers. Then, walk to the old town of Bari, which is just 15 minutes from the train station.

1.5 hours: Walk straight to La Tana Del Polpo for lunch to get a glass of wine and the squid ink pasta. We spent 1.5 hours here—we didn’t rush but if you’re motivated you could scarf down the food and then keep moving. Or, just get a sandwich from their sandwich shop.

1 hour: Explore the old town, stopping in shops, and buying orecchiette and taralli on the side of the street. Visit the Basilica di San Nicola and then step out of the old town to see the Adriatic Sea.

30 minutes: If you’re craving a bit of lux fashion shopping, walk back to the luggage drop on Via Sparano da Bari. This is a pedestrian-only street filled with Gucci, Zara, and more. The street starts here.

Eat some pasta for us!