Experience a different side of Italy when you visit Bari and surrounding Puglia. Rome may have a goldmine of history, Florence a wealth of treasured art and Bologna world-famous cuisine, but this region has all three – and more. It’s time to discover Italy’s best kept secret.
Bari’s historic heart
Wandering along the charming, winding alleyways of Bari’s old town, you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants that serve up the city’s specialty – seafood. Paglionico Vini e Cucina is one of the best – and oldest – taverns to dine at. There’s no menu to flick through – simply order your pick of what’s being served up that day, such as fried calamari, grilled octopus and shrimp pasta, in a place that has been popular with locals since 1870.
Make time to pay a visit to the Basilica di San Nicola. This Norman-style church was built in the 12th century as a home for the remains of Saint Nicholas, which were stolen from Turkey in the 11th century by Barese merchants. He’s better known today as the origin of Father Christmas.
Castello Normanno-Svevo is another stop to make while in Bari. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, it was built in the 12th century to protect the city and its mighty bastions and thick walls still stand today.
Beyond Bari
Alberobello is a day tripper favorite due to its unique ‘trulli’ homes. Don’t forget your camera – the architecture is remarkable, with whitewash limestone walls and conical roofs painted with various symbols.
Lecce attracts visitors all-year-round, thanks in part to its beautiful baroque architecture. Flamboyant churches and palaces appear as you wander the labyrinth of medieval passageways. Basilica di Santa Croce is one of its finest examples, with a breathtaking sculpted façade that took 100 years to create. Lecce is also a foodie paradise Come here to sample Pugliese cuisine at its finest, with trattorias serving up dishes ranging from broad bean purée with braised wild chicory to shrimp risotto.
Beach hopping near Bari
Bari’s coastal location means there’s a wealth of nearby beaches to discover. Pop towels, a picnic and bucket and spades into the trunk of your rental car and set off to explore the Adriatic coast.
On the eastern edge of Bari is Pane e Pomodoro Beach, meaning you don’t need to travel far from the city to bask in the sunshine.
If you’ve got time to go further afield, Cala Porto Beach in Polignano a Mare is a real beauty. It’s found in the heart of the town, where small white pebbles form the shoreline, fringed with blue-green waters and surrounded by dramatic hilltop buildings. Just down the coast is Lido Santo Stefano, another sun kissed sandy bay with beautiful green waters – perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
With car rental in Bari, you can enjoy a feast of culture on vacation in this sensation slice of Italy. Start your Puglia journey in style – you’ll want to come back again and again.