Best of Bari

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Bari

Overlooking the Adriatic on Italy’s southern coast, Bari is a vibrant port city with an atmospheric medieval quarter that’s packed with historic buildings. You can wander among some 40 churches and over 120 shrines, recharge over espressos in sunny piazzas and take in the lively banter at the seafood market. Nearby, the city’s ferry port connects Bari with Croatia, Greece, Albania, and Montenegro.

On previous trips, kimkim travelers have delved into the labyrinthine lanes of Bari Vecchia (Bari’s Old Town) on private guided tours that provide a deeper insight into the town’s history. The Pugliese-Romanesque–style Basilica di San Nicola contains the relics of St Nicholas (aka Santa Claus), while the Museo Archeologico di Santa Scolastica houses an impressive collection of pieces dating back to the Bronze Age. Bari has a vibrant street food scene, and walking tours take you to some of the city’s best spots for a memorable bite.

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Laidback Puglia: Alberobello, Lecce, Bari - 15 Days

If you've already visited Italy's famous cities and crave an authentic experience, this comprehensive 15-day itinerary in Puglia is for you. Spend time in the busy port city of Bari and relaxed Lecce and visit the small sun-soaked coastal villages of Gallipoli, Leuca, and Otranto. Eat hand-made Orecchiette, go swimming on rocky beaches, and explore life on the peninsula from the ancient Matera caves to the 12th-century Basilica of St. Nicholas.

Laidback Puglia: Alberobello, Lecce & Bari - 10 Days

If you've explored Italy's famous highlights and want to see more, this 10-day Puglia itinerary is the perfect option. Explore Alberobello's history from medieval Trulli to prehistoric caves, then head south to Lecce for sunny beaches, sleepy fishing villages, and Baroque architecture. End in Bari in the north for 12th-century churches and delicious street food.

View of Peschici from Gargano National Park

Laidback Puglia: Alberobello, Lecce, Bari - 7 Days

If you want to see the stunning Puglia region but are short on time, this packed 7-day itinerary is for you. Start in Alberobello to see the cone-shaped Trulli homes and ancient Matera caves, then head to Lecce to see Baroque architecture and a 2nd-century Roman amphitheater. End in Bari for religious icons, a medieval old town, and some of Italy's best street food.

Laidback Puglia: Alberobello, Lecce, Bari - 13 Days

If thirteen days exploring the sunny Puglia region seems like a lucky break, then this packed itinerary is for you. Start in Alberobello to see cone-shaped Trulli, ancient Matera caves, and stunning Polignano a Mare beach. Continue to Lecce to for a half day cooking class and Baroque architecture, then end your trip in Bari for delicious street food, vibrant religious sites, and a full-day hiking trip to Gargano National Park.

Check out the fine details of the Baroque Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce

Bari, Alberobello & Lecce: Best Itinerary Ideas

For most travelers, eight to 12 days is the perfect amount of time for an Italy trip with stops in Bari, Alberobello, and Lecce. It's also possible to hit the highlights in seven days if you don't mind a fast-paced journey. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some favored itinerary extensions include Naples. See more ideas for Bari, Alberobello, and Lecce itineraries below.

Laidback Puglia: Alberobello, Lecce, Bari - 14 Days

From fairytale Trulli homes to rocky sun-soaked beaches, this two-week trip to Puglia is perfect for travelers who want to see authentic Italy. See baroque architecture in Lecce, scrubby pine forests in Gargano National Park, and sunny southern towns of Otranto and Gallipoli. End your trip in the busy port city of Bari where a maze-like old town, deep-fried panzerotto, and 12th-century churches await.

Laidback Puglia: Alberobello, Lecce & Bari - 11 Days

If spending 11 relaxed days in the sunny Puglia region sounds like a dream come true, this packed itinerary is yours. See storybook Trulli in Alberobello, visit the 9,000-year-old Matera caves, and lounge on warm beaches. Explore Lecce's Baroque city center and spend a day in the lovely coastal town of Otranto before ending in Bari to see beautiful historic churches and a medieval city center.

Laidback Puglia: Alberobello, Lecce & Bari - 8 Days

Spend a relaxing eight-day exploring medieval architecture and enjoying nature in Puglia. Begin your trip in Alberobello, where storybook trulli homes pack the town center. Take a day trip to Ostuni, spend the afternoon on a beach, and learn to cook a Pugliese meal in Lecce. Finish in Bari, where narrow city streets, a vibrant religious presence, and freshly-baked focaccia barese await.

Laidback Puglia: Alberobello, Lecce & Bari - 12 Days

Explore Roman theaters, relax in small coastal towns, and soak in the sunshine on this twelve-day itinerary of the incredible Puglia region. From Baroque castles in Lecce and fairy tale Alberobello to the whitewashed buildings in Otranto, this trip hits the region's highlights with a focus on authentic Italian life. You'll learn to make a typical Pugliese meal and swim on rocky beaches, then eat delicious fried street food on the winding medieval streets of Bari.

South of Puglia and Matera Self-Drive Tour - 8 Days

Discover the best spots in southern Puglia and explore Matera's unique cave dwellings on this self-drive tour. Your trip begins in Bari, the regional capital. You'll wander the streets of Alberobello, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its famous trulli—cone-shaped, whitewashed houses that are unique to this part of Italy. From there, you'll travel to Matera, famed for its sassi, or cave dwellings, and explore the Lucanian Dolomites. You'll continue on to the Salento Peninsula, stopping at Lecce, the provincial capital, and using Otranto as a base for your explorations of the tip of the peninsula and the area's crystal-clear beaches. Along the way, you can hike, swim, or simply relax and enjoy views of some of southern Italy's most iconic towns and landscapes.

Laidback Puglia: Alberobello, Lecce & Bari - 9 Days

Spend nine days on the "heel" of the Italy boot on this packed Puglia itinerary. Start in Alberobello, where trulli homes, prehistoric caves, and ancient olive groves dot the landscape. Head down the coast to Lecce for Baroque architecture, sun-soaked towns, and rocky beaches. End in Bari to see religious icons, try delicious street food, and explore the medieval city center.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 16 Days

This packed 16-day adventure combines the culturally rich region of Sicily with one of Italy's less-heralded gems: Puglia. First, you're off to the heel of Italy's boot, home to ancient and unique cities like Matera and Alberobello. Then you'll jet to Sicily, where you'll hop in a rental car and drive across the island, stopping at ancient Greek and Roman ruins along the way.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 17 Days

On this 17-day tour of Italy's southern regions, you'll go beyond medieval and Roman history and also visit the ruins of ancient civilizations. 9,000-year-old cave dwellings exist in the historic city of Matera, in Italy's Puglia region, but you'll also visit coastal gems like Lecce and Bari. The adventure culminates in Sicily with tours of Greek and Roman ruins and a hike up Mt. Etna.

Discover the historic town of Gravina in Puglia

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 18 Days

This 18-day itinerary covers two of southern Italy's most stunning regions: Puglia and Sicily. It begins in Puglia with visits to the cone-shaped trulli homes of Alberobello and the ancient cave dwellings in Matera. Then head to Lecce to see Baroque architecture and Roman ruins before experiencing the highlights of Sicily on a self-drive road trip.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 13 Days

Ancient ruins, beautiful beaches, historic cities—you'll get all this and more on a 13-day tour of southern Italy. First up you'll visit cave dwellings and go on food tours in Puglia, the southernmost region of mainland Italy. Then you'll fly to the island of Sicily, which you'll discover on a road trip that will take you from postcard coastal towns to ancient Greek ruins in Syracuse.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 14 Days

This two-week holiday combines anthropology and history with a road-trip adventure in two of Italy's most unique regions. First, you'll tour Puglia, Italy's "heel of the boot," which is home to beautiful beaches and ancient cities. Then you'll fly to Sicily for a road trip from the cultural melting pot of Palermo to ancient Greek and Roman ruins—plus enjoy a jaunt to Mount Etna.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 15 Days

In a little over two weeks you can enjoy comprehensive tours of southern Italy's most beautiful regions: Puglia and Sicily. The adventure begins in the former, where you'll visit historic cities on Italy's heel of the boot like Lecce, Bari, and Alberobello. Then it's off to Sicily, where on a self-drive road trip you'll discover Palermo, visit ancient Greek and Roman ruins, and hike up to Mt. Etna.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 9 Days

Discover Puglia, one of the lesser-visited yet stunningly beautiful regions of Italy. Over nine days you'll experience the highlights of this southern coastal region, including the ancient caves at Matera and the historic streets of Lecce and Bari. To cap the trip, you'll fly to Palermo, Sicily, where you'll discover the culture on walking tours plus visit Cefalú, one of the most beautiful beach towns on the island.

Relaxed Puglia Coast & Gargano Road Trip: Bari, Trani, Vieste - 8 Days

Spend a relaxing 8-day road trip enjoying nature in Puglia and exploring wonderful must-see sites. Start your trip in Trani, a wonderful seaside city, almost a "stone's throw" from Bisceglie. This is also the perfect starting point to explore the surroundings, such as the marvelous Castel del Monte, archeological sites like Canne, or the ancient Dolmens and Menhir. Your stay in the Gargano promontory will make your trip, between wild lush forested areas and peaceful fine beaches.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 10 Days

Over 10 days you'll explore Puglia and Sicily, two of the most historic and culturally unique regions of Italy. You'll begin this southern adventure with a tour of colorful villages like Alberobello and ancient cave dwellings in Matera. Then you'll arrive on the island of Sicily, where you'll embark on a street food tour of Palermo, visit Greek ruins at Segesta, and laze on the beaches of Cefalú.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 12 Days

On this 12-day holiday in Italy, you'll visit ancient ruins and historic sights in two of Italy's most beautiful southern regions: Puglia and Sicily. Moreover, you'll enjoy various activities, from cooking classes to beach trips and even a hike up Mt. Etna. The best part is you'll finish the trip with a road trip around Sicily, visiting its most famous locales like the ancient Greek ruins at Syracuse.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 11 Days

Enjoy a different kind of vacation with this adventure in southern Italy. You'll arrive in the Puglia region and immediately visit historic cities like Alberobello, Matera, Lecce, and Bari. You'll then fly to Sicily, where you'll take a quick self-drive road trip around the island, stopping at ancient ruins and the historic beach town of Cefalú.

Other popular travel destinations in Italy
Tuscany · Rome · Florence · Venice · Amalfi Coast · Sicily · Milan · Naples · Palermo · Lakes District · Lake Como · Taormina · Lake Garda · Verona · Syracuse · Siena · Cinque Terre · Italian Riviera · Sorrento · Emilia Romagna · Capri · Bologna · Chianti · Agrigento · Piedmont · San Gimignano · Turin · Catania · Umbria · Puglia · Alberobello · Lecce · Dolomites · Aeolian Islands · Ragusa · Montepulciano · Sardinia · The Langhe

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