Destinations Mediterranean Europe

Cunard recommends: Bari, Italy

From stunning beaches to historic architecture and delicious cuisine to fuel your adventures, explore the beautiful Italian city of Bari – a jewel of the Adriatic coast.

4 min 23 Jul 2024

Cunard

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Take a tour

Beyond being a port city, Bari is an off-the-beaten-path destination with captivating castles, churches and more. You can’t say you know Bari unless you visit its wonderful Castel del Monte, the city’s landmark building. One excursion to Bari takes in the full panorama of the city’s delights, starting with this captivating court of two sovereigns. It was commissioned by Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century on what remained of a Norman fortification, and transformed several times before it became the seat of a refined Renaissance court ruled by two women in its golden age. Today it is home to a museum and the city’s cultural center.

The tour takes you through the old town to soak up its history. See the fine Apulian-Romanesque façade and stunning rose window of San Sabino Cathedral, before visiting the 12th-century Basilica San Nicola – originally built to house the relics of Saint Nicholas (perhaps better known as Father Christmas) and another splendid example of Apulian-Romanesque architecture.

Lovers of music and ballet can also marvel at Bari’s biggest theater, and a hugely important landmark, Teatro Petruzzelli. With seats of plush red velvet, rows of viewing boxes and exuding an opulent atmosphere, this significant setting has seen performances from artists ranging from Luciano Pavarotti to Frank Sinatra.

Ancient town of Matera (Sassi di Matera) . UNESCO world Heritage site, Basilicata, southern Italy.

Beyond Bari

In the surrounding region of Apulia, visit two of its most charming towns – Alberobello and Martina Franca – via our Enchanting Italy tour.

In the picturesque hilltop town of Martina Franca, stroll past its characteristic white houses with decorative wrought-iron balconies, and through narrow alleyways and quaint squares. Marvel at the beauty of the grand baroque gateway, Porta di Santo Stefano (Arco di Sant’Antonio), and stroll through the treelined Piazza XX Settembre with its bars and restaurants that make for a great evening scene.

The whitewashed walls and pointed grey roofs of Alberobello’s unique trulli buildings are an unmistakable sign that you’ve entered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided tour to learn more about their history, before taking time to wander through the twisted cobbled streets of this charming village – unlike anywhere else in the world. To commemorate your trip, the smallest trullo is now a souvenir shop!

Alberobello is a small town located in the region of Puglia, in southern Italy. The town is known for its unique trulli houses, which are traditional dry-stone huts with conical roofs that are typical of the area. These houses are made using a technique that dates back to prehistoric times and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Local flavors

With so many things to see and do, you’ll need great food to see you through. Luckily, Bari can bring the goods. A speciality of the city is riso, patate e cozze – a delicious dish with layers of rice, potatoes and mussels, baked in terracotta pots in woodfired ovens.

When it comes to Italian cuisine, one of the most prominent ingredients is, of course, pasta. The region of Puglia is famous for its cucina povera – literally translated as ‘kitchen of the poor’ – a simple and tasty cuisine using inexpensive local and seasonal ingredients. It is a food movement taking off around the world, finding Bari, in particular, at its forefront. The best-loved manifestation of this is orecchiette – a typical Pugliese pasta made without eggs. The shape of this pasta, like small ears, makes it the perfect vessel for collecting the sauces that Bari is famous for – made from the freshest local vegetables and given extra zest by Puglia’s plump olives.

Being a port city – the biggest on the Adriatic coast, in fact – it won’t come as a surprise that the seafood of Bari is also something special. With street food a popular style here, tuck into plates of the freshest octopus, shrimp and anemone down at the markets.

Puglia has exquisite wines, and the Bari region is no exception. One of the most famous is Primitivo di Manduria – a rich, full-bodied red made from the primitivo grape. Bari is also known for sweet wines, including Moscato di Bari. Enjoy it alongside a scoop of delicious gelato, another Italian speciality. Why not visit one of the area’s wineries to enjoy tastings and sample some of the region’s most exceptional wines, as well as learn about the history and techniques behind their production.

Aerial view of downtown Bari with old town and port area, Puglia, Italy

Places to shop

If you’re partial to a bit of a spree, you won’t feel short-changed in Bari! The city’s main shopping district, Corso Cavour, supplies many options, from fashion outlets to cafés and restaurants.

And don’t forget Via Sparano, Bari’s most elegant commercial street that is entirely closed to traffic. With high-end fashion brands such as Valentino and Gucci, along with more affordable names, there’s something for every shopper and budget.

You can book your voyage to Bari online today, and purchase your Shore Experiences via My Cunard (accessible once you have your booking reference).

Article first published in Cunarder (Winter 2023 edition).