Bari is the lively capital of Puglia, stretching along Italy’s Adriatic coast. Its historic heart, Bari Vecchia, is a maze of narrow lanes where old stone houses, tiny courtyards, and centuries-old churches create a distinctly local atmosphere. The Basilica of Saint Nicholas and the Romanesque Cathedral of San Sabino are among the area’s most important landmarks, while the waterfront offers long views across the Adriatic.

One of the pleasures of exploring Bari is watching everyday life unfold in the old quarter, where residents are known for making fresh pasta by hand. Local menus feature orecchiette, focaccia barese, seafood, burrata, and other specialties from Puglia. The modern Murat district brings a different feel, with elegant streets, shops, cafés, and restaurants. Bari also makes a convenient starting point for discovering the wider region, including the whitewashed houses of Alberobello, the cliffs of Polignano a Mare, and the historic towns of Ostuni and Matera.