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Visiting Bari, Italy, and looking for the best tours? You have come to the right place! I’ve spent a lot of time in the old town of Bari and want to share the 9 top tours to take in Bari in 2023!
There are so many amazing things to experience in the capital of Puglia, from authentic Italian & wine to the Historic town center as well as hidden gems just outside of Bari!
This post has all the information you need to choose the best Bari tour for your vacation!
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Best 9 Bari Tours To Take in 2023
1. Historic Center of Bari Tour + Locorotondo, Alberobello And Polignano
Why This Bari Tour?
I love this tour because you get a full taste of the Pugulia region! If you don’t have much time in southern Italy this tour checks all the boxes!
This full-day tour takes you to the Trulli limestone houses of Alberbello! Located in the southern region of Puglia are the mortarless constructed homes.
Then its off to the Centro Storico Locorotondo! You will explore this nice old town and check out the view of the Itria Valley. Before heading off to a city tour of Bari by car!
End the day at Polignano a mare, the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to! Polignano a mare is a magical little village you will remember forever.
Having been to famous southern Italy towns such as Positano and Sorrento, I was more impressed with Polignano a mare. It surprises me it isn’t more well-known.
Meeting Point – Hotels in Bari & Giovinazzo
Duration- 6-7 Hours
Highlights: Trulli di Alberobello, Centro Storico Locorotondo, Bari, Polignano a mare
2. Street Food Tour In Bari Old Town
Why this tour of the most famous street food in the city?
This is probably my all-time favorite tour in Bari! Eat your way through Bari’s amazing street food scene and try panzerotti, sgagliozze (fried polenta), focaccia barese and more!
You start the tour at Piazza dell’Odegitria, at Bari Vecchia. Your local guide will be waiting to greet you and take you on this most wonderful food tour!
Get ready to taste some traditional Bari focaccia in one of the oldest bakeries in the old town! Then you will move on through the narrow streets of the old town and pass by the Civic Museum of Bari arriving to taste more local food Bari’s famous sgagliozze!
Next, you will move on and pass by Corso Vittorio Emanuele II on your way to try an octopus sandwich and wash it down with cold beer. My mouth is watering just reliving this memory!
Finally, you end the tour with some homemade gelato at Castello Normanno Svevo!
Meeting Point: Piazza dell’Odegitria
Duration- 3 hours
Highlights: Eat the best street food of homemade panzerotti, sgaliozze, focaccia barese, geltao and more!
3. Bari Rickshaw Tour
Why a Rickshaw Tour in Bari
I love this tour for a quick overview of Bari and it’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of time! In just an hour and a half, you will get to see the highlights of Bari with an expert guide!
There are also multiple departures times for this tour so it’s easy to fit into your schedule!
This tour is led by an expert multilingual guide that will take you first to discover the Basilica of San Nicolas. This is one of the most important landmarks in Bari for Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
After the Basilica of St. Nicoloas, you will move on to Cattedrale San Sabino! This cathedral houses the relics of Saint Sabinus, the bishop of Canosa.
Next, you will visit the heart of the city, Pizza Mercantile! Here you will find a lot of restaurants and historical sites. Then head over to Pizza del Ferrarese on your way to Normanno Svevo castle.
The end of the tour is at Bari Castle (Castello Normanno Svevo) where you can decide if you want to purchase a ticket and take a tour of this medieval castle!
Meeting Point: Strada Vallisa, 81 Strada Vallisa, 81, 70122 Bari BA, Italy
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Highlights: Basilica San Nicola, Cattedrale di San Sabino, Piazza Mercantile, Piazza del Ferrarese, Castello Normanno Svevo
4. Day Trips to Visit Matera Tour
Why Take This Tour to Matera from Bari?
I love this private tour because getting yourself to Matera by public transport will take more than 2 hours. Joining this tour for a day trip from Bari will get you there in under an hour, plus you will have a local knowable guide!
Matera is a unique and special place in Italy. The ancient rupestrian homes and churches are some of the oldest in Italy! Matera is recognized as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Puglia region.
Included in this tour are your private transportation, tickets to Casa Grotta die Vico Solitario, and your tour guide. There will be free time for lunch, (not included in the ticket price). The Matera day trip was one of the best things I did when I visited Bari.
Meeting Point: iH Hotels Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni
Duration: 4 hours
Highlights: A day trip to explore the ancient town of Matera
5. Private Food & Wine Tour in a Vineyard
Why Book This Food & Wine Tour at a family-run vineyard?
You should book this tour if you are looking for an authentic southern Italian experience! The tour will take you 50 minutes outside Bari to a small family-owned vineyard for a day of wine tasting and eating.
You will taste 4 types of wines that are accompanied by some local delicacies of Focaccia, olives taralli, charcuterie, and mozzarella.
Walk amongst the olive trees and grapevines of this incredible vineyard. It is an amazing experience!
After the tasting, the private driver will take you to the sea promenade of Trani where you can stroll the local shops and visit the marvelous cathedral.
Meeting Point: Hotels in Bari
Duration: 4 hours
Highlights: Wine tasting and food at vineyard + stop at Trani sea promenade
6. Bari Walking Tour & Pasta Experience
Why take this walking tour?
When I visited Bari, I promptly booked this walking tour! Why? Because it comes with a side of pasta!
I usually opt for paid tours over free walking tours because you get so much more. Sure your free tour will take you to the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Cathedral of San Sabino, and other highlights.
This tour is special because it ends with a pasta-making class and local Primitivo red wine!
First, visit the Basilica of st. Nicholas, Cattedrale di San Sabino, Castello Normanno Svevo (Caslte Norman), Piazza del Ferrasese and Piazza Mercantile. You’ll visit the French neighborhood & fish market
Then finish the day by visiting the home of a local and making fresh pasta pomodoro!
Meeting Point: Strada Vallisa, 81 Strada Vallisa, 81, 70122 Bari BA, Italy
Duration: 2 hours
Highlights: All the sites in Bari + Pasta making at a locals home!
7. Boat Excursion to Polignano a Mare
Why Take This Tour to Polignano a Mare?
Polignano a Mare is one of those places you must see to believe! When I visited I was just amazed by the crystal blue waters and the idyllic village town above.
This small group boat tour is perfect for anyone looking to reach the town of Polignano a Mare and visit the Grotta Piana!
You meet will meet your guide in the port of Bari and then venture off to the fascinating city of Polignano a Mare!
It is a quick journey on the Adriatic sea to the Grotta Piana. After you explore the caves you will then make a shore excursion with your guide into the old town of Polignano a Mare.
Meeting Point: Via S. Vito, 225 Via S. Vito, 225, 70044 San Vito BA, Italy
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Highlights: Boat trip to the Grotta Piana and walking tour of Polignano a Mare.
8. Bari Bike Tour
Why do a Bike Tour in Bari?
Riding a bike around Bari is the best way to spend an afternoon. The pace in Bari is pretty slow, so you will enjoy cruising around and seeing all the sites!
This tour hits all the places you want to see in Bari such as:
- Norman Swabian Castle
- Basilica di San Nicola
- Cattedrale di San Sabino
- Piazza del Ferrarese
- Piazza Mercantile
Plus this tour stops for an ice cream tasting! As far as tours go, this one is great value for your money!
Meeting Point: Strada Vallisa, 81 Strada Vallisa, 81, 70122 Bari BA, Italy
Duration: 2 Hours
9. Bari Segway Tour
Why Take A Segway Tour?
Have you ever joined a segway tour? I have and they are actually really fun! Segways are easy to use and a great way to get around the city!
On this private guided tour, you will go around the old town of Bari visiting all the hot spots and the best part of the city, Piazza Mercantile!
This segway tour also includes some food tasting, who doesn’t love that? The tour prices are all very reasonable and may vary in the summer months versus other times of the year.
On this tour, you visit Basilica San Nicola, Cattedrale di San Sabino, Castello Normanno Svevo, Piazza del Ferrarese, and Piazza Mercantile.
Meeting Point: Strada Vallisa, 81 Strada Vallisa, 81, 70122 Bari BA, Italy
Duration: Approx 3 hours
Highlights: Guided tour of Bari with Segway and mini food tasting!
What is Bari Famous for?
Well, apart from being the capital city of Apulia and a bustling port city, Bari is also renowned for its Castello Svevo – a stunning castle built in the 12th century by Frederick II.
When it comes to sightseeing in Bari, this castle should definitely be on your must-see list! And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a medieval history buff to appreciate its beauty – the views over the city skyline are definitely worth it.
Best Time To Visit Bari
In the summer months, Bari is HOT! So the best time to visit is the shoulder season which is from late April to the beginning of June as well as mid-September till about the end of October!
Visiting Bari at Christmas time is also a magical experience. The weather will be cool and it could be rainy, but it’s still a special time to visit.
Final Thoughts on taking a tour in Bari
Sometimes when I travel I like to do my own thing, but I always take a tour or two! Tours are the best way to see a new destination, and if you are solo, make some friends.
If you make your own Bari itinerary, be sure to include one of these 9 top tours in Bari!
Spending more time in Italy? Here is the best way to explore the Puglia region!
