Awesome One Day in Bari Itinerary: Mediterranean Summer Vibes

Are you looking for an amazing itinerary to help you spend one day in Bari from the cruise port? Then I got good news!

Many Eastern Mediterranean cruises have Bari as a port of call on their itinerary. While it is not one of the most famous destinations, it is definitely one I enjoyed a lot on my last cruise.

Bari is full of hidden gems – and lots of amazing day trips can be done from there. If you don’t want all the hassle of planning and just snatching up a fun itinerary, then this blog post is for you.

Let’s get to it!

One Day in Bari Itinerary: at a Glance

When heading to Bari on a cruise, you basically have two options on how to spend your day.

You can either go on a day trip and explore the stunning region of Puglia, or you can explore Bari on foot. For my recommendations on which villages to visit on a day trip, look down below.

Here is an overview of how to spend a day in Bari from the cruise port:

🍕 Piazza Mercantile

🍕 Basilica di San Nicola

🍕 Bari Vecchia

🍕 Castello Svevo di Bari

🍕 Lungomare Nazario Sauro

🍕 Panificio Fiore or a Seaside Spot

🍕 Via Venezia

🍕 Teatro Margherita

🍕 Murattiano District (City Center)

The Bari Cruise Port

The Bari Cruise Port is located northwest of Bari’s historic Old Town. It is located super conveniently for both a city tour and day trips.

Many bigger cruise lines have Bari listed as a port of call, in addition to Rome, Naples, and Venice on the Adriatic Sea.

The modern terminal offers all the amenities one could need. There are check-in desks, waiting areas, vending machines, and a souvenir shop.

Reaching the city center from the port is straightforward:

• Walking: The Old Town is approximately a 20-minute walk from the terminal (my preferred option)
• Local Bus: Bus #50 operates a continuous loop between the cruise terminal, city center, and central station, with tickets priced around €1.
• Taxi: Taxis are available outside the terminal for a quick ride into town

Bari can be explored super easily from the cruise port; it is absolutely walkable! Unless you have mobility issues, I recommend taking a leisurely stroll toward the old town for a relaxed day.

Bari International Airport

Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) is about 8 km northwest of Bari’s city center.

To reach the cruise port from the airport, you can take the Amtab Bus No. 16 to the city center or Bari central station, then transfer to Bus No. 20, which goes to the cruise terminal.

Exploring Apulia On a Day Tour

A great alternative to seeing Bari’s old town is to go on a day trip through the Apulia region. It is insanely beautiful, and I think I prefer a day trip over a walking tour if the budget allows it.

Apulia, better known as Puglia, is located in the southeast of Italy. The area is easily reached from the Bari cruise port and offers a mix of stunning towns, Instagrammable villages, and lovely countryside.

Here are some of the coolest villages to visit from Bari on a shore day:

Ostuni

Ostuni is a hilltop town surrounded by olive trees and close to the sea.

Its whitewashed buildings and cute streets are great for walking and taking lots of Instagram pictures.

The cathedral with its rose window is a must-see; it was one of my favorite spots to visit. If the weather is good, you can even lounge by the ocean for a bit!

Alberobello

Alberobello is without a doubt the most famous village in the area.

The coolest feature of the town is its unique trulli houses with cone-shaped roofs. They are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage.

Alberobelly is beautiful but can get super crowded. Visit early in the morning ideally, to avoid all the big tourist buses.

Lecce

Lecce is often called the “Florence of the South.” The reason: its beautiful Baroque architecture.

Lecce is located in the heart of Apulia and is one of the region’s most stunning cities.

The buildings are made from Pietra Leccese, which is a soft, golden limestone. That’s also where the city got its name from.

Check out the Piazza Duomo, the Roman Amphitheater, and the Basilica di Santa Croce.

Matera

Matera is famous for its Sassi di Matera. It has ancient cave dwellings which were turned into hotels, restaurants, and museums.

Highlights you should definitely check out are the Sassi districts, the cave churches like Santa Maria de Idris, and enjoying canyon views from the belvederes.

Matera is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and most guided day tours from the Bari cruise port stop here.

Polignano a Mare

Last but not least you should check out Polignano a Mare.

Polignano a Mare is a picturesque town perched on cliffs above the Adriatic Ocean. It is the most beautiful spot in the area, in my opinion. This is THE spot for Instagram pictures in Puglia.

Don’t miss the Lama Monachile beach, the narrow streets of the Old Town, and panoramic sea views from the balconies.

If you have time, you can take a boat tour to see its famous sea caves before heading back to the ship.

Bari Walking Tour: From Cruise Port

Morning: Old Town Charm

Start at Piazza Mercantile

Walk from the Bari cruise port to the Piazza Mercantile.

Grab a coffee at a local café and snap a pic with the Colonna della Giustizia (Justice Column).

This square gives off a lovely old-world vibe and it has lots of cute, pastel-colored buildings.

Basilica di San Nicola

Head to the Basilica of Saint Nicholas for its beautiful Romanesque architecture. It is super impressive!

You can even head inside. There you’ll find stunning details. Also, the exterior is perfect for a symmetrical, dreamy shot.

Some people associate it with Santa Claus.

Bari Vecchia (Old Town Streets)

Wander through the narrow and Instagrammable streets of Bari Vecchia – the old town of Bari.

Look out for local women making orecchiette pasta by hand outside their homes – a totally authentic Instagram moment.

You can buy some and bring it home as a nice, authentic souvenir.

Late Morning: Coastal Views

Castello Svevo di Bari

After visiting the lovely old town, it is time to check out some cool spots by the ocean.

First, take a quick stop at the Castello di Svevo – a historic castle. It is pretty famous.

Lungomare Nazario Sauro

For some ocean views and coastal bliss, take a walk along Bari’s seaside promenade. Walk as long as you like in that direction, before stopping for lunch!

Lunch: Local Cuisine

For a delicious and authentic lunch, try a slice of focaccia barese. They sell it everywhere in the area. You can take it to go and enjoy it on the seaside promenade.

Bari is also famous for its delicious street food. You can try dishes made of rice, mussels, and potatoes. Of course, you need to try fish freshly caught by local fishermen on the seafront promenade. My favorite dish is panzerotti, filled with delicious local mozzarella.

If you prefer a sit-down meal, you can also hop into one of the seaside restaurants along Lungomare or check out Al Pescatore in the old town.

Afternoon: Colorful Charm

Via Venezia (Viewpoint)

After a delicious lunch, we’ll head to a cool viewpoint called Via Venezia. From there, you’ll have insane, panoramic views of the Old Town and the sea.

Golden hour lighting here is unbeatable (so come back later in the day if you have time!)

Teatro Margherita

This is one of the most famous spots in Bari. It is a former theater now turned into an exhibition space.

Its reflection on the water is a unique shot, especially if you catch it with some boats nearby.

Murattiano District

After all that culture and history, it is time for some souvenir shopping. In the Murattiano district, you can stroll through Bari’s modern side. There are lots of elegant buildings and cute shops.

Don’t miss the chance to snap pics of the colorful doorways and chic boutiques.

Evening: Sunset and Vibes

Piazza del Ferrarese

At this point, you’ll probably have to head back to the cruise ship.

If you are lucky and you are leaving later in the evening, you can end your day with a stop at the Piazza del Ferrarese. The square lights up beautifully in the evening.

It has a cute atmosphere and charming restaurants, which make it a perfect spot for a golden-hour Instagram post.