Share The Article
If you’re planning on visiting Italy this summer, chances are you’re picturing Rome and its majestic Colosseum, Venice with its winding canals, or maybe the Amalfi Coast and its pastel-hue towns, not a lesser-known Bari.
Located in Puglia, an underrated region in the heel of the ‘boot’, Bari has all the Old World allure and coastal charm you’d expect from an Italian getaway, except it’s significantly cheaper and less crowded (and if we may add, far more authentic).
One of the reasons Bari has never enjoyed the same popularity as the other Italian hotspots is a historical absence of Transatlantic flights:
If they knew it existed at all, Americans had to first land in Rome or Naples and then board a 3 to 4-hour train to reach Bari. This summer, that all changes:
Bari: A Single Flight Away From America
Making good on its 2024 promise, Italian carrier Neos has launched nonstop flights from New York–JFK to Bari on June 4, connecting Puglia to America for the first time in aviation history.
The long-awaited seasonal route has a frequency of one flight per week, and it will remain operational until October 15, with flights leaving from JFK every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. (local time), and landing at Bari (BRI) on Wednesdays at 7:40 a.m.
Returning home, U.S.-bound passengers can expect to take off from Bari on Wednesday at 11:35 a.m., arriving back to New York on the same calendar date, at 2:50 p.m. local time.
More on the flight itself, Neos has deployed their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on this route, with a 28-seat Premium Economy (with a 2-3-2 row layout), and a 327-331-seat Economy with a 3-3-3-seat configuration.
All seats have in-flight entertainment, and you can also purchase Wi-Fi packages during the 8h40 flight. Regarding fares, the cheapest seats in Economy start from $505.63 one-way.
One Of Italy’s Most Underrated Cultural Hubs
Bari is one of Italy’s largest cities on the Adriatic Sea and the capital of Puglia (or Apulia). With a metropolitan population of over 1.2 million people and plenty to offer on the cultural front, Bari is a great place to visit.
This is yet another one of those sprawling coastal metropolises split between a modern part and a picturesque Old Town, but chances are you’re more interested in the latter:
In Bari’s case, Barivecchia is the maze-like historic center, sitting on a headland between two harbors and crisscrossed by stone-paved narrow streets. You just never know where they’ll lead: a picturesque piazza bordered by cafes or an imposing Baroque cathedral?
Speaking of churches, the Basilica di San Nicola is probably the one spot you can’t miss out on. Dating back to the 11th century, this magnificent edifice is an important pilgrimage site for Christians because it houses some of St. Nicholas’ remains.
Yep, Santa Claus himself.
The San Sabino Cathedral is yet another medieval offering, featuring a marble-carved altar and a Romanesque facade. Within a short 3-minute walk, you’ll find the impressive Castello Svevo, a fortress built by the Normans in the 12th century.
Foodie Much?
In Piazza Mercantile, the heart of Barivecchia, there are a plethora of historic cafes and laid-back risto pubs serving traditional Puglian dishes. It’s the perfect spot to soak in the old city’s atmosphere and people-watch as you sip your macchiato.
Panzeropoli by Benny is a must-visit if you’re craving panzeroti, a distant cousin of the Argentinian empanada, and Bari’s coup de cœur as far as street food goes—and like most no-frills eateries in Puglia, coming here for a quick lunch will set you back $7 tops.
For Puglia’s signature pasta, orecchiette all pugilese, you can’t go wrong with La Locanda di Federico, especially with their wine pairings, and if you happen to be craving some ice cream, Martinucci has a wide range of citrusy sorbet and creamy gelato flavors, and it’s right on the main square.
Bari Beyond The Historic Center
Away from the historic center, the Murat Quarter has beautiful Belle époque architecture and leafy, pedestrianized boulevards lined with shops, and it’s also the home of Bari’s stately Teatro Petruzzelli, a richly ornamented opera house.
In the southern district, Parco 2 Giugno is an expanse of green ideal for relaxing strolls amidst the Mediterranean nature, and it doubles as an idyllic picnic site.
If you’ve packed your jogging shoes, hit the Lungomare Nazare Sauro, a scenic seafront promenade stretching for several miles along the Adriatic (it’s particularly beautiful at sunset).
This is Puglia, after all, so of course, you can couple your cultural expedition with some beach relaxation: just south of the Old Town, Spiaggia Pane e Pomodoro (or Bread and Tomato Beach) is easily accessed with local buses and has a sandy strip backed by beach bars and seafood trattorie.
Further south, Torre Quetta Beach is even more secluded, though it’s also popular in summer as an urban hangout. Whether you’re coming here for a late-afternoon swim or an evening aperitif, the vibes will be unmatched.
Italy’s Most Beautiful Turquoise Coast Is A Short Train Ride Away!
Last but certainly not least, no trip to Bari is complete without a day trip to other equally gorgeous, smaller towns in Puglia.
In fact, Bari serves as a gateway to Italy’s most underrated turquoise coast, with all the charm of Amalfi, minus the crazy prices, and you could easily spend an entire week just village-hopping in the region.
There’s Polignano a Mare, famous for its whitewashed houses clinging to cliffsides, only 30 minutes by train from Bari. Further away, the more offbeat Monopoli has a medieval quarter, an imposing castle, and scenic beaches hugged by crystal-clear waters.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello is one of the most unique towns in Italy. Its trulli houses, built from dry stone and topped with conical roofs, are a sight to behold. In Martina Franca, you can find Baroque palaces, boutique shops, and beach festivals.
If you’re staying in Barivecchia, the best-value accommodation is Casa vacanze LaCorte ByFrancy, a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the Old Town ($122 per night for 2 adults).
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.