Destinations – City Guide

Bari

The Basilica of San Nicola and the lanes of Bari Vecchia, the seafront and the old port, orecchiette and focaccia, restaurants and hotels from our Bari directories, with Polignano a Mare and the trulli, in photos.

116 photos and clips

Warm evening light on the Romanesque facade of the Basilica of San Nicola

The white limestone facade of the Basilica of San Nicola in Bari Vecchia

The side of the Basilica of San Nicola with its arched windows and blind arcades

The rose window and portals of Bari Cathedral, dedicated to San Sabino

Rooftops of Bari Vecchia around the cathedral bell tower, seen from above

The San Cataldo lighthouse and breakwater on the turquoise Adriatic

The San Cataldo lighthouse above the marina and the city behind it

Teatro Margherita and fishing boats on the old port at sunset

The twin towers of Teatro Margherita, the Liberty-style theatre by the old port

The ornate dome of Palazzo Mincuzzi in the Murat district

An ornate palazzo facade lit up at night in central Bari

Dusk over the old port, with the Ferris wheel and the seafront beyond

A Ferris wheel on the seafront, glowing at sunset

Rowers crossing the bay at sunrise off the Bari seafront

The long seafront promenade seen from a pier in soft light

The seafront and breakwaters of Bari seen from above

A bench and a cast-iron lamp on the seafront promenade

Wooden fishing boats moored in the old port of Bari

Small boats in the harbour in warm low light

A blue fishing boat moored against the old stone walls

A historic clock tower in Bari at twilight

Polignano a Mare on its cliffs in the last sun, a short train ride from Bari

Cliff houses of Polignano a Mare glowing at dusk

Polignano a Mare from above, the old town on a limestone spur

Lama Monachile cove between the cliffs of Polignano a Mare

The old arched bridge over Lama Monachile in Polignano a Mare

Whitewashed houses on the cliffs of Polignano a Mare

Blue fishing boats in the old port of Monopoli in warm light

Fishing boats below the palazzi of Monopoli's old harbour

A lane of trulli with conical stone roofs in Alberobello

Trulli and potted geraniums in Alberobello

Bright petunias in front of a whitewashed trullo in Alberobello

A whitewashed lane of Locorotondo in the Itria Valley

A sunny Bari street with an Ape van, scooters and cafe awnings

A stone arch opening onto a lane of Bari Vecchia lined with plants

Strings of red peppers and a bicycle at a doorway in the old town

Straw hats stacked high in a shop in Bari Vecchia

A striped awning and painted door on a small square of the old town

A stroll under a green umbrella on the worn paving stones of Bari Vecchia

A quiet lane of pale stone houses in the old town

Awnings, balconies and a parked scooter in a narrow alley

Weathered yellow and white facades with green shutters in the old town

A small courtyard of plants and pale stone in historic Bari

Lanterns and blue shutters along a narrow alley

Stone steps and a green gate in a sunlit alley

A cobbled street of balconies and lamps in historic Bari

Trays of green, red and plain orecchiette drying in the sun

Fresh orecchiette drying on a wooden mesh tray

Hands shaping orecchiette with a knife on a wooden board

Orecchiette in many colours, a Bari speciality

Hand-cut pasta shapes, a rolling pin and a gnocchi board

A tray of golden orecchiette drying in the sun

Bags of handmade pasta for sale at a street stall

Orecchiette with clams, chilli and parsley

Focaccia barese topped with cherry tomatoes and olives

Burrata with sun-dried tomatoes and bread, a Puglia classic

Orecchiette with cherry tomatoes, rocket and grated ricotta at Matiti Pasta Bistrot

Orecchiette topped with stracciatella and a sun-dried tomato at Matiti Pasta Bistrot

Seafood spaghetti with mussels and squid at Matiti Pasta Bistrot

A glass of red and a bowl of meat in tomato sauce against the stone wall at La Uascezze

Olive oil poured over a tomato bruschetta at La Uascezze

The plant-filled dehors of La Cecchina in Bari Vecchia

A table laid against a bare stone wall at La Cecchina

A colourful plated main course with fresh herbs at La Bul

A delicate first course in a wide white bowl at La Bul

A table by the kitchen window in the dining room of La Bul

Orecchiette with braciola ragù at Terranima

Fried sgagliozze polenta and focaccia, a Bari street-food classic, at Terranima

Tables beside a red door in the courtyard of Terranima

Spaghetti all'assassina, Bari's charred spicy pasta, at Al Sorso Preferito

A platter of raw oysters, prawns and langoustines at Al Sorso Preferito

The entrance and sign of Ristorante Al Sorso Preferito

A nest of tomato spaghetti crowned with cherry tomatoes at La Baresana

Bruschette with cherry tomatoes and rocket at La Baresana

Seafood assassina spaghetti with mussels at Al Raffaello

A platter of Bari specialities with a glass of red at Al Raffaello

The street-front windows of Ristorante Giampaolo

Glasses and white linen on a table at Ristorante Giampaolo

Riso, patate e cozze, the rice, potato and mussel bake of Bari, at Radicale

Red prawn tartare on a textured white plate at Radicale

Red mullet fillet with a saffron-yellow sauce at Radicale

Saffron risotto with braised beef at L'Argenteria

A green pasta dish and a glass of white wine on a marble table at L'Argenteria

Pan-seared prawns with black truffle at Ristorante Biancofiore

Mussels with cherry tomatoes and a chilled rosé at Nicolaus Bistrot dal Mare

Lemon squeezed over a seafood starter with a glass of orange wine at Nicolaus Bistrot dal Mare

The vaulted stone dining room of La Muraya

Glasses set on a softly lit table at La Muraya

Square spaghetti with clams and mullet bottarga at Eddycola

The terrace of Le Finestre sul Mare, set with white tables and potted plants

Fresh sea urchins on a blue platter at Le Finestre sul Mare

Guest room at Mövenpick Hotel Bari with a green headboard and warm wood finishes

The Connubio Bistrot dining room at Mövenpick Hotel Bari, full of plants and daylight

Junior suite sitting area at Mövenpick Hotel Bari with a sofa and oak floor

The Art Nouveau-style lettering of Hotel Boston on a floral wall panel

Deluxe room at Boston Hotel Bari with a desk and tall curtained window

Classic double room at Boston Hotel Bari in soft neutral tones

Vaulted meeting room with red chairs at Hotel Adria

The restaurant at Il Leon d'Oro, with green velvet booths and set tables

A warmly lit dining corner with a green banquette at Il Leon d'Oro

Deluxe room at Hotel Moderno with an ochre-tiled wall and backlit mirror

The entrance hall of Hotel Moderno, with skylights and a blue-tiled reception

The bright breakfast room at Victor Hotel Bari with yellow chairs

A light-filled double room at Victor Hotel Bari with an old photo of the city

Fresh fruit, juices and cereals on the breakfast buffet at Victor Hotel Bari

A minimalist double room at Imago+ framed by a blue doorway

A private terrace with white bistro chairs and plants at Imago+

Bread, biscuits and nuts served on a wooden board at the Imago+ bistrot

The lounge bar of Hotel Excelsior Bari with velvet armchairs and tall curtains

The marble lobby of Hotel Excelsior Bari

Guest room at Hotel Auditorium with a framed seascape

The breakfast room and buffet at Hotel Auditorium

The facade of The Nicolaus Hotel rising behind palm trees

The living area of a deluxe suite at The Nicolaus Hotel

A superior family room at The Nicolaus Hotel

Where to eat, stay and walk, with practical tips for your visit.

Read the Destinations – City Guide

Photographers and venues are credited on each image.