HONEST GUIDE → Where to Stay in Bari (With Prices!)

Welcome to Bari, one of the most precious hidden secrets of my beautiful country, Italy, where I had the luck to spend an unforgettable summer weekend! To discover this historical gem, you have to go all the way south along the Adriatic Sea, until the Puglia region, also known as the “heel of the boot”.

Even if overlooked by tourists, this beautiful city is the second most important in southern Italy after Naples and it offers the perfect mix of history, architecture, culture, and nature… that makes it a “must” on my checklist! Bari preserves the relaxed and sunny character typical of coastal cities and it makes life at night with its charming galleries, restaurants, and bars!

The things I remember the most about the city are the huge Bari Cathedral, the majestic Basilica, and its charming Harbour, from where all the ferries and cruises leave to bring tourists to Greece, Croatia, and Albania.

Walking around its small streets you can end up in one of the traditional piazzas (squares), or tasting some delicious food at one of the local taverns… in this medieval old town you’ll experience the real “dolce vita”! What do you need more? Well, at this point you just need accommodation!

But no need to worry about it, I’ve been looking through hundreds of hotels to help you choose where to stay in Bari based on your needs and interests. Once you find the perfect option to make your vacation unforgettable, make sure you book it immediately! More and more people are discovering this treasure and spots book out fast.

Let’s go check them out!

If you are in a hurry

If you need to take a quick decision for your stay in Bari I gathered here the best accommodation options in Bari’s central area sorted by price:

Here’s the map with the 4 best areas to stay in Bari that I will be talking about in this post, so you can visualize them:

1. Murat – where to stay in Bari for first-time visitors!

Murat is the most vibrant and vital area of Puglia’s capital city, set right in between the railroad track and the so-called “Lungomare”, the town’s sea promenade. This is the modern district of the city meaning it’s more orderly than Bari Vecchia (the old town) with wider checkerboard streets and regal buildings.

Here you’ll find the most popular and cultural centers of Bari, like Palazzo del Comune (the municipal palace) and the Margherita Theatre, both facing the big avenue Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, which is also great for shopping! Immerse yourself in the local life by strolling in the famous Piazza Ferrarese and visiting the beautiful building of the University.

Being right at the south of Bari Vecchia (the old town) and very close to Bari Centrale train station, this area is perfectly connected to all the other parts of the city and other surrounding towns! If you’re in town for a longer period, take the train and go visit the closeby Rome or Sorrento, they’re definitely worth it!

Other accommodation options in Murat

Things to do in Murat

• Watch the Opera in the 19th century Petruzzelli Theatre
• Have a stroll in the famous Piazza Ferrarese
• Visit the beautiful building of Bari’s University
• Catch a ferry to Greece, Montenegro or Albania from Bari Harbour
• Relax on the popular Pane e Pomodoro Beach
• Check out artworks connected to the Puglia region in The Pinacoteca, one of the best art galleries in town

2. Bari Vecchia (the Old Town) – the ancient neighborhood!

Bari Vecchia, which in Italian stands for “Old Bari”, is the medieval city center, located within ancient walls it is one of Bari’s most charming areas. This is the part of the city where I stayed and that made me fall in love with Bari!

Through the labyrinth of its narrow streets, the local people, and the delicious aromas that come out from the houses, I could feel the soul of the city and the authenticity of its traditions. Not to mention the amazing food I tried there: the typical focaccia, the homemade street food “scagliozze” and seafood pasta… you better not come here on a diet!

The several historical buildings like Bari’s medieval castle will immediately bring you back to the past! If you want to have a taste of the typical Italian history, culture, architecture, and lifestyle, this is the place to be as it represents the folkloric neighborhood of the city where many traditions are still alive today.

From religious centers like the Cathedral of San Sabino and the Basilica di San Nicola to excellent and cheap gastronomy and alternative bars (my perfect combo), you won’t know where to start! The best thing? You’re within walking distance of everything you need during your stay in Bari!

Other accommodation options in Bari Vecchia

Things to do in Bari Vecchia

• Visit the traditional 12th-century church, the St Nicholas’s Cathedral. 
• Visiting the best attractions of Bari with the Pasta walking tour!
• Gaze at the architecture of the Cathedral of San Sabino 
• Learn the modern history during your stay in Bari at the Museo Civico
• Have a coffee in Piazza del Ferrarese or Piazza Mercantile
• Check out the remains in the Archeological museum of Bari
• Taste local the delicacies and products with the Bari Walking Street Food Tour

3. Bari Palese – the closest neighborhood to the airport

If you are on a layover or you just prefer to stay in a quieter neighborhood, then Bari Palese in the Airport Area is what you’re looking for! Palese lies in the west of Bari, 8km (5 miles) from Bari’s historic center. This area becomes very handy if you don’t wanna miss your flight at the Karol Wojtyla airport – the city’s international airport and Puglia’s main air terminal.

But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing else to do here during your stay in Bari, especially if you’re the type of traveler who enjoys more local spots rather than touristic and crowded ones. The bars, restaurants, and shops of this neighborhood will transmit you a more authentic feel!

Are you a sea kind of person? No problem! The area also offers some lidos (seaside swimming pools) and beaches, from where you can gaze at the stunning views of the Adriatic coast.

Other accommodation options in Bari Palese

Things to do in Bari Palese

• Have a dinner with the Adriatic sea view at Lo Scoglio Restaurant
• Relax in Bari at the historical Lidos “La Baia” or Sun Beach
• Visit the precious Matera village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Have a glass of wine and taste a delicious aperitivo at the bar “Il Calice Corvino”

4. San Nicola Stadium – where to stay in Bari for great events

The San Nicola Stadium area in the southwestern suburbs of the city obviously takes the name from its famous stadium, home of the Bari sports association, a national football team. 

Being the 2nd largest stadium in Italy, this arena has a capacity of 58,000 people and hosts the most diverse events, but is mainly known for football matches (in fact, it was originally built for the 1990 World Cup!).

The surroundings of the stadium are characterized by a modern type of architecture and is residential and quiet. It is populated mostly by locals so you will get an authentic feel of the city here. This neighborhood is the ideal choice because it offers lower costs for accommodations and extensive connectivity with public transport to Bari and other surrounding cities!

Other accommodation options in San Nicola Stadium

Things to do in San Nicola Stadium

• Attend a unique concert or festival at the Stadium San Nicola
• Have a short walk in the beautiful and green Don Tonino Bello Park
• Taste the traditional cuisine at the Gola Gourmet Restaurant
• Get an adrenaline rush at the Adrenalin Zone Park, the largest artificial acrobatic park in Italy and just a few mins drive from the stadium

Frequently asked questions about Bari

Conclusion

Here we are at the end of this adventure among the best neighborhoods of Bari, one of my favorite cities in southern Italy, my beloved country! The historic area, the central hub, the local neighborhood, and the outskirts close to the airport… Where are you going to spend your dreamy vacation?

I went through a lot of great options for different budgets, so I know this could be a hard choice where to stay in Bari. I would like to suggest to you my favorite ones, in the beautiful ancient city center. I am sure you will love them:

• Palazzo Calò – A luxurious hotel with delicious Italian breakfast and an amazing rooftop
• Casa Almika Sparano – Spacious and stylish rooms with a breathtaking view

I hope this guide will help you book the perfect accommodation, but I highly recommend you do so in advance, as they sell out super quickly!

Please feel free to leave a comment below if you have any other suggestions or questions about visiting Bari, I will be very happy to answer you!

Have a wonderful trip!

Elena