Bari on a Budget: Unlocking Italy's Coastal Delights!

Discover the hidden treasures of Bari, Italy on a shoestring budget!

28 August 2023

A trip to Bari, Italy on a limited budget offers the perfect blend of affordability and charm. Spend your days exploring the historic streets of the old town, admiring the iconic Basilica di San Nicola and the stunning Bari Cathedral. Enjoy delicious yet inexpensive local cuisine, such as fresh seafood and traditional orecchiette pasta, while staying in affordable accommodations like budget-friendly guesthouses or hostels.

Travel plan

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Day 1

Arrival in the Ancient City

  • Check into the charming Hotel delle Onde, where budget meets comfort with a side of seaside views.
  • Explore Bari Vecchia, an enchanting maze of narrow streets and washing lines, where time seems to have gotten tangled like a spaghetti bowl.
  • Marvel at the Basilica di San Nicola, home to the relics of the big man himself, Santa Claus, not just a guy in a red suit but a patron saint!
  • Sample the local delicacies at Piazza Mercantile, where freshly baked focaccia dances with oozing burrata and tangy olives, a symphony for your tummy.
  • Watch the sunset from the Lungomare promenade, where the sea whispers secrets of sailors, and lovers leave their footprints in the sand.
Day 2

Time Travel in Trani

  • Take a short train ride to Trani, a coastal gem that promises to rock your travel socks off with its medieval charm.
  • Admire the stunning Trani Cathedral, a masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque architecture, standing tall and proud like a peacock on stilts.
  • Get lost in the twisted alleys, stumbling upon hidden trattorias where old ladies lovingly hand-roll orecchiette pasta, saving the world, one bite at a time.
  • Climb Mount Trani for a splendid panorama that will leave you breathless, both from the view and the exertion, but mostly from the view.
  • Quench your thirst at a local 'fruttivendolo,' where they'll squeeze sunshine into a glass, turning boring fruit into liquid gold.
Day 3

Polignano a Mare: Where the Ocean Roars

  • Make your way to Polignano a Mare, perched on a jagged cliff, where the Adriatic Sea and your jaw drop in awe simultaneously.
  • Let the waves serenade you while exploring the Grotta Palazzese, a restaurant tucked inside a cave that serves up food as heavenly as the surroundings.
  • Take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Lama Monachile, a small cove so bewitching, Poseidon himself probably takes his vacations here.
  • Discover the labyrinth of white-washed streets, lined with shops selling handmade gelato, because ice cream is always a good idea, especially in Italy!
  • Finish the day with a jaw-dropping sunset at the belvedere, where nature paints the sky with hues of fiery passion, turning your Instagram feed into a masterpiece.
Day 4

Ostuni: La Città Bianca

  • Hop on a local bus to the 'White City' of Ostuni, where even the sun squints in astonishment at the dazzling brilliance of its whitewashed buildings.
  • Step back in time as you stroll through the labyrinth-like centro storico, where balconies overflow with flowers, and cobblestones whisper tales of centuries past.
  • Get hopelessly lost (or pretend to) as you sample delicious street food like bombette, savory meat bombs that explode with flavor in your mouth.
  • Feel like a king or queen at Parco Archeologico di San Pietro, an ancient royal residence with jaw-dropping views over olive groves, vineyards, and the Adriatic Sea.
  • Settle in a cozy trattoria, where you can relish in local specialties like orecchiette al ragù, a dish so good, you'll need to restart your love affair with carbs.
Day 5

Castellana Grotte: An Underground Adventure

  • Head to Castellana Grotte for a journey into the Earth's belly, exploring the intricate beauty of the Grotte di Castellana, a network of caves that'll make you feel like an adventurersaurus.
  • Descend into the Depths Abyss, a 50-meter sinkhole where droplets of water and awe splatter your face like a refreshing reality check.
  • Wander through the 'White Cave,' a mesmerizing wonderland of stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations, resembling a surrealist painting by Salvador Dali.
  • Catch your breath in the 'Black Cave,' a realm of darkness and mystery, teasing your senses with invisible tactile sensations that make your heart race.
  • Bid farewell to Bari with an alfresco dinner back in the beautiful old town, Mescolanze di Sapori, where a symphony of local ingredients will serenade your taste buds, perfectly concluding your quirky Italian escapade.

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Bari, Italy by plane is to fly to Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport. There are several airlines that offer direct flights to Bari from major cities around the world.

Car

To reach Bari, Italy by car, you can take the A14 highway if coming from the north or the A16 highway if coming from the south. Both highways provide good access to Bari.

Train

Unfortunately, there are no direct train routes to Bari, Italy. However, you can take a train to Bari Centrale Station from major Italian cities like Rome, Milan, or Naples.

Boat

If you prefer traveling by boat, you can take a ferry to Bari Port from various destinations in the Adriatic Sea, such as Dubrovnik, Durres, or Patras.

Bus

A convenient option to reach Bari, Italy by bus is to take a coach to Bari Bus Station. There are several bus companies that operate connections to Bari from various cities in Italy and Europe.

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