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No more walking past Rome’s unfriendly ‘Turiste Fuori’ graffiti, being stopped by ticket inspectors blocking your entry unless you’ve pre-booked a spot to explore Venice for a few hours, or planning your Amalfi road trip around the arbitrary restrictions on the last digits on your license plate.
As if you could do Amalfi at the very last minute directly at a rental desk.
If you’re heading to Italy this summer, there’s one southern Italian town that’s actually quietly begging for more visitors after the wider region noticeable dip in tourism demand this year. 46% fewer visitors than expectedto be precise.
Blame it on the ongoing fuel crisis, or the fact that places like Capri are absolutely succumbing to their own popularity, but beautiful, underrated Bari continues to be criminally overlooked.
Even though…wait for it…Americans can now reach it directly from the United States, without any stops. Here’s all that Euro summer bliss you’ve probably been sleeping on.
Fly direct to Bari from the United States
This summer the Americans will be able to do that fly non-stop to Bari (BRI), the capital of underrated Puglia, straight from New Jersey.
That is, from Newark Liberty International Airport.
You have United to thank for that, and there’s plenty of wiggle room in terms of frequency: four flights a week one way, and if you book early – before peak season prices kick in –you can book round-trip fares from around $900.
That all sounds quite tempting, but why Bari and not Rome or Amalfi?
While Bari probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when planning a trip to Italy, it is truly one of the most vibrant, culturally rich, and affordable destinations you can visit in the country.
And that’s coming from someone who has spent most of his summers traveling around Italy, from the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites to the wildest, untouristic parts of Sicily that wouldn’t normally appear in your travel brochure.
What sets Bari apart, you ask?
Bari is simply beautiful
Well, for starters, it’s pride one of the largest historical centers from any Italian city. Maybe it’s just my impression, but the maze-like layout of Bari Vecchia, with all the winding streets, curved corridors and hidden piazze for me it is up there with Genoa or Naples.
Before you fly to Europe this summer, check this page to see the local travel warnings in effect at your destination.
You can also consult the Traveler Safety Index, which is based on live reports from travelers on the ground. Italy itself currently scores an almost perfect 92 out of 100, which means it is a lot safer than average:
The coolest historic center in Italy
The old town of Bari is huge and vast, and you could honestly get lost in it for hours and never pass by the same orecchiette shopping twice.
Speaking of which, did you know that Italy’s iconic earlobe-shaped pasta dumplings originate from Bari? All the narrow roads here are beautiful, lined with weathered pastel facades and family owned trattoriabut if so An you have to make sure you hit, that’s it Via Arco Basso.
Or, as I personally like to call it, Nonna Street.
Here you will find talkative Italian grandmothers orecchiette on their verandas around wooden tables.
It has become a bit touristy gong show since the TikTok crew got wind of it, but for someone who knows Italy like the back of his hand, and most of its tourist attractions, Nonna Street still comes across as really fun and surprisingly authentic.
And if I want to add: Osterie Le Arpie, just a few meters away from the street, is one of my favorite foodie spots in Bari Vecchia. That’s probably where most of the handmade orecchiette that isn’t sold in a souvenir bag is shipped, and for some, it tastes great cime di rapa.
To my fellow culture vultures among us: you don’t want to cover it up Basilica of San Nicola.
It is not the cathedral of San Sabino, but it is the large one. Romanesque in character, fascinating crypt downstairs and very atmospheric, especially at night. According to tradition, there are remains of Sinterklaas, as in the factual Santa Clausare buried here.
Piazza Mercantile, a huge square in the old town flanked by sidewalk cafes, is the place to go for people watching, and since it’s not a European trip until you’ve visited a fairytale castle, you’ll be happy to hear that Bari has its own Castello Normanno-Svevoon the edge of the Historic Center.
Sturdy towers, fortified ramparts and an incredibly detailed representation of the medieval history within.
If you’re heading to Europe this summer, whether it’s Italy or another country, be sure to check entry rules for U.S. passport holders via the Entry Requirement Checker.
Bari is cheaper than most Italian hubs out there
When it comes to prices, I noticed that Bari was noticeably cheaper than the average Italian city.
Accommodation is already quite cheap, with most modest guesthouses charging between $70 and $90 for an overnight stay (check out Moma Urban Stay for good value and modern amenities between the station and the Old Town).
Where Bari But what is really bigger than food, drink and everyday life.
It’s not as ultra-cheap as other parts of southern Italy (hello Lecce), but it is certainly below the national average.
Sure, you can go all out and book a nice little room overlooking the harbor and dine at Bari’s top-rated haute cuisine restaurants, but I’d say that, unlike Positano or Portofino, this isn’t a town you’ll flash through, or brag about how much you spent on a €200 fresh-caught lobster.
Experience Bari as the locals do. Go to a bar and get a $1.10 espresso while you watch the buzz of the people and the city come alive in the early hours, drink some Aperol by the harbor for just $4.50 while enjoying fried calamari, and buy all the gigantic focaccia you can get for around $3.
Even if you Are treat yourself to something nicer, a pasta dinner at a trattoria won’t set you back more than $22. A glass of wine included.
In short: Bari is beautiful, affordable, sun-drenched and above all it is the gateway to the wider Puglia region, the fast-growing alternative to the now devastated Amalfi… and you can fly there non-stop. It really couldn’t be more convenient, hassle-free Italian getawayj.
