Parcours audioguidé pour visiter Bari

To discover the essentials of Bari, generally allow one full day, or two days if you'd like to explore the city at a more leisurely pace. The historic centre of Bari Vecchia can easily be covered in a few hours on foot, letting you admire the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Norman-Swabian Castle and wander through its characterful alleyways. With a full day, you'll have time to soak up the local atmosphere, savour the specialities in a trattoria and stroll along the lungomare. If you have two days, you can add a visit to the Murat district with its elegant boutiques, explore the local markets in more depth and perhaps even venture into the surroundings close to the city.

The best times to visit Bari are spring and early autumn, particularly the months of April, May, June, September and October. During these months, you'll enjoy pleasant temperatures generally between 18 and 28°C, ideal for exploring the city on foot without suffering from the heat. Summer can be very hot, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C and high humidity owing to the proximity of the Adriatic Sea, which makes sightseeing less comfortable. Winter remains mild, with temperatures rarely below 8-10°C, but the days are shorter. Spring and autumn also offer the advantage of a calmer atmosphere than at the height of the tourist season, letting you better appreciate the city's authenticity.

The historic centre of Bari is best explored on foot, since the narrow alleyways of Bari Vecchia aren't accessible by car in any case. For longer journeys around the modern city, you can use the urban buses, which serve the various neighbourhoods well. Taxis are available but can be pricier. To explore the surroundings and the other towns of Puglia, the regional train is an excellent option from Bari's central station, with frequent services to Polignano a Mare, Monopoli and Alberobello. Renting a car remains handy if you'd like more flexibility to discover the region at your own pace. Bike-sharing is also available for short trips along the seafront.

Bari's must-sees are mainly concentrated in the historic district of Bari Vecchia. The Basilica of Saint Nicholas, which houses the relics of the patron saint, is a major pilgrimage site with remarkable architecture. The Norman-Swabian Castle impresses with its medieval fortifications, while the Cathedral of San Sabino is also worth a visit. Lose yourself in the labyrinthine alleyways where local women still make orecchiette in their doorways, an authentic sight to behold. The lungomare, one of Italy's most beautiful seafront promenades, invites you to stroll facing the Adriatic. The Ryo audioguide accompanies you on this discovery with a narrated itinerary that reveals the secrets of these iconic places and guides you through the city's fascinating history.

To savour authentic orecchiette and other local specialities, head to the family-run trattorias of old Bari, particularly in the alleyways around Via dell'Arco Basso, where you'll often see women making them by hand. These small, unpretentious restaurants generally serve the best versions of traditional dishes such as orecchiette alle cime di rapa or con le braciole. The Bari Vecchia district is full of authentic spots where locals gather for lunch. For the full experience, also try focaccia barese, fried panzerotto and fresh seafood from the market. Avoid the overly touristy restaurants near the main monuments and opt instead for those frequented by residents, recognisable by their simple menu and convivial atmosphere.

Bari-Karol Wojtyla Airport is located around ten kilometres from the city centre, and several options are available for reaching Bari. The regional train is generally the most convenient and economical option, with frequent departures from the airport station to Bari's central station in about twenty minutes. Shuttle buses also connect the airport to the city centre with several stops in different neighbourhoods. Taxis are available in front of the terminal but represent the most expensive option, though a handy one if you're travelling with a lot of luggage or in a group. Some hotels also offer a private shuttle service. Car rental is available directly at the airport if you plan to explore the Puglia region.

Bari makes an excellent base for exploring the wonders of Puglia. Polignano a Mare, perched on its spectacular cliffs, is just about thirty minutes away by train and enchants with its sea views. Alberobello, famous for its World Heritage-listed trulli, is absolutely worth the detour for its unique architecture. Monopoli charms with its picturesque harbour and well-preserved old town. Further south, Lecce, nicknamed the Baroque Florence, dazzles with its ornate churches. The Castellana Caves offer a fascinating underground experience, while Castel del Monte impresses with its mysterious octagonal architecture. Trani, with its seaside cathedral, and Matera in neighbouring Basilicata with its cave dwellings, perfectly round off a stay in the region.

Built at the end of the eleventh century to house the relics of Saint Nicholas, brought back from Myra by sailors from Bari, the basilica became one of the great sanctuaries of the Mediterranean. Its Romanesque architecture, massive and plain, contrasts with the crypt and its close-set columns, where the saint's tomb lies. Unusually, the church is venerated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians alike, which explains the pilgrims who come from Russia and the Balkans in particular, and the celebrations that fill the city in spring. It stands at the heart of Bari Vecchia, a few lanes from the cathedral. The Ryo audio guide devotes a route to Bari that links the basilica to the other stops in the old town.

Bari carries an old reputation that no longer matches what you find in the centre: the old town and the seafront have been extensively renovated and are busy, including in the evening, when locals come out to eat or stroll. The precautions are those of any port city: keep an eye on your bag in crowded streets and near the station, leave nothing visible inside a car, and watch out for scooters on narrow pavements. The outlying districts hold little tourist interest and are rarely visited. By sticking to Bari Vecchia, the seafront and the Murat quarter, you will be in the liveliest and best-watched parts of the city.

The Lungomare, one of the longest seafront promenades in Italy, runs along the city for several kilometres and becomes the gathering place of the locals at the end of the day, among runners, cyclists and families. To the north, the wall that encircles the old town forms a balcony over the Adriatic and leads to the fishermen's harbour, where the catch is sold straight from the quay. For swimming, the city beach of Pane e Pomodoro, a few minutes from the centre, is the easiest to reach on foot, while Torre Quetta, a little further out, offers more space. The sea is best for swimming from late spring to early autumn, once the water has warmed up.