An Italian chef has highlighted an "authentic" city worth visiting over Milan, Venice, or Florence. The recommendation comes as roughly five million Britons travel to Italy for holidays each year.
Why Bari Stands Out
Chef Vincenzo Prosperi, known online as Vincenzo Plates, champions Bari on the Adriatic Sea as an "old town where the nonnas make pasta on the sea." In a YouTube video, he said: "A really wonderful city. It has really improved in the last 10 years. It is one of the best places to see in the south of Italy. This is authentic, this is great."
Boasting over 315,000 residents, Bari ranks among the most significant cities in southern Italy. It serves as both a stunning Mediterranean port and a thriving university hub.
Exploring Bari's Districts
Bari divides into separate districts. The old town, Bari Vecchia, comprises a maze of ancient streets housing the historic Basilica of Saint Nicholas, which dates back to the 11th century. The delightful Piazza del Ferrarese overlooks the Augusto Imperatore waterfront, while its palm-lined avenues provide the ideal blend of historic charm and contemporary seafront. Its name derives from a Ferrara merchant who lived there during the 1600s and maintained warehouses on the square. Remnants of a Roman road from the 2nd century lie cordoned off on the piazza. Today, tourists can enjoy a peaceful moment while observing the vibrant boats gently rocking in the harbour.
Meanwhile, the Murak Quarter, built under Joachim Murat, serves as the bustling centre of modern Bari. It is known for its orderly grid street pattern, thriving retail area, and lively café scene. Its energetic character contrasts sharply with the ancient old town.
Local Experiences and Food
Travel authority Mark Wolters advises that anyone visiting Bari must head to Strada Arco Bass, where residents prepare orecchiette pasta right on the street. In a YouTube video, he said: "When you come here, you're going to see there's a street where all these grandmas, all these ladies, are making orecchiette, they're making a special kind of pasta from here." He added: "We bought two bags for like five euros and it was so worth it. We got to see the lady and she was making them and they had them out there, it was a really cool thing."
Mark also urges travellers to try the focaccia barese, a bread made from mashed potato and semolina flour. He said: "Focaccia is like a really fluffy, almost like a pizza-bread dough bread, and in it they put tomatoes and olives and it is fantastic, it's a really special one from here."
Travel Tips
The expert advises that anyone keen on a road trip around the wider Puglia region should pick up a hire car at Bari airport before exploring the surrounding area. He explains that you "don't want to drive" in the city itself, particularly around the old town. Flights from the UK to Bari start at around £70 on Skyscanner. During summer, temperatures can reach as high as 30C, with May typically seeing highs of around 23C.
