Things to Do in Bari with Kids
Things to Do in Bari with Kids – As Puglia’s capital, Bari is a big city with something for everyone, including families. Thanks to its international airport, which links many Brits to Southern Italy (we flew from Edinburgh), plus its central railway station, Bari is an obvious choice for a weekend break or the first few days of a family holiday.
Old Town – Things to Do in Bari with Kids
Bari is a big bustling working city so head into the Old Town for traditional Italian charm and find most of the city’s key sights and sounds. Follow your nose to take in the architecture and atmosphere.
Visit ‘Pasta Street’
One street to actively seek out in the Old Town is Strada Arco Basso, also known as ‘Strada Orecchiette’. Here, local families make the traditional Orecchiette pasta, which they sell on the streets. It still feels authentic and homespun. Small bags are €2.50 so an ideal price and size for self-catering or to take home. The kids chose their own bags and made their purchases with earnest little faces.
Harbour – Things to Do in Bari with Kids
Our kids enjoyed the cute old harbour because they could try (and fail) to catch the tiny fish in the water. Lovely photo opps here, plus a beer stand selling Peroni made a refreshing pitstop on a hot day.
Promenade Along the Esplanade
I love coastal towns. From the harbour we carried on along the city’s esplanade, taking in the sea views. If you follow the esplanade south you’ll stumble across one of Bari’s city beaches, called Pane e Pomodoro.
Hit the Beach – Things to do in Bari with Kids
Choose between two key city beaches plus a host of other lidos further north. Lido San Francesco is popular, but we opted for Pane e Pomodoro beach. It has a curious sand bank (see pic above), which meant the kids walked out into the deep before rising up again into the ankle deep water. They found this sudden walking on water v entertaining. Easy vast parking and a chilled vibe.
Visit the Cathedral
Visiting a city’s main church reveals so much about the place and people, from Germany’s sturdy Protestant cathedrals to the prettiness of Italian Catholicism. Step inside the crisp, clean white of Bari Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Sabinus) for a moment of calm and serenity.
Castle – Things to Do in Bari with Kids
If the Old Town’s prettiness is wearing you down, head for the bold Castello Svevo or Swabian Castle. Inside it houses sculptures, archaeology and art if you fancy a dash of local culture, history and heritage. Discover more here.
Shopping – Things to Do in Bari with Kids
As Puglia’s capital, Bari is great for shopping. My kids had been given €20 each by my aunt and it was burning a hole in their pocket till they headed for Bari’s Lego City and made their purchases. The independent and branded and/or designer clothing and beauty stores would make for a good girls’ weekend too.
Food & Drink
Snack on Taralli
Wherever you go you’ll be offered the twisty breadstick snack, taralli. Served with drinks (see pic above) and easy to buy around town to take home to the UK or nibble on.
Grab a Panzerotti
A bit like a Calzone, this savoury snack contains mozzarella and tomato and variations thereof, similar to a pizza. Available across the city in a host of bars and restaurants.
Have a Meat Feast at a Quirky Butcher’s Shop and Restaurant
Braceria Signorile on Via G. Petroni is very novel. Order your meat in the butcher’s shop (see pic above), the weight, the cut etc. Then take a seat next door in the restaurant, order any sides and drinks, and within moments the meat feast is served. V good prices too.
Vegetarian/Organic Recommendation
For low food miles, organic produce from a network of small producers head to Buò – Crudo, Cotto e Mangiato. It’s very close to Pane e Pomodoro beach too, if you’re peckish after your swim.
Cupcakes, Ice Cream & Macarons
Pretty in Pink – Enjoy cupcakes, gelato and macarons at Jerome Chocolat, a popular diner on the central shopping street of Corso Cavour.
Where to Stay
We wanted a hotel with a pool to reward the kids after walking round town. There are a few strong options in Bari. We stayed at Mercure Villa Romanazzi Carducci Bari. Twenty minutes walk from the Old Town, and about ten minutes from the railway station, it offered modern functional rooms. The pool was the draw for us, but lifts and parking (that you pay for) were other benefits. Another popular Bari option with a pool is iH Grande Albergo Delle Nazioni. For more options browse the Deals Box below and get something booked 🙂
Also consider our other Puglia Content:-
Things to Do in Monopoli with Kids
Masseria Trulli Farm Stay near Alberobello
Or Browse All our Italian material
Our Story – We flew from Edinburgh direct to Bari. We spent three nights in the city before embarking on a road trip around Puglia. Ciao!
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