No more walking past unfriendly ‘Turiste Fuori’ graffiti in Rome, getting stopped by ticket inspectors who’ll bar your entry unless you’ve pre-booked your slot just to breathe in Venice for a few hours, or planning your Amalfi road trip around the random last-digit restrictions on your car plate.
As if you could even do last-minute Amalfi anyway straight off a rental desk.
If you’re headed for Italy this summer, there’s one southern Italian city that’s actually been quietly begging for more visitors, after its wider region saw a noticeable dip in tourism demand this year. 46% less visitors than expected, to be precise.
Blame it on the ongoing fuel squeeze, or the fact that places like Capri are absolutely buckling under their own popularity, but beautiful, underrated Bari keeps getting criminally overlooked.
Even though… wait for it… Americans can now reach it directly from the States, no layovers needed. Here’s all that Eurosummer bliss you’ve probably been sleeping on.
Fly Direct To Bari From The United States
This summer, Americans will be able to fly nonstop to Bari (BRI), the capital of the underrated Puglia, straight from New Jersey.
That is, from Newark Liberty International Airport.
You’ve got Delta to thank for that, and as far as frequency goes, there’s plenty of wiggle room: four flights a week each way, and if you book early—before peak-season pricing kicks in—you can snag round-trip fares starting from around $900.
That all sounds pretty tempting, but why Bari and not, you know, Rome or Amalfi?
Though Bari is probably not the first place that comes to mind when you’re planning an Italy trip, it’s genuinely one of the most vibrant, culturally-rich, and affordable destinations you could visit in the country.
And that’s coming from someone who’s spent most of his summers traveling up and down Italy, from the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites, down to the roughest, untouristy parts of Sicily that don’t typically feature on your tabletop travel brochure.
What sets Bari apart, you ask?
Bari Is Just Downright Gorgeous
Well, for starters, it boasts one of the largest Historic Centers out of any Italian city. Maybe it’s just my impression, but the maze-like layout of Bari Vecchia, with all the winding streets, arched passageways, and hidden piazze is up there with Genoa or Naples for me.
Before you fly to Europe this summer, check the local travel alerts that apply at your destination on this page.
You can also refer to the Traveler Safety Index, which is based on live reports from travelers on the ground. Italy itself scores a near-perfect 92 out of 100 at the moment, meaning it’s a lot safer than average:
The Coolest Historic Center In Italy
Bari’s Old Town is huge and sprawling, and you could truly get lost in it for hours without ever passing the same orecchiette shop twice.
Speaking of which, did you know Italy’s iconic earlobe-shaped pasta dumplings originate from Bari? All the narrow roads here are beautiful, lined with weathered pastel façades and family-owned trattorie, but if there’s one you should make sure to hit up, it’s Via Arco Basso.
Or, as I like to call it personally, Nonna Street.
This is where you’ll find chatty Italian grandmas rolling up orecchiette on their front porches around wooden tables.
It’s become a bit of a touristy gong show since the TikTok crew caught wind of it, but to someone who knows Italy like the back of their hand, and most of its tourist traps, Nonna Street still comes across as genuinely fun and surprisingly authentic.
Also, if I may add, Osterie Le Arpie, only a few meters away from the street, is one of my favorite Bari Vecchia foodie spots. That’s probably where most of the handmade orecchiette that doesn’t get sold wrapped up in a souvenir bag gets shipped to, and it tastes amazing with some cime di rapa.
To my fellow culture buffs out there, you don’t want to gloss over Basilica di San Nicola.
It’s not the San Sabino Cathedral, but it’s the big one. Romanesque in character, fascinating crypt downstairs, and very atmospheric, particularly at night. By the way, tradition has it that Saint Nicholas’ remains, as in the actual Santa Claus, are interred here.
A massive Old Town square flanked by café terraces, Piazza Mercantile is the go-to spot for people-watching, and as it’s not a European trip until you’ve checked off a fairytale castle, you’ll be glad to learn Bari has its very own Castello Normanno-Svevo, on the edge of the Historic Center.
Sturdy towers, fortified ramparts, and an incredibly detailed medieval history display inside.
If you’re heading to Europe this summer, whether it’s Italy or any other country, make sure you verify the entry rules that are in place for American passport holders on the Entry Requirement Checker.
Bari Is Cheaper Than Most Italian Hubs Out There
When it comes to prices, I noticed myself Bari was noticeably cheaper than the average Italian city.
Accommodation is already pretty inexpensive, with most modest guesthouses charging between $70 and $90 for an overnight (on that note, check out Moma Urban Stay for good value and modern amenities between the station and Old Town).
Where Bari truly exceeds, though, is food, drinks, and daily life.
It’s not like ultra-cheap like other parts of Southern Italy—hello, Lecce—but it’s definitely below the national average.
Of course, you can go all-out and book yourself a nice little room overlooking the port, and dine at all of Bari’s top-rated haute cuisine spots, but I’d argue that, unlike Positano or Portofino, this is not a city you flash your way through, or brag about how much you spent on a €200 freshly-caught lobster.
Experience Bari as locals do. Go to a bar and get yourself a $1.10 espresso as you watch the buzz of people, and the city coming to life in the early hours, sip on some Aperol by the port for only $4.50 as you munch on fried calamari, and get all the gigantic focaccia you can get your hands on for about $3.
Even if you are treating yourself to something a little nicer, a pasta dinner at a trattoria won’t set you back by more than $22. A glass of wine included.
To sum it up, Bari is gorgeous, affordable, sun-drenched, and on top of that, it’s the gateway to the wider Puglia region, the fast-rising alternative to the now-ruined Amalfi… and you can fly there nonstop. It truly couldn’t be more convenient, hassle-free Italian getaway.
