Located in one of the most picturesque regions of southern Italy, Bari is a historic city renowned for its awe-inspiring architecture, magnificent Mediterranean cuisine and breath-taking stretches of coastline with views across the Adriatic Sea. It's incredibly simple to catch a train to Bari, with the city well served by rail transport. Bari Centrale train station enjoys convenient connections via Frecciargento trains across the Apulia region and Italy as a whole. For example, the train from Rome to Bari takes just over 4 hours, while connecting services can take in excess of 8 hours. Once in Bari, visitors can experience an incredible array of historic buildings, bustling trade fairs and markets, not to mention some of the finest gastronomic delights the Mediterranean has to offer.
Visiting Bari
After catching the train to Bari and hopping off at Bari Centrale train station, visitors in the capital of Apulia are a mere 15-minute walk away from the centre of the city. Much of the old town is located between the main railway station and the waterfront, with a vibrant array of meandering streets and squares to explore. It's in this area that travellers will find Cattedrale di San Sabino, with its beautiful rose windows, arches and mosaics. Venturing a little further, after a short 4-minute walk, visitors will come upon the Basilica di San Nicola, which is one of the finest examples of Roman-era architecture on the continent. Enjoying another 5-minute stroll south, through the city centre, tourists will come upon the Castello Normanno, an ancient fortification that is still surrounded by its original moat with two historic towers standing proud to this day. Heading south-east for another 15 minutes, visitors will find the Teatro Petruzzeli, which is the largest theatre in the city, hosting countless shows and performances throughout the year. To cap off the walking tour, why not stroll along the coast for 12 minutes and finish up at the Pinacoteca Metropolitana di Bari (the Painting Gallery of Metropolitan City of Bari)? It’s a public gallery that boasts an impressive Medieval section, Venetian artworks and antique apparel.
And, finally, for those looking to indulge in some local cuisine, the famous rice, onion and potato casserole is worth a try. Seafood is also popular in this region, with cuttlefish, mussels and clams all go-to dishes!
Need more information on Puglia's rail network? Check out our dedicated page to trains in Puglia.