Bari Travel Forum

I will be arriving by ferry in Bari in the morning and from here will take a train to Rome. It sounds like Bari may be a little seedy for a women travelling alone and the only train trip I could find on the Trenitalia site has a train leaving around 1600. Do you think its worth going on the slower trains to Rome from Bari to avoid spending half a day in Bari with a backpack (of course with concealed money and passport in hidden money belt)?

OK, granted this perspective comes from a male traveler, but I found the famous seediness of Bari to be HIGHLY exaggerated. It's a rough around the edges working city and doesn't concede much to tourists, but nobody's going to hurt you and it's really quite an interesting place, especially the medieval center. Protect your valuables, keep your eyes open, and ignore men who hiss at you and you'll be fine.
I wouldn't spend the whole day on slow trains just to miss Bari.

Bein in your shoes I'll take the slow train to Rome.
Bari isn't that interesting to visit apart from the medieval center, that's also the nest of all the local robbers and thieves.
Greetings

G.

Well there you have it.
Interesting that the previous poster is from Avellino. I have never met an Italian who had anything nice to say about Bari, but I, not Italian, quite liked the place. Draw your own conclusions.

There is nothing seedy about Bari. It's a beautiful city, many good restaurants and good shops, many tree-lines streets and tranquil parks. I have been in Bari alone not just for a day but for a few nights, and I have also been in Bari with my spouse. We both like the city a lot. I would not have any problem taking long walk, doing window shopping, visiting a few churches or museums, or just wandering about if I happen to have half a day layover in Bari.

Thanks for all your comments. I grew up in Los Angeles so I think I have a feel for seedy and unsafe neighborhoods and we'll just have to get a feel for the place when I arrive. It sounds though like it is a must see for the old medieval building that this Californian has never experienced so I'll take in to account both the Americans vs. the Italian perspective.

Based on the info I've been able to find, Bari seems interesting enough to visit briefly. However, could anyone recommend some small old towns close enough Bari for a day trip? Some beaches?

Thanks in advance!

I'll definitely suggest to visit Trani

Grretings

G

Puglia is a fantastically rich region, absolutely covered with places to see.
Trani is an excellent suggestion---the Norman cathedral there is first rate. On the way back from Trani to Bari hop off the train at Molfetta. It has a cheery downtown and another renarkable cathedral. Also near Bari are Ostuni and Lecce. Ostuni is an almost Arab looking medieval hilltown, and Lecce is an easygoing friendly college town packed with wildly over the top Baroque churches.
from Bari you could also make a daytrip to Matera in Basilicata, (take the Ferrovia Apulo-Lucana, a private rail line operating from offices near Bari Centrale) one of the strangest towns anywhere and an absolute must if you're in the neighborhood.