Hi,

I'll be stopping in Bari for 5 hours. I've heard there are other places nearby that are nicer than Bari. Any suggestions? Thanks

Matera. There is a modern living in the caves. http://wikitravel.org/en/Matera

Unfortunately, Matera (in the nearby region of Basilicata) is not within a 5 hour range from Bari.

Look for Trani or Polignano a mare (i have a page on both). they both are within 40 kms range from Bari.

Ciao
Francesco

Bitonto (16km) has an interesting cathedral and the town is known for it`s olive oil production. However I think Bari has enough to interest you with it`s castle and the cathedral. Italian friends have told me that anywhere is nicer than Bari but I remember my father telling me that it was one of the nicest places that he saw during his walk of Italy in 1944. :-)Buon viaggio!

Thats great! Thank you all!

Anywhere nicer than Bari??
Bitonto nice place????
In only 5 hours,you want to visit a place nearby???
BUT WHAT ARE YOU all SAYING??ARE YOU CRAZY?
I don't want to comment the stupid words of someone....but in only 5 hours I suggest you to visit Bari!
How many common places and lies....that's incredible!!

There are surely nice places near Bari (such as Trani or Alberobello or Polignano,etc...),that surely deserve a visit but only if you stay in Bari more days....in only 5 hours,try to visit the city...it's false that it's a bad place!!
Sorry for my vent,but I'm trying to cancel commonplaces from 3 years...

1) Bitonto is a nice place
2) I think Bari has enough to interest you
3) Bitonto has an interesting cathedral

Of these three statements I only wrote TWO! :-)

Bitonto HAS an interesting cathedral,but,sincerely,it isn't the first place to visit when in Bari...however,it's your opinion and I surely respect it,but at the same time I think that if you have visited Bari's area,you wouldn't have adviced Bitonto as first...
However,when I sayed "stupid words",I was referring to "your italian friends'opinion" about Bari...and Bari has not enough to interst only me,but many people if only they inform themselves...

Sorry,I had not understand the sense of the point 2 of your list...you're right.

Ronaldinho86.... No other name to address you

I rather write in english, so anyone can understand.

Glad you changed the tone after your first, really out of the rules, reply.

Of course you can disagree, and talking of you land you will be trusted, but if someone asks about places around the beautiful town X, i don't tell them (even about my place): NOOOO, see X instead!

And that because:
1) I consider polite to asnwer what they asked, and not what i wish they have asked;
2) they can already know the town X very well, and simply wish to change for once;
3) they may have whatever reason they want not to see X: i don't consider polite to argue this, or even asking why.

You are of course very welcome to disagree with everyone's advice, but no need to be rude.

Sinceramente, ed in amicizia.
Francesco

Just come back from Bari (hope this reply isn't too late!) and there was enough to keep me occupied for a couple of days let alone 5 hours. I certainly hope to return.

Like Genoa, Bari seems to have a totally undeserved reputation for grimness. I thought it was lovely - the churches in the old town are fantastic for one. Even if you're not normally a church person or have seen many of them, San Nicola is well worth a visit. The streets of the old town are interesting in themselves, while the lungomare is also nice for a walk. There is also some great shopping in the new town with some shops doing fantastic discounts on shoes and clothing. In fact, I'd say Bari is a lot less seedy than Genoa which is similar in many ways but promoted far more as a tourist destination.

All of the places I mentioned are walkable from the station.

I have just read your commnets on Bari and you mentioned lungomare. I am going to Bari for 3 night at the end of September and would like to know what lungomare is and where it is....I haven't heard of it. You and others have also mentioned the new town, where is it and what is it called? What did you like about lungomare and the new town?

The lungomare is just the path that runs alongside the seashore. It's a nice place to walk because on the one side you have the Adriatic with ships, liners and ferries coming and going from the port and the marina, and on the other some elegant old apartment buildings. 'Lungomare' just means seafront or promenade; it's not specific to Bari. I should have made this clear - sorry!

The new town is the largest part of Bari; the older part is within the new town. In the new town you'll find some good shopping and restaurants as well as several city museums.

I hope this helps :)

Yes,the lungomare is the seafront...very nice around the Old Town and on the southern part of the city.
The Old Town is small,and it is the most nice and interesting part of Bari,to visit;the rest is considered the new town.However the "real" centre of the city is the Quartiere Murat,with its nice pependicular streets,shops,theatres and other nice palaces.

Take a look to my Bari page,if you want.

Ciao

Ciao Ronaldinho,
Bari in print.
I`ve just started on my second book by Gianrico Carofiglio. Great stuff!

Ciao Ian...I know very well his books,good choice!
But...in which language?Do you understand Italian?