Is Bari Safe for Tourists? A Comprehensive Guide
Bari, the charming capital of Italy’s Puglia region in Southern Italy, is a hidden gem that’s quickly gaining popularity with many travelers. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and understated coastal beauty, it’s easy to see why people are drawn to this city in the Puglia region of Italy. But like any place you visit in Italy, you might be wondering – Is Bari safe?
Having traveled to Puglia recently, I spent some time in Bari as well several other cities across Puglia including Ostuni, Lecce and Matera.
From experience as a visitor, I would say Puglia is generally safe for tourists. As with most places in Italy and Europe, there are several factors in considering the safety of a city including crime rates, neighborhood safety, local advice and reviews, transportation safety and potential language barriers to name a few.
My experience is based on spending majority of my time in Bari Old town also referred to as ‘Bari Vecchia’, which is where most visitors will spend the majority of their time in this city. Let’s dive into understanding safety in Bari and tips for staying safe as a traveler.
Is Bari Italy Safe for tourists?
Bari is considered a safe destination for tourists, with a relatively low crime rate compared to other larger Italian cities such as Rome and Naples. However, as a visitor, it is best to stay vigilant and be aware of your surroundings, particularly in the later hours of the night.
1. Crime Rates in Bari
Petty crimes such as pick pocketing are typically the main concerns for tourists when it comes to safety in Italy. Bari had 14.39 instances of snatch thefts reported in 2023, with pickpocketing being the most common. This is relatively low compared to larger cities like Rome per Italy’s crime statistics index. (Expiter.com)
Incidents of violent crime are rare in Bari, with the city reporting less than 11 cases in 2023, making it one of the safer cities in Italy.
2. Is Bari a Safe Place to Visit?
Bari’s neighborhoods each have their own distinct character, and understanding their safety profiles can help you plan your visit more effectively.
Is Bari Old Town safe?
Bari Vecchia, aka Bari Old Town, is the charming historic center of this city. It is a must visit for tourists with its winding streets, historic sites and cathedrals. While the old town felt lively and safe during the day, some parts can feel a bit isolated at night, particularly in less populated alleys. It’s best to stick to well-lit, busier areas after dark when walking in Bari at night
Murat District
Murat is the modern city center and heart of Bari, located outside of the Old Town. It is known for its shopping streets, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. This area is considered very safe both day and night, with a strong police presence most of the time and and a high density of locals and tourists. According to local crime statistics, the Murat District reports one of the lowest crime rates in the city, making it an excellent area for accommodation if you want to stay outside of Bari Old Town.
3. Is it Safe to Walk in Bari at Night?
We arrived in Bari Old Town at 11pm, hence our first encounter with the city was finding parking in one of the many parking garages next to the Bari Old Town, then walking late at night through the Old town to get to our accommodation.
Overall, the walking in the city at night never felt unsafe to me, it was well light in most places along major roads and routes in the Old Town.
One things I would note if you’re staying in Bari’s Old town is that the ZTL (restricted traffic zone) operates in this area. As such, even if you are catching a taxi or rideshare to your accommodation at night, you will likely be dropped off at the ZTL zones border as cars are often restricted from going into the Old Town itself. So be prepared to walk some distance at night to get to your accommodation.
As long as you exercise vigilance and stick to main roads and streets that are well lit, it feels safe to walk in Bari at night.
4. Public Transportation Safety
Getting around Bari is relatively easy, thanks to its efficient public transportation system, which includes buses, trains, and taxis. The bus network is widely used by both locals and tourists, and it’s generally considered safe.
Safety on Trains and Buses in Bari
It is to be noted though that pickpocketing can be an issue on crowded buses in some Italian metropolitan areas, especially during peak hours. To stay safe, it’s best to keep an eye on your belongings and avoid displaying valuables while on public transport.
The train stations in Bari, particularly the central Bari Centrale, are also safe but can get busy during rush hour or during summer months from May to September, so staying alert is important, especially when traveling around with luggage items.I personally don’t like spending too much time in train stations and hence normally find a cafe nearby if waiting for the train, instead of waiting too long within the station itself.
Safety in Taxis in Bari
In Bari, rideshares other than Uber as well as licensed taxis are readily available throughout the city and are considered a reliable mode of transport. In order to avoid potential issues like overcharging, I would recommend checking with the driver if the taxi meter is running or agree on a fare beforehand, especially if you are not using a Rideshare app with a preset price.
5. Tourist Safety Perception
The perception I got when visiting Bari and other cities in Puglia, is that Bari and the general Puglia region are very welcoming and safe destination for tourists. The friendliness of locals and the overall sense of security felt above average compared to other parts of Italy.
Moreover, has relatively low levels of harassment and scams compared to other major tourist destinations in Italy. The city’s efforts to maintain a safe environment for tourists, combined with the helpfulness of locals, contribute to its positive safety perception.
However, as with any destination, it’s important to remain cautious, particularly in crowded areas where petty theft is most likely to occur.
6. Is Puglia safe for tourists?
Overall, Bari’s safety perception is on par with other cities in Puglia, though it is a larger and more urbanized city.
Is Lecce safe for tourists?
The city of Lecce is known as the “Florence of the South,”. I found Lecce to be a safe, walkable city especially in the historic center of the Old Town. The busiest areas here are shops and restaurants fronts as well as the bustling piazzas. The only time I felt extra cautious was when we were sitting outside at a wine bar just outside a busy Piazza. Having heard numerous stories of phone snatching incidents in London and Europe I was extra cautious with where I put my phone and belongings while sitting outside.
I would recommend putting phones away instead of on the table, if you are not actively using it especially if seated outside near foot traffic where the chances of snatchers is higher.
Is Alberobello safe?
Alberobello is famous for its unique trull ‘cone’ houses, Alberobello is a much smaller and quieter town compared to Bari, although tourist numbers can peak during the day as people come in for day trips to visit the historic center. The safety perception here is extremely high, with very few incidents reported by tourists.
Is Ostuni safe?
Ostuni is known as the white city, referring to its iconic whitewashed buildings which can be seen from a distance approaching the city. Similar to Lecce, Ostuni is a safe, walkable city with the busiest areas being the bustling Piazzas and restaurants. So best to exercise caution in these areas.
Is Bari safe to travel alone?
Bari is safe to travel alone with its walkable and safe streets and welcoming locals. Nonetheless as with any city and region in Italy, it is best to exercise caution in a new and unfamiliar city. These are my travel safety tips for Bari.
Travel Tips to Keep Safe in Bari
1. Stay in Well-Lit and Busy Areas
Though generally safe to walk at night, it is best to stick to well-lit, busy streets, especially at night. I found this to be the case, when arriving in Bari at 11pm and has to walk through the Old Town to make my way to our accommodation at night.
2. Be Aware of Pickpockets
Like many tourist destinations, pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas such as markets, outside restaurants and on public transportation/ Keep your belongings secure,and keep your phone away if you are not actively using it.
3. Use Licensed Transportation
When using taxis, ensure they are licensed and that the meter is running before getting in. Even better is using rideshare apps like IT Taxi and WeTaxi which offer an added layer of security.
4. Learn Basic Italian Phrases
While I found that many people in Bari speak English, it always helps learning a few basic Italian phrases, especially in case of emergencies or when asking for directions or help.
5. Stay Vigilant in Crowded Places
In popular tourist spots, markets and restaurants be extra cautious of your surroundings. Crowded areas are prime locations for pickpockets, so keep your bags zipped up and close to you.
6. Keep Emergency Numbers Handy:
The emergency number in Italy is 112 for police, fire, and medical assistance.
7. Be Cautious at ATMs
I would recommend it is best to withdraw money using ATMs located inside banks or well-lit, populated areas. Some non bank ATMS can either charge a lefty fee, or result is card give card issues, so best to avoid these where possible. On the plus side, Italy is becoming more and more cashless, although street markets and small vendors still prefer cash.
8. Stay Informed
Before and during your trip, stay informed about any local news or events that might affect your safety, including demonstrations and gatherings.
9. Plan Your Routes
Before heading out, plan your routes to avoid getting lost, especially at night. I have always found whenever traveling or walking alone as a female traveler, there is always a less chance of being approached by anyone unwanted when you are walking with purpose and direction. I have practiced this all the time, even when I don’t quite know where I am walking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bari Safe for Solo Female Travellers
Bari is safe city for solo female travelers to travel to. It has a low rate of violent crime and a welcoming, open atmosphere towards visitors. The city’s main areas, like the Murat District and Bari Old Town aka Bari Vecchia, are safe to explore, though as with most cities in Europe. it’s best to exercise caution, especially in crowded aras. Basic precautions, such as keeping an eye on your belongings and avoiding isolated spots after dark are best practise to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit. Overall, Bari offers a rich cultural experience in a relatively secure environment, making it a great destination, highly worth visting for solo female travelers.
Are you heading to Italy – check out our other guides and blog posts you may find useful.
Are you heading to Italy – check out our other Italy guides below!
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