Best Places to Stay in Bari for First Time Visitors: Area Guide + 17 Top-Rated Hotels

If you’re visiting Bari for the first time, choosing where to stay can shape your whole experience — the city’s neighborhoods vary a lot in vibe, layout, and atmosphere. Some are made for slow walks and seafood by the sea, while others are better for quick access to trains or late-night gelato runs. 

During a recent trip through Puglia, I spent time exploring Bari on foot and found that where you stay in Bari really does matter — especially if you want somewhere that feels local, walkable, and well-connected. This Bari accommodation guide breaks down the best areas to stay in Bari for first-time visitors, with hotel suggestions based on what actually makes a difference: vibe, transport, nearby food spots, and how easy it is to get around.

Bari Vecchia (Old Town)

Bari’s Old Town is the city’s historic heart — a maze of white-stone laneways, family-run osterias, and nonnas selling fresh pasta on the street. I loved the sense of character and community here, in the midst of beautiful Romanesque architechture.

Best for: Local atmosphere · Historic charm · Walkable location

Staying in Bari Vecchia means being close to the city’s main sights — the Basilica di San Nicola, the old port, and the lungomare — while also waking up to the sound of church bells and the smell of fresh focaccia. The layout is compact and pedestrian-friendly, though a little disorienting at first. It’s not ideal if you’re arriving by car (many streets are ZTL-restricted), but it works especially well if you’re planning to explore on foot. Accommodation here leans toward boutique B&Bs, guesthouses, and apartments tucked into the fabric of the neighborhood — no big hotels, but plenty of charm.
→ Check availability for hotels in Bari Vecchia

Compared to the modern Murat district next door, Bari Vecchia feels much older and more intimate — a better choice if you’re curious about local life and don’t mind a bit of grit with your beauty. It’s one of the best areas to stay in Bari for first-time visitors who want atmosphere over amenities.

Bari is easy enough to get around, however take note of Rideshare apps in advance of getting here, as Uber does not operate here, only a limited premium service in certain areas. Find out what Rideshare apps and Uber alternatives to use in Italy in my guide here.

Where to Stay in Bari Vecchia

Accommodation here is mostly guesthouses and converted homes, often run by local families. Interiors are simple but full of character — and many offer rooftop terraces or small kitchens.

• B&B Apartment → B&B La Muraglia
  Whitewashed stone suites with private terraces overlooking the sea. Quiet but central.
  → Check availability at B&B La Muraglia

• Charming Boutique Stay → Le Terrazze Suites
  Bright, stylish suites with private terraces overlooking Bari Vecchia’s historic skyline. Excellent reviews for atmosphere and views. I would highly recommend this for a romantic getaway.
  → Check availability at Le Terrazze Suites
• Budget Stay → B&B Bella Bari
  Clean, basic rooms with warm hosts and a sundrenched terrace rooftop.
  → Check availability at B&B Bella Bari
• Hidden Gem Guesthouse → La Casa delle Tradizioni
  A lovingly restored guesthouse on one of the oldest streets in Bari Vecchia. Comfortable and cool bedrooms with stone floors and family-run warmth. We stayed here and absolutely fell in love with the place. Located on Bari’s famous ‘Via delle Orecchiette‘ aka pasta street, the balcony and charming roof terrace overlook the picturesque street where nonnas set up shop to prepare and sell handmade Orcchiette pasta.
  → Check availability at La Casa delle Tradizioni
• Design B&B → B&B Dei Meravigli
  A more modern option with thoughtful design and high ceilings in a restored building.
  → See latest prices at B&B Dei Meravigli
  

Things to Do in Bari Vecchia

• Basilica di San Nicola – A major pilgrimage site with a peaceful courtyard and crypt.
  
• Castello Svevo – Bari’s 12th-century fortress; atmospheric spot for sunset photos.
  
• Via delle Orecchiette – Watch women hand-roll pasta in the laneway outside their homes.
  
• Piazza Mercantile – Lively in the evenings with casual bars and cafés.
  

Hidden Gems in Bari Vecchia

• Panificio Fiore – An unassuming bakery near the basilica known for its warm focaccia barese.
  
• Corte del Catapano – A quiet courtyard just off the tourist path — great for a breather.
  
• Terranima Wine Bar – Cozy, intimate space with Apulian wines and a few bar stools.
  
• Strada Arco Basso – One of the narrowest streets in the city, lined with hand-painted tiles.
  

Murat (Downtown & Shopping District)

Murat is Bari’s modern heart — a flat, walkable grid of 19th-century streets lined with cafés, shops, and apartment blocks. It’s more polished than the Old Town but still feels distinctly southern Italian, with wide boulevards and a local pace of life that slows in the heat of the day.

Best for: Central location · Easy access · Comfortable stays

If you want to stay somewhere well-connected but not too touristy, Murat is a strong choice. It stretches from the train station down to the sea, putting you within walking distance of Bari Vecchia, the waterfront, and the city’s main commercial streets. I stayed just a few minutes from the seafront and found it ideal for exploring both sides of the city without needing transport. Accommodation here is mostly mid-range hotels, business-style stays, and serviced apartments — a good option if you want a more conventional base without being far from the old city.
→ See hotels in Murat here

Compared to Bari Vecchia, Murat is easier to navigate and better served by public transport. It’s also one of the best areas to stay in Bari for first-time visitors if you’re arriving by train or planning day trips — Bari Centrale is just a few blocks away. The area itself is more about convenience than charm, but it still has plenty of local cafés, aperitivo spots, and places to eat. I ended up gravitating here most evenings when I wanted something low-key and easy.

Where to Stay in Murat

Accommodation here is mostly mid-range hotels and modern apartments, with a few standout boutique options around Teatro Petruzzelli and Corso Cavour.

• Design Hotel → Dilman Luxury Stay
  Clean lines, central location, and modern touches in an elegant building near the opera house.
  → Check availability at Dilman Luxury Stay
  

• Modern Apartment → Fourooms Bari
  Well-equipped rooms with a smart self-check-in system and great transport links.
  → See latest prices at Fourooms Bari
  
• Reliable Hotel → Hotel Imago Plus
  Top rated design hotel, great value and within walking distance of both the station and old town.
  → Check availability at Hotel Imago Plus
  
• Boutique B&B → 200 Rooms & Terrace
  Sleek interiors, walkable to everything, with a pretty rooftop terrace for sunset.
  → See latest prices at 200 Rooms & Terrace
  

Things to Do in Murat

• Teatro Petruzzelli – Bari’s famous opera house, open for concerts and tours.
  
• Via Sparano & Via Argiro – Main shopping streets, great for a late afternoon stroll.
  
• Piazza Umberto I – Small green square often used by locals for a breather or quick lunch.
  
• Lungomare Nazario Sauro – The seafront promenade begins at the southern edge of Murat.
  

Hidden Gems in Murat

• Mastro Ciccio – Fast but good: panzerotti, sandwiches, and focaccia to take away.
  
• La Biglietteria – Small wine bar with outdoor tables and a relaxed, after-dark vibe.
  
• Bar Oriente – A locals’ café on Corso Cavour that hasn’t changed in decades.
  
• Bookshop Laterza – Independent bookstore with a tucked-away café upstairs.
  

Lungomare (Waterfront)

The Lungomare is Bari’s seafront promenade — a long, open stretch lined with palm trees, Liberty-style buildings, and views across the Adriatic. It’s less about sightseeing and more about space: morning joggers, fishermen casting lines, and golden-hour walkers heading toward the old port.

Best for: Sea views · Quiet walks · Romantic vibe

If you like the idea of staying somewhere peaceful but still walkable to Bari Vecchia and Murat, the Lungomare area strikes a nice balance. It’s not a huge neighborhood — more a long edge of the city that runs south from the Old Town — but there are a handful of hotels and guesthouses just off the main road. I stayed here for a few nights and really appreciated the slower pace and open sky, especially after busy days in the city centre.
→ Browse Bari Lungomare accommodation options

The vibe here is quieter than Murat but more refined than the station area. Most of the buildings are older and elegant, and it feels safe at all hours — even solo. If you’re planning a short stay and want to prioritise calm mornings, waterfront walks, or a sea-facing room, the Lungomare is one of the best areas to stay in Bari for first-time visitors who don’t mind being a little outside the centre.

Where to Stay on the Lungomare

Most stays here are hotels, ranging from classic to upscale, with several offering partial or full sea views. It’s not packed with options, but the ones that exist are well-rated and quiet.

• Luxury Hotel → JR Hotels Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni
  Rooftop pool, panoramic views, and spacious rooms right on the seafront promenade.
  → Check availability at JR Grande Albergo delle Nazioni
  
• Classic Hotel → Hotel Boston Bari
  Clean and comfortable, highly rated for its convenient location with a short walk to both the seafront and Bari Vecchia.
  → See latest prices at Hotel Boston Bari
  
• Luxury Stay → Palazzo Zippitelli Apartments
  Modern, self-contained units in a beautiful 19th-century building near the waterfront, few minutes from the promenade — ideal if you want a kitchen and more space.
  → See latest prices at Palazzo Zippitelli Apartments
  

Things to Do Near the Lungomare

• Sunset stroll along Lungomare Nazario Sauro – The best time to walk it is just before dinner.
  
• Pane e Pomodoro Beach – Small public beach just south of the promenade.
  
• Pinacoteca Metropolitana di Bari – Art museum in a grand waterfront building.
  
• Pop-up markets – Occasionally appear near the park on weekends and holidays.
  

Hidden Gems Near the Lungomare

• Ristorante Biancofiore – Elevated Apulian food tucked into a quiet sidestreet.
  
• Bar Palmito – Old-school café with sea views and a reliable morning espresso.
  
• Pane e Pomodoro green space – A surprisingly chill local park behind the beach.
  
• Fish counters near the port – Informal seafood stands open early and sell raw or fried catch.
  

Bari Centrale (Near the Train Station)

The area around Bari Centrale station is functional, busy, and a bit more lived-in than other parts of the city — but it’s also one of the most convenient places to stay if you’re arriving late, leaving early, or using Bari as a base for day trips.

Best for: Short stays · Day trips · Budget hotels

This isn’t the prettiest part of Bari, but it’s well-connected. I stayed here on my last night before an early flight and appreciated how straightforward everything was — cafés open early, buses to the airport nearby, and shops that stay open later than in the Old Town. Accommodation here tends to be budget-friendly hotels and apartment-style stays, many within a 5-minute walk of the station entrances.
→ Book Hotels around Bari Centrale here

You’ll find fewer tourists and less charm here compared to Bari Vecchia or Murat, but the tradeoff is ease — especially if you’re taking trains to Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, or Lecce. It’s one of the best areas to stay in Bari if you need somewhere practical and close to transport, without paying a premium.

Where to Stay near Bari Centrale

This area is full of practical options — mostly no-frills hotels and a few well-run apartments. Look for something east of the station if you want to be slightly closer to Murat or the Old Town.

• Functional Modern Hotel → Hotel Excelsior Bari
  Clean and modern with easy check-in, 2 blocks from the station and walkable to the Lungomare.
  → Check availability at Hotel Excelsior Bari
  
• Budget Hotel → Hotel Moderno – A no-frills but well-rated pick close to the station, with clean rooms and a peaceful courtyard.
  → See latest prices at Hotel Moderno
  
• Apartment Stay → De Rossi Holiday Locazione Turistica
  Spacious and self-catered, ideal if you’re passing through and want flexibility.
  → Check availability at De Rossi Holiday
  
• Modern Guesthouse → Travel Station – Just a 5-minute walk from Bari Centrale, this well-rated guesthouse is simple but spotlessly clean, with thoughtful amenities and friendly staff. Great value if you want something no-fuss and reliable near the station. → Check availability at Travel Station

Things to Do Around Bari Centrale

• Bari Centrale Market – Informal local produce market just west of the station.
  
• Corso Italia cafés – Affordable coffee spots that fill with commuters in the morning.
  
• Via Sparano (south end) – Starts near the station and runs into Murat for shopping.
  
• Train station architecture – Worth a quick look for its Art Deco and rationalist features.
  

Hidden Gems Near Bari Centrale

• Mokambo Caffè – Old-school standing bar for espresso before a train.
  
• Da Giampaolo – Simple local trattoria with a handwritten menu and fast service.
  
• Kebabberia – Late-night snack spot popular with students and locals.
  
• Tabacchi on Via Eritrea – Tiny corner shop that does excellent coffee + cornetti.
  

Areas to Avoid (for First-Time Visitors)

Most of Bari feels safe and navigable, but there are a few areas that might not be the best choice for a first-time visit — especially if you’re arriving late or relying on public transport. The blocks immediately southwest of Bari Centrale station can feel a bit run-down and isolated at night. It’s not unsafe, but it’s more functional than welcoming, and there’s not much around in terms of restaurants or atmosphere.

Similarly, staying too far north beyond the port or deep into the industrial zone means long, awkward walks or limited transport back into the centre. If you’re wondering more generally about safety in Bari — solo travel, pickpockets, or how it feels at night — I’ve broken safety in Bari here. For a first-time visit, areas like Bari Vecchia, Murat, or the Lungomare are a much better fit — walkable, central, and easy to settle into.