Free Walking Tours in Bari

Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Bari is a vibrant city in Southern Italy that boasts a rich history, delectable culinary tradition and charming old town. On a free walking tour in Bari, you'll enjoy a journey through time.

These tours will take you through winding streets, showing you significant historical sites. You will also get to experience the local life and possibly see some grandmothers making traditional pasta in the streets.

This is a unique opportunity to connect with locals, meet other travelers, and immerse yourself in the city's atmosphere.

You will find below everything you need to know about free walking tours, one of the best sightseeing tours in Bari.

How do free walking tours in Bari work?

The great thing about free walking tours in Bari is that you can reserve space on a walking tour without needing to pay any booking fee upfront. Free walking tours allow you to tip the guide on a “pay-as-you-wish” basis based on what you believe their service is worth at the end of your tour.

Some tours require a minimum number of participants to operate, so booking your walking tour online is best. At the end of the tour, you will tip your guide based on your experience, so remember to bring some cash along on the day.

How much should you tip for a free walking tour in Bari?

It is up to you to decide how much to tip for a free walking tour. Tips may range from anywhere between €5 and €50. Most people choose to tip their guide between €10 and €15 per person.

What are the best free walking tours in Bari?

Several free walking tours are available in the port city of Bari. While some of the tours provide an overview of Bari’s rich history and folklore, others include the cuisine and traditions of the area.

Guides in Bari are excellent storytellers and will ensure that during your tour, you are immersed in the history of Bari and its people through the centuries.

A Medieval Bari tour

To discover more about the medieval history of Bari, you can join a free tour with a knowledgeable guide who will tell you more about the historically significant sites in the city.

This tour starts at the entrance to the Norman Swabian castle on Piazza Federico II Di Svevia. Located close to the port, the castle is the first canonical example of Apulian Romanesque architecture.

Your guide will then lead you on a walk through the streets of Bari, passing the Basilica Cathedral of St. Sabino and the Basilica of St. Nicholas. As you learn more about the crusades, you continue along the street where the Palazzo di Città is located.

The tour ends at the significant squares of Bari Vecchia and the remains of the old city wall.

Discover Bari in the company of an artist and writer

This free walking tour allows you to learn about Bari from the unique perspective of a local guide, an artist and writer living in Bari. Learn about the history, relics, and folklore of the city as you visit its historical sites and monuments.

Starting at the excavations beside Piazza Ferrarese, the walking tour begins with a visit to the Basilica of San Nicola. Here you will gain some fascinating insight into what scientists have discovered while analyzing relics from this region.

Continuing on your walk, you will pass the 12th-century Norman-Swabian castle and learn more about the Norman occupation of the Apulian lands. Baroque and Romanesque architecture follow as you see the cathedral of San Sabino.

The next part of the walking tour takes you along the narrow streets and alleys of the town center, where you can observe local women preparing orecchiette, a pasta typical of this area.

Heading towards the end point of the tour, you will pass the Column of Justice, see a Benedictine monastery, and have the chance to take in the panoramic views of the sea from the old wall.

Immersive walking tours in Bari

Several free walking tours provide a comprehensive overview of the historical center of Bari. Some of these tours commence at the excavations beside Piazza Ferrarese, while others start on the opposite side of the city center at meeting points like the Nicolò Piccinni Theatre.

Although tours may begin or end at different meeting points, there are a number of sites that are popular and will be included in almost all walking tours of the city.

Your guides will reveal Bari’s rich history and culture and introduce you to the people who have been significant throughout the centuries. As you traverse the streets of this port city, you will be shown how it has progressed from medieval times right up to the present day.

In the Piazza del Ferrarese, you will observe the interesting architecture of the buildings surrounding the square. If you visit the Piazza Mercantile, you will have entered the historic center of the city, known as Bari Vecchia.

While in the old town, you will appreciate the golden cobblestone streets that pass the medieval Church of San Nicola and the Church of San Sabino. A stop at the San Antonio Pier will give you a chance to capture the panoramic views of the city with your camera.

Depending on your itinerary, you will pass markets, bakeries and eateries where you can sample local specialties such as focaccia or homemade orecchiette, the well-known pasta.

As your tour ends, the timing is usually perfect for you to visit one of Bari’s many restaurants to enjoy lunch or dinner.

In which languages are free walking tours in Bari operated?

Free walking tours in Bari are often operated by multi-lingual guides. Most free walking tours are available with an Italian and English-speaking guide. Several of the guides also speak other languages, including Spanish and Russian.

Where do free walking tours in Bari start?

Most free walking tours in Bari begin in the oldest part of the city, the Bari Vecchia area.

Two of the most popular meeting points are Piazza Federico II di Svevia and Piazza del Ferrarese.

As Bari is an important port in Southern Italy, the city has a good rail and bus service, and meeting points are all within a short distance from public transport.

How long do free walking tours in Bari last?

If you have limited time available, a one-hour walking tour can be booked. Otherwise, most free walking tours in Bari last between one and a half and two and a half hours. Morning, afternoon, and evening tours are available.

When is the best time to join a free walking tour in Bari?

If you would like your walking tour of Bari to orientate you to the city’s various places of interest, you might prefer a morning tour on your first full day in the city.

Otherwise, you might prefer an afternoon or evening tour that allows you to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the region. A morning or evening tour will allow you to take advantage of more temperate weather during the summer months when afternoon temperatures can be high.

Should Bari free walking tours be booked online?

An advance online booking is essential for securing a place on a free walking tour. Specific tours require a minimum number of confirmed participants to operate, so booking online is especially important.

Advance booking offers you the added advantage of knowing what to expect on your tour and can allow you to make other sightseeing plans accordingly.

No upfront payment or booking fees are charged, and the tour itinerary should advise you in advance whether you will need to pay entrance fees at any of the sites on your tour.