The Europe CruiseFor the American voyager

Bari

Photo: Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Bari docks close to its old town, which you can walk to in 10–15 minutes. The Basilica of St Nicholas is free. Alberobello's trulli houses are reachable by local train (about 1 hour 20 minutes), but trains are few.

Getting ashoreShip docks
Distance to townAbout 800 m (10–15 minutes, flat) to Bari Vecchia (old town).
Gateway forBari Vecchia, Basilica of St Nicholas, Alberobello (trulli), Polignano a Mare, Matera
Walk to Bari Vecchia10–15 minutes · Free
On the chart

Where Bari lies

Antique-style chart of The Adriatic with ports markedBariRavennaTriesteVeniceAmalfi and PositanoDubrovnikHvarKoperKorčulaKotorNaplesPulaRovinjSalernoŠibenikSorrentoSplitZadar

Where your ship docks

Ships dock at the Molo San Cataldo or Molo Pizzoli piers in the port.

Shuttle. Sometimes a free port shuttle (unverified).

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The wayTimeCost
Walk to Bari Vecchia10–15 minutesFree
FSE train from Bari Sud to AlberobelloAbout 1 hour 20 minutesAbout €4.70 single (secondary source)

Walk to Bari Vecchia

Time 10–15 minutesCost Free
  1. Walk along the Lungomare to the Arco di San Nicola.

A free port shuttle is sometimes offered (secondary source).

FSE train from Bari Sud to Alberobello

Time About 1 hour 20 minutesCost About €4.70 single (secondary source)
  1. Walk about 10 minutes to Bari Sud station.
  2. Check fseonline.it for times; about 6 trains a day each way (secondary source).

Last return train late afternoon; verify.

Worth the trip

What to see

Basilica di San Nicola

Shrine of St Nicholas (Santa Claus).

How
Walk.
Time
1 hour
Tickets
Free nave; crypt about €3 (secondary source).

Bari Vecchia lanes

Women making orecchiette pasta in the street.

How
Walk.
Time
1–2 hours
Tickets
Free

Alberobello

UNESCO cone-roofed trulli houses.

How
Train or tour.
Time
5–6 hours round trip
Tickets
Free to walk

Matera

Ancient cave city.

How
Tour or driver (about 1 hour each way).
Time
Full day
Tickets
Varies
A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

  1. Walk to the old town.
  2. Basilica of St Nicholas and the cathedral.
  3. Lunch: focaccia barese.
  4. Walk the seafront back; on board 30–45 minutes before all-aboard.
Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

  • Few trains to Alberobello.
  • Heat in summer.
  • Petty theft in crowds.

Do this

  • Dress modestly in churches (shoulders covered).
Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

  • No cruise-specific fee confirmed.

Accessibility

Seafront is flat; old town lanes are mostly flat but uneven.

Money

Euro (€). Cards widely accepted.

Onward

More of the The Adriatic

DubrovnikCroatia Dock or tenderSplitCroatia Ship docksZadarCroatia Ship docksHvarCroatia Tender boat ashoreŠibenikCroatia Dock or tenderKotorMontenegro Dock or tenderKoperSlovenia Ship docksVeniceItaly Dock or tender
Sources & what we could not confirm · 1 sources · checked 2026-11
Still being confirmed
  • FSE train times and fare
  • Crypt fee
  • Port shuttle