Bari´s historic centre is a city within a city, a maze of narrow alleys, courtyards and historical buildings. It houses many wonderful private buildings and approximately 30 churches, such as the Church of San Nicola, the Romanesque Church of San Gregorio, the Cathedral of San Sabino, and the Norman-Swabian Castle built by Frederick II.

Stretching along Italy’s longest seafront, Bari Vecchia is the ancient heart of the city. Visitors are accompanied by the aroma of clean laundry and freshly-baked focaccia and by the sight of fresh pasta drying in doorways, as they walk from Arco Basso to the area around Piazza Ferrarese, Piazza San Pietro, and the Monastery of Santa Scolastica. Other must-sees include Piazza Mercantile, the Colonna Infame, and the Library of Santa Teresa dei Maschi.