What's on in Bari, Italy through the year

Busy — Christmas holidays in Italy, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Busy — Easter holidays in Italy, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Busy — Festa di San Nicola, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Festa di San Nicola

  6–10 MayMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  The city's patron is carried to the sea and out on a fishing boat, then back to the basilica crypt, over three days in May. Orthodox pilgrims from Russia and Greece come for it too, and the old town is closed to cars. Source ↗

Busy — Summer holidays in Italy, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Summer ferry routes

  1 Jun – 30 Sep · usuallySummer season opens

  Durres, Igoumenitsa and Patras sail year round from the port; the Ionian island runs are a summer addition only. Out of season the crossing choice narrows to the mainland ports. Source ↗

• Season

  Sea warm enough

  20 Jun – 10 Oct · usually

  The Adriatic here holds its warmth into October, which is why the lidi along the Bari coast keep running past the end of the school holidays. June is still on the cold side of comfortable. Source ↗

Busy — Summer holidays in Italy, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Summer ferry routes (1 Jun – 30 Sep (usually)), Sea warm enough (20 Jun – 10 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Ferragosto, Summer holidays in Italy

• Holiday

  Ferragosto

  8–20 AugSchool holidaysClosuresCrowded

  Around 15 August the city itself empties and half the shops and trattorie in Murat shut for a fortnight, while Polignano and the coast south are full. Check opening hours before you plan a meal. Source ↗

Still on: Summer ferry routes (1 Jun – 30 Sep (usually)), Sea warm enough (20 Jun – 10 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Fiera del Levante, Summer holidays in Italy

• Festival

  Fiera del Levante

  8–25 Sep · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  The Campionaria trade fair has run on the seafront since 1930 and it is the week Bari fills with business travellers. Hotel rates in the centre climb and the lungomare traffic is worse than August. Source ↗

Still on: Summer ferry routes (1 Jun – 30 Sep (usually)), Sea warm enough (20 Jun – 10 Oct (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Sea warm enough (20 Jun – 10 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in November.

Busy — Christmas holidays in Italy, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.