Is Bari Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Italy : Safety by City

Bari, Italy, is located right along the Adriatic Sea.

It is also known as the capital city of the southern region of Puglia.

Bari is located right on the heel of Italy’s boot.

It’s a city that is full of rich history and is also the perfect attraction for those who are looking to enjoy an exciting trip full of beautiful villas.

Bari is divided into four urban areas.

Bari has roots that can be traced back more than 2,000 years.

If you’re planning a trip to Bari, this guide will provide you with useful information to ensure you stay safe.

Warnings & Dangers in Bari

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Bari is an overall safe city for tourists. In fact, Bari is one of the safest countries in the entire world. They have one of the lowest murder rates. Tourists can feel safe walking around but will still need to exercise caution, as pickpocketing is common in Bari.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

There’s also a low risk for taxis and public transportation for tourists in Bari. Overall, public transportation is reliable and safe. Many tourists frequently use trains and buses in the city. It’s even possible to encounter a crowd during peak hours. As always, only use official, registered taxis while in Bari.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

There’s a moderate risk of pickpocketing occurring in the city of Bari. Not only is this common in Bari, but it’s also common in many well-known cities throughout the world. Pickpocketing tends to happen very often in Bari, especially near train stations.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Bari in general has a very low risk for tsunamis, although it is located along the coastline. Usually, areas that are located along the coastline are at medium-to-high risk of experiencing tsunamis. There are not any other natural disasters that Bari should be concerned about.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Bari has a safety score of 1.65, which makes it very safe for tourists to visit. This also means that you’ll unlikely become a victim of a mugging or other violent crime, as Bari is one of the safest cities in the entire country.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

There’s a moderate risk of terrorism in Italy, including Bari. There are continuous threats and plotting that are taking place against Italy. Tourists should exercise increased caution while visiting, since terrorist attacks may take place without any warning. They may also target popular tourist locations.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There are a couple of different scams that target tourists in particular. One of these scams is a picture scam. With this type of scam, a local may walk up to you and ask to take a picture with you. They then purposely drop the camera and request that you pay for damages. Another scam targeting tourists is ATM scams, so be careful when withdrawing money or making a purchase.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women can safely travel to Bari without worrying about being attacked or targeted. Overall, the environment is welcoming and friendly. Many of the locals in Bari are engaging and very helpful to tourists.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The tap water in Bari is also very safe for consumption. The water is regularly tested to ensure it meets the highest quality standards. Not only is the tap water safe to drink in Bari, it’s also very refreshing.

Safest Places to Visit in Bari

Here are some of the safest neighborhoods to visit in Bari if you’re looking for an enjoyable experience:

Carassi is a quiet neighborhood located in the Carassi district. It’s located a nice distance from the city, so it’s not as crowded. You can access Bari rather quickly via public transit.
Murattiano is a renowned neighborhood in the town of Bari. It’s known for having various attractions and options for entertainment.
Bari-Palese is another quiet neighborhood that will keep you safe during the duration of your trip. It’s considered more of a local area compared to a tourist attraction. This means you won’t see any crowds here either.

Some popular attractions for travelers to check out include:

Matera
Pasta Walking Tour of Bari
Half-Day Sailing Cruise (along the Pugliese Coast)
Bari Walking Street Food Tour

Excellent options for hotels and lodging include:

De Rossi Holiday loc. Tur
B&B Cavour 124
Casa de Rosas

Places to Avoid in Bari

For the most part, Bari is considered a safe city.

But crime still occurs in San Pio-Enziteto, San Paolo, and Fesca.

In addition, tourists should avoid Liberta, Japigia, and Madonnella.

These areas are deemed unsafe for travelers.

Bari is a relatively large city, so tourists must practice common sense while traveling through the streets.

Moreover, tourists should avoid dark corners and flashy jewelry while in Bari.

Don’t let your guard down while in town just because you feel safe.

You can still easily become a target for crime.

Alleys provide ample opportunity for criminals, as they give them a place to hide after sunset.

Pickpocketing and drug dealing are far too common in Bari.

This means you should be cautious when near large crowds and touristy areas.

Another area that tourists should look out for is anywhere near the main train station, especially at night.

All industrial areas located on the outskirts of Bari should also be avoided, especially if you are walking.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Bari

While Bari is considerably safe for travelers, there are still some precautions you should take, just as you would in any other city.

Here is a list of safety tips to practice while visiting Bari:

Avoid the train station at night. While visiting Bari, if you are relying on public transportation, the train station should be avoided at night. Also, you should avoid walking through the train station at night, especially in the underground area of the station. While you can still take the train, try not to hang around for a long period of time.
Avoid accepting rides from unregistered taxis. Another tip to keep in mind while exploring Bari is to never accept rides from unmarked taxis. These are typically “fake” taxis and should be avoided at all costs. Fake taxis may appear as registered taxis, especially if they have a badge. Official taxis are white and have a city hall emblem.
Lookout for baby gangs. Baby gangs in Bari are known as criminal teenagers and kids. This is also common throughout the rest of the country. They commit criminal crimes, including drug dealing, mugging, and robbery. Chances are low that you’ll find them, but you should still be cautious.
Avoid wearing flashy jewelry. While exploring Bari, avoid wearing flashy jewelry. This basically means leaving big chains, diamonds, and gems at home. Fine jewelry is okay to wear, as long as it isn’t excessive.
Purchase travel insurance. Many travelers don’t think of travel insurance until something happens. It’s a great idea to purchase a policy, even if your trip will be short. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Familiarize yourself with the areas. Prior to traveling to Bari, learn as much as you can about the areas you plan on visiting. Just like any other area, there are places you’ll want to avoid. Take note of those locations and familiarize yourself with the locations you will be exploring.
Learn some Italian. Learning some Italian will help, even if they are just the most basic phrases. This will help you, especially in a true emergency situation. Carrying a translation book will be beneficial as well.
Keep an eye on your belongings. Keeping an eye on your personal items is really important while visiting a place you’re unfamiliar with. Never place your purse, luggage, or cell phone down. Always keep them close to you.
Never leave valuables in the car. Never leave anything of value in the car if you plan on renting a vehicle while in Bari. This goes for backpacks, purses, and clothes. While this may not seem like a big deal, thieves may see a pile of clothes and think you’re hiding an iPad or money in there.
Only use paid parking lots. One of the easiest ways to prevent car theft is by parking your car in paid parking lots only. This tip is only relevant to you if you plan on renting a vehicle while in Bari.

So... How Safe Is Bari Really?

Once upon a time, Bari was a city full of drug abuse and crime.

However, this was many years ago. Currently, Bari is a very safe city for travelers all over the world.

Tourists can feel safe in the majority of the areas in Bari, whether they’re traveling alone or in a group.

In fact, solo female travelers have no problems when traveling to Bari.

It’s still possible to attract the wrong attention, but many men will flee if you ignore them.

Compared to other cities in Italy, such as Milan, Bari is much safer.

Bari ranks number 22 in a crime index report that was published in 2019 by the II Sole 24 Ore Crime Index.

According to the report, there are nearly 139,69 complaints every 24 hours in Bari.

But these numbers shouldn’t scare you, as many of them are just petty theft crimes.

According to the data, Bari has a murder rate of 0.6 out of 100,000 people.

Their petty theft rate is 127.8 out of 100,000 people.

Pickpocketing is probably the most common crime that occurs in Bari.

This typically occurs at the train station.

The chances of tourists becoming mugged or robbed are highly unlikely.

Even still, travelers should practice extra precautions and pay attention to their surroundings while visiting Bari.

How Does Bari Compare?

City	Safety Index
Bari	74
Naples	66
Milan	66
Florence	70
Venice	74
Rome	64
Bologna	56
Sao Paulo (Brazil)	45
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)	43
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87

Useful Information

Visas

Tourists may enter Italy for up to 90 days without a visa. Non-residents will also be required to complete a declaration of presence. To apply for a visa, for example, if you’re a U.S. citizen, you must contact the U.S. Embassy in Italy. Visas in Italy cost $96 for adults and $48 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Children younger than 6 are free.

Currency

The official currency in Bari, Italy, is the euro. Travelers can use their personal credit cards to cover expenses while in Bari. However, if you are looking to exchange currency to pay in cash, you can visit a bank, train station, airport, or various exchange agencies.

Weather

Bari sees average weather throughout the year. But the best time to visit Bari is in May and June. July tends to be the hottest month, with temperatures averaging around 76 degrees Fahrenheit. January is the coldest month of the year, with temperatures around 47 degrees Fahrenheit. March is the wettest month of the year. Depending on the time of the year you’re looking to visit Bari, you may need to pack summer or winter attire.

Airports

The closest airport to Bari is BRI (Bari). There are various buses that operate to and from the airport and can cost between $24 and $35. It takes nearly 4 hours to get to Bari. The driving distance from the airport is 14 minutes. There is also a train that can be taken to and from the airport and runs every 2 hours. Other options for airports include Naples, Tirana, Brindisi, and Dubrovnik.

Travel Insurance

The best way to put your mind at ease while traveling to Bari is by purchasing travel insurance. It is highly advised that all tourists purchase a policy to protect them in the event of an emergency. Travel insurance covers travel delays, cancellations, medical evacuation, baggage loss, and more.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Bari Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 9° C

Feb 9° C

Mar 11° C

Apr 14° C

May 18° C

Jun 22° C

Jul 25° C

Aug 25° C

Sep 21° C

Oct 18° C

Nov 13° C

Dec 10° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	13	13	15	19	23	27	30	30	26	22	17	14
Low °C	5	5	6	9	13	17	20	20	16	13	9	6
High °F	55	55	59	66	73	81	86	86	79	72	63	57
Low °F	41	41	43	48	55	63	68	68	61	55	48	43

Italy - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Bari	74
Bologna	56
Cagliari	64
Catania	71
Florence	70
Genoa	54
Milan	66
Naples	66
Palermo	58
Perugia	60
Pisa	61
Rimini	62
Rome	64
Sorrento	60
Turin	42
Vatican City	72
Venice	74
Verona	65

Is Bari Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report