img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}If you’ve been waiting for the summer season to die down to start planning your budget-friendly, chilled Italian getaway, only to find out, in utter shock, prices haven’t dropped, nor have crowds dwindled?
Yeah, we’ve all been there. Believe it or not, at this point, Italy is expensive and crowded regardless of season, and for those heading to the usual spots—Rome, Amalfi, Florence, and Venice—there’s just no escaping the overtourism curse.
Here at Travel Off Path, we have an extensive travel history in Europe under our belt, and we’ve become experts at identifying the best travel dupes over the years. It’s no different in Italy’s case.
If you’re hoping for ‘normal’ prices, a more laid-back feel, and most importantly, direct flights, this lesser-known Italian city should be high on your fall travel wishlist:
A Bustling Port City Most Tourists Skip
The capital of Puglia, Bari is a busy port city lining the Adriatic Sea. You know, opposite of the Amalfi Coast, near the heel of the Italian boot.
Although it is far from being as popular as Positano or Salerno, it in fact hosts nonstop flights from New York (JFK) this summer, and through October 15, making it an accessible getaway for Americans craving some culture.
And don’t you worry, Bari has plenty of that:
It is one of Italy’s most historically-significant cities, spanning over two millennia of recorded human activity, and with the kind of architectural wealth you can only find in top-notch Mediterranean hubs: we’re talking monumental cathedrals and that picture-perfect, maze-like Old Town.
One Of The Most Beautiful Old Towns In Italy
Bari Vecchia, the Old Town, is a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways lined with centuries-old stone houses, and whether you choose left or right, chances are you’ll end up in a small piazzetta bordered by cozy cafes or dominated by an imposing Baroque church.
Speaking of churches, did you know Saint Nicholas—as in, the good-hearted bearded guy also known as Santa Claus in the jolliest time of year—is buried beneath the 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola? Located right in the heart of Bari Vecchia, it is one of the city’s main points of interest.
If you’re fascinated by the Middle Ages, you can’t skip Castello Normanno-Svevo, a 12th-century coastal fortress built in the 12th century.
Now open as a museum, it offers beautiful views of Bari from atop its ramparts, and it has numerous galleries and hidden chambers ready to be explored.
An Underrated Food Scene
Bari may not be as famous for its cuisine as Rome or Florence are, but the gastronomy here is on a par with Italy’s top foodie destinations.
When visiting Strada Arco Basso, a pedestrian passageway flanked by skinny, stone buildings, you’ll find Italian nonnas crafting Bari’s signature orecchiette (an earlobe-shaped pasta) by hand. Keep walking down the street, and you’ll hit Nunzia.
One of Bari’s most traditional restaurants, it is known for homemade pasta, especially their orecchiette con cime di rapa, and main dishes average only €10 (or around $11.52 at the current exchange rate).
Near the Mercato del Pesce (Fish Market), there are several no-frills trattorie selling grilled octopus, sea urchin, oysters sprayed with lemon, and seafood fritters, usually for under €20 ($23).
In general, eating out in Bari will set you back €30–40 ($34.56–$46) each time. That is, if you’re going for a full course with a starter, dessert, and drinks. If you’re just snacking or only getting a main and a glass of wine, you’ll be saving up big time.
Hotels From Only $61
Food is not the only thing that’s budget-friendly in Bari. Accommodation can be just as inexpensive, especially compared to other destinations in Italy.
This fall, a double room in a guesthouse in the center of Bari will set you back $61-a-night for 2 adults, or only $30.50 per guest.
Similar listings for private rooms in the area have nightly rates ranging from $72 to $95, which is significantly cheaper than the average hotel rate in Rome ($210-a-night, according to Budget Your Trip), or on the Amalfi Coast (a whopping $345).
Fly Direct From The U.S. To Bari
This fall, Americans can fly nonstop from New York (JFK) to Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI), with Neos Air, an Italian carrier.
The route operates once weekly on Tuesdays, and it has been running since June 3, 2025. It’s set to end for the season on October 15, 2025, meaning U.S. passengers still enjoy direct links to Bari (and the wider Puglia region) through mid-fall:
- Outbound (JFK→ BRI): departs JFK 4:00 PM local time, arrives to BRI at 8:00 AM of the following day
- Return (BRI → JFK): departs BRI 11:30 AM, arrives at JFK 1:50 PM on the same calendar date
In September, round-trip nonstop fares start at a reasonable $957, while in October, they average $1,000.
Explore Beyond Bari
If you’re visiting Bari this fall, make sure you head out of the city to visit Puglia’s smaller, quaint towns, like Polignano a Mare, where whitewashed houses are perched atop coastal cliffs, overlooking a scenic beach, and Alberobello, distinguished by its trulli (conical-roofed houses).
Further south, the coastal city of Brindisi offers both medieval charm and a relaxed coastal atmosphere, and inland, Lecce is oftentimes referred to as the ‘Florence of the South‘:
Home to a plethora of Renaissance and Baroque monuments, as well as well-preserved Roman-era monuments, it is one of Puglia’s best-kept secrets. Read more about Lecce here.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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