Home › When to Visit › December
Bari - Things to Do in Bari in December

Things to Do in Bari in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Bari

14°C (57°F) High Temp
6°C (42°F) Low Temp
48 mm (1.9 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

  • Genuine off-season pricing with hotel rates dropping 40-60% compared to summer months - you'll find four-star properties in the old town going for 60-80 euros per night instead of the 120-150 euros they command in July and August
  • The Adriatic takes on a completely different character in winter - dramatic grey-green waves crashing against the lungomare make for spectacular morning walks, and you'll have the seafront essentially to yourself between 7-9am when locals do their passeggiata
  • December is peak season for Bari's street food culture, particularly panzerotti and sgagliozze - vendors set up around Piazza Mercantile and Via Sparano from 5pm onwards, and the cooler weather makes standing around eating fried food actually pleasant rather than sweat-inducing
  • Christmas markets transform Piazza del Ferrarese and the area around Teatro Petruzzelli from late November through January 6th, with over 80 wooden chalets selling local ceramics, nativity figures, and Puglian food products - this is when you'll find the best deals on ceramics from Grottaglie, typically 30-40% less than tourist-season pricing

Considerations

  • The weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get three consecutive days of brilliant sunshine at 16°C (61°F), then wake up to wind gusts of 40 km/h (25 mph) and temperatures barely reaching 10°C (50°F). This makes planning day trips to places like Alberobello or Polignano a Mare somewhat frustrating
  • Many coastal restaurants and beach clubs close entirely from mid-November through late March, particularly in areas like Pane e Pomodoro beach and Torre a Mare - you'll lose about 40% of the dining options that make Bari special in summer, though the old town spots stay open year-round
  • Daylight is limited to roughly 9am-5pm, and the sun sets behind buildings by 4:30pm in the narrow streets of Bari Vecchia - this compresses your sightseeing window significantly and means you'll be doing most activities in artificial light or grey daylight

Investigate Other Months

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
View Year-Round Climate Guide →

Best Activities in December

Bari Vecchia Walking Tours and Orecchiette-Making Sessions

December is actually ideal for exploring the old town's labyrinth of alleyways because the cooler temperatures make the uphill climbs from the port to Basilica San Nicola genuinely comfortable. You'll see the famous pasta-making nonnas on Via Arco Basso working outside between 9am-1pm when it's sunny - they're more active in winter because the humidity keeps the dough workable. The narrow streets provide natural wind protection, and you'll have the photogenic corners around Piazza San Pietro essentially to yourself.

Booking Tip: Most cooking experiences run 3-4 hours and cost 55-75 euros per person. Book 5-7 days ahead through established cooking schools - morning sessions starting around 10am work best because afternoon light disappears quickly in December. Look for experiences that include market visits to the fish market near Piazza del Ferrarese, which is most active 7-9am daily except Sundays.

Polignano a Mare and Coastal Cave Explorations

The 33 km (20.5 mile) train ride south takes 30 minutes and costs 3.50 euros, and December brings some of the most dramatic seascapes you'll see anywhere on the Adriatic. The waves crash into the limestone caves with genuine force, creating the spray that makes Polignano famous - though this also means boat tours into the caves operate only on calm days, maybe 40-50% of December days. The town itself is wonderfully empty, and you can actually get a table at the cliff-edge restaurants without booking weeks ahead.

Booking Tip: Cave boat tours typically cost 20-30 euros and last 45-60 minutes, but they're weather-dependent - operators usually decide by 9am whether conditions allow. Book flexibly through operators who offer same-day confirmation. The town is walkable from the train station in 8-10 minutes, and you'll want 3-4 hours minimum to explore properly.

Alberobello Trulli District Day Trips

The UNESCO trulli houses look particularly atmospheric under December's grey skies, and the 55 km (34 mile) journey by train takes about 90 minutes through olive groves and vineyards in their winter dormancy. You'll avoid the coach tour crowds that overwhelm the Rione Monti district in summer - in December, you might have entire streets of conical stone houses to yourself, especially before 11am. The indoor trullo museums provide good shelter if rain hits.

Booking Tip: Independent travel via train costs around 5 euros each way, or organized day trips run 45-65 euros including transport and guided walks. The town is compact enough to explore in 4-5 hours. If driving, parking in Piazza del Popolo costs 2 euros per hour. Go early - trains from Bari Centrale depart around 8am and get you there before tour groups arrive around 10:30am.

Matera Sassi Cave Dwelling Exploration

December is actually one of the better months for Matera because the 65 km (40 mile) journey from Bari takes you into Basilicata's higher elevation where you might see the Sassi dusted with snow - this happens maybe 2-3 times per December, transforming the ancient cave city into something genuinely otherworldly. The cave churches stay a constant 12-14°C (54-57°F) year-round, making them comfortable refuges. Tourist numbers drop to perhaps 20% of summer levels.

Booking Tip: Organized day trips typically run 50-75 euros including transport and guided tours of 3-4 cave churches. If going independently, the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane train from Bari takes 90 minutes and costs around 5 euros. You'll want a full day - leave by 8am, return by 7pm. The Sassi districts require significant uphill walking on uneven stone paths, so proper footwear is non-negotiable.

Pugliese Winery Tours and Olive Oil Tastings

December is harvest completion season - the olive pressing happens October through early December, and many frantoi (olive mills) offer tours where you'll see the actual pressing process and taste oil that's literally days old. The wine estates between Bari and Locorotondo are quiet, with tasting rooms warmed by fireplaces. Primitivo and Negroamaro wines pair particularly well with the heavier winter dishes that appear on menus in December. The countryside looks stark but beautiful, with endless stone walls dividing dormant vineyards.

Booking Tip: Half-day winery tours with transport from Bari typically cost 65-95 euros including 3-4 wine tastings and lunch. Book 7-10 days ahead. Tours usually run 10am-3pm. Look for experiences that include both wine and olive oil components - the oil tastings are actually more special in December than wine, since you're getting the new harvest. Most estates are 30-45 km (19-28 miles) from Bari center.

Castel del Monte Medieval Architecture Visits

This octagonal 13th-century castle sits 540 m (1,772 ft) above sea level on the Murge plateau, 55 km (34 miles) west of Bari. December fog occasionally rolls across the plateau, creating the kind of atmospheric conditions that make this UNESCO site feel genuinely medieval rather than like a tourist attraction. The interior stays cool but manageable at 10-12°C (50-54°F). With minimal crowds, you can spend time studying the mathematical precision of Frederick II's architecture without being rushed through rooms.

Booking Tip: Entry costs 10 euros, and organized tours from Bari run 45-60 euros including transport. The castle is difficult to reach without a car - it's 18 km (11 miles) from the nearest train station in Andria. If driving, allow 50-60 minutes from Bari. The site itself requires 90-120 minutes to see properly. Afternoon visits work better in December because morning fog can obscure the views from the upper levels.

December Events & Festivals

Early December through January 6th

Fiera di San Nicola Christmas Market

This traditional market runs from early December through January 6th around Piazza del Ferrarese and extends along the waterfront. You'll find over 80 wooden chalets selling everything from Grottaglie ceramics to local cheeses and salumi. The real draw is the artisan nativity figure vendors - Puglian presepe figures are distinctive, with terracotta shepherds and animals that locals add to family collections each year. Evening visits around 6-8pm have the best atmosphere when everything's lit up and locals are out shopping.

Throughout December, particularly weekends

Festa di San Nicola Preparatory Events

While the main San Nicola festival happens in May, December sees various preparatory religious events at Basilica San Nicola, including special masses and the blessing of the new year's commemorative items. The basilica itself is decorated with nativity scenes throughout December. This is more for cultural immersion than spectacle - you'll see how seriously Baresi take their patron saint, with locals making pilgrimages to the crypt where San Nicola's relics are kept.

Throughout December, check current season schedule

Teatro Petruzzelli Winter Opera Season

Bari's restored opera house runs its winter season through December, typically featuring 2-3 productions including at least one traditional Christmas-themed performance. The theater itself is worth seeing regardless of what's playing - it's one of Italy's largest opera houses, rebuilt after a 1991 fire. Ticket prices range from 25-80 euros depending on seating. The building's heating actually works well, unlike many Italian theaters, making December performances genuinely comfortable.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

A proper windbreaker or light shell jacket - the wind off the Adriatic in December can gust to 40 km/h (25 mph) and cuts right through regular jackets, particularly along the lungomare and in exposed areas like Piazza del Ferrarese
Layering pieces that work between 6-16°C (42-61°F) - you'll experience this full range in a single day, starting cold at breakfast and warming up by lunch, then dropping again after 4pm when the sun disappears behind buildings
Waterproof walking shoes with actual grip - Bari Vecchia's limestone streets become genuinely slippery when wet, and you'll be doing 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) of walking daily on uneven surfaces if you're exploring properly
A compact umbrella rather than a rain jacket hood - the rain in December tends to be light but persistent, the kind where an umbrella is more practical than a hood, and it packs smaller for the inevitable periods when you don't need it
SPF 30-50 sunscreen even though it's winter - that UV index of 8 is no joke, and the Adriatic reflects light directly into your face during waterfront walks, particularly on the rare brilliant sunny days
A small daypack for market shopping - you'll accumulate olive oil, ceramics, and food products at the Christmas markets, and plastic bags aren't commonly offered. Something in the 15-20 liter (915-1,220 cubic inch) range works perfectly
Warm accessories for evening - a scarf, light gloves, and a beanie for after-dark activities, when temperatures drop to 6-8°C (42-46°F) and the humidity makes it feel colder than the thermometer suggests
Adapter plugs and a power bank - Italian Type L outlets are standard, and December's limited daylight means you'll be using your phone's flashlight and camera more than usual, draining batteries faster
A refillable water bottle - Bari has drinking fountains throughout the old town, and staying hydrated matters even in cooler weather, particularly with the 70% humidity that can be deceptively draining
Comfortable evening shoes beyond walking shoes - restaurants in Bari maintain standards, and showing up to dinner spots in the new town wearing hiking shoes will mark you immediately as a tourist, though the old town is more forgiving

Insider Knowledge

The fish market near Piazza del Ferrarese operates 7am-1pm daily except Sundays, and December brings some of the best seafood of the year - look for ricci di mare (sea urchins) which are in season and cost 2-3 euros each. Locals buy them, walk to the waterfront, and eat them raw with bread from Panificio Fiore around the corner.
Most Baresi eat their main meal at lunch between 1-3pm, particularly on Sundays when extended family lunches are standard. This means restaurants are packed 1:30-3pm but nearly empty at dinner before 8:30pm - if you want authentic spots without tourists, go for lunch, not dinner.
The Pane e Pomodoro beach area is where locals walk their dogs and exercise year-round, particularly 7-9am on weekends. It's worth visiting in December just to see how Baresi actually use their waterfront when tourists aren't around - you'll see the city's real rhythm rather than its tourist face.
Free WiFi throughout the old town is surprisingly reliable through the municipal network called WiFi Bari - connect once with an email address and you'll have coverage in most public spaces, which is genuinely useful for navigation in the maze-like streets where GPS can be unreliable between stone buildings.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming everything closes for the holidays - while some businesses shut December 24-26 and January 1st, Bari doesn't go into hibernation like some Italian cities. Most restaurants, cafes, and shops operate normally throughout December, and the Christmas markets ensure the city stays active through January 6th.
Booking accommodation near the train station rather than in or near Bari Vecchia - the station area is convenient for arrivals but completely lacks atmosphere, and you'll spend 20-25 minutes walking to anywhere interesting. Pay the extra 10-15 euros per night to stay within 400-500 m (1,310-1,640 ft) of the old town.
Trying to do Alberobello, Matera, and Polignano a Mare in a single day - these are three separate full-day trips, and attempting to combine them means spending 5-6 hours in transit while seeing nothing properly. December's short daylight makes this even more problematic than in summer.

Explore Activities in Bari

Continue Planning Your Trip

November

Travel guide for November

January

Travel guide for January

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Bari

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.