Things to Do in Bari in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Bari
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means hotel rates run 30-40% lower than peak summer months, and you'll actually get tables at popular restaurants without booking weeks ahead
- The coastline is basically yours - beaches and the Lungomare promenade are wonderfully uncrowded, perfect for long walks without dodging tour groups or beach umbrellas every three meters
- March brings the tail end of seafood season with fresh mussels, sea urchins, and octopus still abundant at markets and trattorias before spring transitions change what's available
- Comfortable temperatures for exploring the old town on foot - you can walk the maze of Bari Vecchia for hours without that oppressive summer heat that has you ducking into churches just for the cool air
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get three gorgeous sunny days followed by two grey, drizzly ones, which makes planning boat trips or beach days a bit of a gamble
- Some seasonal beach clubs and coastal restaurants haven't opened yet for the season, typically waiting until late March or early April when tourist numbers justify staffing up
- The Adriatic can be quite choppy in March with winds picking up, which means ferry services to Albania or Croatia occasionally get cancelled, and swimming is pretty much out unless you're particularly hardy
Best Activities in March
Old Town Walking and Street Food Tours
March weather is actually perfect for wandering Bari Vecchia's narrow streets for 3-4 hours without overheating. The cooler temperatures mean you can comfortably explore the labyrinth of alleyways where local women still make orecchiette pasta by hand in doorways along Strada Arco Basso. The lack of summer crowds means you can actually stop and chat with them, watch the technique, and buy fresh pasta without competing with tour groups. Street food vendors are out but not overwhelmed, so you can try focaccia barese, panzerotti, and sgagliozze at a relaxed pace.
Coastal Cycling Along the Lungomare
The 15 km (9.3 mile) seafront promenade from Pane e Pomodoro beach to Torre Quetta is spectacular in March without the summer heat and crowds. Temperatures in the 12-15°C (54-59°F) range are ideal for cycling - you'll work up just enough warmth without overheating. The UV index of 8 means you need sun protection, but the coastal breeze keeps things comfortable. Locals are out cycling and jogging in the mornings, giving you that authentic neighborhood feel rather than tourist scene.
Day Trips to Alberobello Trulli District
March is actually one of the better months for visiting Alberobello, about 55 km (34 miles) south of Bari. The UNESCO-listed trulli houses look magical without being mobbed by tour buses, and the cool weather makes walking the hilly streets comfortable. You'll have space to photograph those iconic cone-shaped buildings without waiting for crowds to clear. The town feels more authentic when it's quieter - you can pop into workshops and see craftspeople actually working rather than just selling to tourists.
Basilica and Castle Cultural Visits
March's variable weather makes indoor cultural activities smart planning. The Basilica di San Nicola, one of Puglia's most important pilgrimage sites, and the Norman-Swabian Castle are both spectacular and undervisited in March. You can actually spend time examining the Romanesque architecture and medieval fortifications without being rushed by crowds. The cooler temperatures also mean the castle's stone interiors feel atmospheric rather than uncomfortably cold or hot.
Polignano a Mare Coastal Exploration
This clifftop town 33 km (20.5 miles) south is stunning in March when you can actually walk the narrow streets and photograph the dramatic seaside views without fighting crowds. The famous beach squeezed between cliffs is too cold for swimming, but the town itself - with buildings perched on limestone cliffs 20 m (65 ft) above the Adriatic - is the real attraction. March light is excellent for photography, and restaurant terraces overlooking the sea are available without reservations.
Local Market and Cooking Experiences
March markets are excellent - you'll find late-season vegetables like cime di rapa, fresh seafood, and early spring produce without the summer heat that makes market browsing uncomfortable. Cooking classes that include market visits work particularly well in March since you're not competing with peak season tourist groups. You'll learn to make orecchiette, focaccia barese, and traditional seafood dishes with ingredients that are actually in season right now.
March Events & Festivals
Festa di San Giuseppe
March 19th is Saint Joseph's Day, celebrated throughout Puglia with special foods and traditions. In Bari, you'll find zeppole di San Giuseppe - fried dough pastries filled with custard - in every bakery and cafe. Some neighborhoods set up communal tables with traditional dishes. It's not a major tourist event, which actually makes it more interesting - you're seeing how locals mark the day rather than a performance for visitors.
Early Spring Food Markets
While not a single event, March marks the transition in what's available at markets. You'll catch the last of winter seafood season overlapping with early spring vegetables. The covered market near Piazza del Ferrarese and the daily fish market along the port are particularly worth visiting. Vendors are less rushed than in summer, more willing to explain what's in season and how to prepare it.