Bari: Street Food Walking Tour in Bari Vecchia & Wine Tasting

Summary

Walk the tangled streets of bari vecchia tasting panzerotto orecchiette and local wine with stories from piazza san nicola to castello svevo

You’ll wander Bari Vecchia’s winding alleys with a local guide, tasting panzerotto fresh from the fryer, handmade orecchiette pasta paired with Puglian wine, and fluffy popizze fritters. Stop at landmarks like Basilica di San Nicola and Castello Svevo before finishing with creamy gelato — all while soaking up stories and street life that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what mozzarella actually smells like when it’s melting inside a fresh panzerotto? I didn’t — not until our guide handed me one, still warm and golden, right in the heart of Bari Vecchia. We’d met by the statue of San Nicola (easy to spot, even if you’re jetlagged), and from there it was just this steady drift through narrow lanes where laundry flapped overhead and the air felt heavy with frying oil and basil. Our guide, Giulia, had this way of pausing mid-story to let us catch up or just watch old men play cards in the shade. I tried saying “popizze” like she did — she laughed and told me not to worry, nobody gets it right the first time unless they grew up here.

We stopped outside Basilica di San Nicola for a moment — not going in, just listening to Giulia explain why people touch the stone walls for luck. There was something about standing there, hearing church bells echo off the stones while biting into that first bite of orecchiette (the “little ears,” as she called them) tossed with tomato sauce that tasted brighter than anything I’ve had at home. The pasta was made by women sitting at their doorways; you could see their hands moving faster than I could follow. She poured us a glass of local wine — honestly, I’m not much of a wine person but it tasted different here somehow. Maybe it was just being surrounded by so much history crammed into these tiny streets.

By the time we reached Castello Svevo, I’d lost track of how many little snacks we’d tried. The castle looked almost unreal against the late afternoon light — kind of rough around the edges but solid, like it’s been waiting for centuries for people to wander by eating fried dough. We ended at a gelateria where my pistachio scoop melted too fast in the sun (should’ve eaten slower), but nobody seemed to mind sticky fingers or laughing too loud on the curb. I still think about that moment sometimes when I’m back home — how simple things can feel so full when you’re far away.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bari Vecchia street food and sights

• Meet guide at Piazza San Nicola
• See Basilica di San Nicola outside
• Walk through the beautiful square
• Walk through Piazza del Ferrarese
• See Teatro Margherita outside
• See Church of San Sabino outside
• See Castello Svevo outside
• Taste panzerotto street food
• Enjoy handmade orecchiette pasta
• Drink a glass of local wine
• Try popizze fritters
• End with gelato at local gelateria

Top questions

Is this Bari street food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout the tour.

Are vegetarian options available on this Bari food tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available during the tour.

Does this tour include pickup or transportation?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet your guide in Piazza San Nicola.

How long does the walking part last?

The walking portion covers key spots in Bari Vecchia over several hours at an easy pace.

What foods do we try on this street food tour?

You’ll taste panzerotto, orecchiette pasta with sauce, popizze fritters, and finish with gelato.

Is wine included on this Bari food walking tour?

Yes, one glass of local Puglian wine is included during your tasting experience.

Are gluten-free or vegan options available?

No, this tour is not suitable for gluten-free or vegan diets.

Can infants or children join this walking food tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller along the route.

What’s included

Your day includes all meals—panzerotto, handmade orecchiette pasta or popizze fritters—a glass of local wine to sip as you stroll through Bari Vecchia’s lively streets with an English-speaking guide sharing stories at every stop. You’ll finish with creamy gelato from a neighborhood shop before saying goodbye near Castello Svevo.