As you already know, Bari is located in the south of Italy and is a great destination for Erasmus. If this is your Erasmus destination (or you are considering it), in this post we bring you the definitive guide for Erasmus students in Bari. Let's start!
Student accommodation in Bari
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One of the first tasks you will have to carry out is to find accommodation. In this section, we explain which are the main accommodation options in Bari and, on the other hand, which are the best areas to live as an Erasmus student.
If you are wondering which accommodation option is most common in Bari, the answer is clear, shared flat.
All Erasmus students live in shared flats. If you are wondering why this is happening, it is because of the limited availability of student housing. The only student residence in Bari is located on the outskirts of the city and is not very well connected by public transport. Consequently, most Erasmus students opt for living in apartments that offer more accessibility and convenience.
Best areas to live in Bari
Without a doubt, one of the best areas to live in Bari is the neighbourhood of Murat. This neighbourhood encompasses the city centre and the University of Bari Aldo Moro, which makes it the neighbourhood most chosen by Erasmus students to live in.
On the other hand, if you are going to study at the Polytechnic University of Bari or the Polyclinic, you should consider neighbourhoods like Carrassi or San Pasquale, since they are very close to both places.
The Madonella neighbourhood is also a good option if you want to be close to the beach and the centre. In addition, this neighbourhood is also quite close to the University of Bari Aldo Moro, the Polytechnic and is well-connected to the Faculty of Economics.
Gastronomy in Bari
As is widely recognised, Italian gastronomy is simply incredible, so during your Erasmus in Bari you will be able to fully immerse yourself in Italian cuisine. Some of the most typical dishes are:
- Riso, patate e cozze. It is one of the iconic dishes in Barese gastronomy. The name of this dish refers to its three main ingredients: potatoes, rice and mussels. Potatoes, onion, garlic, tomatoes, rice and mussels are cooked in the oven, to which a garlic broth, mussels and prawns is added.
- Focaccia. It is a dish that is prepared with a dough of wheat semolina and potato. Then tomato is added.
- Raw fish (crudo de mare). Yes, you have read it right, raw fish has always been eaten in Bari. However, it is worth noting that the most commonly consumed raw seafood varieties in the region are octopus, oysters, and mussels.
- Frisella. It is a typical dish from various areas of southern Italy. It consists of a kind of crunchy donut, which is seasoned with extra virgin olive oil, salt and tomato.
Leisure and party for Erasmus in Bari
Although Bari is not a very big city, every year there is a lively atmosphere, with many parties and activities organised for Erasmus students. These events are typically organised by student associations,
In Bari there are several bars and pubs and a couple of clubs to go out. Some places Erasmus students usually go to are 12Zer03 City Club, Fluxus, Demode, Jerusalem pub (for a drink) or Retro (for a drink). Also on many occasions they usually drink in the street, such as in Piazza Mercantile.
Cost of living in Bari
Regarding the cost of living in Bari, we have very good news, it is an economical city, especially comparing it with other Italian cities such as Rome, Bologna or Turin. To give you an idea, the cost of living in the city as a student can be around € 600 a month, but everything will depend on four main variables: accommodation, transport, shopping list and leisure.
You have to keep in mind that accommodation will be one of your biggest costs every month during your Erasmus. In general, the price of a room in a shared apartment usually costs around € 300 per month.
When it comes to public transport in Bari, the monthly pass costs around €30 and provides access to the bus and metro lines in the city.
Places you can't miss in Bari
The capital of Puglia has some very interesting monuments and places to visit. Some of them are:
- Citta Vecchia (old town). It is certainly worth getting lost in the old town of Bari. Its narrow streets, hidden squares and porticoes make the old town of Bari a perfect place to walk around and admire the beauty of this southern Italian city.
- Basilica of San Nicola di Bari. Built in the 12th century, this basilica was built with the aim of housing the remains of Saint Nicholas.
- Bari Castle. Very close to the old town is the Swabian Castle of Bari, one of the main symbols of the city. Inside, exhibitions and cultural events are often held.
- Lungomare Promenade. It is one of the promenades in all of Italy, with 9 kilometres of impressive views of the beach. The best time to appreciate its beauty is at sunset.
- Petruzelli Theatre. It was built in 1903 and it is one of the largest theatres in Italy.
Trips from Bari
One of the most important parts of Erasmus is to travel and get to know different cities and countries. From Bari you can easily travel to other parts of Italy and other countries.
Bari has the Bari Palese Airport, located on the outskirts of the city, and from there you can travel among Italian cities and also international destinations. In addition, several low-cost companies operate, so it is a good opportunity to travel quickly and cheaply from Bari. To go to Bari airport we recommend that you take the Ferrovia Regionale train (FR2, grey) or the Ferrovia Metropolitana metro (FM2, yellow). There is also a bus that leaves every hour from the airport and goes to Piazza Aldo Moro.
To move around Italy you can do it easily in train or bus. One of the main railway companies in Italy is Trenitalia, which operates nationally and also has some international lines. As for bus companies, Flixbus is very popular among Erasmus students, since it has very cheap prices and operates both nationally and internationally.
This guide for Erasmus students in Bari also includes suggestions for nearby trips, allowing you to explore other locations and cities with remarkable tourist attractions:
- Matera. This city is located just over an hour away by train and is known for the Sassi di Matera. Matera is characterised by its concentration of narrow streets and houses carved in stone.
- Ostuni. Also known as the “white city”, it is one of the most beautiful towns in the entire Puglia region.
- Lecce. An hour and a half away by train is the city of Lecce. This city stands out for its historical, artistic and architectural heritage, and its old town is characterised by the Baroque style.
- Naples. Three hours away by bus is Naples, one of the most populous cities in Italy. Though it can be somewhat chaotic at times, like many Italian cities, it enjoys an important architectural heritage and endless monuments worth exploring.
- Rome. The capital of Italy is undoubtedly a must visit during your Erasmus in Bari. It is a city full of history and culture and there you can visit some of its famous buildings and monuments such as the Colosseum, Saint Peter's Basilica or the Trevi Fountain, among many other places.
Tips for students in Bari
Finally, some of the advice we give you for your Erasmus in Bari is:
- Don't forget to get the Codice Fiscale, an essential document for many Italian procedures.
- Become a member of the student associations in Bari, since you can benefit from discounts in a lot of places. In addition, the associations themselves organise events, parties and even trips with international students, so it will also be a perfect opportunity to meet other students. The main student associations are Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and IC Bari.
- Request the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) well in advance.
This is our guide for Erasmus students in Bari. We hope that this series of tips will help you to enjoy your Erasmus+ scholarship experience in this Italian city.
