City Cruise With Aperitivo

City Cruise with Aperitivo, 1.5 hours, rated 4.5 across 354 traveller reviews.

Overview

This outing puts you on a vintage gozzo, a vessel in the Italian maritime tradition, for about an hour and a half on the water with the Bari Sea tours crew. You board from a small pier beside Teatro Margherita, right on the edge of the old city near Piazza del Ferrarese, so no transfer is needed. An experienced skipper handles the boat while the city unfolds along the waterfront.

Partway through, the boat anchors, usually in front of the Basilica di San Nicola, for a relaxed pause. That is when the aperitivo comes out: white wine or Prosecco with artisanal taralli. When the weather cooperates you can also jump in for a swim off the boat before heading back.

It suits travellers who want an easy, unhurried break from walking the city, and some reviewers recommend the hours close to sunset for the light. Note that skippers are sailors, not tour guides, so expect a boat trip with atmosphere rather than a running commentary on every landmark.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Teatro MargheritaFind the small pier next to the theater, to the left of the theater entrance past a sailing club gate. The boat is blue and marked "Bari by Boat".
2. Board the gozzoClimb aboard a vintage gozzo with your skipper for the roughly 1.5 hour cruise along the Bari waterfront.
3. Anchor stop and aperitivoThe boat anchors in front of a characteristic spot, usually the Basilica di San Nicola. White wine or Prosecco and artisanal taralli are served.
4. Swim, weather permittingIf conditions allow, there is time for a dip in the water along the waterfront.
5. Return to the pierThe boat heads back to the same pier beside Teatro Margherita where you boarded.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this cruise.

• Time it for sunset. Several travellers specifically recommend the later departure, when the light softens and the wind calms. One described the final tour of the day as marvellous.
• Bring swimwear. The swim stop is a real feature of the trip, and one reviewer singled it out. Pack a suit and a towel, and note the dip only happens when the weather allows.
• Find the pier carefully. There is no sign at the boarding area, and the operator is not permitted to put one up. Follow the written directions closely: left of the theater entrance, past the sailing club gate, blue boat.
• Food and drink. The aperitivo is included and simple: white wine or Prosecco with taralli. One reviewer also mentioned focaccia on their trip, so snacks can vary slightly. Eat beforehand if you want a full meal.
• Commentary is light. Skippers are friendly, but they are not tour guides, as the tour description makes clear. One reviewer mentioned music on board, though the overall tone is relaxed rather than structured sightseeing narration.
• Pack a camera. The view back toward the old town and the basilica from the water is the whole point of the trip. The city is shown from its best perspective, so bring something to capture it.

Common issues. The skippers are not tour guides, and some reviewers felt the commentary on the sights could be richer and more consistent. The meeting point is not signposted, and one reviewer reported trouble finding the pier at first. The swim stop depends entirely on the weather and sea conditions. Keep in mind this is a simple outing with a basic aperitivo, not a catered cruise.

Common Questions