Old Town Street Food

Old Town Street Food, rated 4.1 across 45 traveller reviews.

Overview

This two hour walk through Bari Vecchia, run by Martulli Viaggi, mixes sightseeing with a single food stop rather than a full tasting circuit. Groups set off from Strada Vallisa 81 and work through the old town's main squares and churches before finishing at a bakery, where focaccia or homemade gelato is included.

The route takes in Piazza del Ferrarese, Piazza Mercantile, the Basilica of San Nicola, the Cathedral of San Sabino, the Norman Swabian Castle and Strada delle Orecchiette, where pasta is still rolled by hand in the open air. Entry to the castle and the cathedral is not included. Several travellers praised the guides as knowledgeable and personable, and the pasta lane and focaccia came up repeatedly as highlights.

It suits first time visitors who want an orientation of the old town with a guide, and who are comfortable with a shared group of up to 20 people. Some reviewers mentioned that commentary can be given in two languages in the same group, which they found slowed things down. Travellers mainly after food should note the tour includes just the one bakery stop.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Strada Vallisa 81The group gathers at Strada Vallisa 81 in Bari Vecchia. This stop lasts 10 minutes.
2. Piazza del FerrareseA 20 minute stop at the square, free to enter.
3. Piazza MercantileA 10 minute stop at the historic square, free to enter.
4. Basilica San NicolaA 20 minute stop at the basilica, free to enter.
5. Cattedrale di San SabinoA 15 minute stop. Entry ticket is not included.
6. Castello Normanno SvevoA 20 minute stop at the Norman Castle. Entry ticket is not included.
7. Strada delle OrecchietteA 15 minute stop on the street where pasta is made by hand, free to enter.
8. Bakery Santa RitaA 10 minute final stop with focaccia or homemade gelato included. The tour ends back at Strada Vallisa 81.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this shared walk.

• Two languages. Some reviewers mentioned commentary was given in two languages in the same group, such as English with Italian or English with German. Everything gets said twice, which they found stretched the time. Travellers who want a single language tour should check with the operator before booking.
• It is a walk. The tour covers the old town on foot for two hours. Wear comfortable shoes. One reviewer noted the meeting point was not easy to find without local knowledge, so it helps to plan the route there in advance.
• Food expectations. The included food is focaccia or homemade gelato at the final bakery stop. Watching pasta being made on Strada delle Orecchiette is part of the route. Travellers mainly after food should note the tour includes just this one stop.
• Group feel. This is a shared tour with a maximum of 20 travellers. One reviewer found a large group made it hard to hear the guide at busy stops.
• Extra entry fees. Entry tickets to the Norman Castle and the Cathedral are not included. Travellers who want to go inside those two sites should budget for the tickets separately.
• Weather matters. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor weather, a different date or a full refund is offered.

Common issues. A small number reported last minute time changes or cancellations, including one reviewer still chasing a refund after a schedule change and another whose language option was dropped. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, castle and cathedral entry costs extra, and the food element is limited to one focaccia or gelato at the end rather than multiple tastings.

Common Questions