🇮🇹 Bari, Italy
Hotel Excelsior
📍 15, Via Giulio Petroni, Bari, 70124
Your stay — Hotel Excelsior
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Bari.
The Property — Hotel Excelsior
Hotel Excelsior is a 3-star boutique hotel in Bari's historic centre, offering a charming, understated elegance that feels like stepping into a stylish Italian apartment. The lobby's warm terracotta tones and vintage furnishings evoke a sense of relaxed sophistication, perfect for couples and solo travellers looking for a laid-back base to explore the city. The hotel's unique selling point lies in its excellent location, just a short stroll from the Piazza Mercantile and the beautiful Basilica di San Nicola. Guests can expect a genuinely Italian experience, with a focus on comfort, good food, and warm hospitality.
Chronicles of Bari
Bari, founded by the Peucetians in the 8th century BC, has a rich history that's woven into its architecture. The city's historic centre is a labyrinth of narrow streets and medieval buildings, with the stunning Romanesque Cathedral of San Sabino and the Norman-Swabian Castle dominating the skyline. Bari's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its Byzantine and Mediterranean heritage, evident in its stunning mosaics, ornate palaces, and bustling markets. The city's historic centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, and visitors can still experience the authentic charm of a medieval city, despite the modern touches that have been carefully integrated into the architecture.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bari guide →Best months
June and September are ideal months for a visit to Bari, with pleasant temperatures (25°C/77°F average) and fewer tourists than the peak summer months. These months offer the perfect balance of comfortable weather and manageable crowds, allowing visitors to explore the city's historic centre without the summer heat and chaos.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak tourist month in Bari, driven by the Festa di San Nicola (July 9th), a major festival celebrating the city's patron saint. Hotel prices surge during this time, with prices increasing by up to 30% compared to the shoulder season. Visitors can expect lively atmosphere, street performances, and stunning fireworks displays.
Budget shoulder season
April and May are great shoulder months for a visit to Bari, offering mild temperatures (20°C/68°F average) and lower prices. Visitors can enjoy the city's historic centre without the peak season crowds and still experience the region's famous olive harvest festivals, which take place in May.
Weather & packing
Bari's climate is characterised by a distinct contrast between the sweltering summer heat and mild winters. Visitors should pack lightweight, breathable clothing for the summer months, with a waterproof jacket for occasional summer showers.
Live City Briefing — Bari
- The city's new tram system, the Bari Tram, is now open, connecting the city centre to the nearby beaches and nearby towns. The historic centre is currently undergoing a major restoration project, with some streets closed to vehicles and pedestrianised areas. Visitors can enjoy the new 'Mercato Coperto' food market, which offers a range of local produce and street food options.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Excelsior, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (4th or 5th) as the hotel's Via Giulio Petroni address places it close to a busy street. The 3rd floor and below may be affected by street noise, especially since the hotel is located in a city centre. Considering the hotel has a lift, rooms on the higher floors are more likely to be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor as it's near the hotel's entrance and potential service areas, which may be noisier. Additionally, rooms near the lift on any floor might experience more noise from the lift's operation.
Best views
Rooms on the 4th or 5th floor might offer views of the surrounding area, but given the hotel's location in a busy city centre, views might be partially obstructed by buildings or other structures.
Quietest floors
4th to 5th floor
🔊 Noise notes
Be aware that Via Giulio Petroni is a main street in Bari, so expect some background noise from the street. However, rooms on higher floors should be generally quieter.
Insider tips
Request a room with a city view to make the most of the hotel's location. Also, consider arriving at the hotel early to secure a spot in the hotel's limited parking area, as spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Excelsior
free, 500 MB per day, 10 devices; €10 for 1 GB extra, 15-minute login interval
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) and Italian newspaper (La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno)
24/7 check-in, early bag-drop service available from 08:00, late check-out until 12:00 (€20 fee)
available on-site, €5 per day
step-free access, wheelchair-friendly entrances, some rooms adapted for guests with disabilities, but no lift in historic wing
on-site parking available, €20 per night, public car park 'Parcheggio San Paolo' nearby (€15 per day), no EV charging on-site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3 per night per person, mandatory city tax
Deposit & card hold: €100 advance deposit, €200 incidental card hold at check-in (to be released on check-out)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parrocchia della Beata Vergine Immacolata (217 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Parrocchia Greco-Ortodossa "San Nicola di Myra" (400 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa del Sacro Cuore di Gesù (424 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Michele (571 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Giardini di Piazza Nicola Balenzano — 647 m · ~8 min walk
Museo dei pigmenti naturali colorati - Centro d'Arte Santa Teresa dei Maschi — 706 m · ~9 min walk
Teatro Kursaal Santalucia — 117 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
CryptoLocalATM C/o Bear Bush — 364 m · ~5 min walk
Farmacia Treglia — 288 m · ~4 min walk
Numeri Primi — 382 m · ~5 min walk
Bari Centrale — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in the city centre; avoid exchange bureaux at Bari Airport and tourist spots as they give poor rates and high fees.
Cards accepted in most shops, restaurants, and supermarkets; contactless and mobile pay are common. Some small vendors and markets are cash-only.
No mandatory tipping; round up the bill or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip; hotel staff appreciate a few euros for exceptional help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A caffè or espresso at a local bar, drunk standing at the counter: around €1.00–€1.20.
A panino or pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) with a drink from a bakery or bar: around €5–€8.
A pasta or secondo (meat/fish) dish at a trattoria or osteria: around €10–€15.
Near the old town and Piazza Mercantile, you find fried seafood cones, focaccia, and rosticceria options for €4–€8.
Supermarkets like Lidl, Eurospin, Conad, and Carrefour Express are common in the 70124 area.
Via Sparano and Corso Cavour have affordable chain stores; markets like the Mercato di Santa Scolastica sell budget clothing.
The cheapest way around town is a single AMTAB bus ticket (€1.50 valid 90 min) or a day pass (€3.50). From Bari Airport, take the AMTAB shuttle bus to the central station (€5, around 30 min).
Eat at bars and bakeries for low-cost meals rather than sit-down restaurants. Use the city's tap water (it's safe and free) to refill your bottle. Buy groceries from Lidl or Eurospin for picnic supplies and snacks.
Good to know — Bari
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
BariWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bari, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Excelsior
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · CryptoLocalATM C/o Bear Bush — 364 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Treglia — 288 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Bari Centrale station → Bed & Breakfast La Casa Particular (via Nicolò Putignani stop of via Piccinni)
💡 Use this for the last leg if you're loaded with bags. Get a 90-minute ticket (€1) or a day pass (€3.50) from the tabacchi at the station. Validate it in the bus machine – fines are steep.
Bari Centrale bus stop (Piazza Aldo Moro) → Best Western Executive Business Hotel (Via Zara / Via Capruzzi stop)
💡 Validate your ticket in the machine on board. This bus runs along Via Capruzzi and drops you a 2-minute walk from the hotel door. Buy a pack of 10 tickets at a tabacchi to save time.
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) → Bed & Breakfast La Casa Particular (via Nicolò Putignani)
💡 Agree on price before getting in or use the official white taxis with a meter. From the airport, expect around €20-25 to the city centre; extra for luggage or late-night.
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) → Best Western Executive Business Hotel
💡 Book through the official airport taxi stand to avoid overcharging. The hotel is on Via Zara, near the central station, so drivers know it well.
Bari Airport (BRI) → Bari Centrale
💡 The train station is right at the airport – look for the 'Ferrovie Sud-Est' platform. Only runs to Bari Centrale, not Murat. From there, it's a 15-min walk east to the B&B.
Bari Airport (BRI) → Bari Centrale train station
💡 Buy ticket at the airport tabacchi or vending machine – cheaper than on board. From Bari Centrale, it's a 10-min walk to the B&B via Via Sparano.
Bari Airport (BRI) bus stop → Bari Centrale train station
💡 Get a 24-hour local bus pass (4 EUR) at the station tabacchi if you plan to use city buses later. Walk 10 minutes from the station to the hotel.
Bari Airport railway station (Bari Aeroporto) → Bari Centrale
💡 This is the fastest ground option to the city centre. Trains are modern but watch for strikes on Sundays. From Bari Centrale, it's a 15-minute walk or short bus ride to the hotel.
Palazzo Ietri area (via Corso Vittorio Emanuele stops) → Bari neighbourhoods or beach (Palese, San Girolamo)
💡 Use Moovit or Google Maps for real-time tracking. Tickets (corsa singola) are valid 90 minutes for one ride with transfers. Buy from tabacchi or the AMtab app before boarding—no cash on bus.
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport → Palazzo Ietri Corso Vittorio Emanuele B&B
💡 Fix the fare before you get in for trips to the old town. Official white taxis with meters are reliable, but flat rates to city centre run €25-30.
Bari Airport → Bari Centrale railway station
💡 Bus drops you at the station. From there, it's a 12-minute walk to Palazzo Ietri along Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Buy tickets at the airport tabacchi or machine before boarding.
Bari Airport (inside terminal) → Bari Centrale
💡 Fastest public option. The station is inside the arrivals hall. Validate your ticket in the yellow machine before boarding. Trains run on a separate track from Trenitalia.
About Bari
Wikipedia ↗Bari ( BAR-ee, Italian: [ˈbaːri] ; Barese: Bare [ˈbæːrə]; Latin: Barium) is the capital city of the Metropolitan City of Bari and of the region of Apulia, on the Adriatic Sea in southern Italy. It is one of the most important economic centres of mainland southern Italy. It is a port and university c...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Excelsior?
Request a room on a higher floor (4th or 5th) as the hotel's Via Giulio Petroni address places it close to a busy street. The 3rd floor and below may be affected by street noise, especially since the hotel is located in a city centre. Considering the hotel has a lift, rooms on the higher floors are more likely to be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Excelsior?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor as it's near the hotel's entrance and potential service areas, which may be noisier. Additionally, rooms near the lift on any floor might experience more noise from the lift's operation.
Is Hotel Excelsior noisy?
Be aware that Via Giulio Petroni is a main street in Bari, so expect some background noise from the street. However, rooms on higher floors should be generally quieter.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Excelsior?
Rooms on the 4th or 5th floor might offer views of the surrounding area, but given the hotel's location in a busy city centre, views might be partially obstructed by buildings or other structures.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Excelsior?
Request a room with a city view to make the most of the hotel's location. Also, consider arriving at the hotel early to secure a spot in the hotel's limited parking area, as spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
What time is check-in at Hotel Excelsior?
Check-in at Hotel Excelsior is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Excelsior have Wi-Fi?
free, 500 MB per day, 10 devices; €10 for 1 GB extra, 15-minute login interval
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Excelsior?
€3 per night per person, mandatory city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Excelsior?
A panino or pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) with a drink from a bakery or bar: around €5–€8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Excelsior?
The cheapest way around town is a single AMTAB bus ticket (€1.50 valid 90 min) or a day pass (€3.50). From Bari Airport, take the AMTAB shuttle bus to the central station (€5, around 30 min).
When is the best time to visit Bari?
June and September are ideal months for a visit to Bari, with pleasant temperatures (25°C/77°F average) and fewer tourists than the peak summer months. These months offer the perfect balance of comfortable weather and manageable crowds, allowing visitors to explore the city's historic centre without the summer heat and chaos.
Top Attractions in Bari
💡 Head to Strada delle Orecchiette around 11am for the best pasta-making action. Avoid the main drag at siesta (1-4pm) when shops close.
💡 Walk south at sunset for the best light on the Basilica di San Nicola. The last benches before the marina are quietest.
💡 Free entry but you need to book a time slot online at least a day ahead. Allow 1-2 hours. The terrace has a view over the old town roof.
💡 Free entry to the courtyard only; skip the paid museum unless you're into medieval artefacts. Look for the carved stone lions on the main gate.
💡 Go early morning (around 8 am) before tour groups arrive, when local worshippers are lighting candles and the organist sometimes practices.
💡 Go early morning around 8am to avoid tour groups. The crypt gets packed by 10am.
💡 Go early (around 8am) to see the crypt before the crowds. Donation suggested, not required.
💡 Go before 9am for the freshest catch and fewer tourists. Buy a paper cone of fried fish from a neighbouring stall for €3-5.