For a dip in the sea, you don't necessarily have to go far out of town to the better-known resorts of Polignano and Mare or the Gargano peninsula.

If you're just heading to Bari for the weekend, the ideal beach for you is Lido di San Francesco, the beach of St. Francis, located right in the town.

Beach and swimming facilities

San Francesco Beach stretches for 400 metres in a quieter part of western Bari. It is covered with fine white sand, which is cleaned every night.

You can rent a sun lounger or umbrella from the many rental shops on the beach and enjoy refreshments in the several restaurants and bars close to the sea. There are also changing rooms and freshwater showers.

The entrance to the sea is gradual and mostly sandy, although there are larger rocks in the eastern part of the beach.

Admission

Like many beaches in Italian towns, there is an entrance fee to Lido San Francesco.

Entry costs 10 eur, renting a set of two sun loungers and an umbrella 25 eur, and there is an additional charge for a front row right by the sea 5 eur.

How to get here?

The beach is about 3.5km from the old town of Bari Vecchia, so it's definitely more pleasant to get here by public bus. The nearest bus stop is Verdi (S. Francesco), right next to the beach and lines 22 and 53 stop here.

Just about 100 metres away is the next stop, Verdi (Fiera), where the lines 2/, 27, 42. All services take you to the centre and to the main train station.