Molfetta: a real fishing town next to Bari
Updated October 2026
A real fishing town next to Bari. The old town sits on a point surrounded by sea, cheap and almost free of tourists.
Molfetta at a glance
- Best time
- April to May, October
- Price level
- affordable
- Getting around
- walkable, frequent trains along the coast
- Best for
- food and wine
- The catch
- Few sights and little English spoken. You come for the atmosphere, not the sights.
When to go
Temperatures are average daily highs in °F and °C (WeatherSpark). Ratings are our own. $ = cheapest, $$$ = most expensive. 🔥 = heat, ★ = big event.
Who Molfetta is for
Molfetta suits couples and solo travelers well. It’s not the best pick for families. Walking is flat and easy.
When to go
The best months are April, May and October. March, June, September and November are good too. Skip August, when the heat takes over.
Getting around
You walk the old town, and trains run often to Bari, Polignano a Mare and Monopoli. For Castel del Monte, Alberobello and Gargano, a car is almost essential.
What Molfetta costs
On a budget, about $95 to $120 per person per day. In comfort or luxury, about $330. The lower number is the quiet season, the higher one peak season.
Includes your stay, food, activities and local transport, not flights. Converted at about $1.10 per euro. Estimates only.
Flights from the US and Canada
Fly into: Bari (BRI). Typical economy fares per person, round trip, with a connection. Canadian fares are in Canadian dollars. Not live prices, so always check before you book.
What Molfetta does best
Its strengths: food and restaurants, and wine.
Day trips
Molfetta works as a cheap base for Puglia, with trains along the coast.
A cathedral right on the sea.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
The old town and the Lungomare seafront.
Frederick II’s octagonal castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
An old town built on the cliffs.
The harbor and the old town.
The village of trulli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Sassi districts carved into the rock.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
The white beach town of the Gargano peninsula. A long day, so stay the night.
We haven’t been here ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
Food and wine
Puglia on a plate: a typical four-course menu, and the wine to go with each.
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