A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kos vs. Bari for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Nightlife

Should you visit Kos or Bari?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Bari can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kos

Kos is a cultural, party-hard, and vibrant island. Many visitors also come to Kos because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Kos travel costs.

Bari

Bari is a authentic, local, and cultural port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Bari travel costs.

Kos and Bari: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less attractive beach


Is there more to do in Kos or Bari?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bari than Kos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bari is better known for its historical sights and big city activities, while Kos is more popular for its museums and attractions, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Kos is more touristy than Bari and is known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Bari is well known for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. Also, Bari is famous for San Nicola.

How is Kos different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bari and Kos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kos or Bari?

Kos
Bari

Kos is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kos has many famous sights for visitors. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

Bari offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.


Is the Food Better in Kos or Bari? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kos
Bari

Both Kos and Bari offer fantastic local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Kos have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

Eat your way through Bari, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

Is Kos or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Kos
Bari

Both Kos and Bari have very good vibes after the sun sets.

Kos has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

The people in Bari know how to have a good time. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

Is Kos or Bari Better for Resorts?

Kos
Bari

Kos is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Bari is not a resort destination.

Kos has a few great resort options. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Bari is not a resort destination.


Is Kos or Bari Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos
Bari

Kos is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bari is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Kos. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Bari is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Bari Better for Beaches?

Kos
Bari

Kos is terrific for the beach. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its beaches.

Kos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Bari is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Is Kos or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Kos
Bari

Bari is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.

Bari is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Kos does not have a historic old town.


Is Kos or Bari Better for Hiking?

Kos
Bari

Kos is a good destination for hiking. However, Bari is not a hiking destination.

Kos offers some nice hiking trails. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Bari is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Bari?

Kos
Bari

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Kos and Bari.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kos. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Bari offers some nice shopping areas. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Is Kos or Bari More Beautiful?

Kos
Bari

Kos is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Bari is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Kos because of it's amazing beauty. With it's beautiful coves and ancient ruins, this small island packs a lot of activity into a small space.

Bari is not a destination known for its beauty.


Is Kos or Bari Better for Families?

Kos
Bari

Bari is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Bari is a very family-friendly destination. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kos. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

Is Kos or Bari Better for Couples?

Kos
Bari

Kos is a great island for couples. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Kos is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

Bari is a nice destination for couples. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Kos or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos
Bari

Kos and Bari are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Kos is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Bari is a great island to visit for backpackers. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.


Is Kos or Bari Better for Students?

Kos
Bari

Bari is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kos is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Bari. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

Kos is not popular with students.

Is Kos or Bari Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kos
Bari

Kos is a great island for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Kos. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

Bari has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Kos or Bari a more walkable city?

Kos
Bari

Kos and Bari are very good when it comes to walkability.

Kos is very walkable. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Bari is a very walkable island. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.


For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Bari Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bari or Kos?

How long in Kos or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kos and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kos than in Bari. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

Families should spend more time in Bari than Kos. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bari, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kos than Bari. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kos that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos than Bari if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kos.


  • How many days in Kos or Bari? Ideal Length of Stay
    Kos 2-5 
    Bari 1-3

One day in Kos or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With nightlife and food around the authentic destination of Bari, there's plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the food. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Bari?

Kos is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people visit Bari for a weekend. With food and shopping around the local port city of Bari, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the party-hard destination of Kos. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

The destination of Bari offers shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


A week in Kos or Bari?

The ancient island of Kos offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Bari, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Bari or Kos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kos is €165, while the average daily cost in Bari is €137. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kos and Bari in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kos 62
    Bari 73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kos 124
    Bari 146
Compare Hotels in Kos and Bari

Looking for a hotel in Kos or Bari? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Kos


Hotels in Bari


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kos Hotel Prices and Bari Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kos 37
    Bari 11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kos

Also for Kos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Kos transfer services, Kos - Airport - Kos: $118
  • Kos Private Airport and Hotel Transfer : $78
  • Private arrival Transfer from Kos Airport to any resort in the island: $76
  • Arrival transfer from Kos Airport : $74
  • From Kalymnos Self-Guided Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $68
  • Kos - Airport Private Transfer: $66
  • Kos Hotels to Kos Airport Private One–Way Transfer: $65
  • Artemis Hamam and Spa with Hotel Transfers Kos Island: $60
  • A Day's 3-Island Cruise Tour with Transfer: $54
  • Kos Town: Kalymnos & Pserimos Day Cruise & Optional Transfer: $33
  • Private Transfer from Kos Resorts to Kos Airport: $33
  • Roundtrip Bus Transfer to Mount Zia for Sunset Viewing: $29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bari

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bari:


  • Train to Lecce
    44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bari

Also for Bari, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Tour with transfer from Bari to Castel del Monte: $173
  • Private one way transfer from/to airport to/from hotel in Bari: $84
  • Private Transfers from Bari Airport: $143
  • Private Transfer from Conversano to Bari (BRI) Airport: $145
  • Private Transfer from Castellana Grotte to Bari (BRI) Airport: $173
  • Private Transfer from Bari Intl Airport (BRI) to Bari Cruise Port: $71
  • Private Transfer from Bari Airport to Matera: $179
  • Private Transfer from Bari (BRI) Airport to Torre Canne: $298
  • Private Transfer from Bari (BRI) Airport to Selva di Fasano: $239
  • Private Transfer from Bari (BRI) Airport to Ostuni: $271
  • Private Transfer from Bari (BRI) Airport to Noicattaro: $106
  • Private Transfer from Bari (BRI) Airport to Molfetta: $115

Is it cheaper to fly into Kos or Bari?

Prices for flights to both Bari and Kos change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kos 75
    Bari 55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kos

For Kos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sunset Cruise with Swimming and BBQ Dinner: $65
  • Kos Greek Night with Transfer Dinner and Unlimited Wine: $66
  • Kefalos Sunset Cruise from Kos with Dinner: $67
  • Greek Dinner with Music, Dancing, and Unlimited Wine: $88
  • Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner: $111
  • Kos 4x4 Sunset Adventure with dinner: $113

Typical Food Prices in Bari

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bari:


  • Dinner
    44
  • Coffee
    2.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bari

For Bari, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bari Sunset and Tapas: Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $43
  • Street food tour of Polignano a Mare: $48
  • Polignano : Typical Cooking Class with Aperitif and wine included: $70
  • Apulian Cooking Class with Aperitif and Wine in Polignano a Mare: $78
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine in Bari: $82
  • Bari : Nonna’s cooking class – Apulian Focaccia & Orecchiette: $83
  • Experience Cooking Pasta in Polignano a Mare: $84
  • cooking class of fresh pasta capunti and sweet rosé: $90
  • Bari Street Food Tour by Rickshaw: $90
  • Bari’s Ultimate Street Food Tour - Small Group by Do Eat Better: $90
  • Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Altamura: $102
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Castellana Grotte with Show Cooking: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kos 33
    Bari 8.61

Tours and Activities in Kos

For Kos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 3 Island Cruise Tour in Kos Island with Personalized Audio Guide: $31
  • 3 Island Luxury Cruise with 4 Swimming Stops with Captain Morgan: $38
  • Barco De Pirata Cruise at 3 Islands in Greece : $30
  • Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach: $24
  • Explore Nisyros Island with Hotel Pick Up and Guided Tour: $47
  • Flying Dress Photoshoot Experience in Kos Kardamaina : $214
  • From 3-Island Pirate Cruise with Lunch and Waterslide: $29
  • From Pserimos Island Snorkeling Cruise by Diving Boat: $59
  • From Zia Sunset Tour: $29
  • From Kos:A full day cruise in the newest luxury vessel!: $35
  • From the Port of Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands: $35
  • Full Day 3-Island Boat Cruise from Port of Kos: $36

Tours and Activities in Bari

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bari.

  • Bari tour with a local tour guide.: $239
  • 1 Hour and a Half Panoramic Tour of Polignano a Mare by Boat: $42
  • 2 Hour Tour in Medieval Bari: $30
  • 2 Hours Private Guided Tour in the Historic Centre of Altamura: $251
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Bari with Street Food: $108
  • Alberobello & Matera Tour with Tasting and Guide - from Bari: $131
  • Alberobello Self-Guided Tour Departing from Bari by GT Bus: $66
  • Alberobello and Matera private bus tour from Bari: $72
  • Alberobello, Martina Franca and Locorotondo Guided Tour from Bari: $214
  • Alberobello, Monopoli Polignano Small-Group Guided Tour from Bari: $214
  • Altamura the Lioness of Puglia - Guided Walking Tour: $42
  • Altamura walking tour: $251

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kos 19
    Bari 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Kos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kos:

  • Sip and Savor Boutique Wine Tasting Experience: $66
  • Guided Tour of Kos Town Asclepeion and Zia with Wine Tasting: $99

Typical Alcohol Prices in Bari

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Bari:


  • Beer
    2.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Bari

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bari:

  • TRANI Wine Tours: Flavors of Puglia: $57
  • Afternoon Tour Secrets of Alberobello incl. Food & Wine tasting: $86
  • Alberobello Locorotondo and Wine Tasting - Guided Tour From Bari: $169


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kos and Bari, we can see that Kos is more expensive. And not only is Bari much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bari would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bari and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kos than you might in Bari.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kos Expensive? and Is Bari Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kos or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Bari, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.