What to Do as a Couple in Trani: The Most Beautiful Walk Between the Harbour, Cathedral and Seafront
Many people visit Trani during the day, but it is in the evening that the harbour and the cathedral reveal their most evocative side. In this walking itinerary I will take you through the sea, narrow streets and views that deserve a pause.
If you're looking for something to do as a couple in Trani, you don't need to plan a whole day. The nicest part of the city can be explored on foot in a couple of hours, especially in the late afternoon and early evening.
If you arrive by car, one of the most convenient parking spots is Piazza Castello. It's not very large and can fill up quickly on weekends, but it's right at the entrance to the historic center. During our visit, we spent about 2 euros for a few hours using EasyPark.
The walk can start right at the Castello Svevo di Trani, located in Piazza Re Manfredi. Contrary to what many think, the castle is regularly open to the public. Besides its medieval structure, it often hosts exhibitions and cultural events. At the time of writing, it's open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last entry at 5:00 PM. Even without going inside, it's worth stopping outside for a few minutes. It's one of the city's main landmarks and is on the way to the cathedral.
Once you reach the Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, don't just stick to the main facade. It's worth walking around the building to the side facing the sea. It's probably the most unique spot of the entire walk: on one side, the cathedral's light stone, and on the other, the Adriatic Sea right in front.
From here, enter the historic center by following the streets leading to the port. Distances are short, so you don't need a strict itinerary. In just a few minutes, you can go from the quiet areas around the cathedral to streets where people stop for an aperitif or dinner.
It's worth adding a short detour to the Villa Comunale. It's a park by the sea and includes the Fortino di Sant'Antuono.
If you have time, it's a nice stop before heading to the port.
Once at the port, take a leisurely walk along the quay. When we visited Trani, we watched boats return and admired the cathedral lit up across the port. Along the quay, you'll find restaurants, wine bars, and outdoor tables by the water. Many couples stop here before heading back.
What we loved most about this walk is the compactness of the historic center. The castle, cathedral, port, and promenade are all close together.
If Piazza Castello parking is full, try Piazza Plebiscito. It's outside the ZTL, monitored by cameras, and offers a short walk to the historic center. On busy days, the new underground parking at Piazza XX Settembre, near the train station, is also useful. It has nearly 200 parking spots.
