We’ve just finished up a Puglia road trip and Trani was our first stop. We’re still thinking about the delicious pastries, waterfront strolls, playing with local kids at the playground in the evening, and the views of the rooftops from Trani’s cathedral bell tower.
If you’re heading to Puglia, don’t zoom straight to the Valle d’Itria or Salento. Head to the Adriatic coast and linger for a day (or three) in Trani!
Below I’ll give you all the info you need to plan a trip to Trani with your kids. I’ll go over:
- Whether or not Trani’s a good stop for your family
- When to visit Trani
- What to see & do in Trani with kids
- Where to eat & where to stay on a family trip to Trani
- Family logistics
- What to see & do nearby
I hope this helps you plan your time in Trani with your famiglia!
You may want to check out
Puglia with Kids
Best Places to Visit in Italy with Kids
Best Things to Do in Italy with Kids
Italy Packing List for Kids
Italy Packing List for a Baby or Toddler
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Visit Trani with Your Family If…
You’re looking for a ‘real’ Pugliese city on the sea. Yes, there’s tourism, but you’ll also see Trani’s citizens going about their daily lives and enjoying their home. It’s not a town set up for tourism and full of postcard and trinket shops.
You don’t need a spectacular beach while you’re visiting. While Trani does have beaches, they’re not the focus of a stay here.
You enjoy dining on the water. Trani’s port area has plenty of restaurants and cafés with seaside views.
You’re fans of the passeggiata. An evening stroll along the port or in the green area of the Villa Comunale is 100/100. If you’re like me, you’ll want to stop every minute or so for a sunset photo (sorry, kids).
You appreciate quality bread and pastries. Trani is the home of one of Italy’s best pastry chefs (more on that below).
You may want to skip Trani if:
- You really want a beach vacation
- You don’t like driving or parking in cities
When to Visit Trani with Your Kids
We’ve visited in the summer and in the off-season, and both have been pleasant.
Summer – While much of Puglia swells with visitors in the summer months, Trani doesn’t feel overwhelmed with tourists. However, if you’re planning on pairing Trani with time at beaches in Puglia, you may want to avoid July and August (when Puglia’s beaches are packed).
Trani in the summer at sunset and later is magical. The streets fill up, families and couples stroll along the waterfront, restaurants are lively, and the lighting is amazing. On our recent trip, my kids were annoyed with how many times I stopped to take photos of the port at sunset.
Off-Season – Outside of the summer months, Trani’s even more tranquillo. I’d love to visit Trani over the Christmas holidays, just to check out the Christmas market that’s set up next to the waterfront cathedral.
Day Trips – If you’re planning on visiting Trani on a day trip in the summer, come early in the morning or later in the day. Much of what you’ll visit is exposed to the strong sun, and it can be unbearable (for kids & adults).
Festivals – The main celebration in Trani is for the city’s patron saint, San Nicola il Pellegrino (St. Nicholas the Pilgrim). It’s the first weekend in August (and the following Monday) and includes fireworks, parades, live music, and more. Heads up that parking will be difficult (take the train if you can).
Read more about visiting Italy in January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December.
What to See & Do with Your Family in Trani
Walk the Walls of the Castello di Svevo
We made a quick visit to Trani’s castle, and after watching a quick intro video (5 minutes, English subtitles), we:
- Walked along the walls of the castle (highlight for my boys, felt a bit like Castello Scaligero in Sirmione on Lake Garda)
- Checked out the prison cells
- Found the old toilet (another highlight for my boys)
We skipped the exhibition of paintings.
Good To Know: If you get to the part of the wall walk with the railings and your kids don’t feel comfortable with the height, you can always turn back around and walk back the way you came.
Good To Know: You can leave bags (if you want to) in the lockers where you buy tickets. There’s also a small gift shop. It’s not really stroller-friendly, so it’s better to use a baby carrier. You can leave your stroller in the ticket area while you walk around.
Climb the Bell Tower of the Basilica
If your kids like to climb towers, don’t miss the Trani cathedral’s bell tower. Make your way up the 258 stairs for views of Trani rooftops and the sea. The climb is made up of wooden steps with sturdy railings and no spots for kids to slip through. There are places to take a break on the way up (check out the bells!), so you don’t need to stress about racing to the top.
Good To Know: The open areas at the top have nets, so it’s tough to get a nice photo. Still, we enjoyed the climb.
After the climb, you may want to check out the crypt below the church. My boys are always fascinated to see saints’ bones and relics.
Explore the Playground in the Villa Comunale
Trani’s main playground is in a spectacular setting above the water. It’s best visited in the summer in the evening, when local families come out in droves and the sun sets (and it gets a little cooler).
There are plenty of toys, swings, and climbing structures.
Older kids and teens can check out the adjacent workout area.
You can also look for the anchor and the cannon.
Good To Know: There’s a water fountain, some shade, and plenty of paths for pushing a stroller.
Say Hi to the Parrots and Turtles
Inside the Villa Comunale, at the southern end, look for the Voliera. You’ll find parrots living here, and your kids can also look for the turtles in the pond. The voliera is easily combined with the playground, but it closes in the evening so visit if first if you’re having a pm playground session.
Go to the Beach
Ok, so Trani’s beaches aren’t the ‘top’ in Puglia, but you can find some in town. We ended up at this one and although my boys didn’t really swim (other kids were swimming), they did have a blast playing with the round and disc-shaped stones.
Colonna is a sandy beach option that many locals choose. It’s at the southern tip of Trani and you can find a public beach or private beach (lido/bagno) options.
Walk Along the Waterfront
This is a perfect spot for an evening stroll. You can combine it with dinner, a gelato stop, or some time at the Villa Comunale playground.
In the morning, there’s a small fish market on the north end of the port. It’s perfect for curious kids who like to see octopus, fish, and other sea life the fisherman bring in.
Good To Know: There aren’t any railings between the walkway and the water.
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Trani
Lula – I won’t lie – a huge part of our visits here is to see our friends and stop in at their incredible pastry shop and bakery. This is a must-do if you’re in town. Come by in the morning for breakfast, stop in at lunch, or pick up something to-go to eat later at the beach or on a picnic. My boys love the croissants and cinnamon rolls! Heads Up: Finding parking for Lula can be a pain, but don’t give up – it’s worth it! Look for a spot on the side streets nearby.
Mania di Pizza – Super easy dining with kids. It’s casual, on the water (yes, cars pass occasionally, so get a table away from the road), fast, and delicious.
Pescaria – Pescaria is a favorite restaurant of ours in Polignano a Mare, so we were excited to see the chain has popped up in Trani (and other Italian destinations like Milan, Lecce, Bologna, and Rome). My boys enjoy the fish panini, but there are plenty of other options on the menu.
Babayaga Gelateria – Grab a cone and wander the narrow lanes of Trani or walk along the port.
Picnic – Grab picnic supplies at the grocery store and have a picnic on the beach or at the Villa Comunale.
Where to Stay in Trani with Kids
If you’re planning on staying in Trani with your family, it’s easiest to stay in the center, close to:
- the sites you’ll want to see (like the castle or the cathedral)
- the port (with its restaurants)
- the Villa Comunale (playground, turtles, and birds)
- a parking lot
I’ve highlighted the general area I recommend in yellow on the Google Map below.
B&B Suite Home Trani – We stayed here on our most recent trip to Trani and the location was perfect for reaching everything we wanted to see and do on foot, and there are two good parking options nearby (next to the castle and in Piazza Plebiscito – we used both). Regarding unloading/loading luggage, you can drive here to do it if you don’t want to walk with your bags.
Our apartment had a kitchen, sofabed, bedroom with queen bed, and bathroom. There’s also a lovely and spacious rooftop terrace with gorgeous views of the port and city. Check-in and check-out are simple and there’s luggage storage if you need it.
Transportation to Trani, Parking, & How to Get Around Town
Trani is easy to reach by train or by car.
Train – The train station is on the edge of town and you can walk to the port in 10 minutes. Trani is served by alta velocità (high-speed) trains by both Italo Treno and Trenitalia.
Car – We’ve always driven to/from Trani. I don’t really enjoy driving on the small streets of the town, but if you stick to the outer roads (like those along the port), it’s not too bad.
Parking – Good parking options near the port and the historic center are the lots in Piazza Plebiscito and next to the castle (here).
Read more about
Driving in Puglia
Important Italian Road Signs
Parking in Italy
Renting a Car in Italy
Once you’re in town, it’s easiest to move around on foot. If you need to, you can also call a taxi or have your hotel or restaurant call one for you.
Family Logistics for Trani
Strollers – For the most part, I’d consider Trani to be stroller friendly. There are sidewalks and places to push a stroller, but in some places, the sidewalks are too narrow for a stroller or non-existent. Read my guide to Strollers in Italy.
Clothing – Need clothes or a swimsuit for your kids? There are multiple options in Trani, including OVS (like Target), ioBimbo (baby focused) and Piccolo Amici Sport Kids (fancy/chic).
Baby Supplies – You can find all things baby at ioBimbo (toiletries, strollers, baby food, and more). Diapers, wipes, baby toiletries, and baby food can be found at pharmacies and grocery stores. If you’re based in Trani for awhile, head to the iperCoop in Barletta (about 15 minutes north of Trani along the coast). You’ll find everything you need at this hypermarket and the prices are reasonable.
Toilets – Trani’s public toilets aren’t the most dependable (according to us and locals), so it’s best to use a bathroom in a restaurant or café (buy something first). Read more about Bathrooms in Italy.
Heat – If you’re visiting in the summer, note that it gets toasty in Trani. Try to explore in the morning or the evening. The playground is most alive and gorgeous at night!
Changing Diapers – Like most of Italy, finding a changing table in the bathroom is hit or miss. You can also use a portable changing pad and change baby on a bench in town. Read more about Diapers in Italy.
Pharmacies – There are multiple pharmacies in town, like Farmacia Ventura, on the edge of the historic center. Read more about Pharmacies in Italy.
What to See & Do Nearby Trani with Your Kids
Beach – If you’re staying in Trani and need a beach break, do what the locals do and head a few kilometers away (by car or taxi) to Bisceglie and its sandy beaches. Another closer option is the area just south of the historic center, Colonna. There’s a beach club (Lido Colonna) or you can access the public beach.
Matera – You’re only about 1 hr and 15 min from Matera. Read my guide to Matera with Kids.
Castel del Monte – If your kids can’t get enough of castles, head inland 30-40 min to this octagon-shaped, hilltop castle. Discover more Castles in Italy to Visit with Kids.
Giovanni Mucci Candy Shop & Museum – Who doesn’t love a candy shop? This elegant shop has guided tours (in English too), or you can stop in and make a purchase. Check the timing, as it closes midday.
Map for Visiting Trani with Kids
