Millions of Americans are about to make the same mistake in Italy this summer: fighting shoulder-to-shoulder at the Trevi Fountain and baking in endless lines at the Colosseum.
Rome often feels unavoidable. Not only is it the capital, but it has historically been the easiest Italian destination to reach on a nonstop flight from the U.S.
But that just changed.
If you want to skip the suffocating crowds without sacrificing the authentic Italian experience, airlines have quietly rolled out nonstop transatlantic flights to three of Italy’s most captivating, underrated cities this summer.
As much as we love Rome, we’re not sure about you, but we think we might be giving the Eternal City a miss this year… especially now there are nonstop transatlantic flights to 3 of the most unique cities in Italy:
Bari
The gateway to the Puglia (or Apulia) region, Bari is often bypassed by tourists who only use it as a launchpad to reach the famous beach towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli. If you’re a seasoned Italy traveler, however, you know Bari is not to be overlooked.
It’s home to Bari Vecchia, one of the largest medieval centers in the country, a literal maze of cobblestones peppered with family-run trattorie and weathered façades.
Basilica di San Nicola, the one big Romanesque church towering above the main square, houses the relics of Saint Nicholas. As in, the actual Santa Claus.
Only a few steps from the cathedral, Via Arco Basso is perhaps the most lively street in Bari: a stage-like alleyway where people’s nonnas stay on the front porch, rolling in the city’s signature earlobe-shaped pasta. If you wanna try them as an actual dish, though, head over to Orecchietteria San Nicola.
Of course, there’s no coming to Bari without exploring the wider Puglia:
Whether it’s the trulli houses of Alberobello, with its distinctive conical-shaped roofs, or the iconic Lama Monachile beach at Polignano, wedged between dramatic limestone cliffs, the heel of the Italian boot is Amalfi’s biggest crown challenger right now.
Fly Nonstop To Bari This Summer
Route Information
- Airline: United Airlines
- Aircraft: Boeing 767
- Route: Newark (EWR) ⇄ Bari (BRI)
- Flight time: 8h55–10h15
- Frequency: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday (summer-only)
Schedule
- Departs Newark: 3:30 pm
- Arrives Bari: 6:30 am (next day)
Is it year round?
No.
The Newark (EWR) ⇄ Bari (BRI) runs from late spring to early fall (typically late May to early September). Outside this window, you’ll need a connection getting to Bari, usually via Rome or Milan.
Typical price range
- Economy round trip: $800–$1,400+
- Premum cabins: $1,500–$3,000+
If you’re wondering how safe Italy is to visit this summer, it scores an impressive 91 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index: the main tool for gauging safety levels on the ground as it is based off of traveler reports.
Palermo
The capital and largest city in Sicily, Palermo is what can only be described as an attack on the senses. Its labyrinthine Historic Center is one big, organized chaos of crumbling Baroque facades, bustling street markets, hanging laundry, and motorbikers weaving in between.
Ballarò, the oldest of Palermo’s three mainline markets, dates back to the Arab era and it’s a riot of color buzzing with Arabic-Italian dialects and kerbside stalls. The stench of drying fish may be a bit overpowering, but that overflowing pistacchio cornetti make up for it.
Capo is where you go for that pre-lunch arancini game, and some old-school souvenir shopping, and perhaps my personal favorite of the three, Vucciria is part open-air theatre, part backyard party, with bar tables spilling onto the main square and narrow alleys.
Palermo’s also known for its UNESCO-protected Arabo-Norman architecture. As in, a combination of both North African and Norman (as in from Normandy in France) influences—yep, it’s been under the rule of every imaginable empire out there, so talk about a melting pot.
Don’t miss the Norman Palace, with its gold- clad Palatine Chapel and lush royal gardens, and the Cathedral, a fortress-like, fever dream of a structure with elements of Arab, Byzantine, French, and Spanish design intertwined along its facades and embattlements.
Fly Nonstop To Palermo This Summer
From Newark (EWR)
- Airline: United Airline
- Aircraft: Boeing 767 (United)
- Route: Newark (EWR) ⇄ Palermo (PMO)
- Flight time: 8h20–8h50
- Frequency: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
From New York (JFK)
- Airline: Neos Air
- Aircraft: Boeing 787 or 737 variants
- Route (Neos): New York (JFK) ⇄ Palermo (PMO)
- Flight time: 8h20–8h50
- Frequency: Tuesday & Saturday
Schedule
Newark (EWR) → Palermo (PMO)
- Departs Newark: 4.25 pm
- Arrives Palermo: 6:30 pm (next day)
JFK → Palermo
- Departs JFK: 5:00 pm
- Arrives Palermo: 7:20 am (next day)
Is it year-round?
No.
Both routes are seasonal (summer-onlu), and operate from late May through late September/early October. If traveling beyond October—which is a great time to visit Sicily without risking a heatstroke, by the way—you’ll need to connect via Rome, Milan, or other larger European hubs.
Typical price range
- Economy roundtrip: $800–$1,400+
- Premium cabins: $1,500–$3,000+
Europe is drastically changing its travel rules this year, from mandatory fingerprinting to their upcoming travel permit targeting tourists… including Americans. Before you fly to Europe this summer, just run a little destination check on the Entry Requirements Checker page.
Catania
Palermo’s the capital and most obvious entry point into Sicily, but Catania is the unapologetic, louder second city. It sits on the island’s east coast, and much like its spiritual sister Naples, it’s shadowed by a soaring volcano, Mount Etna.
It’s not polished like other postcard-ready Sicilian towns like Palermo or Noto, and the hectic local traffic kinda gives Palermo’s own a run for its money, and that’s saying something—but that’s the beauty of it all.
The Historic Center is carved almost entirely from black lava stone, having been rebuilt using materials from Etna following a devastating 1693 earthquake.
It gives Catania a unique, ashy, almost volcanic bordering-on-theatrical color, and the ornate churches, wrought-iron balconies, and grand palazzi only add to the drama.
The best way for soaking up Catania’s unmatched vibe is Via Etnea, which runs straight toward the foot of the volcano itself, lined with shops, cafés, and rooftop bars.
Over in Piazza del Duomo, you’ll find u Liotru, the iconic ‘elephant fountain’, a symbol of Catania, and the baroque cathedral itself.
Just beyond the square, you hit La Pescheria, Catania’s legendary fish market, spilling out along a paved waterfront artery they may or may not still fish from.
Vendors shout over splashing buckets of swordfish, tuna, and octopus, while nearby trattorie turn all the morning catch into fresh seafood pasta and fritto misto. For the best pasta alla Norma in town, check out Trattoria del Cavaliere.
Route Information
- Airline: Delta Air Lines
- Aircraft: Boeing 767-300
- Route: New York (JFK) ⇄ Catania (CTA)
- Flight time: 8h55–9h20
- Frequency: 1 flight per day throughout summer
Schedule
- Departs JFK: 4:30 pm
- Arrives Catania: 6:30 am (next day)
Is it year round?
Again, no.
The route is only operational this summer (May to October).
Typical price rage
- Economy round trip: $800–$1,400+
- Premium cabins: $1,500–$3,000+
Now take this quiz to find your perfect match!
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
