Bari has been named the best city in southern Italy for quality of life, according to the 35th annual survey by Il Sole 24 Ore.

The city climbed four spots to rank 65th nationally, driven by improvements in environment and culture scores.

However, other indicators, such as safety, showed declines.

In the national rankings, Bergamo claimed the top spot for the first time, followed by Trento and Bolzano.

Southern cities largely occupied the lower rankings, with Naples and Reggio Calabria near the bottom.

The survey evaluated 90 indicators across six categories, including wealth, health, and leisure.

Despite challenges, Bari's rise highlights its potential for growth and improvement.