Taranto

Taranto

Southern Italy

Apulia

Taranto (province)

Taranto Taranto (Tarantino: Tarde ) is a city on the Ionian coast of Apulia , in southeastern
. With 200,000 inhabitants it is the third-largest city of Southern Italy and the second-largest city of the region, after the capital Bari . Taranto is home of one of the most important naval bases in Italy and it boasts a thousand-year-old history, having been one of the most powerful cities of the Mediterranean during the Greek period.

By plane

Brindisi Airport ( BDS IATA known as Aeroporto del Salento ), Contrada Baroncino , ☏ +39 0831 411 7406 . It's the closest airport to Taranto, at about 70 km (43 miles) through freeway and with efficient shuttle services, as well as many rental car agencies; the best way to reach the town from central and northern Europe. It's served by various airlines. ( updated Feb 2025 )

Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport ( BRI IATA ), Viale Enzo Ferrari , ☏ +39 080 580 0200 , toll-free: +39 800 949 944 . It represents another option to reach Taranto, mainly because of the higher number of destinations available; it's a little further, at 100 km (62 miles) through the Adriatic motorway. There are approximately 40 various cheap flights into Bari from various European airports. There are discount flights available from London, Rome, Milan, etc. For a complete list, check out the website of Apulian airports . By train

Taranto railway station ( a few steps north of the old town ). You can reach Taranto by Eurostar from Milan , Rome , Bologna , Rimini and Bari without changing trains. By car The runs from Bologna to Taranto, so it is the best way to arrive in town from the main cities of northern Italy and of the Adriatic coast. From Rome: until Caserta , until Nola, then to Canosa di Puglia and finally until its end. (5 hr) From Naples : cross the Basilicata region through and motorways until Potenza , then Basentana and finally Jonica . (3¼ hr) From Lecce : drive along until Brindisi, to bypass its centre and finally . (1 hr) By bus The

bus terminal is located in Via Cristoforo Colombo, close to the commercial port and few steps away from the stone bridge of Via Napoli. You can reach Taranto from various cities of Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland via private bus agencies: Buscenter from Bologna , Catania , Milan , Turin , Palermo and other Sicilian towns. Flixbus from 76 destinations in Italy and Europe such as Florence , Genoa , Matera , Milan, Munich , Nuremberg , Pescara , Pompeii , Rome , Venice . Marino Bus from Bologna, Foggia , Frankfurt , Lucerne , Milan, Naples , Stuttgart , Turin, Zurich and other localities. Marozzi from Bari , Brindisi , Florence, Pisa , Rome, Siena . Miccolis from Caserta , Matera, Naples, Pompeii, Potenza , Salerno . Almost all the routes from abroad requires a transfer in Milan or Bologna. Fares can drastically change according to the period and even the day chosen. By boat The Italian operator Costa Crociere has cruise routes in the Mediterranean that include the port of Taranto in their destinations. The city has no ferry companies operating due to its location in the namesake gulf and the proximity to Brindisi passenger port. If you are planning to arrive by a pleasure craft, the

tourist port is located in the northern part of the old town island, facing the cruise terminal.

By bus AMAT is the company that manages the local bus transport system. A single ticket (biglietto ordinario) can be purchased at every tobacconist and newspaper seller for €1, or it can be bought on board for €1.50 and it is valid for a single ride. You can also choose a ticket valid for 90 minutes (€1.30), a 1-day solution ticket (€2.60), a 3-day ticket (€6.50) or a 7-day ticket (€15.50).

Aragonese Castle , Piazza Castello , ☏ +39 099 775 3438 , [email protected] . 09:30-11:30, 14:00-18:00, 20:00-01:30 . ( updated Jul 2018 )

Cathedral ( Cattedrale di San Cataldo ), Piazza Duomo , ☏ +39 099 470 7545 . 07:30-12:00, 16:30-19:30 . Free entry . ( updated Jul 2018 )

Temple of Poseidon ( Doric Temple ), Piazza Castello . Two doric columns represent the remains of this ancient Greek temple, dedicated to the god of the seas. It dates to the 6th century BC and was unfortunately victim of spoliation during the centuries. The columns stand at 8.47 m (28 ft) above the ground, in front of the city hall, and they can be admired from behind a gate. ( updated Jul 2018 )

Church of San Domenico Maggiore , Via Duomo, 33 , ☏ +39 099 707 733 . Romanesque-Gothic church built in 1302 over the site of a Byzantine church of the 11th century, built, in turn, on an ancient Greek temple. The entry is reachable through a Baroque staircase erected in the 18th century. Free entry . ( updated Jul 2018 )

National Archaeological Museum ( MArTA ), Via Cavour, 10 , ☏ +39 099 453 8639 , [email protected] . 08:30-19:30 . €8 full; €4 reduced; Free up to 18 years and every month's first Sunday . ( updated Jul 2018 )

Spartan Museum ( Museo Spartano ), Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 39 , ☏ +39 330 438 646 , [email protected] . Su 11:00-13:00, other days on reservation . ( updated Jul 2018 )

Via Marche necropolis , ☏ +39 347 612-2488 . The largest funerary area of the ancient Greek polis: 140 burial sites from 7th to 3rd century BC visible from a walkway under a glass and iron roof. ( updated May 2020 )

Via Pio XII Chamber tomb ( Tomba a camera ), ☏ +39 347 620-4700 . W Sa Su 09:00-12:30 . 3rd century BC hypogeum rich of sculptural elements and preserved pictorial decorations, as well as two klinai (funeral beds) and a semi-chambered tomb. ( updated May 2020 )

Athlete's tomb ( Tomba degli Atleti ), Via Francesco Crispi, 2 ( corner of via Pitagora and via Crispi ), ☏ +39 347 620-4700 . W Sa Su 09:00-13:00 . Large chambered tomb with a quadrangular plan built and paved with carparo blocks during the 5th century BC, where have been collocated accurate replicas of the grave goods, mainly ceramic vases. ( updated May 2020 )

Harbor tour AMAT company also provides the

"idrovie" (waterways) service, consisting in a 1½ hr tour sailing around the Big and Little Sea with the presence of a guide that will explain Taranto history as well as telling various curiosities and anecdotes. You will pass by the old town island, modern town coast and San Pietro island, sailing through the navigable channel outgoing and incoming. Boats leave from mainland dock at Piazzale Democrate, near the stone bridge of Porta Napoli. The cost is €8 for an ordinary ticket, €6 if part of a group of more than 20 people. Tours start at 10:30, 11:00 or 16:30 depending on day and month. Consult AMAT site for detailed info.

Mid-range

Ricci - Pizzaioli dal 1963 , Piazza Maria Immacolata, 22/23 , ☏ +39 099 994 5890 , [email protected] . M-F 11:00-15:00; 18:00-00:30; Sa Su 11:00-15:30, 18:30-01:00 . Probably the pest pizzeria in town where you can choose between a large amount of varieties, as well as rich salads, hamburger and panzerotti . Located in the centre of the new town. ( updated May 2020 )

Il Porto , Via Porto, 8 ( old town ), ☏ +39 099 476 4886 . 09:00-01:30, closed on Tuesdays . One of the best places to discover the local seafood cuisine and typical Italian dishes. ( updated May 2020 )

One of the most popular drinks is without doubt "Birra Raffo" the beer of Taranto par excellence. Deep-rooted in the recent history and society of the town it represents a sort of local institution that can be enjoyed practically in every bar or restaurant.

TaBir Birroteca Tarantina , Via Cavour, 35 , ☏ +39 335 754 7169 . Su-Th 18:40-01:00, W-F 18:40-02:00 . An ideal place for all beer lovers with many varieties to taste in a friendly pub, along with aperitifs and salty snacks. ( updated May 2020 )

Splurge Relais Histo' , Via Santandrea Circummarpiccolo , ☏ +39 099 4721188 , fax : +39 099 6410290 , [email protected] .

Local shops offer regional products, handicrafts, and everyday necessities. Markets may be held weekly in the town square.

Alberobello – its world-famous characteristic white "trulli". (40 min by car) Brindisi – relevant Romanesque churches and port with ferries to Albania and Greece . (45 min by car) Lecce – the triumph of the Baroque architecture in the heart of Salento peninsula. (1 hr by car) Martina Franca – large old town rich of Baroque buildings as well as excellent wines, cold cuts and cheese (½ hr by car) Matera – the suggestive scenario of its "sassi" definitely worth visiting. (1 hr by car) Ostuni – the famous "white town" can be discovered after 45 minutes of driving. Routes through Taranto Bologna ← Rimini ← Ancona ← Pescara ← Bari ← N S → END Rome ← Caserta ← Potenza ← Matera ← W E → Brindisi EN [... truncated ...]