Are you interested in southern Italy and the magnificent Puglia region? Then take the opportunity to visit Taranto!
The town of Taranto lies in the Apulia region. Thanks to its grandeur and history, it is the most important city in the province of Salento. Its historic heart – the Città Vecchia – separates the Mar Grande from the Mar Piccolo. This ancient Spartan city, founded in the 8th century BC, was once the capital of Magna Graecia.
According to legend, Taras – son of Poseidon and a nymph – landed in the city’s port on the back of a dolphin sent by his father to rescue him. This story explains why Taranto was originally named after the offspring of the God of the Seas.
Its strategic location made it a military and commercial powerhouse. All that remains of this glorious past are the monuments scattered throughout the city. Get ready to discover them with this article dedicated to Taranto’s must-sees.
1. The old town – Città Vecchia
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Marco Fine
To visit Taranto, start with its historic heart. Città Vecchia is aptly named, as it is the city’s oldest quarter. It is linked to the rest of the city by the famous Girevole bridge. Despite some faded buildings, this district still has plenty of character.
You’ll be able to see a number of emblematic monuments, including the Castello Sant’ Angelo, the Doric temple, the chiostro St Domenico and the duomo of San Cataldo. And don’t hesitate to stroll along the many typical alleys, such as Via Duomo or Via Cava, to soak up the city’s history.
2. The new town – Borgo Nuovo
ILhe Government Palace in Taranto – Photo credit: Shutterstock – auralaura
After your stroll through the old town, it’s time to move on to the newer quarters! Most of the buildings in Borgo Novo were erected in the early 19th century, replacing older ones. Every street corner is an ode to life. So be prepared to see a lot of people and a lot of shops.
A visit to Taranto is also an encounter with a dark part of Italian history. In the Lungomare Vittorio Emanuele III, you can see buildings from the Fascist period. These include the Palazzo del Goberno – inaugurated in 1934 by Mussolini – the Palazzo delle Poste and the Banca d’Italia, formerly the » casa del fascio« .
3. Aragonese Castle
Photo credit: Shutterstock – canbedone
It’s impossible to visit Taranto without discovering its most emblematic building. Built at the end of the 15th century at the request of Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Aragonese castle rests on an ancient Byzantine structure. This desire to erase the Ottoman passageway stems from the fact that the Turks massacred the town of Otranto in 1480.
Today, the monument belongs to the Italian Navy and can be visited. In fact, access to the bastions offers a breathtaking view of the port and the Girevole swing bridge. For the record, the château was once used as a prison by Alexandre Dumas’ father.
4. National Archaeological Museum
Photo credit: Facebook – Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto – MARTA
A visit to the MArTA – located in the Borgo Nuovo – takes you deep into the city’s history. From the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages, via the Messapian religion practiced in this region of Italy in the 8th century BC. The statue of Zis, a Messapian divinity, is a vestige of this religion.
You can also admire the jewels discovered in the region during archaeological excavations. Made between the 4th and 1st centuries BC, they are known as « ori de Tarente ». History lovers will know what to do in Taranto.
5. Religious buildings
ICattedrale di San Cataldo in Taranto – Photo credit: Shutterstock – Massimo Todaro
There are many religious monuments to visit in Taranto. Our top recommendation is the Duomo San Cataldo, believed to be the oldest cathedral in Puglia. Erected in the 11th century in the Romanesque style, the building has since undergone a number of renovations, including a facade refurbished in the 18th century.
Inside, the Baroque style prevails! The floor is adorned with Norman mosaics that really make an impact. The chapel houses the relics of Cataldo, the town’s patron saint.
Other religious buildings in the town include the cloister and the Romanesque-Gothic church of San Domenico.
6. The underground Taranto – Museo Ipogeo Spartano
Photo credits: Facebook – Museo Ipogeo Spartano di Taranto – Ass. Filonide
The city founded by the Spartans has an interesting subsoil, both historically and archaeologically. It is made up of several hypogeums that served either as burial or storage sites.
For those who want to know everything there is to know about the catacombs, guided tours are available. You’ll discover the Palazzo Beaumont Ipogeo Bellacio, a must-see in Taranto’s old town.
7. Doric Temple of Poseidon
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Lucamato
Just opposite Castello Sant’Angelo are two Greek columns. These are all that remain of an ancient Greek temple built in the 5th century B.C. It is believed to be one of the oldest in Magna Graecia.
The last vestige of a Greek place of worship in Città Vecchia, it has long divided opinion. While locals still believe it to be dedicated to Poseidon, archaeologists have discovered statues of… a woman! As to who, again, there are many guesses. It could just as well be Persephone, Artemis or Hera.
As you can see, this temple is one of the must-see attractions in Taranto during your stay, for its mystical and mythological appeal alone!
8. The palaces
Palazzo Pantaleo in Taranto – Photo credit: Shutterstock – Massimo Todaro
Beyond its temples, Taranto is also famous for its palaces! Among the most famous in Città Vecchia are Palazzo Beaumont and Palazzo Pantaleo.
The first, built in the 17th century, is renowned for its hypogea. The second was built in the 18th century and belonged to an aristocrat. It now houses the Museo Ethnografico Majorano a tribute to local culture.
9. The beaches
Photo credit: Shutterstock – vololibero
Head south of Taranto. Here, the choice is yours: wild beaches or developed beaches! Either way, you’ll enjoy soft sand and crystal-clear waters. Among the most popular is Tramontone beach, south-east towards Capo San Francesco. Closer to home, there are the beaches of Marechiaro, Praia a Mare, Lido Bruno and La Lama.
10. Jonian Dolphin Conservation
Photo credit: Facebook – Jonian Dolphin Conservation
Jonian Dolphin Conservation Environmental Protection offers dolphin-watching excursions in the Ionian Sea. Aboard a catamaran, you can watch these cetaceans roam free in their natural habitat.
This association for the protection of dolphins and cetaceans is located at Molo Sant’ Eligio, in Città Vecchia. So take advantage of your stay in Taranto to go out and see the dolphins!
11. Isola di San Pietro (Cheradi Islands)
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Massimo Todaro
Nestling in the Gulf of Taranto, the Cheradi Islands form a tiny archipelago of two islands, the main one being Isola di San Pietro. In summer, you can discover them on a day trip by boat. If you’re interested, check the boat timetable on the AMAT website and book your ticket.
Once there, the Cheradi Islands, with their pine-fringed beach, promise a relaxing interlude.
How do I get to Taranto?
By plane
The best way to reach Taranto is by plane. To book your flight, don’t hesitate to use a comparator such as Ulysse, which will show you the best fares according to your dates.
You can choose between 2 airports. Brindisi, the closest to Taranto (75 km), or Bari, slightly further away (100 km). To reach Brindisi, you’ll need to make a stopover in Rome or Milan. The latter is connected to Paris (2h20 flight).
We recommend renting a car for the last few kilometers to your resort.
By train
Taranto can be reached by train from other Italian cities, usually with a change of train in Bari.
By bus
Several companies such as Marozzi or Autolinee Marino offer Taranto departures from various towns in Puglia . Check their websites for timetables and fares. The AMAT bus network will take you to all four corners of the city.
Where to stay in Taranto
Looking for a place to stay on your trip to Taranto? Whether in the historic center Città Vecchia, nearby in Borgo Nuovo, or even near the beaches, you’ll find hotels, B&Bs, Airbnb or campsites.
To find out what the best deals are, use a hotel comparator to find the solution that suits you best.
What are you waiting for to visit Taranto?
Map of hotels and accommodation – Puglia