Most visitors arrive in Taranto bracing for a sleepy industrial port with a few ancient stones scattered around. What they actually find is a city of extraordinary contradictions — a place where Greek temples, a swinging bridge, and some of Italy’s finest seafood exist side by side in gloriously unpolished form.
Arriving by Ship
Taranto’s port sits right at the heart of what locals call the “city of two seas” — the Mar Grande (the open outer sea) and the Mar Piccolo (the sheltered inner lagoon). This geography alone tells you something is different here. As your cruise ship docks in the Mar Grande, you’ll notice the iconic swinging bridge that connects the old town on its narrow island to the modern city — and yes, it really does swing open to let vessels pass.
The port is compact and manageable. The old town, known as the Città Vecchia, is an easy 10–15 minute walk from the terminal, and you won’t need any transport to start exploring immediately. Taxis are available for those heading further afield, and the waterfront promenade gives you an atmospheric introduction to the city the moment you step ashore.
Things to Do
Taranto’s headline act is the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA), one of the most underrated museums in southern Italy. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of ancient Greek gold jewellery, alongside breathtaking sculptures and ceramics from the ancient city of Taras — the Greek colony that preceded the Roman, Byzantine, and Spanish layers you’ll uncover as you dig deeper. Allow at least two hours here.
The Città Vecchia deserves an unhurried wander. Its narrow, sun-bleached streets feel entirely removed from tourist Italy — laundry hangs between crumbling palazzi, cats sleep on ancient thresholds, and the magnificent Cathedral of San Cataldo (built in the 11th century, with Baroque additions that dazzle inside) anchors it all. For an especially charming way to see the old town, a private tour aboard an Ape Calessino — the cheerful three-wheeled vehicle beloved across southern Italy — is a genuinely fun option. 🎟 Book: Private Tour of Taranto aboard an Ape Calessino Alternatively, if you prefer to go at your own pace, a self-guided audio tour lets you absorb the city’s layered history without feeling rushed. 🎟 Book: The City of Two Seas: A Self Guided Taranto Tour
If you have a full day in port, consider joining a day trip to the stunning Valle d’Itria, where the trulli houses of Alberobello and the whitewashed streets of Locorotondo await just an hour inland. 🎟 Book: Locorotondo, Alberobello, Martina Franca departing from Taranto
Local Food
Taranto is serious about its seafood, and rightly so — the Mar Piccolo’s unique conditions produce mussels (cozze) of legendary quality. You’ll find them raw, steamed, baked with breadcrumbs, or stirred into pasta, and eating them here feels like a revelation even if you’ve had mussels a hundred times before. The local dish tiella — a layered bake of rice, potatoes, mussels, and zucchini — is one of Puglia’s great comfort foods.
Head to the old town’s covered market, Mercato Coperto, for a morning immersion in local life. Vendors sell fresh octopus, sea urchins, and an impressive range of local produce. Pair your market visit with a stop at a nearby osteria for a plate of orecchiette with turnip tops, or simply order whatever the owner recommends — in Taranto, that instinct rarely fails you.
Shopping
Taranto isn’t a big shopping destination in the conventional sense, and that’s actually part of its appeal. The modern city’s pedestrianised streets around Via D’Aquino offer mainstream Italian clothing and shoe shops, but the more interesting finds are in the artisan workshops tucked into the old town — hand-painted ceramics, local olive oil, and Puglian preserves make excellent, luggage-friendly gifts.
For wine lovers, the region of Salento (the heel of Italy’s boot, just south of Taranto) produces bold Primitivo and Negroamaro reds that punch well above their price point. A guided tasting session focused on Salento wines is an excellent way to take a piece of the region home with you — in knowledge as well as bottles. 🎟 Book: Rich tasting of Salento wines
Practical Tips
- Currency: Italy uses the euro. Most restaurants and shops accept cards, but carry cash for smaller vendors at the market.
- Language: English is spoken in tourist areas but less so in the old town — a few words of Italian go a long way.
- Weather: Summers are intensely hot (July and August temperatures regularly exceed 35°C), so carry water and sunscreen.
- Safety: The old town looks derelict in places but is generally safe; be sensible with valuables as in any city.
- Timing: Arrive early in the old town — by midday much of it quietens down for the long southern Italian lunch break.
Taranto rewards curiosity above almost all else. It’s a city that doesn’t perform for visitors — it simply lives, loudly and authentically, and invites you to keep up.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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📍 Getting to Taranto Italy
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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