Taranto packs 3,000 years of history onto a compact island and two peninsulas, earning it the nickname “City of Two Seas.” Founded by Spartan colonists in 706 BC as Taras, it became one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia before Roman, Byzantine, Norman, and Aragonese rulers each left their mark. Today you can walk from a 15th-century Aragonese castle to a 6th-century BC Doric temple in under 15 minutes. Here is what to see and do in Taranto, with practical details for each attraction. For a complete overview, see the Taranto travel guide.
Things to Do in Taranto: Historical Landmarks and Museums
Castello Aragonese
The Aragonese Castle dominates the southern corner of the Borgo Antico island, commanding the waterway between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo. Built in 1492 by Ferdinand II of Aragon on the foundations of a Byzantine fortification, the castle is a squat, square structure with four round towers. It has served as a fortress, prison, and naval base (the Italian Navy still occupies parts of it). Guided tours (Italian only, roughly 90 minutes) take you through the ramparts, chapel, and dungeons. Entrance costs 7 euros for adults, 4 euros reduced. Open Tuesday to Sunday 09:30 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 18:30 (hours shift seasonally, check ahead). The castle is at Piazza Castello, a 10-minute walk from the swing bridge. See our Taranto weather by month guide.
MARTA – National Archaeological Museum of Taranto
The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto (MARTA) holds one of Italy’s most important collections of Greek and Roman artifacts, second only to Naples for Magna Graecia material. The undisputed highlight is the Ori di Taranto (Gold of Taranto), a collection of Hellenistic gold jewelry from the 4th to 1st centuries BC found in local tombs. Also on display: the largest collection of Greek terracotta figurines in the world, mosaic floors, and a bronze Zeus from Ugento. The museum occupies a former convent at Via Cavour 10 in the Borgo Nuovo. Admission is 8 euros (free first Sunday of each month). Open daily 08:30 to 19:30 (last entry 18:30). Budget 2 to 3 hours for a thorough visit. English audio guides are available for 3 euros. See our best time to visit Taranto guide.
Doric Temple (Tempio Dorico)
Two columns and part of the stylobate of a 6th-century BC Doric temple survive in Piazza Castello, directly beside the Aragonese Castle. This is the oldest known Greek temple in Puglia, built around 580 BC and dedicated to Poseidon. The remaining columns are made of local carparo limestone and stand roughly 8 meters (26 feet) tall. The temple was absorbed into a church in the medieval period before being rediscovered during excavations. No ticket is required; the columns are visible from the street at any time. Interpretive panels in Italian and English explain the site. See our Taranto events and festivals guide.
Cathedral of San Cataldo (Duomo di Taranto)
The Cathedral of San Cataldo, Taranto’s duomo, stands in the heart of the Borgo Antico on the site of an earlier Roman temple and Byzantine church. The current Romanesque structure dates to the 11th century with a Baroque facade added in 1713. Inside, the Cappellone di San Cataldo (a lavish Baroque chapel) holds the relics of the city’s patron saint, San Cataldo, an Irish monk who became bishop of Taranto in the 7th century. The crypt contains remnants of the original Byzantine church. Free entry. Open daily 08:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 19:00. Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees). See our Taranto neighborhoods guide guide.
Ponte Girevole (Swing Bridge)
The Ponte Girevole connects the Borgo Antico island to the Borgo Nuovo peninsula across a 400-meter canal linking the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo. Built in 1887 and rebuilt in 1958, the 90-meter steel bridge swings open to allow naval ships to pass between the two seas. The bridge operates on a schedule (roughly every 2 to 3 hours during the day in summer, fewer times in winter). Watching the 20-minute swing operation from the nearby promenade is free and genuinely impressive. The bridge is lit at night and makes for good photos. There is no charge to walk across. See our where to stay in Taranto guide.
Things to Do in Taranto: Exploring the Borgo Antico
Borgo Antico (Old Town Island)
The Borgo Antico is Taranto’s oldest district, occupying the entire small island between the two seas. Its narrow alleys (vicoli) twist between whitewashed houses with wrought-iron balconies, laundry strung overhead, and sudden glimpses of the sea at every turn. Unlike the polished old towns of northern Italy, the Borgo Antico is lived-in and ungentrified: you will see fishermen mending nets, elderly residents chatting in Tarantino dialect, and the smell of simmering tomato sauce drifting from doorways. Walk Via Duomo from the swing bridge to the cathedral, then lose yourself in the side streets. The entire island is about 500 by 300 meters; you can cross it on foot in 10 minutes but will want at least an hour to explore. Evening brings a lively passeggiata along the waterfront. See our Taranto travel tips and FAQ guide.
Lungomare Vittorio Emanuele III
The seafront promenade stretches 5 km along the Mar Grande from the swing bridge to the Monumento al Marinaio (Sailor’s Monument). It is Taranto’s social spine: locals walk, jog, and gather here at sunset. Palm trees, benches, and views across the bay toward the Cheradi Islands make it the city’s most popular free activity. Several bars and gelaterie line the route. The walk from Ponte Girevole to the Sailor’s Monument takes about 45 minutes at a stroll pace. The monument itself, a 20-meter bronze statue dedicated to Italian sailors, sits at the end of the promenade and is lit at night.
Things to Do in Taranto: Beaches and the Coast
Lido Azzurro
Lido Azzurro is Taranto’s main city beach, a sandy stretch roughly 4 km south of the center along the Mar Grande. It is a lido (private beach club) with sun loungers, umbrellas, a bar, and changing facilities. Day admission costs roughly 15 to 20 euros in high season for a lounger and umbrella set. The water is shallow and sandy-bottomed, suitable for families. There is also a small free public beach section at the southern end. Open June through September. Bus line 1/2 from the city center stops nearby (get off at Viale del Tramonto).
Isole Cheradi (Cheradi Islands)
The Cheradi Islands, San Pietro and San Paolo, sit 6 km off Taranto’s coast in the Mar Grande. San Pietro is the accessible one: small boat tours depart from the porto turistico (tourist marina) in summer months (June to September), typically 25 to 30 euros for a half-day trip. The island has crystalline water, a small sandy beach, and the ruins of a 19th-century fort. Snorkeling is good around the rocky sections. Private boat rentals are available from the Marina di Taranto if you prefer to go independently. No permanent facilities on the island, so bring water and food.
Things to Do in Taranto: Eating and Drinking
Taranto Mussels (Cozze Tarantine)
Taranto is famous throughout Italy for its mussels (cozze), cultivated in the Mar Piccolo since ancient Greek times. The sheltered lagoon provides ideal growing conditions: low salinity, nutrient-rich water, and constant exchange with the sea. Taranto mussels are smaller and sweeter than Atlantic varieties. You will find them prepared alla tarantina (baked with breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, and pecorino), in spaghetti alle cozze, or simply steamed with lemon. The best place to eat them is a trattoria in the Borgo Antico: Ristorante Al Gambero on Via Cariati is a local institution, while Trattoria da Ugo on Vico Sant’Agostino serves cozze and other seafood without pretense. Expect to pay 12 to 15 euros for a generous plate of pasta alle cozze.
Mercato Coperto (Covered Market)
The Mercato Coperto on Via Oberdan in the Borgo Nuovo is Taranto’s daily fresh market, housed in a 1930s rationalist building. Fishmongers display the morning’s catch from the Mar Piccolo (mussels, octopus, sea bream, cuttlefish) alongside produce stalls with Puglian olives, caciocavallo cheese, and taralli. Open Monday to Saturday 07:00 to 13:00. It is free to browse and a good place to assemble a picnic lunch or grab fresh produce. The fish section closes by noon.
