Free walking tours in Taranto and what to see

Must-sees

Taranto, founded by Greeks from Sparta, sits between two seas: the Mar Grande, open to the gulf, and the Mar Piccolo, an inner lagoon. The old town occupies an island joined to the rest by bridges, including the swing bridge that opens to let ships through. At its tip stands the Aragonese castle, completed in the late 15th century and home to the Italian Navy, which opens it for guided visits. Nearby, two columns of a Doric temple are still standing.

On the island, the cathedral of San Cataldo combines a Romanesque interior with a baroque façade and a richly decorated chapel. Across the bridge, in the new town, the National Archaeological Museum, known as MArTA, is the big visit: it holds Greek pottery, sculpture and the jewellery collection known as the Gold of Taranto. Finish with a stroll along the seafront facing the Mar Grande.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free tours in Taranto, but there are guided group walks covering the old town, the swing bridge and the castle, explaining the city's Greek history. If you dive or fancy trying, you can book a try-dive in the waters of the gulf, with an instructor and no previous experience needed.

How long to spend

A well-used day covers the old town, the castle and the archaeological museum, which alone deserves a couple of hours. With two days you can add the Ionian coast, with sandy beaches to the south-east, or a trip to Grottaglie, known for its ceramics, or to Martina Franca and the Itria Valley.

Where to stay

The most practical area is the new centre, near the seafront and the museum, with hotels and apartments and the old town a short walk across the bridge. The island has few options and some streets are run-down. If you travel in summer and want the beach, the coast south-east of the city has resorts and apartments by the sea.