Taranto
Taranto is a naval port in Puglia, known for Greek temple columns, an old island district and its two seas.
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Taranto is a coastal city on the Gulf of Taranto in Apulia (Puglia), southern Italy, and the capital of its province. It is often called the City of Two Seas because it sits between the Big Sea (Mar Grande) and the Little Sea (Mar Piccolo). The Italian navy has its main base here, and the city is also an industrial centre with a large steel plant. Visitors come for the Old City, the Greek past and the waterfronts, and should keep to the old and central districts rather than the industrial zones.
Taranto was founded by Spartan colonists as Taras and became one of the most important Greek cities in Magna Graecia. Its past shows in the Old City, an island district with narrow streets, the 10th-century San Cataldo Cathedral and the Aragon Castle, which stands on the edge of the Old City. Two Doric columns of a Greek temple to Poseidon stand in Piazza Castello. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, because summers are hot and humid.
Taranto in five
- Give the archaeological museum a half dayThe Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto (MArTA) holds Greek and Magna Graecia finds, including gold jewelry. Check the official page for hours and ticket rules before you plan the visit.
- Walk the old town on its islandThe old town sits on a small island between the two seas, reached by the swing bridge. It is quiet and run-down in parts, so go in daylight and expect a mix of restoration and neglect.
- Use Taranto as a stop on a rail or road routeIt sits between Bari and Lecce, and Matera is a bus or car ride away. A night here splits the long leg south without the crowds of Alberobello.Matera
- Choose Mar Piccolo or Mar Grande for the waterThe inner sea is calm and known for mussels and oysters; the open sea has beaches along the coast. Ask locally which stretch is open for swimming, and check municipal updates.
- Check rail and bus times to Bari and LecceTrains and buses run on slower lines than the Adriatic main line. Confirm your connection the day before.Trani
Need to know
- Airport
- Brindisi (BDS) or Bari (BRI), each about 1 to 1.5 hours away
- Getting there
- Train or bus from Bari, Lecce or Brindisi
- Getting around
- Walking in the old town; buses elsewhere
- Best base
- The new town near the museum or the old island for atmosphere
- Time needed
- A half day for the museum, or 1 night
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Spring startsMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Holy WeekAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Holy Week
- MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warm, greenMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Warm, seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, sea
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°HotJulyClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- AugustClear5 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low23°Hot, FerragostoAugustClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, Ferragosto
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Warm, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Mild, quietOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Rain, coolNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cool
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, lights
Average daily high and low in Taranto, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Taranto
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 73%
Taranto
01:50 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today18°12°73%Tuesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Wed20°10°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu19°10°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri19°9°31%Friday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sat17°11°71%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sun19°13°71%Sunday: Fog. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 71%.
Updated 10:11 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jul–AugFestival della Valle d'ItriaCisternino, a day trip
- AugNotte della TarantaLecce, a day trip
Before you go to Taranto
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Rules for Taranto, checked
- Many nationalities can enter Italy without a visa for short stays. Check the entry rules for your passport with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy. The number works from any phone, including a foreign one.
- Cover shoulders and knees when you enter churches, including the San Cataldo Cathedral in the Old City.
- The Navy Yard (Arsenale) is a working naval base. Check access and photography rules with the Italian Navy before you go.
- Many restaurants add a cover charge (coperto) per person. Tipping is optional, so check the bill before you add anything extra.
Plan around Taranto
The whole region, bases and routes
Read the guideMateraThe cave city, about 1.5 hours inland
Read the guideTraniA harbor city with a cathedral on the sea
Read the guideLecceBaroque Salento's main city
Read the guideSouthern ItalyHow the south fits together
Read the guideAll of ItalyRegions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideTaranto FAQ
Is Taranto worth visiting?
For the archaeological museum and the old town, yes, in a half day or a night. It is rougher and less polished than Lecce or Polignano, so go for history, not for a resort.
How do you get from Bari to Taranto?
By regional train or bus in about 1.5 to 2 hours, or by car in about an hour. Check the schedule, because the line is slower than the Bari to Lecce route.
What is the MArTA museum known for?
Greek and Roman finds from southern Italy, including a notable collection of gold jewelry. Check the museum's official page for hours and ticket rules before you go.
Is Taranto a good base for Puglia?
It suits trips to Matera, Alberobello and the Ionian beaches. For baroque towns and the Adriatic coast, Lecce or Bari are better bases.
How many days do you need in Taranto?
A half day is enough for the museum and the old island. One night lets you add the castle at dusk and a seafood dinner.