The coastal city of Taranto, capital of the province that shares its name, is located in the southern region of Puglia, nestled in the “heel” of the Boot of Italy. There are over 140 kilometres of coastline in the province, ranging from sheer cliffs and rocky caves to sheltered traditional fishing villages and sandy beaches ideal for tourists and locals to take advantage of the warm climate in this part of Italy. Many of these traditional villages, both on the coast and inland, are home to some fine examples of “Trulli”, the round, whitewashed houses with conical roofs that Puglia is world-famous for.
Taranto itself may seem at first sight to be a little more than a large commercial and military port. While it is true that the city does not have the most picturesque waterfront area, there are still many interesting and attractive historical and cultural sites for tourists to visit. The old town is a great place to explore on foot, with its winding streets opening out onto courtyards and piazzas. The streets are home to several 18th century palaces, as well as a 15th century fortress, which protected this important city from raiders and invaders.
The two halves of the city and the port are connected by the Ponte Girevole, a 19th century swing bridge over a man-made canal. To the north of the main harbour is the Marina de Ginosa, a beautiful place to take a walk away from the busy port; while to the south is the Marina de Pulsano, where locals gather to enjoy the sun on weekends.
Heading away from the coast, the scenery in this part of Italy is no less impressive. The region is crossed by ravines, which make their way from the sea into the mountains and there are several paths of varying difficulties allowing you to safely explore the countryside. The ravines around Massafra hide a number of caves, chapels and also caves that have been turned into chapels, while the ancient village of Grottaglie, sometimes known as the “city of a thousand caves” is not only famous for its geological formations, but also the pottery that has been made there since the first century AD.
Easier walking routes can be found along the coastline and around Lake Salinella near Marina de Ginosa. This freshwater lake, surrounded by ancient pine forest, is a popular spot for bird watchers and is often quieter than the Taranto beaches in the summer, if you are looking for a more peaceful spot to relax in the sun.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Taranto? Then below is a selection of Apartments in Taranto and villas in Taranto that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
