Taranto, 95 km from Bari (1h 30 by train, €10–12) and 65 km from Lecce (1h 10), is a 'two-sea city' straddling a channel between the open Ionian and the inner Mar Piccolo lagoon. The unmissable sight is MArTA, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto on Via Cavour, home to the Ori di Taranto — exquisite Hellenistic gold jewellery — and one of Italy's finest collections of Magna Graecia artefacts, recalling the city's origins as the powerful Greek colony of Taras. Across the swing bridge lies the Città Vecchia, an island old town of tightly packed lanes, faded palazzi and churches, guarded by the Aragonese Castle (Castello Aragonese), still partly held by the Italian Navy and visitable by guided tour. Nearby stand the two surviving Doric columns of the Temple of Poseidon, among the oldest in Magna Graecia. A natural day begins at MArTA when it opens, allowing unhurried time with the gold collection, followed by a lunch built around Taranto's celebrated mussels (cozze) farmed in the Mar Piccolo, then an afternoon wandering the old town, the castle and the lively lungomare promenade of the modern Borgo. Trains from both Bari and Lecce have good connections, and the museum's indoor setting makes Taranto a dependable choice in any weather or season. Holy Week is a remarkable but very busy time, when the city's solemn, slow-paced Rites of Taranto processions fill the streets. Less polished than some Puglian towns, Taranto rewards visitors drawn to deep Greek history, archaeology and an authentic seafood culture, and its main sights cluster within walking distance of one another and the station.
How to get there
- Trenitalia from Bari Centrale to Taranto: 1h 30 min, €10–12 (trenitalia.com)
- Trenitalia from Lecce to Taranto: 1h 10 min, €7–10
- Car from Bari via A14/SS7: 1h 15 min
Location
Via Cavour 10, 74123 Taranto TA
40.4648, 17.2470 View on map
Highlights
- See the dazzling Ori di Taranto Hellenistic gold at the MArTA archaeology museum
- Cross the swing bridge into the island Città Vecchia old town
- View the Doric columns of the Temple of Poseidon and the Aragonese Castle
- Taste Taranto's famous mussels (cozze) farmed in the Mar Piccolo lagoon
Tips for visiting
- Take a Trenitalia train from Bari (1h 30, €10–12) or Lecce (1h 10); both have good connections to Taranto.
- Start at MArTA when it opens to enjoy the Magna Graecia gold collection before midday.
- Order local cozze (mussels) — Taranto's lagoon mussels are a regional specialty.
- If visiting near Easter, the Holy Week Rites and processions are extraordinary but draw large crowds.
When to visit
Pleasant year-round thanks to the indoor MArTA museum; Holy Week (Easter) brings Taranto's famous processions. Spring and autumn are ideal for combining the museum with the old town on foot.
Accessibility
MArTA is a modern museum with lift access and step-free galleries; the Città Vecchia, by contrast, has narrow, sometimes run-down lanes and steps that limit wheelchair access.
Frequently asked questions
What is MArTA in Taranto?
MArTA is the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto, holding one of the world's great Magna Graecia collections, including the celebrated Ori di Taranto — finely worked ancient Greek gold jewellery.
How do I reach Taranto by train?
Trenitalia runs direct trains from Bari (about 1h 30, €10–12) and from Lecce (about 1h 10, €7–10). The station is a manageable distance from the museum and old town.
Is Taranto worth a day trip?
Yes, especially for the MArTA museum and the atmospheric island old town. Taranto is less polished than other Puglian towns but rich in Greek history and seafood traditions.