Cruises from Taranto
Taranto — the ancient capital of Magna Graecia and the rising star of Mediterranean cruising. This city sits at the very "heel" of Italy's "boot," where the Ionian Sea spreads between two bays — the tranquil Little Sea (Mar Piccolo) and the majestic Big Sea (Mar Grande). Over 2,700 years of history unfold here between Spartan walls and ornate Baroque cathedrals, between the ruins of ancient temples and a fortress that still serves as the headquarters of the Italian Navy. A morning stroll along Taranto's waterfront is a genuine journey through millennia: mosaic pavements lead past fishing boats, vendors selling fresh mussels, and columns left standing from the Temple of Poseidon.
For the cruise traveller, Taranto is far more than a port of call — it is the gateway to one of Southern Italy's most heritage-rich regions. The city is growing fast in popularity: in 2022 the Port of Taranto was awarded the coveted title of "Destination of the Year" at the prestigious Seatrade Cruise Awards. In 2024, the port welcomed 45 vessel calls and 139,511 passengers from 8 cruise companies — and these numbers continue to rise. 🚢
📋 Before embarking on a cruise from Taranto or going ashore for a few hours, here is what you need to know:
🇮🇹 Country: Italy
📍 Region: Apulia (Puglia)
👥 Population: approximately 186,000 city residents (metropolitan area — over 460,000)
📐 Area: 249.86 km²
🗣️ Language: Italian; English is partially understood in tourist areas
💶 Currency: Euro (EUR)
🕐 Time zone: CET (UTC+1), summer CEST (UTC+2) — one hour behind Kyiv
☀️ Climate: Mediterranean; mild winters (+8…+14 °C), hot summers (+28…+33 °C)
✈️ Nearest airports: Brindisi — Salento (BDS), 77 km from the port; Bari — Karol Wojtyła (BRI), 102 km
⚓ Official cruise port name: Porto di Taranto — Terminal Crociere Molo San Cataldo
🗺️ Location: Ionian Sea, Gulf of Taranto, southern tip of the Apennine Peninsula
🏛️ History of Taranto — from Spartan colony to the cruise jewel of the South
⏳ 2,700 years between two seas
The history of Taranto is, above all, a maritime legend. The city was founded in 706 BC by Spartans — the only colonial venture ever undertaken by Sparta across the sea. According to tradition, the founders were led to this shore by the oracle at Delphi, which designated the sheltered bay between two seas as their new homeland. They named the city Taras, after the son of the sea god Poseidon and the local nymph Satyrion. The symbol of ancient Taras, and of modern Taranto, is a young Taras riding a dolphin — an image that first appeared on coins in the 5th century BC and lives on in the city's coat of arms today.
By the 4th century BC, Taranto had become the largest and wealthiest city of Magna Graecia — the Greek colonies of Southern Italy. Under the philosopher and mathematician Archytas of Tarentum, the city reached the peak of its power: crafts, maritime trade, and scholarship flourished. The ancient Roman name Tarentum reflected the city's significance to Rome — a key trading partner and rival at one and the same time. After its conquest by Rome in 272 BC, Taranto gradually yielded its supremacy, but never lost its distinctive identity.
⚔️ From Byzantine fortress to modern naval base
In the Middle Ages Taranto changed hands repeatedly: Goths, Byzantines, Lombards, Arabs, Normans, Angevins, and Aragonese — each left their mark on the city. In 1480, King Ferdinand of Aragon built the imposing Aragonese Castle as a defence against Ottoman raids, and it remains one of the city's most spectacular landmarks today. After the unification of Italy, Taranto became the main base of the Royal, and later the Republican, Navy. During the Second World War, the British Operation Judgement of November 1940 — the first successful carrier-based air attack on ships in harbour in history — permanently inscribed Taranto in the textbooks of naval tactics. The Japanese admirals studied this operation closely and applied its lessons at Pearl Harbor a year later.
Today Taranto is a city of two faces: an industrial past (home to one of Europe's largest steelworks) coexists with a tourist renaissance that began in 2017, when the port welcomed its first cruise ship. 🥇
⚓ Port of Taranto — the new star of the Ionian Sea
📊 Port structure and infrastructure
The modern Porto di Taranto is a large, multi-purpose complex encompassing a container terminal (one of the largest in the Adriatic-Ionian region), an industrial zone, and a cruise terminal. Passenger vessels berth at the quays of Molo San Cataldo: Primo Sporgente Ponente and Levante (berths 1 and 2). Following dredging works completed in 2024, the eastern side of the quay now accommodates vessels with a draught of up to 8.5 metres, opening the port to the latest generation of cruise ships.
As part of a major modernisation programme, a new passenger terminal — the Falanto Port Service Centre — is under construction, a state-of-the-art facility designed to handle growing transit and turnaround passenger flows. In parallel, the Sant'Eligio tourist berth is being expanded and a new Port Exhibition Centre is being built. Cruise services at the port are managed by Taranto Cruise Port, a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding Plc, the world's largest independent cruise terminal operator (concession signed in April 2021). 🌍
🚢 Statistics and season
Taranto's cruise season, running from April to October, sets new records each year: in 2022 — 54 calls and 138,548 passengers (the port was named Seatrade Cruise "Destination of the Year"); in 2024 — 45 calls and 139,511 passengers from 8 cruise companies; in 2025 — 35 planned calls from 7 lines, with Princess Cruises' Island Princess inaugurating the season.
🏢 Cruise companies calling at Taranto
The roster of cruise brands including Taranto on their itineraries grows every year. Over various seasons, ships from the following lines have berthed here: Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, Marella Cruises (TUI), Princess Cruises, Azamara Cruises, TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, SeaDream Yacht Club, Noble Caledonia, and others. Taranto operates both as a port of call for transit visits and as a turnaround port — a point of embarkation and disembarkation — for Costa Cruises and a number of other lines.
💡 Interesting facts about Taranto and its port
A few surprising details will enrich your first encounter with the city:
🏛️ Taranto is Sparta's only colony. Of all the Greek city-states, Sparta founded just one overseas colony — Taras (modern Taranto). Every other city of Magna Graecia was founded by a different polis.
🐬 The city's symbol is a boy on a dolphin. Taras, the son of Poseidon, who according to legend was rescued by a dolphin after a shipwreck, has appeared on Taranto's coins since the 5th century BC and graces the city's coat of arms to this day.
🌊 The city stands between two seas. Mar Grande (Big Sea) and Mar Piccolo (Little Sea) are two distinct bays with different salinity levels and separate ecosystems. It is in the fresher waters of the Mar Piccolo that the famous Taranto mussels (cozze tarentine) — prized since Roman times — have been farmed for centuries.
✈️ The world's first carrier-based naval air strike. On the night of 11–12 November 1940, British torpedo bombers attacked the Italian fleet in Taranto harbour — the first successful carrier aircraft operation against ships in port ever recorded. Japanese admirals studied the operation carefully and applied its lessons at Pearl Harbor the following year.
🎭 The world's slowest procession. The annual Holy Week procession (Settimana Santa) in Taranto is among the most deeply moving in Southern Italy. Members of the confraternity (the Perdoni), dressed in white hooded robes, walk the route barefoot at a pace of roughly 30 metres per hour. The procession continues throughout the night of Holy Thursday and Good Friday without pause.
🏆 "Destination of the Year" among cruise ports. In 2022, the Seatrade Cruise Awards — the most prestigious accolade in the cruise industry — presented Taranto with the title of "Destination of the Year," recognising the port's rapid growth and unique cultural identity.
🏺 One of the richest Greek museums outside Greece. The National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA) holds one of the world's largest collections of ancient Greek artefacts outside Greece, including the celebrated "Gold of Taranto" — jewellery crafted in the 3rd–2nd centuries BC with extraordinary skill.
🌉 A swing bridge more than 130 years old. The Ponte Girevole — an iron rotating bridge built in 1887 — connects the Old Town island with the mainland and swings open to allow naval vessels to pass between the two seas. Locals gather to watch the ritual and send the sailors off with applause.
📍 Top attractions in Taranto — must-sees for the cruise traveller
A cruise ship's stay in Taranto typically lasts between 8 and 12 hours. The cruise terminal is 1.2 km from the railway station and a mere 500-metre walk across the bridge from the Old Town — making Taranto one of the most convenient Italian cruise ports for independent sightseeing.
🏺 MArTA — National Archaeological Museum of Taranto — one of the most important museums in Italy and across the Mediterranean. It houses thousands of artefacts from Magna Graecia: bronze statues, painted pottery, gold jewellery (the "Gold of Taranto"), and mosaics. The museum occupies a former monastery building beside the Giardini Garibaldi. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month.
🏰 Aragonese Castle (Castello Aragonese) — a monumental sea fortress of the 15th century, built between 1486 and 1492 on the orders of King Ferdinand II of Aragon as a defence against Ottoman raids. It remains the headquarters of the Italian Navy to this day, yet is open to visitors for free guided tours led by naval officers. The towers, underground tunnels, and panoramic views over both seas are not to be missed.
⛪ Cathedral of San Cataldo (Cattedrale di San Cataldo) — the oldest cathedral in Apulia, raised in the 10th century on the site of an even earlier church. It is dedicated to an Irish monk, Saint Cataldus, who lived and died in Taranto in the 7th century. The Baroque façade, richly decorated interior, and crypt with ancient mosaics are remarkable for their age.
🌉 Swing Bridge (Ponte Girevole) — the iron movable structure of 1887 that connects the Old Town island with the modern city and rotates to allow naval vessels to pass between Mar Piccolo and Mar Grande. The opening of the bridge is a cherished local tradition, always drawing a crowd of onlookers.
🏛️ Historic Quarter — Città Vecchia (Vecchia Taranto) — an isolated islet surrounded by two seas, this is the oldest part of the city, with narrow medieval lanes, Baroque churches, the ruins of an ancient Greek Temple of Poseidon (two surviving Doric columns dating to the 5th century BC), and authentic artisan shops.
🐟 Mar Piccolo and the mussel farms — the inner lagoon with its unique microclimate, where Taranto mussels have been farmed for centuries. A stroll along the Mar Piccolo waterfront offers the chance to taste fresh shellfish straight from the boat, just as the locals do.
🏔️ Alberobello — a town 46 km from Taranto, famous for its unique trulli — limestone houses topped with conical roofs. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and one of the most photogenic places in Apulia. Reachable by bus from Taranto port in approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
🗿 Matera — the "city of stone" in the Basilicata region, approximately 65 km from Taranto, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and named European Capital of Culture 2019. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth — people have lived here since the Neolithic period. An essential excursion for passengers with a longer port stay.
🏺 Grottaglie — the "city of ceramics," 20 km from Taranto, where workshops in the medieval potters' quarter still operate today, passing the craft from generation to generation.
✨ Why choose a cruise from Taranto
Taranto is a rare destination on the Mediterranean cruise map where everything falls perfectly into place for the curious traveller.
First, authenticity without the crowds: unlike Rome or Barcelona, Taranto remains a discovery for most visitors, and the city has yet to be overwhelmed by mass tourism. ✈️
Second, it is a gateway to a UNESCO treasure trove: Alberobello, Matera, and the ancient Via Appia (inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2024) are all within a few hours of the port. 🌊
Third, the cuisine: Apulia is widely regarded as one of Italy's finest culinary regions — Taranto mussels, orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe, fresh fish from the Ionian Sea, and Primitivo wine will make any port stop unforgettable. 🍷
Fourth, logistics: with the terminal just 500 metres from the Old Town, visitors can explore all the key sights on foot — no shuttles or organised tours required.
The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group will help you find the ideal ship, itinerary, and cabin, handle airport transfer details and Schengen visa arrangements, and offer exclusive fares from Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, and other leading brands, with which we work as a priority partner. 🤝
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for reference purposes and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, itineraries, and visiting conditions may change without prior notice. Please verify current details with a cruise specialist at Four Gates Group or on the official websites of the relevant attractions.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by professionals
How to Get to the Cruise Terminal in Taranto
Taranto is an ancient city on the "heel" of the Italian boot, steadily establishing itself as the cruise capital of Italy's Ionian coastline. The Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal sits right in the heart of the city — literally a few steps from the main railway station and the Aragonese Castle. However, the port is a restricted security zone that cannot be accessed on foot from the street, so it pays to know the right route in advance. Below is a tried-and-tested step-by-step guide covering all transfer options, current prices, and tips from the cruise specialists at Four Gates Group. 🎯
📍 Where Exactly Is the Taranto Cruise Port
The Taranto Cruise Port is a compact yet modern facility, opened in 2017 after a major EUR 6.6 million redevelopment. All large cruise ships berth at a single pier:
⚓ Molo San Cataldo (Terminal Crociere) — the city's only cruise terminal, serving all cruise vessels:
• Primo Sporgente Ponente and Levante — the main berths for large liners (Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, Windstar, and others)
• Calata 1 and Calata 2 — additional berths allowing two large ships to dock simultaneously
• The terminal complex features three-storey buildings housing passenger check-in halls, a tourist information desk, a restaurant, a bar, a conference room, and an exhibition space
📌 GPS Address: Terminal Crociere, Molo San Cataldo ovest, 74123 Taranto TA, Italy
🚶 Distance to city centre: approximately 1.2 km to the main railway station, less than 500 m to the edge of the Old Town
❗ Please note: the port is a restricted security zone — access is only permitted through the East Gate of Molo San Cataldo for passengers holding valid boarding documents. It is not possible to walk directly to the terminal from the street; you must use the free port shuttle or other transport to reach the gates. The exact berth for your ship is always stated in your cruise voucher — check it 48–72 hours before embarkation.
✈️ From the Airport to the Cruise Terminal in Taranto
Taranto is served by three airports — depending on which flight you take, the options for reaching the port vary considerably.
🛬 Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) — 102 km
The largest airport in the Apulia region and the main arrival point for most international flights. Journey time to Taranto: from 1 hr 15 min.
🚕 Taxi / Private Transfer from Bari Airport
The fastest and most comfortable option, especially for families and groups with a lot of luggage. Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board and takes you directly to the terminal.
• Journey time: 1 hr 10 min – 1 hr 20 min
• Private transfer cost: from 120–160 EUR for a saloon car (1–3 passengers), from 160–200 EUR for a minivan (4–8 passengers) — price per vehicle, not per person
• Benefits: fixed price, English-speaking driver, flight monitoring, no waiting in a taxi queue
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges individual transfers for its clients — simply provide your flight number when booking your cruise.
🚌 Pugliairbus / FlixBus from Bari Airport — budget option
Direct buses from Bari Airport to Taranto's central bus station run several times a day.
• Journey time: approximately 1 hr 15 min – 1 hr 30 min
• Cost: from 6–12 EUR per person (depending on operator and date)
• Operators: Pugliairbus, FlixBus, Itabus
• Departure stop: Viale Enzo Ferrari (Terminal Arrivi car park), Bari Airport
• Arrival stop: Via per San Giorgio, park interscambio Cimino, Taranto (approximately 3 km from the cruise port)
• From the bus station to the terminal, a taxi (5–10 min, 8–12 EUR) or a local city bus is convenient
⚠️ Please note: check bus timetables in advance on the operators' official websites — service frequency is limited.
🛬 Brindisi "Salento" Airport (BDS) — 77 km
The region's second airport. Some flights, including charters, may arrive here. Journey time to Taranto: approximately 1 hour.
🚕 Taxi / Private Transfer from Brindisi Airport
• Journey time: 50–60 minutes
• Private transfer cost: 130–165 EUR per vehicle (1–3 passengers)
• Journey time: approximately 1 hr
🛬 Taranto-Grottaglie Airport (TAR) — 20 km
The closest airport to the city, but there are no regular commercial passenger flights — it is used primarily for cargo and charter operations. If your charter arrives here:
• Taxi to the cruise terminal: 20–30 minutes, 25–35 EUR
🚂 From Taranto Railway Station to the Cruise Terminal
If you are arriving in Taranto by train (from Bari, Brindisi, Lecce, or Naples), you will alight at the city's main station — Taranto Centrale. This is an exceptionally convenient starting point: the station is just 500 metres from the cruise terminal gates.
🚕 Taxi: 5–7 minutes, 8–12 EUR (including port surcharge). The taxi rank is located right outside the main station exit
🚌 Free port shuttle: on days when ships are in port, a free shuttle bus runs between the port gates and the city — it departs from the square near the station
🚶 On foot: 7–10 minutes to the terminal gates along a flat pavement beside the waterfront — perfectly manageable even with light luggage
💡 Tip: Taranto Centrale is one of the most conveniently situated stations for cruise passengers among all Apulian ports — the station and terminal are virtually next door. If you have heavy luggage, a taxi from the station is the perfect solution: 5 minutes and you are at the gangway.
🏙️ From Taranto City Centre to the Cruise Terminal
If you have spent a night or a few days at a hotel in Taranto, there are several ways to reach your ship:
🚕 Taxi from your hotel — 8–15 EUR depending on the neighbourhood. Fast (5–15 min) and convenient with luggage. Taxis in Taranto cannot be hailed in the street — you need to go to a designated rank (Piazza Garibaldi, the railway station) or call Radio Taxi Taranto's dispatcher.
⚠️ Please note: Uber does not operate in Taranto, so rely on traditional taxis or a pre-booked transfer.
🚌 Free port shuttle — the most popular option on cruise ship days:
• Route: from the city centre (including the square near the railway station) to the terminal entrance gates
• Cost: free — the shuttle is provided by the port authority
• Operating hours: only on days when cruise ships are in port
• Journey time: 5–10 minutes
• Accessibility: all shuttle buses are adapted for passengers with reduced mobility and pushchairs
🚌 City bus (kyma Mobilità / AMAT) — the budget option:
• City bus routes connect the port with various parts of the city
• Ticket price: EUR 1.30 (single, valid for 90 minutes)
• Tickets are sold at tobacconists (tabaccheria), kiosks, or via the AMAT website
• Journey time: 10–15 minutes to the city centre
🚶 On foot from the city centre — a practical option without heavy luggage:
• From the railway station to the terminal gates: approximately 500 m, 7–10 minutes
• From Piazza Castello (Old Town): approximately 1.5–2 km, 20–25 minutes
• Please note: walking directly onto the cruise pier is not permitted — an internal port shuttle runs from the gates to the ship's gangway
🚗 By Private or Rental Car — Parking near the Port
If you are arriving at the port by private or rental car, an official supervised car park for cruise passengers is located directly beside the terminal:
🅿️ Parking Terminal Crociere (Molo San Cataldo) — the port authority's official car park:
• Address: Molo San Cataldo, 74123 Taranto
• Cost: EUR 85 per week for standard cars, EUR 100 for larger vehicles (minibuses, campervans)
• Payment: cash or card on the day of departure, on site
• Features: open fenced area with 24/7 CCTV and on-site security
• Please note: parking for fully electric vehicles (100% EV) is not permitted
• Costa Cruises passengers are advised to arrive at the car park from 10:30 am on embarkation day
💡 Tip: you can also book parking in advance via the MyParking online service — this guarantees a space during peak Saturday mornings (the main embarkation day for Costa Fascinosa and other ships).
🛣️ GPS route: regardless of your direction of travel, head for Molo San Cataldo and enter through the East Gate — this is the designated entrance for passengers. The most convenient approach is via the SS7 motorway (Via Appia) or SS106 (Ionica).
♿ Accessibility for Passengers with Reduced Mobility
Taranto Cruise Port is fully adapted for passengers with disabilities:
✅ All terminal areas managed by Taranto Cruise Port are accessible to passengers with reduced mobility
✅ Free port shuttle buses are equipped for wheelchair users
✅ Wheelchair hire is available directly at the terminal
✅ Personalised boarding assistance is available on request (please notify your cruise company in advance)
✅ To book a taxi with a minivan or adapted vehicle, contact Radio Taxi Taranto in advance: +39 099 453 34 34
⏰ When to Arrive at the Cruise Terminal
Most cruise lines open check-in desks in Taranto 3–4 hours before the ship's departure. Recommended arrival times:
🕐 Costa Cruises: 3–3.5 hours before departure; recommended arrival at the car park from 10:30 am
🕐 Princess Cruises, Norwegian, Celebrity and others: at your assigned check-in time slot (usually 30-minute windows — check your voucher)
🕐 Windstar, Silversea, Seabourn (luxury segment): any time after the terminal opens
❗ Boarding deadline: typically 60–90 minutes before departure — arriving late means watching the ship sail without you. All Four Gates Group vouchers include the precise boarding time for your specific cruise.
💡 Expert Tips from Four Gates Group
Over the years of working with the port of Taranto, our cruise specialists have compiled a set of tips that will save you time, money, and stress:
🌅 Arrive the day before your cruise. Bari and Brindisi are not Barcelona or Rome: there are fewer connecting flights, transfers are more complicated, and delays have bigger consequences. Taranto is well worth spending a night in before setting sail — and the cost of a hotel room is nothing compared to the cost of missing your cruise.
💼 Book your airport transfer in advance. Taxis at Bari and Brindisi airports are not always immediately available, and drivers rarely speak English. A pre-booked transfer means a guaranteed car, a fixed price, and zero stress after a long journey.
💶 Carry cash for taxis and buses. Not all taxi drivers in Taranto accept cards — keep EUR 15–20 in small notes. City bus tickets are also more conveniently purchased with cash at a tabaccheria.
🎒 Leave your luggage at the hotel before boarding. If you arrive in the morning but boarding is not until the afternoon, most Taranto hotels will store your suitcases free of charge even after check-out. Explore the Old Town and the Aragonese Castle without lugging your bags around.
🚫 Do not attempt to walk directly to the terminal. The cruise pier is a restricted zone and entry without documents is not permitted. Use the port shuttle or a taxi to the East Gate, where terminal staff will be on hand.
📱 Download apps in advance: itTaxi (Italy's official taxi app), Trenitalia (trains), FlixBus or Pugliairbus (buses to/from Bari Airport), Google Maps with an offline map of Taranto — navigation within the port area can be imprecise.
☕ Arrive at the terminal on time, but not too early. The waiting areas at the Molo San Cataldo terminal have a restaurant and bar — though the choice is limited. It is far better to spend the morning in the Old Town over a coffee at a local café or visiting the Aragonese Castle.
🏨 Choose a hotel in the Borgo Nuovo area or near the railway station. From there the port is a 5–10-minute walk or one short taxi ride away, with all the city's tourist amenities on your doorstep.
📞 Contacts and Useful Links
Taranto Cruise Port (official website): tarantocruiseport.com
Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea: +39 099 470 47 11
Radio Taxi Taranto: +39 099 453 34 34
Pugliairbus (bus: Bari Airport – Taranto): aeroportidipuglia.it
Trenitalia (trains): trenitalia.com
Italian emergency services: 112
Four Gates Group cruise specialists (24/7 for clients): +38 097 653 05 53
Getting to and from a cruise in Taranto turns out to be simpler than it first appears. The city is compact, the terminal is centrally located, and the free port shuttle answers the most common question of how to get from the gate to the ship. The cruise experts at Four Gates Group support our clients at every stage: from selecting the best flight to Bari or Brindisi to arranging a private transfer right to the terminal gates. Contact our manager — and your cruise from Taranto will begin without a moment's stress. 🛳️✨
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for guidance only and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, timetables, routes, and visiting conditions are subject to change without notice. Please verify current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant providers.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals
Taranto Landmarks & Sights: A Complete Guide for Cruise Passengers
Taranto is one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, founded by Spartan Greeks as far back as the 8th century BC. Known as the «City of Two Seas» (Città dei Due Mari), its unique position on a narrow island between the open Ionian Sea — the Mare Grande — and the enclosed lagoon of Mare Piccolo sets Taranto apart from every other port in Apulia. Three thousand years of unbroken history lie layered here in strata of Greek Magna Graecia, Roman, Byzantine, Norman and Aragonese civilisations. For a cruise passenger with 8–10 hours ashore, the key is building the right itinerary. Below you will find a trusted guide to the main sights, with up-to-date 2026 prices, opening hours and precise directions from the cruise terminal Molo San Cataldo to every attraction. 🎯
🏛️ 1. National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA)
💡 Interesting facts & highlights:
MArTA is one of the most important archaeological museums in Italy and the undisputed treasure house of Magna Graecia. It is here that the world-famous collection "Gold of Taranto" (Ori di Taranto) is kept — exquisite gold jewellery from the 4th–3rd centuries BC, recovered from ancient Greek burials. The filigree tiaras, necklaces, earrings and bracelets are so perfectly crafted that even modern goldsmiths acknowledge them as unsurpassed. ✨
🔹 The museum collection numbers more than 50,000 artefacts — from the Palaeolithic to the early Middle Ages: terracotta figurines, black-figure and red-figure pottery, sculptures, mosaics and bronzes.
🔹 One of the most moving exhibits is the "Tomb of the Athlete": the burial of a Greek sportsman from the 3rd century BC with a uniquely preserved funeral inventory.
🔹 The bronze statue "Zeus of Ugento" (6th century BC) is one of the oldest bronze works of Magna Graecia to have survived to the present day.
🔹 The museum is housed in the former 18th-century Monastery of San Pasquale — the building itself is an architectural landmark.
🔹 In 2026 MArTA marks more than 135 years since its founding (1887) and is one of the very few Italian museums to have earned international recognition specifically for the Greek heritage of Southern Italy.
📜 History:
The museum was founded in 1887 — an era when rapid urban development was generating large-scale construction works and chance discoveries of ancient Greek burials. The first director, Luigi Viola, systematised thousands of objects rescued from plunder by antique dealers. Throughout the 20th century the collection grew continuously through official excavations. In 2016 the museum underwent a major renovation, gaining modern facilities, interactive areas and an updated chronological display.
🚢 Getting there from Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal:
• On foot: 15–20 minutes along the waterfront — the terminal is only 1.5–2 km from the centre. Museum address: Via Cavour, 10
• Free shuttle: on cruise-call days the port runs a free shuttle bus to the city centre — stop near the museum
• Taxi: 5–7 minutes, approximately EUR 7–10
💶 Admission & opening hours:
• Full price ticket: EUR 9.00 (adults)
• Concession (18–25 years): EUR 3.00
• Under 18: free
• First Sunday of the month: free entry for everyone
• Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 8:30–19:30 (last admission 19:00), Sunday & public holidays 8:30–14:00 (last admission 13:30)
⚠️ IMPORTANT: tickets can be purchased at the museum cashier by card (cash is not accepted) or online at shopmuseomarta.it. Online booking is not compulsory but recommended on busy days.
💡 Tip: allow at least 1.5–2 hours — the museum is large and the collection is genuinely captivating.
🏰 2. Aragonese Castle (Castello Aragonese)
💡 Interesting facts & highlights:
The Aragonese Castle is the mightiest fortress in Taranto, still commanding the narrow strait between the Mare Grande and the Mare Piccolo. It stands on the site of earlier fortifications: a Greek acropolis, a Byzantine citadel and a Norman tower once occupied this spot — each era layered upon the one before. 🏰
🔹 The castle in its present form was built between 1487 and 1492 on the orders of Ferdinand of Aragon — the very king whose name is linked to the Spanish Reconquista and the discovery of the Americas. The fortifications were designed by the outstanding military architect-engineer Francesco di Giorgio Martini.
🔹 Four massive cylindrical towers were — for the first time in Southern Italy — designed to provide overlapping fields of fire for multiple cannon embrasures simultaneously: a revolutionary defensive system for its day.
🔹 Since the 16th century the castle has been administered by the Italian Navy, which is still based here. Tours are conducted by naval officers rather than civilian guides — and they are completely free of charge.
🔹 Inside you will find halls with ship models, an armoury, an ancient moat and the touching Chapel of San Leonardo with 14th-century frescoes that have survived intact.
🔹 From the bastions there is a panoramic view over both seas and the medieval Borgo Antico — the finest photo vantage point in all of Taranto. 📸
📜 History:
In the 8th century BC, Spartan colonists erected a fortification on the acropolis of their colony of Taras on this very site. In the Byzantine era it housed a citadel; in the 11th–12th centuries a Norman tower rose here. The Aragonese reconstruction of 1487–1492 completely transformed the fortress: bastions, moats and a drawbridge were added. In the 18th century it served as a prison, and after Italian unification in 1861 it passed to the Regia Marina (Royal Navy), and from 1946 to the Marina Militare. In 2022, following extensive restoration, the castle was reopened to the public.
🚢 Getting there from Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal:
• On foot: 15–18 minutes — the castle is clearly visible from the port area. Address: Piazza Castello, 4
• Free shuttle: stop directly at the castle — the most convenient option for those who prefer not to walk
• Taxi: 5 minutes, approximately EUR 7–9
💶 Admission & opening hours:
• Admission: free (managed by the Italian Navy)
• Guided tour with a naval officer: free; advance booking on the official website is recommended
• Estimated visit duration: 1–1.5 hours
⚠️ IMPORTANT: entry is by prior booking only, through the castle's official website or your cruise operator. Groups of 2 or more and families are especially welcome. Confirm the visiting schedule before your port call.
⛪ 3. Cathedral of San Cataldo (Cattedrale di San Cataldo)
💡 Interesting facts & highlights:
The Cathedral of San Cataldo is the oldest cathedral in Apulia and one of the most ancient in all of Southern Italy. It is dedicated to the Irish bishop Cathaldu, who in the 7th century AD was returning from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, was caught in a storm, put in at Taranto — and stayed for the rest of his life, becoming the city's bishop and patron saint. 🍀
🔹 The first structure on this site existed as early as the 5th century AD. Its present appearance was shaped in the 10th century at the command of Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus II Phocas, while in 1713 the architect Mauro Manieri from Lecce adorned the façade with a lavish Baroque portal.
🔹 Inside is the Chapel of San Cataldo, clad in coloured marble, mother-of-pearl and lapis lazuli. It houses the relics of the patron saint, a silver statue and a fresco cycle by Paolo De Matteis (1713). 🎨
🔹 The columns of the central nave are ancient Greek and Roman, taken from earlier structures. The stone is more than 2,000 years old.
🔹 The underground crypt of the 10th century is decorated with medieval frescoes from various periods — a true painted archive spanning a thousand years.
🔹 The gilded wooden coffered ceiling above the high altar is one of the finest Baroque examples in the region. ✨
📜 History:
The first church on this site dates from the 5th century AD. The Byzantine reconstruction of the 10th century gave the cathedral the form of a three-nave basilica with domes in the Byzantine style. In the 11th century the relics of Saint Cathaldu were discovered in the baptistery — from that point on, the cathedral bore his name. The Norman, Angevin and Aragonese periods gradually enriched the interior with new chapels and altars. The last major reconstruction of 1706–1713 gave the façade its ornate Baroque form, which contrasts with the austere Byzantine domes on the roof. In the second half of the 20th century the mosaic floor and the crypt frescoes were carefully restored.
🚢 Getting there from Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal:
• On foot: 18–22 minutes via the waterfront and Borgo Antico. Address: Piazza Duomo, 74123 Taranto
• Free shuttle: stop near the castle → 3-minute walk to the cathedral
• Taxi: 6–8 minutes, approximately EUR 8–11
💶 Admission & opening hours:
• Cathedral entry: free (donations welcome)
• Opening hours: daily 8:00–12:45 and 16:30–20:00
• Estimated visit duration: 30–60 minutes
👗 Dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered. Shorts above the knee and bare shoulders are not permitted at the entrance.
🏛️ 4. Doric Temple of Poseidon (Tempio di Poseidone)
💡 Interesting facts & highlights:
Two Doric columns on Piazza Castello are all that remains of the oldest ancient Greek temple of Magna Graecia surviving on the Italian mainland. Modest? Perhaps. But these two columns are older than the temples of Paestum and Syracuse — and it is right here that the entire Greek-Ionian civilisation on the Apennine Peninsula begins. 🏛️
🔹 The columns were erected approximately in the 5th century BC — more than 2,500 years ago. They are carved from local "carparo" limestone; each stands 8.47 m tall with a diameter of over 2 m.
🔹 The original temple had 6 columns on the short sides and 13 on the long sides. The façade faced the navigable canal — the temple greeted ships as they entered the harbour.
🔹 The columns were identified for scholarship in 1881 by archaeologist Luigi Viola, who cleared them from the accumulated fabric of medieval monastic buildings. The rest of the temple's structure lies hidden beneath modern construction.
🔹 The columns are fenced off and protected, but clearly visible from the street — entry is free, and a visit takes 10–15 minutes.
🔹 Some scholars believe the temple may have been dedicated not to Poseidon but to Artemis or Persephone — the debate continues to this day. 🔬
📜 History:
Spartan colonists founded the city of Taras (the future Taranto) in 706 BC — and almost immediately began erecting monumental structures. The temple was built as the principal religious centre of the acropolis. In the 3rd century BC, after Rome's conquest of Tarentum, the temple fell into decline. In the Middle Ages a monastery grew up on the ruins, and the columns themselves were incorporated into the walls of its buildings. It was only in the 19th century that systematic excavations restored them to their original appearance.
🚢 Getting there from Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal:
• On foot: 15–18 minutes. Address: Piazza Castello (adjacent to the Aragonese Castle)
• The temple stands virtually next to the castle — both landmarks can be visited on the same outing
💶 Admission & opening hours:
• Entry: free, around the clock (viewed from outside through the fence)
🌉 5. The Swing Bridge (Ponte Girevole)
💡 Interesting facts & highlights:
The Ponte Girevole is an engineering symbol of Taranto and the most unusual bridge in Apulia. It connects the medieval island of Borgo Antico with the modern mainland district of Borgo Nuovo, spanning the navigable canal that links the Mare Grande to the Mare Piccolo. 🌉
🔹 Construction of the first bridge was completed in 1886–1887. The current steel structure was inaugurated in 1958 by President Giovanni Gronchi.
🔹 The bridge swings open to 90°, its two halves rotating parallel to the canal banks to allow large naval vessels to pass through to the arsenal. The opening sequence takes approximately 20 minutes and is a spectacle in its own right. 🚢
🔹 The bridge is 88.9 m long and 9.3 m wide. Originally it was driven by hydraulic turbines fed by water stored in the reservoirs of the Aragonese Castle — an ingeniously elegant solution.
🔹 The official name is Ponte di San Francesco di Paola. The popular name «Girevole» (Swing) took hold and prevailed.
🔹 In Taranto they say: «He who has never seen the Ponte Girevole open has never truly seen Taranto». 😉
📜 History:
The canal beneath the bridge was dug in 1481 as part of the Aragonese defence system: Borgo Antico was to become a true island, cut off from the mainland and protected by water on all sides. The first bridge across the canal appeared in 1886, when the railway arrived in the city and there was a need to connect the island to the station. After the Second World War the old iron bridge had run its course, and in 1958 the modern welded steel structure was built in its place.
🚢 Getting there from Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal:
• On foot: 12–15 minutes. The bridge stands between the Aragonese Castle and the modern part of the city — the natural starting point for a stroll through Borgo Antico
• Free shuttle: stop nearby
💶 Admission:
• Walking across the bridge: free, around the clock
🏘️ 6. Borgo Antico — The Old Town
💡 Interesting facts & highlights:
Borgo Antico is the heart of Taranto — a medieval island on which the city lived for more than ten centuries. It is a unique example of organic Mediterranean urbanism: narrow corridor-like alleys where two pedestrians barely pass each other, balconies reaching across the street towards one another, sudden sun-drenched squares, and cathedrals glimpsed from dark lanes. 🏘️
🔹 The island is separated from the mainland by the navigable canal dug in 1481 — meaning that Borgo Antico is genuinely an island in the full sense of the word.
🔹 A walk along Via Duomo — the main axis of the old town — takes just 10 minutes from the cathedral to the castle, passing ancient Greek columns, medieval churches and Baroque palaces along the way.
🔹 Piazza Castello is the largest open space on the island, where all the principal landmarks converge: the Aragonese Castle, the columns of Poseidon and views over both seas. 🌊
🔹 The Borgo Umbertino quarter next to the Ponte Girevole is already the «new» 19th-century part of the city, with broad avenues and rows of shops and cafés.
🔹 The houses of Borgo Antico were built without architects over the course of millennia — every floor and every addition reflects its own era. It is a living stratigraphic cross-section of all Mediterranean architecture. 🔬
📜 History:
The island of Borgo Antico has been continuously inhabited since the 8th century BC. Greek Taras, Roman Tarentum, and Byzantine and Norman residences all occupied this ground. In the Middle Ages the island was surrounded by walls and the canal was filled in, turning it into a fortified bastion. After Italian unification in the 1860s the centre of gravity of the city shifted to the mainland — Borgo Nuovo — and the island gradually fell into decline. Today the local authorities are implementing programmes for the renaissance of Borgo Antico, drawing investors to restore buildings and develop tourism.
🚢 Getting there from Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal:
• On foot: 12–18 minutes from the terminal along the waterfront
• Free shuttle: stop at the castle — the gateway to Borgo Antico
💶 Admission:
• Strolling through Borgo Antico: free (it is a living city neighbourhood)
• Cathedral: free admission
• Aragonese Castle: free admission (by prior booking)
• Street food tasting: panzerotto, Tarantine mussels «cozze» — from EUR 2–5
🐚 7. Mare Piccolo and the Gastronomy of Taranto
💡 Interesting facts & highlights:
Mare Piccolo is Taranto's inner lagoon, separated from the open sea by the narrow strip of land on which Borgo Antico stands. Its waters are calm, saline and warm — ideal conditions for cultivating mussels and oysters, the city's greatest gastronomic pride. 🦪
🔹 Taranto is the mussel capital of the Mediterranean: more than 60% of the mussels consumed in Italy are farmed in the Mare Piccolo. The tradition of mussel farming here stretches back more than 2,500 years.
🔹 The local dish "Cozze alla Tarantina" — mussels in tomato sauce with parsley and garlic — is included on the list of "traditional Apulian products" protected by the state. 🍅
🔹 The Lungomare Vittorio Emanuele III promenade along the Mare Grande is the perfect place for a walk with views of cruise ships, yachts and fishing barques. 🌅
🔹 The seafood market at the Mare Piccolo quay is one of the most colourful spots in the city: fishermen trade directly from their boats every morning from 6:00 to 9:00.
🔹 Coffee in Taranto is not merely a drink but a ritual. The local favourite is "caffè leccese" (espresso with almond milk and ice) — consumed without any hurry whatsoever. ☕
📜 History:
Mare Piccolo is a natural lagoon that the Greeks chose as a sheltered anchorage and fishing ground. It was thanks to this lagoon that Taras became the wealthiest city of Magna Graecia in the 5th–4th centuries BC. In the 20th century Mare Piccolo became a submarine base and heavy-industrial zone, which had a damaging effect on its ecology. Today a major environmental-restoration programme for the lagoon is under way, and the mussel farms are returning to their rightful place. 🌿
🚢 Getting there from Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal:
• The Mare Piccolo and the Mare Grande waterfront begin immediately adjacent to the cruise terminal
• On foot along the Lungomare: 5–10 minutes from the gangway
💶 Admission:
• Waterfront stroll: free
• Lunch at a seafood restaurant: menù del giorno (full lunch) EUR 15–25 per person
• Portion of fried mussels or squid: EUR 8–12
• Coffee: EUR 1.20–1.50 at a bar
🗺️ 8. Other Worthwhile Destinations near Taranto
• 🪨 Matera — a UNESCO city with cave dwellings ("Sassi") that represent 9,000 years of continuous human habitation. Located approximately 65–70 km from Taranto (about 1–1.5 h by car). Ideal for those who wish to venture beyond the city. Organised tours EUR 50–90 per person.
• 🍄 Alberobello — a UNESCO town with unique white conical "trulli" — dry-stone houses built without mortar. Approximately 40–45 km from Taranto (40–50 min). 🏠
• ⛪ Basilica di San Martino, Martina Franca — a gem of Apulian Baroque in a hilltop town 30 km away.
• 🐬 Jonian Dolphin Conservation — a scientific and educational centre offering sea excursions to watch dolphins in the Ionian Sea. EUR 30–45 per person.
• 🌊 Boat trip on Mare Piccolo and the Cheradi Islands — a 3–4 h sea excursion with swimming; tours from EUR 35–50. 🏝️
🗺️ Three Self-Guided Itineraries for Taranto in 9 Hours
A cruise ship's port call in Taranto typically lasts 8–10 hours. Seeing 4–6 key sights is realistic — if the route is properly planned. Below are three options depending on budget and preferences.
🥉 Itinerary No. 1. Budget — up to EUR 15 per person
⏱️ Total time: 8–9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: EUR 10–15 + meals
🕘 09:00 — Disembark at Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal
Take the free shuttle to the city centre, or set off on foot along the waterfront (20 min).
🕘 09:20–10:00 — Arrive in Borgo Antico, Piazza Castello
Two Doric columns of the Temple of Poseidon and a first look at the Aragonese Castle from the outside. Photos with both seas as a backdrop — free.
🕙 10:00–11:30 — Aragonese Castle (if your booking is confirmed)
Free guided tour with a naval officer: halls, moat, panorama. Alternatively — a stroll through Borgo Antico: Via Duomo, side alleys, Piazza Duomo.
🕦 11:30–12:15 — Cathedral of San Cataldo
Free entry. The Baroque chapel, ancient Roman nave columns, and the 10th-century crypt.
🕧 12:15–13:30 — Lunch in Borgo Antico or Borgo Nuovo
Menù del giorno at a local trattoria — EUR 12–18. Be sure to try "cozze" (mussels).
🕐 13:30–15:30 — MArTA (National Archaeological Museum)
Ticket EUR 9. Gold of Taranto, Tomb of the Athlete, Zeus of Ugento. Allow at least 1.5–2 h.
🕞 15:30–16:15 — Stroll along the Lungomare
View over the Mare Grande, the fish sculpture, traditional coffee at a bar — EUR 1.20–1.50.
🕟 16:30 — Return to the ship by shuttle or on foot
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Free shuttle (return): EUR 0
• MArTA: EUR 9
• Lunch: EUR 12–18
• Coffee and water: EUR 3–5
💸 TOTAL: EUR 24–32 per person (excluding souvenirs)
🥈 Itinerary No. 2. Standard — EUR 50–70 per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: EUR 60 + meals
🕘 08:30 — Leave the port, taxi to MArTA
EUR 8–10 — arriving right at opening time, 8:30.
🕘 08:30–10:30 — MArTA
Full visit with audio guide or a free guided tour (available Thursday, Saturday and Sunday). Ticket EUR 9.
🕤 10:30–11:00 — Walk to Borgo Antico
5 minutes along the waterfront to Ponte Girevole.
🕚 11:00–11:30 — The Swing Bridge and the canal
View the bridge, photos with both seas and the castle as backdrop.
🕦 11:30–13:00 — Borgo Antico: castle + cathedral + columns
Aragonese Castle (free, booking required), Temple of Poseidon, Cathedral of San Cataldo.
🕐 13:00–14:00 — Lunch on the Mare Piccolo waterfront
Fresh mussels, grilled fish, Apulian wine — EUR 18–25.
🕝 14:00–15:30 — Lungomare stroll and the seafood market
Waterfront, fish stalls, panorama of the Ionian Sea.
🕒 15:30–16:00 — Return to the port by taxi
EUR 8–10.
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Taxi there: EUR 9
• MArTA: EUR 9
• Lunch: EUR 20–25
• Taxi back: EUR 9
• Coffee, water, incidentals: EUR 5–8
💸 TOTAL: EUR 52–60 per person
🥇 Itinerary No. 3. Premium — private tour from EUR 300 per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: EUR 300–500 + tickets
🏆 What is included:
• ✅ Private driver meeting you with a name-board at the ship's gangway
• ✅ Comfortable car or minivan for the full day
• ✅ Licensed English-speaking guide
• ✅ Priority entry to MArTA and the castle
• ✅ Restaurant reservation
• ✅ Option to visit Matera or Alberobello
• ✅ Guaranteed on-time return to the ship
To book, contact your cruise manager or reach us by any convenient means:
Phone numbers:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell): +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar): +380 97 653 05 53
Write to us by e-mail
Contact Us
🕘 08:30 — Meet your driver and guide at the terminal
🕘 09:00–10:45 — MArTA with a private guide
A detailed commentary on every room, with special focus on the Gold of Taranto and the Tomb of the Athlete. No queues.
🕚 11:00–12:30 — Borgo Antico: castle, cathedral, columns
Private walking tour. An in-depth narrative of civilisational layers — from the Greeks to the Baroque.
🕧 12:45–14:15 — Lunch at a celebrated restaurant or a trusted family trattoria
For example, Ristorante Gesù Cristo or Al Gambero — creative cuisine based on local seafood. From EUR 40–70 per person. Reservation handled by the guide.
🕝 14:30–16:30 — Day trip to Matera or Alberobello
Private car, 1–1.5 h in transit. Private guided tour of the Sassi of Matera (UNESCO) or the trulli of Alberobello (UNESCO).
🕟 16:45–17:30 — Return to the port in a comfortable car
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Private guide (9 h): from EUR 250
• Driver with car (9 h): from EUR 180
• Tickets (MArTA + Matera museums): EUR 25–35
• Restaurant lunch: from EUR 50
💸 TOTAL: from EUR 505 per person (for a group of 2+, the cost of car and guide is shared)
🤝 Four Gates Group organises private excursions in Taranto and Apulia with licensed guides, transfers from the ship's gangway and a guaranteed return on board. Contact your cruise specialist — and your day in Taranto will be perfectly tailored to your tastes. 🛳️✨
⚠️ Important to know before going ashore
🕐 "All aboard" rule: you must be back on the ship 60 minutes before departure. If you are late — the ship will not wait, and catching up with it at the next port will be entirely at your own expense.
🪪 Documents: carry a photocopy of your passport and your Ship Card.
💶 Cash: keep EUR 30–60 in cash — some street kiosks, the market and small cafés do not accept cards.
👟 Footwear: wear comfortable shoes — the cobblestones of Borgo Antico are uneven. For the cathedral — covered shoulders and knees are required.
☀️ Sun protection: in summer temperatures in Taranto reach +34 °C with very high humidity. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential.
📱 Internet: free Wi-Fi is available in the city centre. Download an offline Google Maps map in advance.
🔐 Safety: Taranto is a peaceful city. Standard vigilance regarding personal belongings in crowds is sufficient.
🏛️ Castle: prior booking is mandatory — arrange this before sailing or through your cruise operator.
🍽️ Gastronomy: do not miss the "cozze" mussels, panzerotto and coffee with almond milk — flavours you will not find anywhere else in the world.