Taranto, Puglia, Italy
Founded by Spartan settlers in the 8th century BC, Taranto guards two seas with an atmospheric island old town, towering Aragonese castle, and one of the most dazzling Greek-era gold collections on earth.
Founded by Spartan settlers in the 8th century BC, Taranto guards two seas with an atmospheric island old town, towering Aragonese castle, and one of the most dazzling Greek-era gold collections on earth.
Ships dock at Molo San Cataldo, a dedicated cruise pier on the Mar Grande — no tendering required.
💡 Pro move: Taxis wait outside the port gate. Agree on a price before boarding — meters are not always used. A ride to MArTA costs roughly €8-10.
Taranto operates a dedicated cruise pier at Molo San Cataldo with a passenger terminal opened in 2017.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Costa, MSC, TUI, etc.) | Molo San Cataldo, Taranto Cruise Port📍 | Docked |
| Smaller / expedition vessels | Molo San Cataldo (Pier 1)📍 | Docked |
Taranto's own historic core keeps you busy for half a day, while Puglia's UNESCO showpieces — trulli Alberobello and cave-city Matera — are easy day trips.
The National Archaeological Museum of Taranto houses the world-renowned Ori di Taranto — breathtaking Hellenistic gold jewelry — plus Greek ceramics and Roman mosaics. One of Italy's top archaeological museums.
Find Taranto museum tours →Cross the swing bridge onto the island Borgo Antico, explore the 10th-century Cathedral of San Cataldo, and take a free guided tour of the 15th-century Aragonese Castle run by the Italian Navy.
Find Taranto walking tours →Visit the 6th-century BC Doric columns of the Temple of Poseidon in Piazza Castello — the oldest Magna Graecia ruins in Puglia. Add an underground tour through ancient Greek tombs and Byzantine crypts carved beneath the Old Town streets.
Find Taranto history tours →The Gulf of Taranto hosts a large resident population of striped and Risso's dolphins. Jonian Dolphin Conservation runs scientific research catamaran trips open to visitors — a genuinely special experience.
Find Taranto dolphin tours →About an hour's drive north, Alberobello's UNESCO-listed Rione Monti district is packed with hundreds of conical-roofed trulli stone houses — one of Puglia's most photogenic sights.
Find Alberobello day trips →A 90-minute drive takes you to Matera, the ancient Sassi cave-dwelling city and 2019 European Capital of Culture. Walking the Sasso Barisano district is unforgettable and unlike anywhere else in Europe.
Find Matera day trips →Taranto's pedestrian center is compact and flat — an easy half-day self-guided loop takes you from the castle to the cathedral, across the swing bridge, and along the waterfront promenade.
Start at Piazza Castello, see the Doric columns and castle exterior, walk down Via Duomo to the Cathedral, cross the Ponte Girevole swing bridge, and continue to the Lungomare Vittorio Emanuele III promenade. Return via Corso Due Mari.
From the swing bridge, follow Corso Umberto I through the 19th-century grid into the New Town to the MArTA museum. Via D'Aquino — the main pedestrian shopping street — runs parallel for gelato and espresso stops.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Taranto, Puglia, Italy (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F / 14°C | 42°F / 6°C | 1 | 7:12 AM | 4:48 PM |
| Feb | 59°F / 15°C | 44°F / 7°C | 0 | 6:44 AM | 5:26 PM |
| Mar | 62°F / 17°C | 46°F / 8°C | 1 | 6:02 AM | 5:57 PM |
| Apr | 68°F / 20°C | 50°F / 10°C | 1 | 6:12 AM | 7:29 PM |
| May | 76°F / 24°C | 57°F / 14°C | 0 | 5:34 AM | 8:00 PM |
| Jun | 86°F / 30°C | 65°F / 18°C | 0 | 5:20 AM | 8:22 PM |
| Jul | 92°F / 33°C | 70°F / 21°C | 0 | 5:33 AM | 8:19 PM |
| Aug | 91°F / 33°C | 71°F / 22°C | 0 | 6:02 AM | 7:48 PM |
| Sep | 84°F / 29°C | 65°F / 18°C | 0 | 6:32 AM | 6:59 PM |
| Oct | 74°F / 23°C | 58°F / 14°C | 1 | 7:02 AM | 6:10 PM |
| Nov | 67°F / 19°C | 52°F / 11°C | 1 | 6:37 AM | 4:33 PM |
| Dec | 59°F / 15°C | 44°F / 7°C | 0 | 7:07 AM | 4:24 PM |
Source: Meteostat (10-yr monthly averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The cruise terminal provides a complimentary shuttle bus to Piazza Castello in the city center. Note the port is a military zone — walking out is not permitted, so this shuttle is the easiest option.
Taxis wait outside the cruise terminal. The 4–5 minute ride to the city center costs roughly €9–€12; meter starts at €4.50 plus €0.90/km.
Local buses (routes 1/2) stop near the port and reach Piazza Castello in about 7 minutes. Day passes cost approximately €2.60; tickets available via the myCicero app.
Car rental agencies are available in Taranto, useful for day trips to Alberobello, Matera, or Lecce. Uber Rent can be used to book cars.
Day-trip buses are organized from the port to nearby attractions like Alberobello (~1 hr each way, 3 hrs free time). Check the terminal Guest Information Center for departure times.
Upcoming cruises that call at Taranto, Puglia, Italy. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.