{"id":51283,"date":"2025-09-01T10:07:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T08:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.winalist.fr\/blog?p=51283"},"modified":"2026-04-20T11:37:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T09:37:23","slug":"taranto-things-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/italy-wine-region\/puglia\/taranto-things-to-do","title":{"rendered":"Best Things to Do in Taranto Italy: The City of Two Seas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to Taranto<\/strong>, a coastal gem in the heart of Puglia that often flies under the radar but has plenty to surprise you with. Known as the Citt\u00e0 dei Due Mari (City of Two Seas), it\u2019s the only place in Italy where two seas meet, the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo, giving Taranto a unique character shaped by water, tradition, and seafood straight from the nets. Beyond its shimmering Ionian views, Taranto is rich in ancient history, featuring Greek ruins, medieval castles, and a lively old town where narrow alleys open onto bustling markets. Wine lovers will also be happy to know some of the best Puglia wineries <\/a>are nearby, making it easy to pair culture with a glass of local Primitivo. This guide will take you through the very best things to do in Taranto, from diving into its heritage to tasting the flavors that make this city one of southern Italy\u2019s best-kept secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are the best things to do in Taranto?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Start at the MArTA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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No trip to Taranto starts better than at MArTA, the National Archaeological Museum. Inside you\u2019ll find one of Italy\u2019s most important collections of Greek and Roman artifacts, with highlights like the famous Gold of Taranto and treasures that trace the city\u2019s story from its Spartan roots through Byzantine times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore the ancient Aragonese Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Built in the late 15th century by Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Aragonese Castle stands guard over the channel linking the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo. Over the centuries it has been a fortress, a prison, and a naval base, and today visitors can join guided tours led by the Italian Navy, who are still stationed here. Walking across its bridges, climbing the towers, and exploring the underground tunnels gives a powerful sense of Taranto\u2019s strategic past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stroll the old town <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Taranto\u2019s Old Town, known as Vecchia Taranto, is where the city shows its deepest character. Its tangled alleys lead past baroque palaces, ancient ruins, and quiet chapels that suddenly appear around a corner. Small artisan shops and caf\u00e9s spill into the streets, adding life to the historic setting. Cross into the Borgo Nuovo after dark and the contrast is striking, the modern side of Taranto lit up with the warmth and energy of southern nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit the Cathedral of San Cataldo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In the heart of Taranto\u2019s old town stands the Cattedrale di San Cataldo, one of the oldest cathedrals in Puglia. Its layered architecture tells centuries of history, from Byzantine mosaics to an 11th-century chapel later enriched with Baroque frescoes attributed to Paolo de Matteis. Step inside and you\u2019ll find a place that blends spiritual devotion with artistic beauty, making it a standout landmark in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Walk along the lungomare <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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One of the best ways to take in Taranto\u2019s maritime spirit is along its seafront promenade. Here you can watch fishermen bring in the day\u2019s catch, pause for an espresso at a local caf\u00e9, or simply enjoy the sunset as it drops over the Ionian. The walkway also gives you a striking view of how Taranto\u2019s old and new quarters face each other across the Two Seas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit the Swing Bridge <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Ponte Girevole, Taranto\u2019s famous swing bridge, links the old town to the modern city. Several times a day it opens to let naval ships pass through the canal, and watching the whole structure slowly turn is a spectacle in itself. Standing here also gives you one of the best views of the waterway that separates the Mar Grande from the Mar Piccolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dine on Taranto\u2019s famous mussels <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Taranto is famous for its mussels, grown in the nutrient-rich waters of the Mar Piccolo, and tasting them here is a must. Local trattorias serve them every way imaginable, steamed with herbs, baked with garlic and breadcrumbs, or in a classic cozze alla marinara. Add a glass of chilled Apulian white wine and you\u2019ve got the perfect taste of the city\u2019s maritime soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore the Doric Columns of the Temple of Poseidon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In Taranto\u2019s Old Town, just off Piazza Castello, rise the remains of a 6th-century BC Greek temple. Only a few massive Doric columns survive, but they are among the oldest in Italy and a striking reminder of Taranto\u2019s origins as a Spartan colony. Standing before them, it\u2019s easy to imagine the ancient city that once thrived here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are the best things to do around Taranto?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drink bold in the land of Primitivo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Perched in San Donaci, Cantine Paolo Leo<\/strong> blends Salento\u2019s heartfelt winemaking traditions with sleek modernity. Founded in 1989 by Paolo Leo and now run with passion by his family, the winery sits in the heart of the Negroamaro region, where gentle sea breezes shape each grape. On site, get ready for a guided tour through sun-drenched vineyards and into the modern cellar, followed by tastings of their expressive Primitivo, Negroamaro, and regional whites, where each sip tells you why Paolo Leo has become a beloved name across Italy and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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