Taranto cruise port guide

About Taranto

Taranto is an ancient port city in Apulia, southeastern Italy, founded in 706 BC by Spartan colonists. Once one of the great cities of Magna Graecia, it serves today as Italy's main naval base and a growing cruise destination. The old town island contains the Aragonese Castle, the Cathedral, and the Temple of Poseidon, while the National Archaeological Museum holds one of Italy's finest collections of ancient Greek art.

The National Archaeological Museum (MArTA) is the priority attraction, housing one of Italy's finest collections of ancient Greek art including intricate goldwork jewelry and Apulian painted vases. The Temple of Poseidon's two surviving Doric columns stand near the old town's main square. The Aragonese Castle guards the channel between the two seas. AMAT's harbor tour (€8) offers a 1.5-hour perspective on the city's remarkable aquatic geography, passing dolphins that inhabit the Cheradi Islands bay.