Experiences & Excursions
TARANTO
It is called “the city of the two seas” because it is bordered by the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo, with a
strategic location that has made it a key player in important historical events. The most valuable
ancient artifacts are housed at the National Archaeological Museum, the Marta,
where visitors can admire both the famous “Ori di Taranto”—exquisite examples of goldsmithing
dating from the 4th to the 2nd century B.C.—and the immense collection of archaeological finds from
across the Ionian province.
NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA) is one of the most important museums in the
world dedicated to the history of Magna Graecia. The exhibition spans two floors,
documenting the evolution of the Taranto region from prehistory to the Early Middle Ages. Among the
main collections, the famous “Ori di Taranto” stand out—refined examples of goldsmithing from the
Hellenistic period. The exhibition also includes extensive sections dedicated to statuary,
Greek ceramics, and rich Roman grave goods. The museum serves as an
international scientific reference point for conservation and archaeological research.
ARAGONESE CASTLE
The Aragonese Castle is also known as Castel Sant’Angelo, and its earliest structure dates
back to the year 1000. Tall, narrow walls were erected right along the waterfront, and
later a navigable canal was built to allow access for small boats. Admission
to the castle is free every day, with nine daily tours available.
SAN CATALDO CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral Basilica dedicated to Saint Cataldo, the pride of Old Taranto, located in Piazza
Duomo, dates back to the Middle Ages but was modified during the Baroque period and houses the remains of the
patron saint in a side chapel. The patron saint’s festival in honor of Saint Cataldo,
celebrated from May 8 to 10, is a memorable event. After the keys to the city are handed over to the saint,
boats from the city’s various districts compete in the traditional regatta.
THE HYPOGEA
The Underground Tunnels of Taranto are subterranean spaces created by the ancient practice of carving out dwellings,
places of worship, and workshops by excavating the calcarenite bedrock. Those excavations became
cellars, oil mills, animal shelters, and storage areas for grain, coal, and much more. The
underground spaces are so numerous that they form a vast network of subterranean passages and a
complex system of tunnels that extends in a grid pattern, connecting them with access points even to the
sea. The Old Town is, in fact, crisscrossed by a myriad of underground cavities
scattered beneath all the noble palaces, convents, and churches. Taranto Grand Tour is one of the
associations that organizes tours of the underground spaces and other excursions in the Old Town.
HOLY WEEK
The Rites of Holy Week: An event of international significance. The processions
of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Mysteries, featuring the characteristic “Perdoni” (barefoot, hooded members of religious brotherhoods)
who move at a very slow pace (“nazzecata”), transform the city into a stage of
faith and folklore that is unique in the world.
CHERADI ISLANDS
They form a small archipelago consisting of the two islands of San Pietro and San Paolo, which are part of the military domain; the island of San Pietro is open to the public and has a very long beach, accessible from the city via ferries operated by KYMA, which depart from Piazzale Democrate. During the off-season, the ferries still offer trips to both islands.
CALAJUNCO
Calajunco organizes boat excursions along the coast of Taranto and the islands of San Pietro and San Paolo. The service offers guided tours to explore the natural beauty of the Ionian Sea, with stops for swimming in crystal-clear waters. The boats are equipped to ensure comfort and safety while sailing along the Salento and Taranto coasts. The itinerary includes the opportunity to view the city from the sea, admiring the Aragonese Castle and the historic waterfront. The activity is designed for groups, families, and tourists interested in exploring the scenic heritage of the Gulf of Taranto.
JONIAN DOLPHIN CONSERVATION
Jonian Dolphin Conservation is a scientific research organization dedicated to studying
cetaceans in the Gulf of Taranto in the Northern Ionian Sea. It offers tours to discover
the amazing dolphins and the beautiful Gulf of Taranto aboard a catamaran.
Tours depart daily from the Molo S. Eligio pier. Reservations must be made
directly on their website well in advance.
Gorges and Rock-Cut Churches in Massafra
The Massafra area is characterized by the presence of gravine, spectacular karst canyons
that are home to a vast heritage of rock-dwelling civilizations. These deep natural gorges,
such as the Gravina di San Marco and the Gravina della Madonna della Scala, have provided shelter and a home
for humans for millennia. Within the rocky walls, entire underground villages,
productive structures, and places of worship have been carved directly into the tuff. The system of ravines
represents a unique ecosystem where Mediterranean biodiversity blends with ancient
architectures carved into the stone. Today, the area is a natural and archaeological park of
international significance, fundamental for the study of cave-dwelling life in Southern Italy. It is possible
to organize excursions through the Massafra Info Point.
WINE MUSEUM
The Museum of Primitivo Wine Culture, located within the 19th-century Cantina
Produttori Vini di Manduria, was established to promote knowledge about grape cultivation
and to highlight the everyday objects and agricultural tools that
formed the backbone of the local economy. The museum features an exhibition of antique machinery
from the winery. At the Museum of Primitivo Wine Culture, a destination for wine tourists, visitors can taste
various types of Primitivo DOC wine and purchase special wines at reasonable prices.
THE IONIAN COAST AND THE SEA
The Ionian Coast is distinguished by its wide, white-sand beaches and
crystal-clear waters that slope gently out to sea. The area is dotted with nature reserves
and lush coastal pine forests that provide shelter and biodiversity, creating an ideal setting for
relaxation and connection with nature. Along the coast, you’ll find seaside resorts renowned for
the quality of their amenities and the clarity of their waters. The system of centuries-old dunes, protected and
enhanced, represents a unique landscape feature that characterizes the entire Ionian Gulf
all the way to the border with Basilicata. This coastal strip combines the wild beauty of the
Mediterranean with a versatile range of tourist attractions, suitable for both families and lovers of
water sports.
VALLE D'ITRIA, MATERA and LATERZA
The Itria Valley enchants visitors with the trulli of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the white villages of
Locorotondo and Martina Franca, the latter famous for its Baroque architecture. The hilly landscape,
dominated by olive groves and dry stone walls, gives way to the west to the majestic ravines
that cut through the Murge Plateau.
The Laterza Natural Park is home to one of Europe’s deepest canyons, a protected area of
extraordinary geological and naturalistic value, ideal for slow tourism.
Just beyond the regional border lies Matera, the City of the Sassi, where the ancient rock-cut settlement
carved into the rock offers a historical and cultural panorama unique in the world. The itinerary through
these towns allows visitors to discover an architectural and agricultural continuity that inextricably links
central Puglia to inland Basilicata.
FOOD, WINE AND TRADITIONS
The Black Mussel of Taranto: Recently recognized as a Slow Food Presidium, it represents
the culinary soul of the city. It is farmed on wooden stakes in the Mar Piccolo, where freshwater springs
(the “citri”) give it a unique flavor. Another specialty worth mentioning is the
“Terre Tarantine” DOP Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
