A Land of History & Experience: Taranto

Taranto, known as the city of the two seas because it is positioned between “Mar Grande” (Large Sea) and “Mar Piccolo” (Small Sea), a few steps from Taranto Cruise Port, is an enchanting destination for a visit to the historic city, immersed in archaeology and monuments, or for an excursion into nature and the traditions of Apulia. From a visit to the famous MARTA Archaeological Museum to spotting dolphins on board one of the boats operated by scholars of this splendid animal, a trip to Taranto is a fun and at the same time instructive discovery.

Taranto, founded by the Spartans in the 8th century BC, is rich in excellence. The MARTA Archaeological Museum is the place to start to learn the story of Taranto and its territory from Prehistory to the Middle Ages in a fun, engaging manner also thanks to the “DivertiMarta” (FunMarta) initiative and guided tours and workshops.

Dolphins grace the sea of Taranto since over 4,000 years and are even in the coat of arm of the city of Taranto. At the doorsteps of Taranto Cruise Port, the guests can join the catamaran operated by the Jonian Dolphin Conservation association, a team of scientists of global importance, that organizes experiences aimed at enthusiasts of all ages and, with the presence of marine biologists and environmental experts, helps to better understand the interactions between dolphins and people.

For cruise passengers wishing to explore the inland, a must-see is Alberobello, the symbolic city of the trulli, the typical cone-structure houses of the area, or Grottaglie, a village famous in the world as the guardian of the art of ceramics. The family-run shops on the main street preserve the tradition of ceramics from generation to generation, each family workshop with its own style and guests are welcome to take part in.