Taranto, Italy

Discover a Spartan City in the Taranto Port of Italy

Founded by the Spartans in 706 BC, and known as “the Spartan city” and “the city of the two seas”, Taranto’s long and proud history is set against a countryside of gentle hills and valleys, beautiful stretches of beaches, rocky cliffs, and sapphire-blue waters.

The city itself is more industrial, although there is still plenty to see including the Taranto Cathedral, National Archaeological Museum of Taranto, and Ponte Girevole—a swing bridge connecting the modern city center with the island of old Taranto, where the 10th century San Cataldo Basilica, 15th century Aragonese Castle, and many other historic sites can be found.

Of course no trip to an Italian city is complete without trying the best of its local foods—and in Taranto, it means sampling your way through must-try Tarantinian mussels, shrimp and squid, burrata and ricotta cheese, artichokes, and olive oil. Pair it all with a glass of wine from Puglia regions like Castel del Monte or Primitivo di Manduria. Then, go for a promenade along the Lungomare Vittorio Emanuele, and you’ve got a perfect day out in Taranto with Azamara.