Top 5 Taranto Car Tours: See Italy in Style

So, planning a trip to Taranto, Italy and you’re thinking about the best way to explore? Well, forget those packed buses and rigid schedules. Getting around by car gives you this amazing sense of freedom, too it’s almost like painting your own adventure across the canvas that is Puglia. In this article, we’re checking out five great car tours that’ll let you soak up all the good stuff Taranto has to offer. Ready? Let’s hit the road!

1. Taranto’s Historical Heart: A Self-Guided Tour

The first stop, the historical center. This tour really focuses on peeling back the centuries to see what Taranto was, is that so cool? I suggest starting at the Aragonese Castle. That old fortress, like your sturdy historical anchor, has seen loads, and just wandering through its passages will give you goosebumps. That castle is almost like one of those grand storytellers who whisper stories of kings and battles. From there, stroll into the heart of the Old Town, called “Città Vecchia.” Getting lost here is, like, totally the point. Cobblestone little streets twisting this way and that, very old buildings sporting balconies overflowing with flowers, and you’ll find little shops selling all kind of fascinating stuff. The Cathedral of San Cataldo should definitely be on your route. It’s so pretty, with Baroque touches layered onto a Romanesque core. Plus, it’s rumored to hold relics, too it’s almost straight out of an adventure novel! As I was saying, don’t forget the National Archaeological Museum (MARTA), which houses a great collection of artifacts. Book your car tour now!

2. Coastal Cruise: Along the Ionian Sea

Are you ready to go on a scenic coastal cruise? Hop in your car and head either north or south from Taranto; yet both ways offer insane views of the Ionian Sea. If you head south, you’ll eventually get to Marina di Pulsano, that gorgeous spot, rather famous for its sandy shores and nice blue water. It’s almost like a picture-perfect Italian postcard. Further along the coast is Campomarino di Maruggio, where you can relax on the beaches, and you can enjoy some proper local seafood in one of the harbor restaurants. If you feel like going north from Taranto, very the views turn rockier. Very you might stop at spots like Leporano, that is more famous for its Castello Muscettola. I actually spent the entire day just wandering around, it was awesome. Basically, stop wherever catches your eye; actually each bit of the coastline has its unique appeal, and trust me, that sun sparkling on the water is an awesome experience. As I was saying, don’t forget to bring a camera, seriously! Check availablity here!

3. Wine & Olive Oil Route: A Taste of Puglia

So, if you love good food and drinks, you can head out on a tasting tour. You know, Puglia’s known for its vino and olive oil, that is the gold of the earth, right? Just a little inland from Taranto you will see endless fields of olive groves and wineries where that amazing Primitivo di Manduria grape grows. You could contact one of the local farms in advance to fix an olive oil tasting. Learn how they make the oil (that first press thing), and definitely, actually, try some with freshly baked bread – there’s nothing quite like it. Next, you should check out a local vineyard. Now they frequently give tours and, more importantly, they give tastings of their best wines. Wineries like those you’ll find near Manduria (the Primitivo heartland) really give insight into why those Puglian wines are now loved so very much. When you have that glass in hand, while soaking up those stunning views of the vineyards? In a way, that’s pure Italian bliss. Clearly, drive responsibly, yeah! See wine tasting tours here!

4. Grottaglie: Pottery Paradise & Hidden Gems

Next up, why not drive to Grottaglie? Like, about half an hour north of Taranto, you’ll come to Grottaglie. Grottaglie’s famous for its pottery tradition, as a matter of fact it’s like stepping into an artisan’s fantasy world. The town is packed with artisan workshops and studios. You can watch those talented craftsmen at work. This means seeing how clay is being shaped into works of art. You will be finding everything here, ranging from super traditional pieces to quite cool modern designs. So, take your time strolling around the old “Quartiere delle Ceramiche” (Ceramics District), too it’s almost just the best place to watch artists show off their work. And just when you thought you were done? You are gonna love getting something totally unique as a souvenir or a gift. Basically, that town itself is actually fairly gorgeous. Make time to have a look at the Castello Episcopio and Mother Church. By the way, it’s pretty obvious that both are steeped in history. This visit gets you in touch with a bit of Taranto’s vibrant local artistry, seriously. View our local arts and culture tours!

5. Massafra’s Ravines: Into the Gravine

So, fancy something a bit more rugged and definitely different? Just take a drive to Massafra. Massafra, often called the “Thebaid of Italy,” gets that title because of the striking ravines (“gravine”) scoring its landscape, isn’t that interesting? Anyway, such deep canyons hide ancient rock churches, in some respects echoing a landscape from, very well, centuries ago. Those little churches carved straight out of the rocks often have super old frescoes on their walls, you know, these ancient artworks can tell crazy interesting stories if you’re into that kinda thing. If you plan it well, you can book a local tour guide. The expert can actually bring all this history to life and actually teach you how such places evolved through all those centuries. And in the little town, anyway, do not miss the Castello Medievale. Medieval castles make great photographs, do they not? It almost has a view overlooking that gorge. It is also worth spending a little time in that old town to absorb all that unique atmosphere. Clearly, with landscapes that different from Taranto’s coastline, yeah, you can get great travel memories around here. Book a sightseeing tour today!