Taranto Cruise Port
Taranto, Italy · Mediterranean
Cruise ships dock at Molo San Cataldo — Main Cruise Berth, Taranto.
Plan my port daysCompact, walkable cruise port with easy access to Taranto's ancient Greek and medieval old town.
At a glance
Port summary
Taranto is a surprisingly easy port for independent exploration. The cruise terminal at Molo San Cataldo is within walking distance of the old town island (Borgo Antico), the Aragonese Castle, and the MARTA archaeological museum. The city's ancient Greek heritage is visible in the Doric temple columns and the world-class museum collection. For passengers with more time, day trips to Matera, Lecce, or Alberobello are popular but require organised transport.
Cruise dock
Molo San Cataldo — Main Cruise Berth
The primary cruise berth in Taranto. Multiple berths along the pier can accommodate large cruise ships including Oasis-class vessels. Less than 10 minutes' walk from the old town.
Latitude: 40.476782, Longitude: 17.219644
See dock on port map →Getting to Taranto
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards work for most things but carry some cash for small shops and street vendors in the old town
Build your perfect day in Taranto
Tell us your cruise line, ship and departure date and we'll give you a complete set of full port information and playbooks of how to spend your day.
Inside the Mediterranean collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Taranto cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
3 comparedTaranto Old Town panoramic walk with Aragonese Castle
≈ 3.5 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€55$61
Do it yourself
€13$15
Save ≈ €42Save ≈ $47 (76% off)
Walk from Molo San Cataldo cruise terminal across the Ponte San Francesco di Paola bridge directly into Piazza Castello — the entire old town loop is flat and walkable within 10 minutes of the ship. Aragonese Castle offers free guided tours (bring valid ID). MARTA Museum entry is €8. No transport needed at all.
See the DIY plan →
Matera UNESCO Sassi cave dwellings day trip
≈ 5 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€120$134
Do it yourself
€64$72
Save ≈ €56Save ≈ $63 (47% off)
Take a taxi from the cruise terminal to Taranto's Terminal Cimino bus station (~€12, 15 min), then FlixBus to Matera (~€11, 75 min). The bus drops you on Via Don Luigi Sturzo, a 15-minute downhill walk to the Sassi entrance. Casa Grotta cave house admission is €3. Return by the same FlixBus route. FlixBus runs only 2 daily services on this route — check departure times and book in advance.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
12 plansTaranto Old Town Essentials: Two Seas, Two Temples, One Island
The whole compact old town on foot — Greek columns, the Navy's castle, the Baroque cathedral and the medieval borgo, all within ten minutes of the ship.
Taranto for Nothing: A Full Day Without Opening Your Wallet
A genuinely free day — the Navy's castle, ancient columns, the cathedral, the fish market and a seafront stroll, all for the price of nothing.
The Gold of Magna Graecia: MARTA and the Underground City
Italy's greatest Greek-gold collection plus a hypogeum beneath the old town — the perfect indoor half-day when the weather turns.
Castle and the Two Seas: Taranto's Naval Story
The Navy's fortress, the swing bridge that opens for warships, and the channel where two seas meet — a tight, free, deeply Taranto morning.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Taranto?
- Your ship docks directly at the Taranto cruise terminal in Italy.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Taranto?
- Yes. Taranto is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Taranto centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Shuttle bus, Taxi, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Taranto?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Taranto independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Taranto and are cards accepted?
- Taranto uses the Euro. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Taranto cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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