Car Hire in Taranto — Gateway to Apulia and Basilicata
Taranto sits on the Ionian Sea where Italy's heel begins to curve, and it is one of the most strategic places to rent a car in the southern mainland. The city itself divides into two parts — the old town on a small island connected by bridges, and the modern city on the mainland. For travellers, Taranto's real value is its location. From here you can reach Matera's cave dwellings, Alberobello's trulli houses, and the beaches of the Salento peninsula within a single day.
Taranto has a working port and a navy base, which gives it an authentic southern Italian energy that is less polished than the tourist centres further north. The old town (Città Vecchia) is a maze of narrow streets with Byzantine churches, seafood restaurants, and views across the Mar Grande. But to see the region properly, you need a car. Public transport in southern Puglia is limited, and the most interesting places are scattered across a landscape of olive groves, dry stone walls, and ancient farms.
Apulia (southeast)
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Matera, Alberobello, Salento beaches
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Old town is island-based; park on mainland
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Paid lots near bridges; easier than northern cities
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Compact Car
Ideal for the narrow streets of Matera's Sassi, Alberobello's trulli zone, and the tight lanes of Salento villages. Easier to park in small towns with limited spaces.
Mid-Size with Luggage Space
Recommended for longer trips into Basilicata or multi-week tours of southern Italy. More comfort for motorway stretches and room for beach gear and luggage.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Taranto was one of the great cities of Magna Graecia, the Greek-colonised southern Italy that produced philosophers, athletes, and warriors who rivalled the mainland Greeks. The Spartan colony produced the finest warriors in Italy, and the city's name still carries weight in classical history.
Today Taranto is less famous than Lecce or Bari, which is precisely why it appeals to certain travellers. The old town has not been gentrified into a theme park. The seafood restaurants serve actual fishermen. The navy presence gives the city a discipline and order unusual in southern Italy. And the location — equidistant from Matera, Alberobello, and the Salento beaches — is unmatched.
Driving out of Taranto, you pass through an ancient landscape of olive groves that have been cultivated for millennia. Some of the trees are over a thousand years old, their trunks twisted into sculptures by centuries of wind and pruning. This is the real Puglia — not the Instagram trulli or the yacht clubs, but the land that has sustained civilisation since before Rome existed.
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Total payable price
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Deposit and payment card
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Excess and cover
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Fuel policy
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Mileage and territory
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Extras and return
Price additional drivers, seats, after-hours service and one-way return before payment.
Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Old Town Access
The Città Vecchia is on an island connected by bridges. Driving into the old town is not practical. Park on the mainland near the Ponte di Porta Napoli and walk across.
Motorway Tolls
The A14 and A16 are tolled. Carry cash or a card for the booths. The SS7 and SS106 coastal roads are free alternatives but slower and busier in summer.
Summer Heat
Apulian summers are extremely hot. Never leave valuables or electronics in a parked car. Use covered parking where available and keep water in the vehicle.
Documentation
Valid driving licence, credit card, and ID. An International Driving Permit is recommended for non-EU holders. Southern Italian suppliers sometimes enforce this more strictly than northern offices.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Taranto Tourism.
Build a realistic first journey
Matera
Northeast through the Basentana valley. The ancient cave city of Matera is a UNESCO site and one of Italy's most extraordinary destinations. The drive itself is scenic.
Alberobello
North on the SS172. The trulli zone is unique — conical stone houses that look like something from a fairy tale. Park outside the historic centre and walk in.
Grottaglie
Northwest on the SS7. Famous for ceramics and with a charming old town that receives far fewer visitors than it deserves.
Salento Peninsula
South on the SS106 and coastal roads. Gallipoli, Otranto, and Santa Maria di Leuca offer beaches, baroque towns, and some of Italy's clearest water.
Frequently asked questions
Is Taranto safe for tourists?
Taranto is a working city with normal urban precautions. The old town is welcoming and the tourist areas are well-policed. Standard awareness applies as in any Italian city.
How do I reach Matera from Taranto?
Drive northeast on the SS7 and follow signs for Matera. The route is straightforward and passes through scenic countryside. Check current conditions as roadworks are common.
Can I visit Alberobello in a day?
Easily. It is a comfortable drive north from Taranto. Allow time to walk the trulli zone and have lunch. Combine with a stop at Locorotondo or Martina Franca for a fuller day.
What is the best time to visit Apulia?
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer the best weather and fewest crowds. July and August are hot and busy but ideal for beach-focused trips.
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