Taranto & west Puglia

Dreaming of the perfect retreat to Italy? Our luxury villas in Taranto & surrounding areas offer scenic views of West Puglia.

We offer a range of breathtaking villas & apartments for rent in West Puglia to fulfill your holiday experience including the options of: villas with private pools, villas for couples, villas for groups, family-friendly villas & beachfront villas. Find your ideal villa below.

Taranto, the city of two seas

Taranto sits between two bodies of water: the open Mar Grande and the sheltered lagoon of the Mar Piccolo, linked by a narrow channel under a swing bridge. The old town stands on its own small island, watched over by the Aragonese castle, while the newer city spreads across the mainland.

The city was founded by Greek settlers, and its National Archaeological Museum holds one of the finest collections from Magna Graecia, including delicate gold jewellery found in local tombs. The Mar Piccolo is also known for its mussels, which turn up in pasta and soups across the area.

The Ionian coast and the ravine towns

West of the city, the Ionian shore is a long run of sandy beaches backed by pine woods, with resorts such as Castellaneta Marina and Ginosa Marina. The water is shallow and warm by early summer, which makes this coast a good choice for families with young children.

Inland, the land is cut by deep limestone ravines known as gravine. Towns such as Massafra, Mottola, Laterza and Castellaneta sit on their edges, with rock churches and old cave dwellings carved into the walls. Castellaneta is also the birthplace of the silent film star Rudolph Valentino.

Matera, over the border in Basilicata, is within easy day-trip reach, and its cave district, the Sassi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To the north east, Martina Franca and the trulli country of the Valle d'Itria are a short drive away.

Food, wine and getting here

This is Primitivo country, and the red wines of Manduria are rich, ripe and good value. Grottaglie, just east of Taranto, has a quarter of ceramic workshops that still make traditional pots and plates by hand.

Brindisi and Bari are the nearest airports, and a hire car is the easiest way to get between the coast, the ravine towns and the hills. The area suits travellers who want quieter beaches and a less polished side of Puglia, with plenty to see on day trips. Spring and autumn bring mild weather for exploring, while July and August are hot and best spent by the sea.

Browse the villas listed below to find your base in Taranto and west Puglia, or read more about holidays in Puglia.