🇮🇹 Taranto, Italy
Gill Hotel
📍 Via Vincenzo Pupino, 50, 74123 Taranto TA, Italy
Your stay — Gill Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Taranto.
The Property — Gill Hotel
The Gill Hotel is a straightforward, no-nonsense 3-star place near Taranto’s main railway station. The lobby feels practical rather than charming — beige floors, a small reception desk, and a lift that groans. It suits travellers who want clean, affordable accommodation within walking distance of the historic old town and the waterfront. You are here to sleep, not to linger in the corridors.
Chronicles of Taranto
Taranto was founded as Taras by Greek colonists from Sparta in 706 BC, making it one of the oldest cities in Italy. It became a powerful city-state in Magna Graecia, later absorbed into the Roman Republic. The two natural bays, the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo, shaped its role as a major naval base, which it still is today. Its architectural layers — Greek ruins, a Norman castle, Baroque churches — tell a story of continuous habitation, but the modern city centre has a gritty, working-port feel rather than a polished tourist veneer.
Best Time to Visit
Full Taranto guide →Best months
May and September – warm but not oppressive, with daylight enough for sightseeing and fewer crowds than July and August. June is also good but starts to feel hot by the end of the month.
Peak / festival surge
August is the peak, driven by Italian holidaymakers heading to nearby beaches, and the festival of San Cataldo (10 May is the saint’s day; local celebrations spread into early summer). Hotel prices in Taranto rise notably in August, though less than on the Amalfi Coast.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and early October offer the best discounts and milder temperatures. Crowds thin out after the school break ends, and you can still get warm weather for exploring.
Weather & packing
Taranto in late June can be hot and humid, with average highs around 30°C, but a sudden sea breeze can drop the temperature by 8–10°C in an hour. Pack light layers: a linen shirt and a thin cotton jacket or cardigan that you can pull on when the wind turns cool.
Live City Briefing — Taranto
- The city’s new pedestrian zone around Via d’Aquino is now fully in effect, making the main shopping street car-free from 10am to 8pm – useful for walking but note taxis drop you a block away.
- Ferry services from Taranto to the Greek islands have resumed for the summer season, running from the commercial port; check schedules as they sometimes depart earlier than posted.
- A major renovation of the Ponte Girevole (the swing bridge connecting the old town to the new) is scheduled for June 2026, which may cause occasional closures for boats – allow extra time if you’re crossing on foot or by car.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Gill Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for a room on an upper floor, ideally at the end of a corridor away from the lift and stairwell, to reduce foot traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby, bar, or restaurant; these can be noisy until late. Also skip rooms next to the lift or ice machine.
Best views
Ask for a room facing away from the main road or with a side view; full-front view may be noisy, but a higher room can give a decent panorama if available.
Quietest floors
Higher floors are usually quieter as they're further from street-level noise and common areas. A top-floor room is best.
🔊 Noise notes
In a 3-star hotel, soundproofing can be basic. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, and request a room away from lifts and stairs.
Insider tips
1. Book directly with the hotel phone or email after checking online rates—3-star hotels sometimes offer a small discount or upgrade for direct bookings. 2. If travelling light, ask about early check-in or late check-out at no extra cost; smaller hotels are often flexible.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Gill Hotel
Free WiFi (up to 20 Mbps) with no login; no paid upgrade available
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers; no notable heritage quirks, modern building
Check-in: 14:00-23:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out by 13:00 for €30
Free for early arrivals and same-day departures; €5 per bag for longer storage
Step-free access from street via ramp; one accessible room with widened doors and grab bars; no lift access to basement breakfast room
No on-site parking; nearest public garage is Parcheggio Corso Vittorio Emanuele II (€15/night, 5-min walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parrocchia Madonna delle Grazie (843 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa del Rosario (999 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Parrocchia Madonna del Rosario (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Cappella Santissimi Pietro e Pavlo (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Pineta San Francesco De Geronimo - Monticello — 824 m · ~10 min walk
Museo della ceramica di Grottaglie — 986 m · ~12 min walk
Teatro Monticello — 766 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Postamat Via Messapia — 768 m · ~10 min walk
Farmacia Dottor Miccoli Tiziano — 284 m · ~4 min walk
Il Buongustaio da Fernando — 605 m · ~8 min walk
Grottaglie — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Change money at banks or post offices for fair rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau kiosks which add poor markups and fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless is common; cash still needed for small bars, markets, and some taxis.
Not expected but appreciated for good service: round up the bill at restaurants, leave a couple of euros for taxis, and a few euros for hotel cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a local bar (stand at the counter) – about €1.10.
Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) or a panino from a bakery – around €5–6.
Pasta or grilled fish dish in a trattoria – main course around €10–12.
Look for fry shops and rosticcerie in the old town (Città Vecchia) and around Via d'Aquino for cheap arancini, fried fish, or focaccia.
Discount supermarkets like Lidl, Eurospin, and MD are common in the area.
Affordable high-street clothes at chain stores like OVS, UPIM, and Bershka in the city centre or at Centro Commerciale Mongolfiera.
The urban bus day ticket costs about €2.50; from Bari airport, take the direct shuttle bus (FlixBus or Marinobus) for about €12–15 one way.
Eat where locals queue up for lunch – look for bars full of workers; skip touristy waterfront restaurants for those a street back; buy fresh produce and fish from the morning market in the old town.
Good to know — Taranto
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Taranto, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Gill Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Postamat Via Messapia — 768 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Dottor Miccoli Tiziano — 284 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Taranto train station → Villa Stella
💡 Better to walk or take the AMAT bus line 1 from the station—it stops 200 metres from the hotel. Taxis are scarce after 21:00.
Bari Centrale station → Taranto station
💡 From Bari airport, take the free shuttle bus to Bari Centrale (5 mins), then catch the FSE train. Direct trains avoid the slower regional via Martina Franca.
Bari Airport bus stop → Taranto bus station (Piazza Castello)
💡 Buses drop you right in central Taranto. From Piazza Castello, Villa Stella is a 10-min walk east along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) → Villa Stella, Taranto
💡 Pre-book with a fixed-rate firm like Cotopaxi or Radio Taxi Taranto. Metered fares from the rank often bump up to €100+ with luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Gill Hotel?
Ask for a room on an upper floor, ideally at the end of a corridor away from the lift and stairwell, to reduce foot traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Gill Hotel?
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby, bar, or restaurant; these can be noisy until late. Also skip rooms next to the lift or ice machine.
Is Gill Hotel noisy?
In a 3-star hotel, soundproofing can be basic. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, and request a room away from lifts and stairs.
Which rooms have the best views at Gill Hotel?
Ask for a room facing away from the main road or with a side view; full-front view may be noisy, but a higher room can give a decent panorama if available.
What are insider tips for staying at Gill Hotel?
1. Book directly with the hotel phone or email after checking online rates—3-star hotels sometimes offer a small discount or upgrade for direct bookings. 2. If travelling light, ask about early check-in or late check-out at no extra cost; smaller hotels are often flexible.
What time is check-in at Gill Hotel?
Check-in at Gill Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Gill Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi (up to 20 Mbps) with no login; no paid upgrade available
Is there a city or tourist tax at Gill Hotel?
€2.00 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Gill Hotel?
Pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) or a panino from a bakery – around €5–6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Gill Hotel?
The urban bus day ticket costs about €2.50; from Bari airport, take the direct shuttle bus (FlixBus or Marinobus) for about €12–15 one way.
When is the best time to visit Taranto?
May and September – warm but not oppressive, with daylight enough for sightseeing and fewer crowds than July and August. June is also good but starts to feel hot by the end of the month.
Top Attractions in Taranto
💡 Don’t miss the marble floor mosaics near the altar — they’re original and patterned like a medieval carpet. The crypt is often quiet, and you can see the saint’s tomb. Dress modestly.
💡 Head straight to the second floor for the 'Ori di Taranto' gold collection — it’s the highlight. Allow 1–2 hours. Entry is €8 normally, but free on first Sundays.
💡 Start at Piazza Fontana and aim for the waterfront along Via Duomo. The best views are from the quayside near the Ponte Girevole. Go early morning to see fishermen mending nets.
💡 The best section is the Gravina di Riggio — a short walk from the car park. Bring sturdy shoes and water; there’s no shade. Wildflowers are spectacular in spring.
💡 Entry is cheap (€2–€5 depending on exhibitions), and the sunset view from the ramparts over the Mar Grande is worth every cent. Go on a weekday morning to avoid queues.