Your stay — hotel Appia
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The Property — hotel Appia
Hotel Appia is a straightforward 3-star business hotel on the main road into Taranto from the north. The lobby is clean but bland, with tiled floors, a small seating area and a reception desk that’s efficient rather than welcoming. It works best for travellers who need a cheap, no-nonsense base near the train station and don’t mind plain decor. The real draw is price and location, not charm.
Chronicles of Taranto
Taranto was founded by Spartan colonists in 706 BC as Taras, becoming one of Magna Graecia’s most powerful cities. The old town sits on an island between the Mare Piccolo and Mare Grande, with a Norman castle and Baroque churches layered over Greek and Roman foundations. In the 20th century, a massive steelworks transformed it into a major industrial port, creating jobs but also pollution. Today Taranto struggles between its ancient heritage and its role as a gritty working city, with a UNESCO bid for the old town and a slow shift towards tourism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Taranto guide →Best months
May, June and September – warm sun without July/August heat, and fewer cruise-ship crowds.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak, fuelled by Italian Ferragosto holiday (15 August). Hotel prices can double; book well ahead. The main event is the Festival of Saint Cataldo (10 May) but August swells with beachgoers.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and early October offer lower rates, mild temperatures (18-25°C) and much quieter sights.
Weather & packing
Taranto is often breezy and humid, with sudden afternoon thunderstorms in June. Pack a light rain jacket or compact umbrella even in summer, and always bring closed-toe shoes for the old town’s uneven limestone streets.
Live City Briefing — Taranto
- The Ponte Girevole (swing bridge) connecting the old town to the mainland is undergoing maintenance until late 2026; expect short delays and partial lane closures during weekday mornings.
- A new pedestrian zone on Via d'Aquino, near the old town, opened in March 2026, making walking easier but limiting car access – check if your hotel offers parking.
- Local protests over steelworks pollution continue, occasionally blocking the SP46 road near the ILVA plant; check local news for diversions if driving from Bari.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to hotel Appia, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the ground floor if you can. Although the lift serves all three floors, the narrow doors may be a challenge for large wheelchairs, and the ground-floor rooms are available on request. This will also spare you the hassle of navigating the three steps to the front door.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on higher floors if you're sensitive to noise. The hotel's location on Via Appia, a busy street in Taranto, means you can expect some street noise. Requesting a room on a higher floor won't completely eliminate the noise, but it might reduce it slightly. However, be aware that the lift noise might be more noticeable on upper floors.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on a busy street means you won't have a picturesque view. However, if you're on the opposite side of the hotel (facing Via della Repubblica), you might catch a glimpse of the scenic coastline of the Mar Piccolo lagoon from a room on the upper floors.
Quietest floors
Given the hotel's layout, the ground floor is likely the quietest. You'll be closer to the reception and the lift won't be as prominent.
🔊 Noise notes
Be aware that Via Appia is a major street in Taranto, and you can expect some traffic noise throughout the day and night. The three steps to the front door might be a minor nuisance for some guests.
Insider tips
When booking, request a ground-floor room to avoid the steps to the front door and potential lift issues with large wheelchairs. If you plan to drive, book your on-site parking in advance to ensure a spot, as it's a small, uncovered lot.
- 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 — hotel Appia
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx 20 Mbps down; no login or time limit, just select the hotel network
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections. No lift to ground-level reception (street has three steps)
No physical papers; complimentary PassaParola digital news terminal in lobby (Italian/English). No heritage quirks – purpose-built 1990s building
Check-in 14:00–23:00; free bag drop from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs €20 (subject to availability)
Free storage at reception during your stay or after check-out
No step-free entrance; three steps to front door. No ramps. Interior lift but narrow doors – may not suit large wheelchairs. Ground-floor rooms available on request
On-site private parking €10 per night (uncovered, reservation advised). Nearest public car park: Parcheggio Via Di Palma (200 m) at €0.80/hour, €10/day. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night (mandatory, paid on arrival; under-14s exempt)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in, released on checkout if no extras
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa Madonna di Tutte le Grazie (712 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Ex chiesa di Sant'Agostino (825 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Gesù Bambino (998 m · ~12 min walk)
- Place of worship: Ex-chiesa di Santa Lucia (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mercatone dell'Affare — 809 m · ~10 min walk
Piazza dei Martiri — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Teatro Comunale — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Massafra — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Farmacia Zaurito — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Massafra — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots — they charge high commissions and poor rates.
Major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless is common. Small bars, markets, and street food may be cash-only.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service: round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% for exceptional service), leave small change for taxi drivers (€1-2), and hotel porters €1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A caffè (espresso) at a bar counter costs about €1.10-1.30.
A panino or pizza al taglio (by the slice) from a bakery or takeaway, around €4-6.
A pizza margherita or pasta dish in a trattoria or pizzeria, typically €8-12 for a main.
The old town (Città Vecchia) and the waterfront streets have kiosks and small bakeries selling fried fish, panzerotti and pizza slices — cheap eats under €5.
Supermarkets include Conad, Carrefour Express, and Lidl; for basic groceries, there are small alimentari in the old town.
Via d'Aquino and the central shopping streets have high-street chains like H&M, Zara, and OVS. The weekly market on Via Papa Giovanni XXIII (Thursday morning) sells clothes and accessories at low prices.
The cheapest way to get around is on foot (most sights are walkable). A single bus ticket in the city costs about €1.20 from a tabacchi. From Bari airport, take the direct shuttle bus (FlixBus or local operator) to Taranto central station, around €8-10 one way.
Eat at trattorias away from the main tourist drag in the old town for better value. Visit the Mar Ta (Museo Archeologico Nazionale) on the first Sunday of the month for free entry. Use the city's free walking route along the Ponte di Porta Napoli and the Lungomare to enjoy the views without spending.
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 hotel Appia
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Massafra — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Zaurito — 1.2 km · ~15 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.
About Taranto
Wikipedia ↗
Taranto (Italian: [ˈtaːranto] ; Tarantino: Tarde), historically also called Tarent in English, is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Taranto, serving as an important commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base. With a population of 185,909 as of...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at hotel Appia?
Request a room on the ground floor if you can. Although the lift serves all three floors, the narrow doors may be a challenge for large wheelchairs, and the ground-floor rooms are available on request. This will also spare you the hassle of navigating the three steps to the front door.
Which rooms should I avoid at hotel Appia?
Avoid rooms on higher floors if you're sensitive to noise. The hotel's location on Via Appia, a busy street in Taranto, means you can expect some street noise. Requesting a room on a higher floor won't completely eliminate the noise, but it might reduce it slightly. However, be aware that the lift noise might be more noticeable on upper floors.
Is hotel Appia noisy?
Be aware that Via Appia is a major street in Taranto, and you can expect some traffic noise throughout the day and night. The three steps to the front door might be a minor nuisance for some guests.
Which rooms have the best views at hotel Appia?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on a busy street means you won't have a picturesque view. However, if you're on the opposite side of the hotel (facing Via della Repubblica), you might catch a glimpse of the scenic coastline of the Mar Piccolo lagoon from a room on the upper floors.
What are insider tips for staying at hotel Appia?
When booking, request a ground-floor room to avoid the steps to the front door and potential lift issues with large wheelchairs. If you plan to drive, book your on-site parking in advance to ensure a spot, as it's a small, uncovered lot.
What time is check-in at hotel Appia?
Check-in at hotel Appia is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does hotel Appia have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx 20 Mbps down; no login or time limit, just select the hotel network
Is there a city or tourist tax at hotel Appia?
€1.50 per person per night (mandatory, paid on arrival; under-14s exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near hotel Appia?
A panino or pizza al taglio (by the slice) from a bakery or takeaway, around €4-6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from hotel Appia?
The cheapest way to get around is on foot (most sights are walkable). A single bus ticket in the city costs about €1.20 from a tabacchi. From Bari airport, take the direct shuttle bus (FlixBus or local operator) to Taranto central station, around €8-10 one way.
When is the best time to visit Taranto?
May, June and September – warm sun without July/August heat, and fewer cruise-ship crowds.
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.