Your stay — La Piazzetta
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The Property — La Piazzetta
La Piazzetta is a compact, family-run 3-star in Taranto’s Borgo Antico (old town), with a sun-drenched terrace where you eat breakfast overlooking a cobbled piazza. The aesthetic is unpretentious: terracotta floors, whitewashed walls, and the clatter of local life just outside. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want genuine local atmosphere rather than polished amenities, and who don’t mind the narrow, slightly chaotic streets of the historic centre.
Chronicles of Taranto
Taranto was founded as the Spartan colony of Taras in 706 BCE, and its twin bays – Mare Grande and Mare Piccolo – made it a formidable Greek naval power. The Romans took over in 272 BCE, renaiming it Tarentum and expanding its port. In the Middle Ages, the city passed through Byzantine and Norman hands, with the Aragonese building the formidable Castello Aragonese in the 15th century. Today, Taranto is known for its massive steel plant (ILVA, opened in the 1960s) which has created economic tension with its ancient identity; the city balances a gritty industrial edge with significant archaeological museums and Baroque churches.
Best Time to Visit
Full Taranto guide →Best months
May, June and September offer warm 24–30°C days, low humidity, and the sea is swimmable from mid-May. Crowds are thin outside August; you can walk the old town without jostling.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak: temperatures hit 32–38°C with high humidity, and Italians flock to the Ionian coast for Ferragosto (15 August). Hotel prices in Taranto can double, especially near the marina. The main events are the Festa di San Cataldo (10 May) and the summer Sagra del Pesce (late July), but August’s draw is purely beaches and Ferragosto.
Budget shoulder season
October and April are the best budget shoulder months. Days are pleasant (18–24°C), accommodation discounts of 30–50% are typical, and the seasonal crowds vanish from the old town and waterfront.
Weather & packing
Taranto’s microclimate can bring sudden scirocco winds from Africa, pushing temperatures up 10°C in an hour and bringing fine red dust. Pack a light linen jacket or pashmina for evening breezes on the terrace, and always carry a reusable water bottle – public fountains in the old town are plentiful and safe.
Live City Briefing — Taranto
- The old town’s pedestrianisation project expanded in March 2026: Via d’Aquino and Via SS Annunziata are now closed to cars 7am–midnight, making walking tours easier but delivery traffic in side streets more chaotic.
- The Museo Archeologico Nazionale (MArTA) reopened its Greek pottery gallery in April 2026 after a year of renovation – now displaying the ‘Taras Treasure’ of 5th-century BC jewellery.
- A direct overnight ferry from Taranto to Brindisi (for the Greek ferry connection) was cancelled due to low demand as of June 2026; check local schedules if island-hopping.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to La Piazzetta, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) to minimize potential street noise from Largo Conte Ugolino, which is a relatively busy street in Taranto. As the hotel has a lift serving all three floors, you can easily access your room without worrying about stairs.
Rooms to avoid
If mobility is a concern, steer clear of rooms in the historic section as they have narrow doorways, which may limit accessibility.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Largo Conte Ugolino does not offer a particularly scenic view, as it's a relatively narrow street. However, rooms on the upper floors may have a view of the surrounding rooftops or the city skyline.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors
🔊 Noise notes
Be aware of potential street noise from Largo Conte Ugolino, which may carry into ground floor rooms. Additionally, the public garage nearby (Parcheggio Centro) may generate some noise, especially during peak hours.
Insider tips
Consider purchasing the premium Wi-Fi tier (€5/day) for a faster and more reliable internet connection, especially if you plan to stream or work from your room. If you plan to arrive by car, take note of the public garage 'Parcheggio Centro' nearby, which charges €15/night. It's a convenient option, but be prepared for the cost.
- 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 — La Piazzetta
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (30 Mbps, €5/day) available for streaming
Lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access via lobby tablet; no physical papers. Building is a converted 19th-century palazzo with original stone staircase.
Check-in from 14:00 to 22:00 (weekday) or 23:00 (weekend). Early bag drop available from 10:00. Late checkout (until 14:00) costs €30, subject to availability.
Free for same-day collection; long-term storage not offered
Step-free entrance via ramp; lift to all floors. No wheelchair-accessible rooms; narrow doorways in historic section limit mobility
No on-site parking. Public garage 'Parcheggio Centro' 200 m away: €15/night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night, up to 10 nights
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment via credit card required at booking; €50 incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa di San Domenico (67 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: San Nicola dei greci (89 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: San Domenico (93 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Nicola a Montedoro (95 m · ~1 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Area Verde — 189 m · ~2 min walk
Campetto pallacanestro — 378 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 551 m · ~7 min walk
Farmacia Sorace — 145 m · ~2 min walk
Martina Franca — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs at banks like Intesa Sanpaolo or UniCredit; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots due to poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, and shops; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) common; cash needed for small markets and some cafes.
Not expected; round up the bill or leave 1-2 EUR for good service in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips but rounding up is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar for about 1.00-1.20 EUR; standing at the counter is cheaper than sitting.
Panino or pizza al taglio (by the slice) for 4-6 EUR at a bakery or bar.
Pizza margherita in a basic trattoria for 6-8 EUR or a pasta dish for 8-10 EUR.
Focaccia barese, panzerotti, and fried seafood are common around Via d'Aquino and the Old Town; eat at bakeries and takeaway counters.
Conad, Eurospin, Lidl, and MD Discount are common in the area.
Via d'Aquino and Corso Umberto have affordable high-street chains like OVS and Terranova; look for markets in Piazza Garibaldi for cheap clothing.
Bus day pass about 3.50 EUR from AMAT; cheapest from airport is the bus from Bari Airport to Taranto (around 10 EUR one way).
Buy food at local markets or supermarkets rather than tourist spots; fill water bottles at public fountains (fontanelle); visit museums on free first Sundays.
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 La Piazzetta
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 551 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Sorace — 145 m · ~2 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 La Piazzetta?
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) to minimize potential street noise from Largo Conte Ugolino, which is a relatively busy street in Taranto. As the hotel has a lift serving all three floors, you can easily access your room without worrying about stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at La Piazzetta?
If mobility is a concern, steer clear of rooms in the historic section as they have narrow doorways, which may limit accessibility.
Is La Piazzetta noisy?
Be aware of potential street noise from Largo Conte Ugolino, which may carry into ground floor rooms. Additionally, the public garage nearby (Parcheggio Centro) may generate some noise, especially during peak hours.
Which rooms have the best views at La Piazzetta?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Largo Conte Ugolino does not offer a particularly scenic view, as it's a relatively narrow street. However, rooms on the upper floors may have a view of the surrounding rooftops or the city skyline.
What are insider tips for staying at La Piazzetta?
Consider purchasing the premium Wi-Fi tier (€5/day) for a faster and more reliable internet connection, especially if you plan to stream or work from your room. If you plan to arrive by car, take note of the public garage 'Parcheggio Centro' nearby, which charges €15/night. It's a convenient option, but be prepared for the cost.
What time is check-in at La Piazzetta?
Check-in at La Piazzetta is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does La Piazzetta have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (30 Mbps, €5/day) available for streaming
Is there a city or tourist tax at La Piazzetta?
€2.00 per person per night, up to 10 nights
Where can I eat cheaply near La Piazzetta?
Panino or pizza al taglio (by the slice) for 4-6 EUR at a bakery or bar.
What is the cheapest way to get around from La Piazzetta?
Bus day pass about 3.50 EUR from AMAT; cheapest from airport is the bus from Bari Airport to Taranto (around 10 EUR one way).
When is the best time to visit Taranto?
May, June and September offer warm 24–30°C days, low humidity, and the sea is swimmable from mid-May. Crowds are thin outside August; you can walk the old town without jostling.
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.