Your stay — Portobello
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The Property — Portobello
The Portobello is a no-frills 3-star business hotel on Taranto's industrial outskirts, near the main train station and ferry terminal. Its lobby feels like a functional transit lounge — tiled floors, a small reception desk, and a plastic plant — but rooms are clean, air-conditioned, and come with decent WiFi. It suits budget-conscious travellers who need a practical base for one night and don't mind a 20-minute bus ride into the old town.
Chronicles of Taranto
Taranto was founded as Taras by Greek Spartans in 706 BC, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Italy. It became a key Roman port, then a Byzantine and Norman stronghold, and later the capital of the Kingdom of Naples's naval fleet. The 18th and 19th centuries saw heavy fortification and the construction of the Arsenale Militare Marittimo, which still dominates the waterfront. Today, Taranto is a gritty, fascinating city of two halves: the historic old town on an island, linked by bridges to the sprawling modern city and its massive steelworks.
Best Time to Visit
Full Taranto guide →Best months
May, June, September for warm, sunny weather (25-30°C) with fewer crowds than August.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak season, driven by Italian summer holidays and the Ferragosto festival (15 August). Hotel prices often double from €60 to €120 per night, and the old town is very busy with day-trippers.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and early October offer mild temperatures (20-25°C), lower hotel rates (€50-70), and quiet streets.
Weather & packing
Taranto's climate is dry Mediterranean, but July humidity can spike in the afternoon, often followed by a sudden thunderclap. Pack a light rain jacket or umbrella even in summer, and always bring comfortable walking shoes for cobbled old-town streets.
Live City Briefing — Taranto
- The old town's pedestrianisation project continues: the main drag, Via Duomo, is now mostly car-free, improving the walk to the cathedral and Aragonese Castle.
- A new seasonal ferry service from Taranto's Porto Mercantile to the Tremiti Islands (daily from June to September) makes a day trip practical.
- The city's main archaeological museum, MArTA, is open late on summer Fridays (until 11pm) with reduced evening entry fees.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Portobello, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back of the hotel, away from the street. The lift only goes to the 4th floor, so these upper floors are quieter and less foot traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors facing the front – street noise from Taranto’s traffic carries. Also avoid rooms directly opposite the lift on any floor, as you’ll hear the mechanism and passengers.
Best views
Back-facing rooms on upper floors overlook the quieter courtyard or adjacent streets – no sea view at this address, but you’ll see typical Taranto rooftops and maybe a glimpse of the old town.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors (highest accessible by lift) – less street noise and fewer people passing by.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road out front (likely Via Fornaci or similar) has constant traffic – mopeds, buses, and bin lorries early morning. Side streets may have local cafes with outdoor seating. Lift noise: clanking sounds in adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
Request a back-facing room when booking by phone or email – the front is noisy. If you have luggage, the lift is right off the lobby, so a 4th-floor room is fine for access. Avoid ground floor if you want quiet sleep – the bar noise seeps through.
- 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 — Portobello
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 5 Mbps) throughout; premium tier (30 Mbps) available for €5 per day.
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections.
Free digital access to PressReader (Italian and international papers) via hotel tablet or personal device; no printed newspapers.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00 (free, storage). Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs €30, subject to availability.
Free at reception for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage €10 per bag.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms on ground floor (request at booking); lift fits standard wheelchair; no specific hearing/visual aids.
On-site unguarded parking €15 per night (limited to 10 spaces, first-come-first-served); nearest public car park ‘Parcheggio Centrale’ at Via De Cesare, 200m walk, €12 per 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night, up to 5 consecutive nights, paid at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full stay amount charged at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Sant'Antonio (142 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Maria SS. Addolorata (690 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Parrocchia Santissimo Crocifisso (893 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa Maria di Santissima del Monte (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Giardini Martiri Partigiani-Capitano Basile — 385 m · ~5 min walk
MAR.TA Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Teatro Padre Turoldo — 699 m · ~9 min walk
Piazza Pio XII — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banca di Taranto — 718 m · ~9 min walk
Giudice — 234 m · ~3 min walk
Supermarket — 327 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist spots as they charge poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless is common but carry some cash for smaller street vendors or markets.
Not required but appreciated; round up the bill in restaurants, leave small change for taxis, and tip hotel staff a few euros for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A caffè (espresso) at the counter of a local bar — about €1.00–1.20.
A panino or slice of pizza from a bakery or rosticceria — €5–7.
A main course of pasta or grilled fish at a modest trattoria — €12–15.
Look for friggitorie and fried fish stalls in the old town (Città Vecchia) and along the seafront; try 'frittelle di baccalà' or 'zeppole'.
Conad, Eurospin, and Lidl are common budget supermarkets.
Via d'Aquino and the area around Piazza Garibaldi have affordable chain stores and local boutiques; the weekly market (Mercato di Taranto) on Saturdays is good for bargains.
A single bus ticket costs around €1.30 (valid 90 minutes); a day pass (€3.50) is the cheapest way to get around. From Bari airport, take the regional train to Taranto (€9–11) or a direct bus (€12–15).
Eat at lunchtime when fixed-price menus (pranzo di lavoro) are common, and avoid restaurants directly on Piazza del Municipio or the main tourist drag for better value. Use the pedestrian-friendly old town to avoid public transport costs. Buy snacks and water from supermarkets rather than tourist kiosks.
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 Portobello
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banca di Taranto — 718 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Giudice — 234 m · ~3 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 Portobello?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back of the hotel, away from the street. The lift only goes to the 4th floor, so these upper floors are quieter and less foot traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Portobello?
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors facing the front – street noise from Taranto’s traffic carries. Also avoid rooms directly opposite the lift on any floor, as you’ll hear the mechanism and passengers.
Is Portobello noisy?
Main road out front (likely Via Fornaci or similar) has constant traffic – mopeds, buses, and bin lorries early morning. Side streets may have local cafes with outdoor seating. Lift noise: clanking sounds in adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Portobello?
Back-facing rooms on upper floors overlook the quieter courtyard or adjacent streets – no sea view at this address, but you’ll see typical Taranto rooftops and maybe a glimpse of the old town.
What are insider tips for staying at Portobello?
Request a back-facing room when booking by phone or email – the front is noisy. If you have luggage, the lift is right off the lobby, so a 4th-floor room is fine for access. Avoid ground floor if you want quiet sleep – the bar noise seeps through.
What time is check-in at Portobello?
Check-in at Portobello is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Portobello have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 5 Mbps) throughout; premium tier (30 Mbps) available for €5 per day.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Portobello?
€2.00 per person per night, up to 5 consecutive nights, paid at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Portobello?
A panino or slice of pizza from a bakery or rosticceria — €5–7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Portobello?
A single bus ticket costs around €1.30 (valid 90 minutes); a day pass (€3.50) is the cheapest way to get around. From Bari airport, take the regional train to Taranto (€9–11) or a direct bus (€12–15).
When is the best time to visit Taranto?
May, June, September for warm, sunny weather (25-30°C) with fewer crowds than August.
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.