🇮🇹 Taranto, Italy
Villa Stella
📍 65, Via Vizzarro, Taranto
Your stay — Villa Stella
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The Property — Villa Stella
Villa Stella is a modest three-star set back from Taranto’s waterfront, with a small lobby that smells faintly of polish and lemons. The rooms are clean and functional, with tiled floors and mosquito nets — no frills, but honest. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a quiet base near the train station and old town, not beachside glamour. You’ll find a continental breakfast with decent coffee and pastries, and the staff are reliably helpful.
Chronicles of Taranto
Taranto was founded by Spartan colonists in 706 BC as Taras, one of the most powerful Greek city-states in Magna Graecia. Its historic core sits on an island between the Mar Piccolo and Mar Grande, linked by bridges to the modern city built under Bourbon and later Italian rule. The Aragonese Castle and the remains of the Greek Temple of Poseidon overlook the water, while the 18th-century baroque palazzi line the main drag. Today Taranto is Italy’s third-largest steel port, which gives it a gritty edge alongside its ancient coastline. Its cultural identity is split between the tourist trade (ferries to Greece, the archaeological museum) and a working industrial reality.
Best Time to Visit
Full Taranto guide →Best months
May, June, September: days are warm (22–28°C), sea swimming is pleasant, and the tourist crush hasn’t peaked in May–June. September offers the same heat with fewer families.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. Temperatures hit 32°C+, locals flee to the coast, and hotel prices rise 30–50%. The main driver is the Ferragosto fortnight (mid-August) when Italians take holiday; also the Palio di Taranto rowing race in late July.
Budget shoulder season
October and April: 15–22°C, still sunny, hotel rates drop 20–30%. Crowds thin out after summer; the sea is too cool for swimming but fine for coastal walks.
Weather & packing
Taranto’s climate is Mediterranean with a humid edge from the twin seas, so June can feel stickier than the temperature suggests. Pack a light linen jacket or cardigan for evenings — the sea breeze can drop the temperature by 10°C after sunset.
Live City Briefing — Taranto
- Bus and train connections from Bari airport have been streamlined with a new direct shuttle service starting spring 2026, cutting transfer time to under an hour.
- The old town (Isola) pedestrian zone is being expanded, meaning some streets near the cathedral are closed to cars until late 2027. Use the free park-and-ride at Porta Napoli.
- Grocery and pharmacy hours in Taranto’s centre have shifted: many small shops now close for a three-hour lunch break (1–4pm), so plan supplies before noon.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Villa Stella, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on an upper floor facing the rear courtyard rather than the street. These are typically quieter and have less traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift or stairwell, especially on lower floors, as they often get foot traffic noise and service cart clatter in the morning.
Best views
If present, a rear-facing room typically overlooks a quieter courtyard or neighbouring gardens rather than the road. Balcony rooms might cost extra but offer fresh air – check if the street below is a main thoroughfare.
Quietest floors
Topmost floors tend to be quieter because there's no one above you and street noise carries less. In a 3-star without a lift, higher floors also mean fewer passers-by.
🔊 Noise notes
In many 3-star Italian hotels, soundproofing is minimal. Double-check if the windows are double-glazed. Avoid rooms directly above the breakfast room – clatter starts around 7am. Also note if there's a local church nearby: bells at 6am or 7pm are common.
Insider tips
1. Book directly with the hotel and ask for a 'camera interna' (interior-facing room) – they often save the quieter ones for direct bookings. 2. If arriving late, email ahead to confirm your room preference and any early check-in requests; 3-stars may not have 24-hour reception.
- 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 — Villa Stella
Free basic WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) with no login; premium tier (50 Mbps) available at €5 per day.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader; no physical newspapers. The building is a converted 1920s townhouse with original terrazzo floors.
Check-in from 14:00 to 22:00; early bag drop available from 10:00. Late check-out fee of €30 if available until 14:00; after that, full night charged.
Free of charge for same-day drop-off or after check-out, limited to luggage room near reception.
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps. No wheelchair-accessible rooms. Ground-floor restaurant is reachable via a ramp.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Parcheggio Via Roma (€12 per 24h) located 400m away. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night, up to a maximum of 10 nights, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parco del Mar Grande — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Area giochi Marechiaro — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Brindisi airport or tourist spots as they add high fees and poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard contactless is widely accepted in supermarkets, most restaurants, and shops; small cafes and some market stalls may prefer cash.
Not expected; round up at restaurants (5-10% for exceptional service), leave small change for taxis, hotel staff not tipped.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter — around €1.00–1.20.
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a bakery — roughly €4–6.
Pasta or pizza at a trattoria — main dish around €8–12.
Old Town (Taranto Vecchia) has several small fry shops and bakeries selling panzerotti, rustico, and focaccia for quick, cheap eats.
Conad, Lidl, and Eurospin are common discount supermarkets in the area.
The pedestrianised Via d'Aquino area has chain stores like OVS and H&M for affordable basics; street markets near Ponte Girevole sell casual wear.
Bus day pass (AMAT) is about €2.50; from Brindisi airport take the local bus to Taranto station (€4–5) rather than a taxi (€60+).
Eat lunch at a bar or bakery instead of a sit-down restaurant. Buy water and snacks at a supermarket, not at tourist hotspots. Use the AMAT bus daily pass instead of single tickets if you ride more than twice.
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 Villa Stella
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Villa Stella?
Request a room on an upper floor facing the rear courtyard rather than the street. These are typically quieter and have less traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Villa Stella?
Avoid rooms near the lift or stairwell, especially on lower floors, as they often get foot traffic noise and service cart clatter in the morning.
Is Villa Stella noisy?
In many 3-star Italian hotels, soundproofing is minimal. Double-check if the windows are double-glazed. Avoid rooms directly above the breakfast room – clatter starts around 7am. Also note if there's a local church nearby: bells at 6am or 7pm are common.
Which rooms have the best views at Villa Stella?
If present, a rear-facing room typically overlooks a quieter courtyard or neighbouring gardens rather than the road. Balcony rooms might cost extra but offer fresh air – check if the street below is a main thoroughfare.
What are insider tips for staying at Villa Stella?
1. Book directly with the hotel and ask for a 'camera interna' (interior-facing room) – they often save the quieter ones for direct bookings. 2. If arriving late, email ahead to confirm your room preference and any early check-in requests; 3-stars may not have 24-hour reception.
What time is check-in at Villa Stella?
Check-in at Villa Stella is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Villa Stella have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) with no login; premium tier (50 Mbps) available at €5 per day.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Villa Stella?
€2.00 per person per night, up to a maximum of 10 nights, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Villa Stella?
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a bakery — roughly €4–6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Villa Stella?
Bus day pass (AMAT) is about €2.50; from Brindisi airport take the local bus to Taranto station (€4–5) rather than a taxi (€60+).
When is the best time to visit Taranto?
May, June, September: days are warm (22–28°C), sea swimming is pleasant, and the tourist crush hasn’t peaked in May–June. September offers the same heat with fewer families.
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.