Name: Hire Car
Rating: 4.6

Exploring Taranto by Hire Car

In Italy there are many places steeped in history, which date back to ancient times and have witnessed their heyday.

Such is the case with the city of Taranto in the province of the same name in Italy.

A fascinating archaeological museum, a picturesque old town and a pretty seafront are just a few good reasons to spend time in Taranto at the most wonderful time of the year.

On top of that, there are many delightful destinations in the surrounding countryside that are particularly easy to reach by hire car. For rental and travel we have compiled a few tips.

Taking over the hire car

Most travellers arrive in Taranto via Brindisi airport. There, the hire car center is located near the arrival terminal. Before you book a hire car, just make sure that your provider is also located directly at the airport. If he operates his station only in the area, it can happen that you have to wait a long time before a shuttle comes to pick you up and bring you to the hire car.

Booking the right hire car

Taranto is home to more than 200,000 inhabitants and the road traffic is correspondingly turbulent. So you’d better book a small and manoeuvrable hire car to get around everywhere and find a parking space more easily. Before you decide on a car, you should only consider how many pieces of luggage you want to take with you on your trip. This is because customers often find out after picking up their car that the trunk of their hire car is too small to hold their vacation luggage.

Hire car prices

Hire car prices in Taranto and Brindisi are usually in the mid-range. However, when the tourist crowds flock to the region during peak season, there can be a shortage of hire cars. And then the prices also rise. You can often snag a particularly good deal if you book well in advance of your trip and use our handy price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Taranto

Insuring the car properly

In Taranto the traffic is raging, an accident can happen quickly there. With a comprehensive insurance without deductible you are well insured in case of damage. With liability, it is important to pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros. After all, if people are injured in an accident, you will often be faced with high costs. If the sum insured of your rental company seems to be too low, you can take out a so-called Majorca policy for further protection. Let your insurance company advise you.

age limit

You must be at least 21 years old to hire a car from most hire car companies in Taranto and Brindisi. And drivers under 25 are often charged an additional fee. Seniors who are older than 75 also go without a car at many hire car companies. Before you rent the car, make sure you know the terms and conditions of your hire car company.

Accessories

If you need accessories such as a navigation device or child seats, you will need to order the items separately from your hire car company. Make reservations well in advance to ensure that the equipment you want is available on the day you pick up your vehicle.

Language barrier

In Brindisi and Taranto, it is by no means certain that all the staff at the rental stations speak good English. If you have written down the phone number of your hire car company’s Italian head office before you go, you may be lucky enough to reach a member of staff there who can interpret.

Free kilometers

There are so many delightful destinations around Taranto that you should definitely book a hire car with free kilometers to get to know the area extensively.

Tank control

Make sure to book with a rental company where you pick up the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank. Then, when you return the car, you won’t have to argue about the correct level of the tank.

Bail

Rental companies that actually charge the deposit due to your credit card like to take longer before transferring the amount back to your account after you return the car. Rather book with a hire car company that just blocks the amount. And make sure your credit line is sufficient to pay the deposit.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Most customers are quite satisfied with the hire car services in Brindisi and Taranto. However, some complain of long queues, especially at Brindisi airport. When you return the car, you should allow enough time not to miss the plane back home. Some customers also complain about the exterior condition of some vehicles. If you notice damage to your car, such as scratches or dents, you should have the defects confirmed in writing in a defect report. Keep the document safe so that you are not held responsible for damage that you did not cause when you return the vehicle.

Safety hire car

Most hire cars in Brindisi and Taranto are quite roadworthy. For your own safety, you should still test all of the vehicle’s lights before your first trip. Don’t forget your indicators and brake lights either. Make sure that first-aid kit, warning triangle and high-visibility vests are on board for all passengers. And do a quick brake test while still in the rental company’s parking lot.

Sights in Taranto

National Archaeological Museum: journey into antiquity
Start your stroll at the National Archaeological Museum. Here you can expect to find numerous finds from ancient times, when the Greeks ruled the place. These include statues from the island of Paros or the marble head of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. After the museum visit, you will have the opportunity to relax in the city park (Villa Peripato).

Chiesa S. Domenico Maggiore: Gothic portal
After resting, a visit to the Chiesa S. Domenico Maggiore could be on the agenda. It was built from the year 1302. Visitors are particularly impressed by the Gothic portal and the beautiful 14th-century rose window.

Piazza Fontana: Paradise for fish lovers
Perhaps you now feel like following the lively hustle and bustle in the fishermen’s quarter. Around Piazza Fontana there are many fish shops but also good trattorias where you can fortify yourself for further exploration of the city. After the meal, we recommend a walk to the two columns of the former temple of Poseidon. They date back to the sixth century BC.

Via Tommaso Nicolo D’Aquino: Shopper’s paradise
A stroll down Via Tommaso Nicolo D’Aquino could conclude your city break. The street is a pedestrian zone. Here you can indulge your shopping passion in elegant shops to your heart’s content.

Find a good restaurant

Because Taranto is off the beaten track, locals are often among themselves in the restaurants. This is good for the cuisine, which is authentic and of excellent quality to keep the regulars coming back. Why not try the delicacies served up at Ristorante Al Canale? The restaurant is located directly on the Canale navigabile. Through the windows or from the terrace, watch the passing ships while you enjoy the fine fish dishes.

Find a good hotel

The lack of tourists also explains the limited choice of hotels. We recommend the Isola Blu. You stay in a house from the 19th century. The warm owner lovingly takes care of the guests’ well-being. The cosy rooms are individually furnished, and the centre of town is just a few minutes’ walk away.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Castellaneta: Memory of Rodolfo Valentino
Cineastes should steer their hire car to Castellaneta. You can reach the town, 40 kilometres away, in just under an hour. Castellaneta is the birthplace of the screen star Rodolfo Valentino, who achieved world fame in Hollywood at the beginning of the 20th century. In his honor exists the Museo Rodolfo Valentino, where everything reminds of the life of the actor. The museum is open in summer from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 17:00 to 20:30. On Sunday, you can admire the exhibition from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm. From October 1 to May 1, there will be no opening hours in the afternoon on weekdays.

After your visit to the museum, you can still enjoy delicious local specialties in style at the Osteria Rodolfo Valentino and plan where to go next in your hire car.

Suggestion for a trip by hire car

Gallipoli: Charming Old Town
A trip by hire car could take you to Gallipoli first. In just under two hours, you will be there. In Gallipoli, a charming old town with winding streets awaits you, located on a small island and connected to the new town by a causeway. At the quay you can watch the fishermen mending their nets. And at the town’s bustling fish market, you can see what the latest catch has brought in. If you stroll into the new town afterwards, you can shop extensively in numerous boutiques and fill the boot of your hire car with the latest Italian fashions.

Leuca: The Deep South
Continue your journey in three quarters of an hour to Leuca. You are there in the far south of Puglia, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. The appealing resort with its white walls and cubic buildings, makes at first sight an Arabic influence. On the promenade of the place it is wonderful to stroll and the surrounding beautiful beaches invite you to sunbathe.

Santa Cesarea Terme: Mondanese Spa
Before you steer the hire car back to Taranto, you can still make a stop in Santa Cesarea Terme. You can reach the spa in less than an hour. In Santa Cesarea Terme you can enjoy the warm sulphur springs and recover from the exertions of the car journey with a mud pack in the spa centre. Afterwards, a stroll through the fashionable streets of the town is worthwhile before your hire car brings you back to Taranto in about two hours. During the drive, you will have plenty of opportunity to think about where to go next with the hire car.

Conclusion

Taranto is an excellent base for a round trip by hire car. The city has a lot to offer and all around are numerous charming destinations that can be reached perfectly by car. With our practical price comparison you can easily find the car that suits you at favourable conditions.

Hire car Taranto