Mediterranean Games 2026: The Complete Travel Guide to Taranto, Italy

The Mediterranean Games return in 2026, and for the first time this major sporting event will be staged in Taranto, a historic port city on Italy's southern coast in the Puglia region. Running from 21 August to 3 September 2026, the XX Mediterranean Games will bring together 26 nations and more than 3,854 athletes across 28 sports, all competing under the motto "Embrace the Future."

As participation is restricted to National Olympic Committees of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the Games have a distinctly regional charm that sets them apart from the Olympics, drawing athletes and fans from Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Levant. Whether you're planning to watch the opening ceremony, follow a specific sport, or use the Games as an excuse to explore Italy, here's everything you need to know before you book.

Contents

• What Are the Mediterranean Games 2026?
• Key Dates and Schedule
• Host City: Taranto, Italy
• Sports and Venues
• How to Get There by Ferry
• Getting Around Taranto
• Things to Do Beyond the Games
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Mediterranean Games 2026?

The Mediterranean Games are a multi-sport event that takes place every four years for nations that border the Mediterranean Sea, first staged in Alexandria in 1951. The 2026 edition is officially the XX Mediterranean Games, commonly referred to as Taranto 2026.

Unlike the Olympics, eligibility is based on geography rather than global reach: only National Olympic Committees from Mediterranean-bordering countries can enter athletes, which gives the Games a more regional atmosphere while still delivering Olympic-level competition in sports like athletics, swimming, sailing, and football. 

The International Committee of Mediterranean Games (ICMG) oversees the event in cooperation with national Olympic committees across the region, with Taranto being confirmed as the hosts back in August 2019 at the ICMG General Assembly in Patras, Greece.

Key Dates and Schedule

The Games were originally scheduled for June 2026 but were moved later in the summer to avoid peak heat and to sidestep a scheduling clash with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing more elite athletes to take part.

Host City: Taranto, Italy

Taranto is located on the "instep" of Italy's boot in the Puglia region. It's a city with a long naval and maritime history, best known for its ancient Greek roots (it was founded as the colony of Taras), its mussel-farming Mar Piccolo lagoon, and a historic old town on a small island linked by swing bridges.

Hosting a sporting event of this magnitude is a rare moment in the spotlight for a city that usually flies under the radar compared to Puglia's more famous towns like Alberobello or Lecce, which makes 2026 a great year to combine Games-watching with a less touristy slice of southern Italy.

Sports and Venues

Taranto 2026 spans 28 sports across multiple venues in and around the city. The two main venues are:

• Stadio Erasmo Iacovone — rebuilt for the Games, this is the main stadium hosting the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the football tournament.
• Stadio Giuseppe Valente — a newer venue in Taranto's Salinella district that opened in 2024, purpose-built with removable stands for up to 3,000 spectators, hosting athletics.

Additional venues around the city and wider Puglia region host everything from swimming and sailing to combat and racquet sports, reflecting the breadth of this sporting event.

How to Get There by Ferry

For travelers coming from Greece, Albania or Croatia, arriving by ferry is a scenic and often more flexible alternative to flying. It’s also a more practical mode of transport given how many overnight Adriatic and Ionian crossings already serve this corner of Italy.

Please note that the port of Taranto serves primarily as a commercial and naval hub rather than a passenger terminal, so ferry travelers must sail to Bari port or Brindisi port and then complete the final leg to Taranto by train, bus, or car, which takes approximately 1 hour from either port.

From Greece

Regular car ferries connect western Greece to Puglia, with overnight sailings common enough that you can leave a Greek port in the evening and dock the next morning ready to continue to Taranto.

From Albania

Durrës and Vlorë both run frequent crossings to Puglia, and these are among the shortest international ferry hops in the region, making Albania one of the most convenient starting points for a ferry journey to the Games.

From Croatia

There are 2 direct ferry routes from Croatia to Bari via Split and Dubrovnik.

Please be aware that prices and schedules vary by season and vehicle. Onboard facilities and ticket types also fluctuate depending on what operator you decide to sail with.

Getting Around Taranto

Once you arrive in Taranto, the city center and old town are compact and easily walkable. Regional trains connect Taranto to Bari, Brindisi, and further afield to Rome and Naples via the Adriatic line, whereas local buses cover routes that aren't easily walkable, including links out to the athletics venue in Salinella. You can expect to find extra shuttle services and traffic management around Games days, especially near Stadio Erasmo Iacovone during the ceremonies.

Getting around Taranto by car

A car is useful if you want to explore beyond central Taranto, particularly the Ionian coastline, beaches and smaller towns around the province. Within the city itself, however, a car is not always the easiest option. Streets in the old town are narrow, parking can be difficult, and some central areas have restricted traffic zones (ZTL). It is usually better to park outside the historic core and continue on foot.

For visitors staying outside the center or planning day trips, hiring a car gives considerably more flexibility. Major roads connect Taranto with Bari, Brindisi, Lecce and Matera, while local roads provide access to the coastal resorts and countryside.

Getting around Taranto by bus

Taranto's main urban public transport is operated by Kyma Mobilità - AMAT. The network covers the municipality and connects the city center with residential districts, the railway station, commercial areas and other parts of the urban area. For most visitors, buses are the most practical form of public transport for journeys that are too far to walk.

Single-journey tickets, 90-minute time tickets, daily tickets and weekly tickets are all available. Tickets can be bought online, while the Kyma Mobilità app can be used to plan journeys, check bus timetables and purchase tickets. Always check the current timetable before traveling, particularly at weekends and during public holidays.

Getting around Taranto by train

Trains are more useful for traveling to and from Taranto than for getting around the city itself. Taranto railway station is the city's principal rail hub and has connections with destinations elsewhere in Puglia and across southern Italy.

Regional trains can be useful for journeys to Bari, Brindisi, Lecce and other towns, while Intercity services provide longer-distance connections. Trenitalia currently lists direct Intercity services connecting Taranto with cities including Bari, Lecce, Rome, Naples, Bologna and Milan, as well as other destinations.

Walking around Taranto

Walking is one of the best ways to experience central Taranto. The historic center, the Città Vecchia, is best explored on foot, with narrow streets and lanes that are unsuitable for vehicles. Walking also makes it easy to combine sights such as the Aragonese Castle, the Ponte Girevole and the waterfront with restaurants, cafés and other attractions.

The newer Borgo area is also relatively easy to explore on foot, although distances become noticeably longer as you move toward the outer residential districts. Comfortable shoes are recommended because some historic streets and pavements can be uneven.

Getting around by taxi

Taxis are useful for short journeys when buses are inconvenient, particularly late in the evening, when traveling with luggage or when getting to accommodation outside the center. They can also be practical for reaching the railway station or traveling between the city center and areas that are less well served by public transport.

We recommend using an official taxi rank or licensed taxi service rather than accepting an unsolicited ride. Ask about the fare before a longer journey if you are unsure whether a fixed tariff applies.

Water transport

Taranto has an unusual transport option for a city of its size: waterway services (idrovia). Kyma Mobilità operates water transport as part of the city's public transport system. These services can provide a useful alternative to road travel for particular journeys and are also an enjoyable way to experience Taranto.

Routes and operating times are subject to change, so please check the current Kyma Mobilità information before embarking on a journey by boat.

Things to Do Beyond the Games

Taranto rewards visitors who stick around past the closing ceremony. The old town (Città Vecchia) sits on a small island between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo, packed with narrow lanes, Byzantine-era churches, and the Aragonese Castle. 

The National Archaeological Museum (MArTA) holds one of Italy's best collections of Magna Graecia artefacts. For food, the Mar Piccolo lagoon is famous for its mussels, and the wider Puglia region is within easy reach for day trips to Alberobello's trulli houses, the baroque city of Lecce, or the white cliffs and beaches along the Salento coast.

Useful Links

For more travel inspiration around Italy, these articles might interest you:

• Top Things to do in Italy All Year Round
• Best Hiking Trails in Italy
• Budget Day Trips in Italy by Ferry
• The Best Coffee Spots in Italy

Frequently Asked Questions

When are the Mediterranean Games 2026?

The Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games run from 21 August to 3 September 2026, with the opening ceremony scheduled to take place on 21 August at 20:00 at Stadio Erasmo Iacovone in Taranto. The Games conclude on 3 September, and competitions take place across Taranto and other municipalities in Puglia, so visitors attending several events should check the venue and date for each session carefully. The opening ceremony is a ticketed event, with tickets sold via the official Vivaticket platform.

Where are the Mediterranean Games 2026 held?

The main host city is Taranto, in Puglia, southern Italy, but the competition is not confined to the city itself. Events are being staged across multiple municipalities in the region, including venues in places like Brindisi, Lecce and Francavilla Fontana, so spectators should check the location of their event before booking accommodation or transport.

Is there an airport in Taranto?

Taranto-Grottaglie Airport is located close to the city, but it currently has no regular commercial passenger flights. Most visitors therefore fly into Bari Airport or Brindisi Airport and then travel to Taranto by train, bus or car. Brindisi is a convenient option, with the Puglia Airbus operating between Brindisi Airport and Taranto's Parco Cimino, with the journey taking around 70 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays.

Can I get to Taranto by ferry?

There are no regular international passenger ferries directly to Taranto, so most ferry passengers from Greece or Albania arrive in Bari or Brindisi and then continue to Taranto by train, bus or car. Both ports have international ferry connections, but remember to allow extra time to get from the ferry terminal to the train station before continuing your journey.

How is this different from the Olympics?

The Mediterranean Games are a multi-sport competition for National Olympic Committees from countries and territories located around the Mediterranean, rather than a global event like the Olympics. The Taranto 2026 edition brings together athletes from 26 nations across Europe, Africa and Asia, competing in a wide range of sports over several venues in Puglia.

Should I book accommodation in Taranto or a nearby city?

Staying in Taranto is the easiest option if most of your events are held in the city, as it means less time spent traveling between competitions. If accommodation is limited or expensive, consider staying in Bari, Brindisi, Lecce or nearby towns, but check the location of your events first because some competitions are being held outside Taranto and will require additional travel.

If you're planning to attend the Mediterranean Games 2026, book your ferry tickets today and prepare for a summer you won't forget!