Taranto has a classic Mediterranean climate — hot dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is spring (April–May) or early autumn (September–October), when temperatures are comfortable for walking and the old town is not at its most crowded.
Taranto's Easter celebrations are extraordinary — among the most intense in Italy. The Settimana Santa (Holy Week) processions include the Rito dei Perdoni, in which hooded confraternity members called Perdoni walk barefoot through the city for 24 hours. The Good Friday procession is particularly famous; it draws visitors from across southern Italy and is worth timing a visit around. Book accommodation well in advance if you plan to come at Easter.
Summer is hot (often above 35°C) and the old town, which has little shade, can be uncomfortable in the middle of the day. The city's beaches at Pulsano and Lido Gandoli are best visited in the shoulder months.