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Taormina was an unmissable stop of the Grand Tour , the journey of the nineteenth-century European aristocracy. Even today, the city is a popular destination for international tourism, with many tourists arriving each year from all over the world to discover its beauty.

Once you enter Porta Messina , the atmosphere is surreal: it is like living a dream.

Let’s discover the ten best things to see and do in Taormina.

Vista sull’Etna dal Teatro Antico di Taormina – ph. Archivio Regione Siciliana

• Corso Umberto

As soon as we cross the stone arch, we can see the sparkling modernity alongside the ancient splendour of the past.

We are on Corso Umberto , the shopping street . It is closed to traffic, and it runs through the whole city. Let’s take a struscio : a slow stroll. In Corso Umberto, there are clothing boutiques, jewellers, craft shops and antique stores. It will be easy to find the perfect souvenir .

We continue to enjoy a walk through the narrow streets, scented alleys, flowers and colourful objects.

• Palazzo Corvaia

The first architecturally interesting structure we see is Corvaja Palace . In the 15th century, the Sicilian Parliament had its seat in this medieval fortress. In its characteristic inner courtyard, we can admire reliefs and arched windows dating back to the Christian era. The style of the palace has Arabic influences. On the first floor, we can visit a museum and art gallery , and on the ground floor, there is a tourist information office.

Walking down a staircase that crosses Corso Umberto, we discover a hidden treasure. The Naumachia is one of Sicily’s most important Roman monuments and a must-see on a tour of ancient Taormina.

It is an impressive construction. The name comes from the games of historic naval battles that Romans used to play here.

• Piazza XXV Aprile

We continue our walk towards Porta Catania . The gate is at the opposite end of the Corso (about 800 metres away). On the right of Porta Catania, there is a sign saying “ Italy’s narrowest alley – 43 cm “. We record our visit with a selfie .

Taormina – ph. Archivio Regione Siciliana

Halfway down, we come to one of the most beautiful historic squares on the island . XXV April Square is a stunning sight. We can stop on its precious chequered floor to enjoy the Babelic chatter of tourists and watch the crowded benches. Many people look out from the magnificently carved stone balcony. The view from here is breathtaking.

We catch our breath and enjoy the landscape. In front of us, we see the Ionian Sea and prickly pears caressed by the sea breeze. The most inspirational time to look at the view is at dusk when the sun sets and the square starts to light up.

• Getting a glimpse of the Churches

Looking around, we notice the historic buildings surrounding the square. Among them is the church of Sant’Agostino , whose particular feature is its crenellated bell tower. Then there is the Baroque church of San Giuseppe . Its beautiful double staircase stands next to the impressive Clock Tower . The gate of the third city wall still exists and was once placed next to the tower.

• Duomo di San Nicolò di Bari

We continue our walk. Struciando (slowly walking), we arrive in the square of the Cathedral of San Nicolò di Bari . The imposing and squared Church silently observes the beautiful and lively Baroque fountain, called “ Quattro Fontane “. If opposites attract, together they are a perfect couple.

• Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano

Porta Catania is the southern entrance to Taormina. Here we can see one of the masterpieces of Sicilian Gothic art: the Santo Stefano Dukes Palace . The building dates back to the 14th-century, and its architecture blends features of Arab and Norman styles.

The Palace stands in the old Jewish quarter and is the former residence of the noble De Spuches family , of Spanish origin. In front of the two main facades, there is a beautiful garden. Today the mansion is the location for exclusive cultural events and wedding celebrations. It is also home to the Mazzullo Foundation , a brilliant sculptor who combined tradition and modernity. Many of his works are on display in the Palace.

Teatro Antico a Taormina – ph. Archivio Regione Siciliana

• Teatro Antico

So obvious that we were almost at risk of forgetting it. The Theatre of Taormina is the first site of archaeological interest in the Archaeological Park of Naxos and Taormina . It testifies to the taste of the ancient Greeks in choosing scenic places to build their buildings.

From the ancient theatre, you can see Mount Etna and the gulf of Giardini-Naxos : the view is breathtaking. On clear days you can even see the coast of Calabria. The theatre is the town’s main monument, both for its historical and architectural value and the spectacular location. The view from this place is called the panorama par excellence. Absolutely not to be missed, once in Sicily.

Discover more on Taormina Archeologica and Parco Archeologico di Naxos audio tour izi.TRAVEL

Not far from Piazza XXV Aprile, we visit the public garden . It is on the outskirts of Taormina but is one of the most beautiful and surprising places in the town.

The public garden history is related to the life of Lady Florence Trevelyan, a Scottish woman.

The park dates back to the late 19th century. It looks like a typical English garden. It develops on several levels connected by stairs. There are small squares hidden in the lush nature where we can see a botanical garden. The “ Victorian Follies ” are fabulous constructions in arabesque style: is where the Lady loved to welcome her guests or paint.

In spring or summer sunny days, the leafy trees provide shade and coolness, so the “Villa” is a true paradise. If we sit on a bench, we can admire the postcard view of the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna . It is a true joy for the soul.

Veduta aerea di Isola Bella a Taormina – ph. Archivio Regione Siciliana

• Isola Bella

Lady Florence definitely had good taste. In 1890 she bought the tiny island of Isola Bella and built a lovely house.

Isola Bella is not a proper island. A narrow strip of pebble beach connects it to the mainland. At high tide, the central part of the beach is underwater. Today the area is managed by the environmental protection centre of the University of Catania .

The beach is made of gravel and very large stones and is the perfect place for sunbathing. Let the calm waters of the Ionian Sea caress us.

To learn more about the history of Isola Bella, we can visit its natural museum .

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Next excursions from taormina, traveltaormina.com: your complete guide, where is taormina, what to see in taormina, how are the beaches, what excursions are available from taormina.

Taormina is nestled on the top of Mount Tauro, a natural terrace overlooking the sea. Its wonderful location and natural beauty make holidays in Taormina a dream for any tourist. Everyone wants to visit Taormina, and indeed the " Pearl of the Ionian Sea " is certainly the most famous and important tourist center in all of Sicily .

One of the most picturesque spots in Taormina is the Greek Theatre , which allows event spectators to admire an extraordinary backdrop ranging from the shores of Calabria to the summit of Mount Etna .

Corso Umberto is the main street and the bustling heart of the city. Walking along this street, one can experience the true essence of Taormina. Numerous shops offer shopping opportunities, bars where you can cool off with a delicious Sicilian granita or gelato, restaurants serving typical Sicilian dishes and more. All surrounded by unique monuments and beauties such as the Cathedral of Taormina, the Corvaja Palace , or the Public Garden .

Taormina is certainly known for its monuments and its history, but it's also renowned for its beaches. The sea of Taormina is spectacular from a landscape perspective: the beaches are almost always nestled amidst Mediterranean vegetation, which makes them unique and special. The most coveted beach by tourists is undoubtedly Isola Bella , a small island connected to the mainland by a strip of sand.

The town is suitable for tourists of all ages: the climate, the historic center rich in monuments, the beaches, and the possibility of excursions from Taormina to other renowned Sicilian locations such as the Aeolian Islands , Agrigento , or Syracuse make the "Pearl of the Ionian Sea" the perfect destination for an unparalleled vacation in Sicily.

What to see in Taormina

Ix aprile square.

Greek Theatre

Trevelyan's Park - Public gardens

How to reach Taormina

Beach clubs in Taormina

Lido Copacabana is located on the Mazzeo Beach, very close to the A18 Highway Exit and the town of Letojanni.

The Lido Il Delfino is located on the enchanting bay of Mazzarò, very close to the cable car station.

Overlooking the Bay of “Spisone”, is located the Ipanema Beach Club, well equipped for the lovers of the sea and of the days spent in cheerfulness and amusement.

Spectacularly perched on the side of a mountain, Taormina is one of Sicily's most popular summer destinations, a chic resort town popular with holidaying high-rollers and those wanting a taste of Sicilian dolce vita.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Taormina. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Teatro Greco

Taormina's premier sight is this perfect horseshoe-shaped theatre, suspended between sea and sky, with Mt Etna looming on the southern horizon. Built in…

Corso Umberto I

Taormina's chief delight is wandering this pedestrian-friendly, boutique-lined thoroughfare. Start at the tourist office in Palazzo Corvaja, which dates…

Monte Tauro

The short climb to the top of Monte Tauro (378m) is not exactly Himalayan, but it is steep and the final steps are quite hard work. Your reward is a…

Villa Comunale

Created by Englishwoman Florence Trevelyan in the late 19th century, these stunningly sited public gardens offer breathtaking views of the coast and Mt…

For eye-popping views of the coastline and Mt Etna, head for this cute hilltop village above Taormina, crowned by a ruined castle. If you're reasonably…

Isola Bella

Southwest of Lido Mazzarò is the minuscule Isola Bella, a beautiful nature reserve set in a stunning cove with fishing boats. Reached on foot via a narrow…

Chiesa di San Giuseppe

Overlooking Piazza IX Aprile, this jewel-box church was completed in the early 18th century. The central portal is made of local marble while the portals…

Santuario Madonna della Rocca

Built inside a grotto on Monte Tauro, this small church was founded by the abbot Francesco Raineri in around 1640. According to legend, the Virgin Mary…

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Latest stories from Taormina

Sep 18, 2017 • 1 min read

An ancient Greek theatre in Italy is lighting up in an effort to stay open later in the evening to allow travellers to explore the historic structure…

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Visit Taormina: The 13 best Things to Do and See

Things to do in taormina: the best places to visit and highlights.

About an hour’s drive north of Catania is a small town considered one of the jewels of Sicily . Perched on a cliff at 200 meters high, Taormina offers an incredible view of the sea and the Etna volcano.

In this guide, I will first present you the 13 best things to do in Taormina . Yep, you will know everything you need to visit the must-see attractions of the city and its surroundings!

And if you are wondering where to stay in Taormina , I have selected for you the best hotels depending on your budget.

So, what are the best points of interest in Taormina?

1. The Corso Umberto

2. piazza ix aprile, 3. st nicolas cathedral of taormina, 4. public garden – villa comunale, 5. greek theatre of taormina, 6. chiesa madonna della rocca, 7. isola bella, 8. castelmola, 9. alcantara gorge, 10. the etna volcano, 11. visit the aeolian islands from taormina, 12. visit “the godfather” filming locations, 13. discover the best etna wineries, taormina: what to do in 1 day, 2 days in taormina, 3 days in taormina, where to stay in taormina , where to eat in taormina , renting a boat in taormina, how to go to taormina , you’re traveling in sicily these articles will help you, visit taormina: the 13 must-see attractions.

The first thing to know before visiting Taormina is that the city center is a pedestrian only area .

It’s really a great thing, but also something important to know if you arrive by car , as you will have to leave it at one of the 2 paid car parks located at the extremities of the city. In high season, needless to say it can quickly become very complicated!

So if you spend at least a night in Taormina, it’s very important to choose an accommodation with private parking.

Alternatively, you can also park in the lower part of the city and take a bus that will take you directly to the old town. It’s a backup solution as it can be really crowded in summer.

Now you know this, let’s discover the city of Taormina!

The Corso Umberto is THE main street that crosses the whole center of Taormina .

Flanked on both sides by a succession of luxury boutiques, clothes, jewellery,  and souvenirs, it makes you understand why Taormina’s nickname is “the Sicilian Saint Tropez” .

You will also find many grocery stores, bakeries, cafés and restaurants, and you will certainly hesitate where to go for your lunch or dinner.

Speaking of dinner: How about joining a gastronomic tour of the city to discover the best bars and restaurants in Taormina?

This tour will allow you to taste local wines and typical Sicilian dishes!

Simply click here for more information about this activity.

To visit Taormina in an original way, you can also opt for a Segway tour !

You will discover all the best points of interests without getting tired and at the same time, benefit from the explanations of your guide .

To book your Segway tour in Taormina , just click on the button below:

On your way, you willl find the Piazza IX Aprile , one of the best viewpoint in Taormina , with a huge panoramic terrace overlooking the bay below and the Etna .

It’s the perfect place to take beautiful photos, especially at sunset.

Enjoy its typical atmosphere with musicians, acrobats and painters.

You will also see a small church that adds to the charm of this small square, the Chiesa de San Giuseppe . Its baroque facade is very beautiful, but the interior is quite classic.

If you wish to visit a typical Sicilian church, choose the cathedral of Taormina (also name Duomo di Taormina in Italian).

Located at the end of the Corso Umberto or at the beginning, depending on where you entered the city, its medieval facade and baroque door are its main attractions .

The interior is worth a visit, and it also offers another appreciable thing in summer: It remains quite cool even if it’s hot outside!

You’re going to Taormina?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Taormina on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Taormina.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Taormina, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Taormina!

To get away from the crowds, don’t hesitate to visit the Villa Comunale , which houses a large public garden.

This villa belonged to a rich Englishwoman, passionate about birds and who decided to build many structures such as feeders and nesting boxes.

The view of the bay is magnificent and it is the ideal place to enjoy a picnic in the shade of the vegetation. If you plan to buy sandwiches for lunch, it’s definately the best place in town to enjoy them!

The most famous monument of Taormina remains its Greek theatre .

It dates from the 3rd century BC and is remarkably well preserved. It can accommodate more than 5,000 people and is home to theatrical performances and concerts.

An important thing to know is that if you visit it a day of  concert, you will see a huge stage in the middle, which removes a bit of magic from the place.

Admission for this ancient theatre is 10€ , which is a bit expensive, especially considering that the visit is done quickly without any explanatory panels or brochures. Only about 30 minutes to take a few pictures but again, it is mainly for the view that we go there.

Despite the prize, the Greek theatre remains an absolute must see in Taormina .

For those who still have some energy left, go to the via Circumvallazione .

From there, a staircase of more than 300 steps and without any shade (bring a bottle of water), will bring you to the heights of Taormina in about twenty minutes on foot. You will enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city and the Greek theatre.

Also worth seeing: the sanctuary of Madonna della Rocca , a small chapel partially dug in the rock.

It’s true that the view from the small church is beautiful, but if you want to see Taormina from even higher , I have the perfect activity for you: paragliding!

What’s great is that the price of this activity includes the pick up from your hotel and photos/videos of your flight!

For more information and to book your activity, click on the button below:

You can’t miss it, it’s the little island at the bottom of Taormina, the one you can see on every postcards!

You can reach Isola Bella on foot in half an hour from the top of Taormina (going back will be harder on your legs!) or by car (good luck to find a parking space nearby!).

This cove is simply stunning, with its pebble beach and crystal clear waters.

At the beach, you can also enjoy many activities (click on the links to book):

• 2-hour kayak tour with an instructor who will show you the marine reserve around Isola Bella.
• 4-hour kayak tour , to explore a good part of the Taormina’s coast.
• Boat tour + Snorkeling : Get on the boat and enjoy several stops to observe the underwater fauna and flora around Isola Bella!

At Isola Bella, you can go diving, take a boat trip , rent a jet ski or just relax!

The best way to discover Isola Bella is to go on a boat trip , and this one is clearly amazing.

There is a swimming and snorkeling stop in Isola Bella bay and you will see, Graziella and her husband, the boat owners, are super friendly!

To book your boat trip, simply click on the button below:

The 6 Best Things to Do Around Taormina

Located 5km from Taormina, the small village of Castelmola is worth a visit for its ruined medieval castle and its charming little streets.

In the village and from the castle, there are some of the best sightseeing points on the valley below and on Etna . Don’t forget to taste the almond wine , a speciality of the village.

You can park your car at the villages’car park , it’s only 1 euro per hour.

Less touristy than Taormina , Castelmola is the perfect place to have a drink or go to the restaurant!

Located 50 minutes drive from Taormina , this site is a geological curiosity. The Alcantara Gorge are more than 25 meters high and only 2 to 4 meters wide.

The particularity of this narrow canyon lies in the formation of its walls, which are the result of several lava flows coming from the northern slope of Etna .

This volcanic material cooled down in contact with the waters of the river and drew original shapes. This place is not necessarily the best for swimming, because the water is very cold!

The Alcantara Gorge, on the other hand, is the ideal place to try canyoning . As you will be well equipped, you will not feel the cold and the descent of the river by canyoning in the middle of the gorges is really great!

This activity includes pick up at your accommodation (at all hotels located between Taormina and Catania).

Book your canyoning tour in the Alcantara Gorge by clicking on the button below:

If you don’t need the included transport because you have rented a car for your roadtrip to Sicily , you can drive to the meeting point for your canyoning tour by yourself.

You should thus click here to book the Canyoning tour without transport (it’s obviously a bit cheaper!).

There are several ways to reach the gorge .

The first one is by the main tourist spot, there is a big sign at the entrance and a large parking lot that will allow you to park your car easily.

You will then use an elevator to go down to the gorges and will be have a guided tour. The minimum entrance fee is 15€.

The 2nd possibility (which I advise you) is to continue a little bit further along the road , where you will find a small hut on the right side.

Starting from Taormina, many tours operators offer one-day Etna excursions . They will take you to the foot of the volcano, provide a guide and equipment, and organize the 4×4 ascent to the crater. Probably the safest option to visit the Etna!

You can of course go there by yourself, with your car. It’s about an hour’s drive from Taormina.

If you want to do go to Etna during your stay in Taormina, I highly recommend you to book your trip with Getyourguide. It’s simple, they have the best English speaking guides! And the price is very good too.

Click on the following button for more info about the trip to Etna volcano:

If you want to enjoy a unique experience during your trip to Sicily, you should book a private helicopter tour over Mount Etna!

It’s of course a bit expensive, but it is not every day that you can fly over one of the most active volcanoes in the world!

You need to click on the following button to book your helicopter flight:

From Taormina, you have to opportunity to visit the Aeolian Islands as a day trip.

This tour includes:

• Bus transport and then the cruise
• A stop at Panarea island , where you will be able to visit the village and enjoy the beach
• Going around Stromboli island coastline by boat to admire the volcano
• A stroll in San Vincenzo village
• A magical moment: at the end of the day, you will enjoy the sunset on Stromboli volcano

To book this your, simply click the button below:

Another version of this tour will allow you to discover 2 more Aeolian islands :

• Lipari, the largest of the islands: You will have some free time to visit the old town and the archaeological museum .
• Vulcano: you will be able to enjoy the beach or take a bath in the hot springs .

The transportation and the boat trip are included in this tour . For more information and to book your activity , click on the button below:

You may know that the famous “The Godfather” movie was shot in Sicily.

Well, I have a great new for all the Michael Corleone fans: you will be able to visit some of the filming locations during an amazing guided tour!

During your trip, you will discover Savoca village, the Vitelli bar, the Chiesa di San Nicolo/Santa Lucia where Corleone got married or Forza d’Agro village.

This day trip also includes a typical Sicilian lunch , with sea view.

To visit the filming location of “The Godfather” , you need to book your tour by clicking the button below (limited availability):

And if you prefer to book a “The Godfather” filming locations private tour, you need to book it there:

Sicilian wine is getting more and more famous around the world, and some of the best wineries are located around Taormina and the Etna Volcano.

From Taormina, you can go on a guided day trip to learn more about the unique wines produced on Etna’s volcanic soil . Your guide will give you all the info about the local wines and of course, you will have the opportunity to do amazing wine tasting!

And as we all know it’s not good to drink on an empty stomach, you will also enjoy local food tastings of cheeses, deli meats and pastries.

To book your wine and food tasting tour, simply click on the button below:

If you prefer, you can opt for a luxury private tour.

You will visit the 3 best wineries of Mount Etna (12 wines – unlimited tasting), and do food tasting too. It’s simply fantastic!

It needs to be booked there:

How many days in Taormina?

The time you spend in town will depend on what you want to visit, but I recommend spending at least 2 days in Taormina . In my opinion, this is the minimum for enjoying the must-see attractions of the region.

Here is a short itinerary for one day in Taormina , so you will not miss any major attractions of the city!

• Visit of the old town in the morning and climb to the Madonna della Rocca sanctuary to enjoy the view.
• Go back downstairs and lunch break
• Swimming at Isola Bella beach in the afternoon and visit of the Greek theatre of Taormina.

I recommend that you visit the Greek theatre at the end of the day, that’s when the light is most beautiful!

But if you’re in a hurry, there’s nothing to stop you from visiting it in the early afternoon and then going down to the beach (and so you don’t have to go back up to Taormina ).

If you’re spending the afternoon in Taormina, you can also do the boat trip in Isola Bella Bay I talked about in this guide. Click here for more info.

For your 2 days in Taormina , take the itinerary of the first day mentioned above, and then:

• Start with an excursion to the village of Castelmola , which offers a magnificent 360-degree view of the entire region. A must-see place near Taormina!
• Eat on site
• Then head to the Alcantara Gorges for a refreshing moment in the shade of its walls made of columnar jointed volcanics with improbable forms.

If you have 3 days in Taormina , I strongly recommend you to go on a trip to Etna , it’s an unforgettable moment! You need to click here to book it .

Beach lovers will certainly also want to go back to Isola Bella . If you like snorkeling, you can go for a walk in the Grotta Azzura of Isola Bella. Just be careful with the boats, because there are organized tours to this place.

Other options (or if you spend 4 or 5 days in Taormina!) are:

• Do the boat trip to Aeolian Islands. To book it, you just need to click here.
• Visit “The Godfather” Filming locations as a semi-private tour or private tour
• Discover Etna’s best wineries as a small group tour or private luxury tour.

If you have planned to visit Taormina and its surroundings with a guide , you can save money by opting for a 3 activities day trips package doable in 2 or 3 days.

You will be able to enjoy:

• A guided 2h30 walking tour of Taormina with wine and food tasting
• An excursion to the “The Godfather” filming locations.
• A tour of the best vineyards of Etna and wine tasting

To book these 3 tours, you just have to click on the button below:

• Hostel Taormina :  Youth hostel located in the heart of Taormina. Bed in dormitory from 22.50€. Free Wifi. Breakfast not included. A little extra: a large panoramic terrace.
• Casa La via del Mare : Located halfway between the beach and the historic city centre of Taormina. Modern and bright room from 80€ per night. Breakfast included. Free Wifi. The plus: Free parking!
• Medea Residence : Located close to the main street of Taormina. Apartment with kitchen, modern and bright. very quiet. Outdoor swimming pool. Free Wifi. Private paid parking: 10€ per day. Minimum of 3 nights rental for 210€ = 70€ per night.
• Hôtel Villa Diodoro: Located at 5 minutes on foot from the historical center. Large and bright double room starting at 190€ per night, breakfast included. What we loved: the free private parking, the location, the swimming pool, the outstanding view, the very helpful staff. It’s the best choice for a luxury stay in Taormina!

• Tiramisu Trattoria : Nice decoration and friendly welcome with a quiet terrace. Excellent cuisine based on fresh produce. Copious dishes for a reasonable price. Not to be missed: tiramisu, the house specialty. Reservation recommended.
• Trattoria Don Ciccio : Located in a quiet street. Very good cooking with quality products. The pasta is succulent. A Prosecco cup and a small bruschetta are offered  in case you need to wait. Reservation recommended.
• Pizzeria Villa Zucaro : As the name suggest, you go there if you want to have a good pizza! Impressive choice, delicious, copious and original pizzas. Choose the terrace over the noisy interior. Attractive and thoughtful waiters.

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your trip to Taormina, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental.

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Sicily? 😊

To get to Taormina , you must first take the plane to Catania.

From Catania airport:

• By car: 1 hour drive via A18 and E45
• By bus: One bus every hour from Monday to Saturday and 2 on Sunday; 1h30 by road; 5.60€.
• By train: The train is not recommended because the train station is located 2km downhill from Taormina and you will then have to take a bus to get to the city.

Check flights ticket prices now with our flight comparator: This is the solution to find the best price for your flight to Sicily!

So, when are you going to visit Taormina? 🙂

Sicily travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Sicily guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Sicily guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all my articles about Sicily : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Sicily are listed there.

• The 20 Best Things to Do in Sicily – The ultimate bucket list!
• Itinerary: 2, 3, 4, or 5 days in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (East + West)
• Itinerary: 1 week in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (East coast)
• Itinerary: 10 days in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (West coast)
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (Full Sicily tour)
• Agrigento: The 10 best things to do in and around the city
• Catania: The 12 must-see attractions
• Palermo: The 15 things to do in the capital
• Syracuse: The 15 best things to discover
• Trapani: The 10 best things to do
• Agrigento Valley of the Temples: visit the archaeological site with my detailed guide!
• Zingaro nature Reserve: All my best tips to enjoy this wonderful hike

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Discussion 4 comments.

Please send me more info on Taormina Syracuse and agrigento. Things to see??? Thank you.

Hello Marina,

You can find my other articles on these cities in Sicily here: – What to do in Syracuse? – The best things to do in Agrigento? – Visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento

Enjoy your trip to Taormina and Sicily!

Hi, once we take a bus from Catania, and arrive at the station, are there taxis or ground transportation to take us to our accommodations in City Center? Which you say is pedestrian only.

Hello Robina,

It depends on the location of your hotel in Taormina. The taxi may be able to take you a little closer, but you may have to finish on foot if your accommodation is in a pedestrian area.

The easiest way is to ask your hotel directly how to get there.

Enjoy your stay in Taormina!

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Explore Taormina like a Sicilian. An authentic insider’s guide

Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by

Taormina, the pearl of the Ionian Sea. A perfect place to escape the bustling chaos of the Sicilian main cities without losing an easy access to the beaches and a jaw-dropping view on the Mt. Etna. With this insider’s guide to Taormina, you can explore it like a Sicilian. Moreover, you will discover not only all the best things to do, but also the things to avoid (e.g. tourist traps).

Table of Contents

Why an insider’s guide?

For half of my life, before moving to the UK, I lived in Sicily. My parents live in Catania and that’s is just a half an hour drive from Taormina. As a good Sicilian, Taormina was kind of a constant presence in my life since my childhood. From my family summer visits to the beach of Isola Bella with afternoon strolls into Taormina to my Christmas trips to visit the city’s decorations to my date nights with my husband strolling with a gelato in the Ancient Theatre. I know Taormina VERY WELL. I’ve seen it in all her four seasons and I can literally take you around and being your tour guide with my eyes closed.

Therefore, when I tell you this is an insider’s guide to Taormina, it’s not just a random title. I am not just a tourist who visited the town and pretend to give you nonsense suggestions copying the contents of this blog. I tell you this, because since this guide was published in 2021 (and updated several times since then), I seen 3/4 other bloggers copying the exact title and content of this blog pretending to be the “insiders” when they just stayed in Taormina one hour of their life.

This guide has this title because it’s the original one. I am an insider because I am Sicilian! Plus, I visited Taormina probably a three thousand times during my life and I can give you the best advice for visiting the town. I feel responsible for people having a good time when visiting Sicily. Therefore, be wary of these fake insiders when taking suggestions for your trips!

10 Things to know before visiting Sicily

• Sicily is an Italian REGION like Lombardy or Tuscany. Sorry for specifying this, but not much time ago I’ve seen an article talking about Sicily as a generic “Italian island” and this made me realise that people don’t know much of Sicily. Yes Sicily it’s also an island but, like Sardinia, it has a major administrative role in Italy compared to smaller Italian islands like Elba, Lipari or Lampedusa.
• Sicily’s capital city is Palermo but the second largest city is Catania (where I am from!). Both cities are beautiful and worth visiting for different reasons. If you are planning a trip to Sicily, it’s a good idea to visit both.
• Please ignore everything people tell you about mafia. It happened to me very frequently (sadly more frequently than I wished) that foreign people (and even some Italians from the north) were scared or concerned about visiting Sicily because of what they heard about mafia. I could write an entire article about this, but for the moment, let me tell you that people in Sicily don’t go around with guns and shooting everyone on their way (yes someone asked me also this). Sicily is generally very safe. Yes mafia is still present in certain parts of the island but it’s not something a common tourist or even a common Sicilian inhabitant will experience. Most of the news people hear about mafia are related to corruption in public institutions or pizzo (money asked to people in exchange of “protection”) asked to certain shopkeepers. Many of these shopkeepers are actively fighting mafia and, in this regard, I invite you to watch the episode Antony Bourdain did about Sicily especially when he talks about the movement addiopizzo (goodbye pizzo).
• You will need a car to go around Sicily. Yes we do have public transport but, as a Sicilian, I would not rely on that unless you have plenty of time to loose. Public transport in Sicily is very slow and most tourist areas are not even connected to the main cities. So, it’s better to get a car.
• Except highways and main city roads, countryside roads are pretty rough to drive. Be prepared to some bumps along dusty roads.
• Food is exceptionally good in Sicily! It’s very rare to find a place that is not good. However, if you are vegetarian/vegan or you are allergic to gluten pay attention to the menus. If you are insecure, don’t be afraid of being direct and ask what you want. Some people, especially the older ones, are still not familiar with the terms “vegan” “vegetarian”. It’s better to say “I don’t eat meat”.
• Pay attention to scams. If you are asking yourself why in Egypt I was totally fine with “the scam thing”, it’s because Sicily it’s quite the same. I was already used to this approach. Tourists (sometimes even residents) are frequently scammed for restaurant bills, car rentals, shopping or even their hotels. I’m not proud of this, but it do happens. Of course, not all the people are the same and most Sicilians are honest and kind people but if something smells you wrong, probably it is.
• Abusive valet. Small and big cities in Sicily are unfortunately affected by the plague of “abusive valets”. People who want money to “keep your car safe” on the street when is parked. While these people are endlessly persecuted by the police, they continue to appear here and there especially in big cities like Catania and Palermo. If it happens to meet one, try to not give him money. When is possible, try to use official parking spaces or the one called “blu stripes – strisce blu ” where you can pay the time you stay at a designated machine.
• Don’t leave your personal belongings unattended. Small thefts are particularly frequent, especially in tourist areas. Never ever leave your stuff alone. Especially in bars, beaches, cars etc. it’s unfortunately very likely that you won’t find it anymore.
• The sun is quite strong all year round. Temperatures in Sicily are warmly high for most of the year, even in winter. It might happen that around January-February temperatures go a little lower (6-15°) but most of the times they stay around 15-23°. Summer are roasting hot and it is better to have with you a good sun protection.

A history of Taormina

The Greek Age

The origins of Taormina lie between history and myth. Indeed, the city was born with the Greek name of Tauromenium , that means “place/dwelling on the Taurus”, the mountain where the city was founded.

According to the historian Diodoro, the city belonged to the Siculi population long before becoming a Greek colony. Indeed, it was around 396 – 406 BC. that the Greeks from Naxos (the first Greek colony in Sicily) took over the city from its local inhabitants. Sources on the colonisation of Taormina are actually contradictory. In fact, they state also that the city was used as a refuge by the inhabitants of Messina after the arrival of the Greeks.

The truth would probably lies in the middle and, at one point, Taormina became a Greek colony and remained so for a long time, surviving also to the Puniche wars. The Greek period came to an end with the Roman conquest of Sicily in 212 BC.

The Roman Age

To avoid the destruction as the nearby Syracuse, Tauromenium accepted the rules of Rome. Thanks to this “friendship”, Tauromenium became one of the first civitas libera et foederata of Sicily. This means that the city was considered as a precious ally for Rome and could enjoy a nominal independence from the Roman tributes (e.g. providing ships for wars) and other privileges. Among these, the Roman citizenship for its inhabitants.

Initially, the Roman domination brought innovation and peace in Tauromenion. In fact, many of the still surviving monuments were built or renovated during that age and the city flourished in peace until 135 BC. However, with the Servile War (134-132 BC), the city fell under the hands of the insurgent slaves, suffering great damages. From that moment onward, Tauromenion was part of all the wars undertook by Rome in that area of Sicily. Unfortunately, the city lost the charm and splendour of the Greek and early Roman age. However, it continued to have a political and economic relevance in Sicily. Indeed, it’s condition was widely remembered by the historians of that period, especially Strabo, Pliny and Ptolemy.

The Middle Ages

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Arab incursions started throughout Sicily. Like many other cities on the island, Tauromenion couldn’t escape Arab attention. In fact, the city was under siege for about 30 weeks before falling on Christmas Day 962, under Fatimid rule. The inhabitants were sold as slaves to the Fatimid Caliph al-Muizz, and Tauromenion was renamed Almoezia (al-Mu’izziyya). The fall of Tauromenion marked the end of Byzantine rule in Sicily. The independent Emirate of Sicily lasted until 1091. This brought cultural and agricultural innovation to the island. Regarding architecture, the Arabs adapted existing models to new uses.

The Norman Conquest and the Hohenstaufen

In 1060, Robert Guiscard invaded Sicily splitting the island between Normans and Arab population. One of the last acts to conquer the island, was the fell of Taormina (at that time still named Almoezia). This was completed by Roger I of Sicily, (younger son of Tancred), in 1078 after a battle famous as the “Siege of Taormina”. Almoezia became again Tauromenion and it was placed under the Catholic supervision of the cities of Troina and Messina.

With the Normans and, after, with the German heirs, the Hohenstaufen, Tauromenion experienced a long period of prosperity and cultural renaissance. The city was still involved in local wars, especially after supporting the Hohenstaufen against the Angevin. However, with the shift of power to the Crown of Aragon in 1282, Tauromenion experienced also peace and political stability for more than three centuries. In the 17th century, Taormina gained also the status of city belonging to the Spanish Crown.

Under the Bourbon dynasty (1534 -1860), Taormina was part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. In 1675 the French besieged Taormina destroying part of its Medieval architecture. Nevertheless, this occupation didn’t last long. Indeed, Taormina was again under the Spanish rule in 1678. As a sign of loyalty toward the Spanish crown, Taormina was granted Isola Bella (at that time named Rock of St. Stefano) under its jurisdiction. Thanks to the Bourbon, Taormina became more accessible. In fact, a new road connecting the city to Messina and Catania was opened (until that moment, the only way to reach it was through the mountains).

Taormina, a paradise for elite tourists

A great contribution to modern Taormina was given by Florence Trevelyan (the cousin of Queen Victoria) who moved to Taormina in 1884. She bought the Rock of St. Stefano and transformed it into a beautiful garden today known as Isola Bella. Miss Trevelyan was responsible also of the construction of the actual Villa Comunale, at the time famous as “Hallington Siculo”. Taormina was no longer important from a strategic point of view in Modern Age. However, it aroused the interest of artists, writers and academic scholars becoming an important spot for elite tourism.

People like Friedrich Nietzsche, Gustav Klimt, Sigmund Freud and even the King Edward VII decided to spend sometimes in this beautiful city. For this reason, Taormina was known as an exclusive holiday location for elite tourists and this still hasn’t changed today.

Bibliographical sources for the history of Taormina

If you are interested in a more detailed history of Taormina, you can read these sources:

•  Krueger, Hilmar C. (1969). “Conflict in the Mediterranean before the First Crusade: B. The Italian Cities and the Arabs before 1095”. In Baldwin, M. W. (ed.).  A History of the Crusades, vol. I: The First Hundred Years . Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 40–53
• Giovanni di Giovanni,”Storia ecclesiastica di Taormina” , Volume unico, Palermo, Tipografia Barcellona, 1870
• J. B. Bury, A History of the Eastern Roman Empire From the Fall of Irene to the Accession of Basil I (A.D. 802-867), 2015
•  John Julius Norwich, Paul Duncan, Sicily. A Short History, from the Greeks to Cosa Nostra, 2015
•  Leonard C. Chiarelli, A History of Muslim Sicily, 2018

A local guide to Taormina. Essential things to know

When is the best time of the year to visit taormina.

Sicily’s climate is generally good all year round. Ergo, Taormina is a good place to visit at any time of the year. However, you have to make a few considerations. If you go during summer, you can enjoy the sea in the nearby coast. Nevertheless, this means also that you will likely find much more crowd and higher prices. In pre-pandemic times, during summer, hordes of tourist were crowding the little streets of the city at any time of the day. Especially when cruise ships stopped near the coast. It might not be the same this summer, but when life will return normal, this is what you can expect.

During the rest of the year, Taormina is more quieter. It is generally visited by Sicilian residents as a day trip or by a few tourists going around off season. Taormina is particularly popular to visit during festivities like Christmas and Easter when Sicilians have days off from work and like to go to “ passiari ” (i.e. stroll around). If you visit Taormina off season, you can expect to find some shops closed (e.g. my favourite place where to have gelato closes during winter). However, most of the attractions remain open to the general public. During Christmas, you can find also the traditional presepi exhibited in local churches.

Is Taormina expensive?

Taormina is considered as an expensive place by Sicilians. This because, thanks to the great influx of tourists, most of the restaurants/hotels adopt higher prices compared to other places in the island. However, if you compare Taormina to other touristic places in Italy, e.g. Positano/Amalfi or even Milan prices won’t be so excessive. Ergo, I think you should put this in perspective.

How many days should I spent in Taormina?

Taormina is a small city. You can easily see everything you need in just one day. However, if you want to take it slowly or want to enjoy some day trips, two-three days will be enough.

How do I reach Taormina?

Taormina is located between Catania and Messina (the city is part of the Messina’s municipality). You can easily reach it from both cities by car, train or coach.

If you are travelling by car from Catania, the motorway A18 towards Messina is the fastest route. Just enter the motorway and exit at “Taormina”. Please be aware that the motorway has some tolls to pay. From Catania it will take about 50 minutes to reach Taormina.

If you are travelling by car from Messina, you have to take the motorway A18 towards Catania and exit at “Taormina”. Even in this case, there are tolls to pay. From Messina it will take about 50 minutes to reach Taormina.

Parking in Taormina

Please be aware that most of the Taormina streets are labelled as “ZTL” or “Zona a Traffico Limitato” which means limited traffic area. Ergo, you can’t enter or park in these streets unless you are a resident. Therefore, you should park your car in one of the official city parking.

There are many parking in the city, some of them are privately managed, but the official parking managed by the Taormina council are Parcheggio Lumbi , Parcheggio Porta Catania and Parcheggio Mazzarò. You can’t buy the ticket in advance but you have to pay on the spot.

Parking is crazy expensive in Taormina and you can easily spend € 50 for a one-day parking spot during the high season.

Tips for Parking in Taormina and save money

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money in parking but you want to enjoy Taormina for a day, you can use a little trick that most Sicilian do. Indeed, there are two things you can do and both of them involve going to Isola Bella instead of Taormina (use the appropriate exit after going out of the motorway). In fact, if you get to Isola Bella early enough in the morning, you can park for free in the street! Indeed, there is no ZTL in the area of Isola Bella and usually Sicilians get there early to avoid paying the parking.

From there you can reach Taormina with the cable car. This goes up and down every 15 minutes and the tickets cost € 3 (one way) and € 10 (day ticket). This would save you a lot of money during the high season!

If you don’t get in time for a free parking spot, (during summer it’s quite hard to find a free spot), you can use the Mazzarò parking. This is less expensive than the one in Taormina (about €23 for a day) and from there take the cable car.

If you don’t want to pay the cable car, you can walk up to Taormina, but I warn you. It’s quite a steep climb.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a train station in Taormina. The nearest one is in Giardini Naxos. You can take a direct train from Catania Centrale or Messina Centrale to Giardini/Taormina. From there, you can proceed by walking. This is a good 40 minutes walk for about 2,5 km. Otherwise, you can take the Interbus to Taormina which cost about £1,67 and will reach the city in 15 minutes. You can buy tickets in advance from Trenitalia.

If you are travelling from Catania, you should take the coaches Interbus or Etna Trasporti at the Catania bus station (Via Archimede). These are direct coaches and will take between 1.10 -1.55 hours depending on how many stops they do. The ticket is between 4-6 euro for a return trip depending on the season.

If you are travelling from Messina, you should take the coach Interbus to Taormina from Piazza della Repubblica. This will take between 1.00-1.20 hours depending on how many stops it does. The ticket is between 4-6 euro for a return trip depending on the season.

How do you get around Taormina?

Taormina is pretty easy to get around and you don’t need a car. Just a good pairs of shoes to walk!

An insider’s guide to Taormina- Must-see places

Below you can find a list of places you can’t miss to visit during your trip to Taormina!

The Ancient Theatre

The Ancient Theatre in Taormina dates back to the III century BC and it’s the second largest theatre of this type in Sicily, after the one in Syracuse. Despite it is still called as “Greek Theatre” by Sicilians, the architecture surviving today is fully Roman. Indeed, it seems that already under August the theatre was renovated and a second renovation happened during the late Roman Antiquity.

Differently from the theatre in Syracuse, the Ancient Theatre in Taormina was used for the venationes . Venatio in Latin means “hunting”. During the Roman age, it was a type of entertainment involving the hunting and killing of wild animals. This was usually performed in Roman amphitheatres equipped for the “special effects”. For this reason, the Ancient Theatre of Taormina was modified and the area of the orchestra was replaced with an arena connected by a subterranean corridor. This allowed the beasts to come out at the centre of the scene from the hypogeum (a subterranean chamber) where they were kept.

Today, the theatre is used mostly for concerts and shows and it is part of the archaeological area of Naxos and Taormina.

Information for your visit

• Address: The Ancient Theatre is located in Via del Teatro Greco, 198039 – Taormina (ME)
• Opening Times: Sun – Mon 9.00 – 16.45 (last entrance at 16.00). The Theatre is currently closed due to the pandemic of Covid-19
• Tickets: € 10 – € 5 reduced for EU citizen aged 18-25. The entrance is free the first Sunday of each month.

Tips from a Sicilian

If you want to get spectacular pictures of the Mount Etna in eruption, the Ancient Theatre is the place to go! In fact, the visual is perfect and if you go at night (for one of the shows), you can have the occasion to capture the eruption from a very different perspective. In fact, Mount Etna gives the impression of being very close to Taormina from that point of view.

Corvaja Palace

One of the first attractions you will find arriving from the Messina Gate is Palazzo Corvaja. This is named after one of the most powerful and oldest families of Taormina who hold it for more than four centuries (XVI- XX centuries).

Palazzo Corvaja dates back to the X century. It is one of the few remaining architectural examples of Arab architecture in Taormina. Indeed, the palace incorporates an early Arab fortress built over a former Roman structure. Of this fortress you can still see the lower tower and the inner courtyard. The building was expanded already in the 13th century. During this period, the first floor and the ornamental balcony were added. This feature panels carved from the Syracuse stone and representing scenes from the creation.

The right wing was added during the XV century to host the Sicilian Parliament. The palace currently features a mix of architectural styles (Arab, Norman, Gothic). Unfortunately, it was held in a terrible state until its most recent renovation in 1945. Now, in addition of being the Tourist Office of Taormina, it’s used also for exhibitions and events.

The entrance is free.

Piazza IX Aprile

Piazza IX Aprile is the most popular square of Taormina. From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view on the Jonian Sea, admiring all the coast the city. Moreover, the square host some of important historical sights and famous bar.

Torre dell’Orologio

The clock tower is one of the best sights of Piazza IX Aprile. It is famous also as Porta di Mezzo (midway gate) because you can find it in the middle between the Catania and Messina gates. It was built around the XII century as part of the oldest defensive walls of the city.

During the French siege of 1676, it was destroyed and rebuilt in 1679. In 1966 a mosaic of Byzantine inspiration was added to remember the city’s past.

(Ex) Church of St. Agustin

The Church of St. Augustin was built in honour of St. Sebastian during 1486. The style is late Sicilian Gothic. The church now hosts a library with more than 22.000 volumes. Part of the church is used also as a space for exhibitions.

Church of St. Giuseppe

The Church of St. Giuseppe is famous for its intricate Baroque style. Despite the external facade is pretty simple, the internal space is a masterpiece of Baroque style with beautiful frescoes and spectacular stucco works.

Villa Comunale

If you want to escape the crowd populating the streets of Taormina, the Villa Comunale is the place to be. This beautiful garden is, indeed, a little oasis of peace if you need to relax and enjoy a bit of shade from the warm Sicilian sun. The construction of this Taormina gem is due to a British noblewoman, miss Florence Trevelyan who was cousin of Queen Victoria.

Accused of having a relationship with the future king Edward VII, she was exiled from the royal court. In 1884 she decided to leave the UK and move to Sicily, particularly to Taormina. Here, she married the mayor of the city Salvatore Cacciola and she gave a major contribution to the community.

Hallington Siculo

As a passionate for gardening and botanic, she decided to buy some land on the slope of the city. This was used to built a residence and a garden that she called “Hallington Siculo” to remember her home in the UK. The garden, that now is owned by the Taormina Council, has one of the best views of the city and features peculiar constructions still known as the “Victorian follies”. Moreover, the garden hosts several rare plants and flowers.

The entrance is FREE.

Piazza Duomo

Piazza duomo in Taormina is home of its beautiful medieval cathedral and its peculiar Baroque fountain, famous as the “4 fountains” for its peculiar shape and small side fountains.

Taormina Cathedral

Taormina Cathedral resembles more a fortress than a church. Built around 1400 over a former thirteenth century church, the building has undergone several renovation during the centuries.

The external facade still maintain the Sicilian Romanesque-Gothic architecture characterised by different rose windows and battlements all over its perimeter.

The features I love most of this church are its intricate portals, one different from the other. There are three main portals. The portal in the main facade was renovated in 1636. However, it still keep it original medieval frame in white marble that dates back to 1400. This, features 11 biblical figures carved into the marble. The west portal dates back to the fifteenth century. This is rimmed with lava stone from the Etna and features a frame in white marble carved with natural motifs. The east portal dates back to the middle of 1500. It is simpler compared to the other two but still representative of the Sicilian Gothic style.

Rediscovered only in 1943, the Naumachie in Taormina is a long Roman wall measuring around 122 meters in length and 5 meters in height. This wall is the oldest structure built in Taormina after the Ancient Theatre. It was built close to the Taormina’s Gymnasium and scholars are still debating about its use.

In fact, the naumachia during the Roman Age were a fictitious naval battle organised to entertain the public. The naumachia were organised in structures that could host water or be located near a water basin.

It’s unclear if the purpose of Taormina’s Naumachie was that of entertain people. In fact, scholars advanced the hypothesis that it was used, instead, as water supply for the city and the Gymnasium.

An insider’s guide to Taormina – Underrated attractions

If you completed the tour of the main attractions in Taormina but you want to explore more, consider the additional sights below.

Badia Vecchia

Badia Vecchia (Old Abbey) it’s a fourteenth-century tower that used to be part of the defensive walls of Taormina connecting to the Saracen castle. The name “abbey” is due to the theory that the tower was once inhabited by Mother Abbess Euphemia. She was a regent of the Kingdom of Sicily from 1355 until 1357 in the name of her younger brother Frederic III, The Simple.

Badia Vecchia, is not easy to find because it’s well hidden among Taormina’s higher alleys. However, once you find it, you will admire its magnificent architecture that mixes Gothic and Norman styles with precious Arabic details.

Palazzo dei Duchi di St. Stefano

The Dukes of St. Stefano Palace dates back to the same age of Badia Vecchia. Indeed, it seems that shared with the “Abbey” the same defensive purposes. However, the palace became famous for being the residence of the Spanish noble family of De Despuches. They hold the property for centuries until one of the youngest heirs sold it to the Taormina council in 1964.

From that moment onward, the residence is used for art exhibitions during summer and permanently hosts the Mazzullo Foundation.

Hidden Mosaics in Taormina

If you have some spare time, you can go and search the surviving mosaics of Taormina.

The mosaic of Salita Santippo

The first one is called Mosaic of Salita Santippo and it dates back to the II century AD. It is a pavement pertinent to the peristyle of a private house featuring geometrical patterns and natural motifs. I have to warn you that it’s in very bad conditions.

Indeed, due to the lack of money, the care of the mosaic is nonexistent and you can’t actually see the mosaic because it’s covered in moss and grass. Well done Comune di Taormina!

The Hellenistic Mosaic

The second mosaic you can find is that called “Hellenistic Mosaic”. This dates back to the II century BC and it’s slightly in better conditions than the previous one. It was originally made with coloured pebbles (yellow, red, white, grey and black). However, due to the lack of maintenance, you can see only the black and white tesserae.

The mosaic features four side dolphins and a central six petaled flower inside a diamond shape. This used to be part of the courtyard of a private house.

Corso Umberto

Corso Umberto is the main street of Taormina enclosed between the Messina and Catania Gates. It’s famous for its luxury shops and for the possibility to find some exclusive traditional souvenirs. If you want to find something special, it’s here that you have to search for it!

Saracen Castle

If you are up for an adventure and are brave enough to climb the steep Tauro mountain, you can reach the ruins of the Saracen Castle. Unfortunately, you can’t visit the castle but you can walk up to its imposing walls. If you have a drone, you can have also a better view!

An earlier version of the fortification was likely existent already during the Roman Age. Indeed, scholars think that the castle was built over the former acropolis of Taormina. The current castle architecture is the one modified during the Arab conquest.

Church of Madonna della Rocca

On the same way to the Saracen Castle, you can follow the path to the Church of Madonna della Rocca. Don’t be fooled by the Google suggestion that is a 15 minutes walk from the Taormina city centre. That’s not true. The climb is slightly less steep that the one to the castle (even if the initial path is the same) but it will take a good 25-30 minutes to reach it.

The church is located in one of the highest point of the city and even if the climb itself is not pleasant, the view is certainly worthy. Madonna della Rocca is entirely carved into the rock (even if you can’t guess this from the external facade). It dates back to 1640 and since then remained pretty much the same.

I wouldn’t go up the hill during the day in summer. The sun is very strong in Sicily and it may become a challenging walk. A better time to visit is late afternoon.

Explore the Alleys

One of my favourite activities in Taormina is exploring its side alleys. You can find these on the left or right of Corso Umberto. Usually connected to the main road throughout small staircases. These little alleys are very surprising as you can find things that you don’t expect. This includes mosaics, medieval gates, beautiful palaces, cute restaurants, hidden churches etc.

One of my favourite alleys is Vico Venezia. Here you can find a little medieval gate surrounded by very photogenic orange trees. Furthermore, walking along the way, you can find some elegant palaces with lovely pink facades.

Best places to stay in Taormina

There are many hotels in Taormina. It is understood that a great part of those with a magnificent view are also the most expensive ones. However, because these are not within everyone’s reach, I divided them into three categories.

Luxury Hotels in Taormina

Taormina is famous for its luxury hotels. Places where exceptional service is complimentary with the most breathtaking view. Luxury stays in Taormina are not for everyone pocket but, if you are lucky enough to be able to face the cost, here are some of the most exclusive 5 stars hotels in Taormina.

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is among the top choices in Taormina, with its exclusive terrace and timeless atmosphere. Belmond Villa Sant’ Andrea is closer to the beach and offers spectacular views and everything you can expect from Sicily. San Domenico Palace is a Four Seasons Hotel located in Taormina city centre. This former fourteenth-century monastery combines perfectly Sicilian historical tradition and all the luxurious style provided by the Four Seasons chain. The hotel has undergone a complete renovation and looking more stunning than ever in the HBO series, The White Lotus. This year the hotel will close for the season on 28th November 2022 and will reopen on 14th March 2023.

Lastly, The Ashbee Hotel . You can find it in the magnificent setting of Villa San Giorgio. This historical palace was built by Charles Robert Ashbee on commission by Colonel Shaw-Hellier, a British veteran who moved to Sicily. In this construction, Ashbee wanted to incorporate the elegance of the British architectural style with the warm tones of the Mediterranean tradition and Sicilian history. The result is a very unique place to stay.

The price range for these hotels go from £570 for a standard double room in high season to £5,200 for a presidential suite for one night.

Boutique Hotels in Taormina

Boutique Hotels are generally my favourites because they combine style and moderate luxury with a more budget friendly stay. Taormina has many boutique hotels and usually they get booked pretty fast during the high season. Among the top places, you can stay at T aodomus Small Boutique Hotel , Hotel Villa Carlotta and Hotel Villa Belvedere . Price range from £310 to £500 for a double room for one night. Be aware that some of these hotels require a minimum stay of three nights.

If you are visiting multiple locations in Sicily and want a place in a good location Donna Carmela Resort is a reasonable option. It’s quite close to Taormina and at a driving distance from Mount Etna too. Here you can read about our experience at Donna Carmela.

Budget Hotels in Taormina

Budget hotels in Taormina are in great demand during the high season. If you want to stay in one of those places, you should think to book well in advance. Among the best budget stays in Taormina you can find the Hotel Continental , Medousa Bistrot & Suites and La Malandrina Apartments & Suites . Prices range from £ 150 to £400 for a double room for one night.

Best places to eat in Taormina

While wandering around Taormina, you will notice a great abundance of restaurants and on-the-go places. After all, Sicilian food is one of the best in Italy and you can taste some wonderful traditional dishes in Taormina. However, all that glitters is not gold and most of the times tourists have to face inflated prices for what Sicilians consider as average food.

Tips to remember when eating out in Taormina

For this reason, when it comes to visit places like Taormina, I always follow three rules and I invite you to follow them as well.

• Go Small . Big restaurants trying to capture the attention of tourists with their terraces on the coast are not always the best. Usually, the freshest and most delicious food is served by small places (these usually go under the name of bottega , osteria or trattoria ). These places are generally managed by families who make feel their clients very special.
• Try to avoid the “fixed price” menu places. If you see a restaurant with an inviting sign stating that you can have a full lunch for only €15 in Taormina, there is something smelly. Especially if the offer a fish menu. These places are generally famous for using frozen food, of which quality is not guaranteed. This is such a shame considering how good is Sicilian food! Ergo, avoid them.
• If you have little time, use the traditional Sicilian take away. Italians are famous for spending hours sit at their tables during lunch. If you seat at a restaurant, be prepared to stay seated for 2-3 hours. So if you have a little time you should opt for a take away. With “take away” I don’t mean you have to go to the first Mc Donal’s you see. In fact, you can use little places called “ rosticceria “. These are a kind of hybrid between street food stalls and bakeries selling everything from pizza, tavola calda (small savory pastries), pasta dishes, second dishes, sides and even desserts. The food is always incredibly fresh, the quality is excellent and the price very cheap. Some of these places have also tables and chairs where to consume your food. They are the perfect places when you don’t have much time.

Where to eat in Taormina

I have to confess that I am not a big fan of the restaurants in Taormina. This because I found that most of them are just tourist traps and, as a Sicilian, I would never pay for €20 for a pasta with tomato sauce that I would cook better at home. However, it’s also true that not all the restaurants inflate their prices for average dishes and if you know where to look at, you can find some very nice (and honest) places where to eat.

For example a very nice place where to taste traditional fresh cheese and meat boards is La bottega del Formaggio . For a great pizza go to Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro . The same owners have also a restaurant called Osteria Villa Zuccaro but I haven’t been there yet. One of my favourite places for a lunch/dinner on the go is l’Arco about Pizza . This is located after Piazza Duomo. Here you can find everything from fresh pasta dishes to arancini, pizza and traditional tavola calda (filled savoury pastries). Moreover, it’s very cheap! I warmly recommend you to try the pistachio arancini that are delicious!

For a fresh dessert, my favourite place is Gelato Mania ! This place is just after Porta Messina and it’s often crowded because it’s small. I always take the same gelato flavour that is pistachio, hazelnut and Ferrero Rocher. You won’t regret it! The only bad thing of this place is that it’s open only during summer.

Fancy a granita? Plan a stop at the famous Bam Bar

As said before, there are a lot of touristy places in Taormina. Nevertheless, Bam Bar is famous for a reason. Indeed, in addition to be one of the most photogenic places in Taormina, it serves also delicious granita! We often stop there for a tasty breakfast when in town and the chocolate granita never disappoint!

Be aware this place is often very crowded during summer and it’s actually challenging to find a space. Moreover, it looks like it’s the mandatory stop for numerous VIPs. Indeed, the owner regularly picture himself with actors, singers and various celebrities. So, if you know someone famous that is in Taormina, he’s likely having a granita at Bam Bar.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to book a table in advance. So you have just to pass there and try your luck.

Address: Via di Giovanni, 45, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy

Taormina one day itinerary with map

Below, you can find an example for a one-day itinerary of Taormina. This follows the following points:

• A – Start point from Porta Messina
• B – Visit to Palazzo Corvaja (10-15 mins)
• C – Visit to Teatro Antico (1-2 hours)
• D – Relax at the Villa Comunale Gardens (30 mins)
• E – See the Naumachie (5-10 mins)
• F – Visit Piazza IX Aprile and its monuments (30 mins – 1 hour depending how many pictures you take)
• G – Visit to Piazza Duomo (15 – 20 mins)
• H – Visit to Palazzo dei Duchi di St. Stefano (max 20 mins without exhibition entrance)

This itinerary will cover all the best things to see in Taormina. Moreover, you can plan a lunch break between point C and D to divide the day into two parts. Of course, you can add more spots and take inspiration from the other sights in Taormina I’ve listed before!

Best day trips from Taormina that are not Catania or Messina

It’s very likely that if you are visiting Sicily, you will fly over Catania and possibly include a trip to Messina in your itinerary. For this reason, I decided to exclude these cities as a day trip from Taormina. Below, you will find some places that are very convenient to reach from Taormina and are perfect as a day trip.

Isolabella is a small little island very close to Taormina. It’s connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land and it’s the best place to enjoy a day out at the beach from the city. My typical day out in Taormina usually includes a half day spent at the beach in Isola Bella and the afternoon spent in Taormina. As I previously said, Isola Bella was bought by Miss Trevelyan and transformed into a beautiful botanical garden that you can still visit. The later constructions built into the rock were added by the Bosurgi family. Now, Isolabella it’s part of the Archaeological Park of Naxos-Taormina.

Things to do in Isola Bella

Apart from enjoying a day out at the beach, there are other things to do in Isola Bella. For example, you can follow the little strip of land up to the island and visit the Museum and Botanical Garden . From the island you can enjoy a very different view of the coast and admire rare plants and peculiar construction build into the rock. Tickets cost € 4.00 and you can book them online here .

Moreover, if you want a little more adventure, you can jump on one of the little red boats on the shore and go to an excursion of the coast . These will usually tour the coast of Naxos and will bring tourist to the famous Grotta Azzurra. Excursions usually cost between €10-20 per person.

Lastly, if you are an expert swimmer with a PADI certification, you can also go to scuba diving . The main centre in Taormina and Isolabella is the Nike Diving Centre . Among the top things to see underwater near Isolabella there are the Roman Columns of Cape Taormina. These are at about 24 mt under the sea, lost from a Roman ship that sunk more than 2.000 years ago.

Tips for visiting Isolabella

Isolabella is particularly coveted during summer. Ergo, if you want to spend a half day at the beach, or even a whole day without annoyance read below!

The beach in Isola Bella is not so big and during summer it gets full of people soon. Moreover, (I don’t know why) it looks like the very thin layer of land connecting to the island is the most coveted spot where to put a towel. Therefore, if you want to act like a typical tourist and want to stay on that spot at any cost, go super early. Most of the people tend to arrive after 10.30 and those spots are the firsts to be gone. However, be aware that when the beach become full and there’s no place where to walk (because the space on that thin layer is very small), people start walking over other people towels and stuff to enter the sea or go to the island. Ergo, don’t complain if a 10-years old broke your sunglasses.

The second thing you can do is staying on the side of the mainland. Here you should not have the overcrowding problem and enjoy a little bit of more relax. Moreover, if you want even more space, you can rent a sunbed in one of the lidi (bathhouses) on the beach. These are quite expensive but worthy if you want a little peace from the crowd.

How to get to Isola Bella from Taormina

There are three ways to reach Isola Bella from Taormina. By car via the SP10 (10 minutes). However, I don’t recommend you this because it’s very hard to find a free parking space and the Parking Mazzarò is more expensive than the other options. You can reach Isola Bella also with the cable car. Tickets cost between €3-10 and the cable car is every 15 minutes. Lastly, you can go on foot. There is a staircase connecting Taormina to Isola Bella. However, be aware that despite the downhill is nice, the return is quite steep.

Castelmola is a village located above Taormina. It was listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy and it’s one of the places I love most when I am in that area of Sicily. The name Castelmola means “Castle over a mola “. Mola (in dialect) is the big rock where the castle was built during the Middle Ages.

Actually, the origins of the village dates back to the Greek age and its history is connected with that of Taormina. The old name of the village was Mylai .

What to visit in Castelmola

Castelmola is one of those places where is nice just to walk around and explore without nothing in mind. However, if you want to check out some spots, you can’t miss a visit to the ruins of the Mola castle, the church of St. Nicola di Bari and the view from Piazza Sant’ Antonio square.

If you go during the Christmas period, you will likely find some decorations all around the city and you can’t miss a hot chocolate with a view at the historic Antico Caffè S. Giorgio.

How to get to Castelmola from Taormina

You can reach Castelmola in several ways. If you go by car, it will take about 16 minutes from Taormina via the SP10 (SP means Provincial Street). You can’t enter in the village with the car. You must leave your car in one of the public parking just out the village. Please be aware that the road connecting the two cities is quite winding and during winter it gets very foggy.

If you don’t have a car, you can take the Interbus to Castelmola from Taormina bus station. It’s a 15 minutes ride and won’t cost you more than €5. If you are brave enough, you can also walk up to Castelmola. It’s a 47 minutes walk (2.6 km).

Giardini Naxos

Giardini Naxos was the first Greek colony established in Sicily (at that time it was called just Naxos). Now it’s famous for its crystalline waters and romantic promenade. Among the top things to visit there is the Archaeological Park of Naxos, the Castle of Schisò and the Nike of Kalkis.

How to reach Giardini Naxos from Taormina

Giardini Naxos is at a very short drive from Taormina. Indeed, it’s at just 18 minutes car via the SS114. If you don’t want to drive, you can take the Interbus from Taormina bus station. The ticket is about €3.

Alcantara Gorge

The Alcantara river is one of the most famous in Sicily. It flows from the Mt. Nebrodi to the Jonian Sea. Despite the river has many touristic points, particularly interesting for trekking and outdoor activities, the most unique part is that famous as “ Gole dell’ Alcantara ” (Alcantara Gorge).

This is a natural canyon formed by 25 mt high basaltic rock walls. These walls have been eroded and shaped by the river for thousands of years assuming very peculiar prismatic shapes. It was estimated that these walls date back to eruptions happened about 8.000 years ago.

What to do at the Alcantara Gorge

The Alcantara Gorge attracts tourist from all over the world and it’s perfect for water trekking, body rafting, rafting or just chilling near the river. If you go just for walking through the river be aware that the water is freezing even during summer. Moreover, it’s better to wear waterproof shoes and protect your feet from the sharpest rocks. If you want to undertake more adventurous activities, like body rafting, you should go with an authorised tour company. For more itineraries check the park website here .

How to get to the Alcantara Gorge from Taormina

The Alcantara Gorge is at just 34 minutes by car from Taormina following the SS114 to SS185 (there will be probably tolls to pay). If you don’t have a car, you can take the Interbus to “Gole dell’ Alcantara” from the Taormina bus station. This bus is operated only during the summer season.

Want to visit more places in Sicily? What about Cefalù ?

Taormina Bucket List

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Yes please! I was here before I was married and would love to go back with my husband! The food! That gorge!

Thanks! Yes the food in Sicily is amazing and I miss it a lot! Cant’ wait to go back!

Thanks for sharing such a great thorough guide! I think it’s great to know how much time is needed to explore a place. Most times we think we need more which we end up paying extra accommodation for that wasnt needed.

You’re welcome! Yes, knowing more or less hoe much time you need for a visit is essential for planning! Of course, everyone has his own pace but a general guideline is always useful!

This is an amazing post! I love that you included the history but also everything there is to do in Taormina! Saving it for when we make it to Europe again!

Thanks a lot for reading it! I hope you can visit one day!

This looks like the type of place I would be heading to straight away! I’ve never heard of it before but it’s for sure going on my bucket list.

That’s great! Taormina is very famous in Sicily, almost like Positano for the Amalfi Coast!

Oh my gosh, I am so excited to use this post when we’re able to take our van down to Italy. We live in Munich and it’s the first trip we’re planning once we’re allowed to travel. Sicily is high on our list and I’m thrilled to learn more about Taormina. I can’t wait to eat my way through the town, making sure to avoid big showy restaurants between wandering those charming alley ways. Thanks for such a thorough and detailed guide. Saving it for our trip.

That’s amazing! I hope they will lift soon some restrictions! I would love to visit my family in Sicily but I’m stuck in the UK at the moment! finger crossed for better times! Good luck for your future Italy trip!!!

What a thorough in-depth guide and what a fairy tale destination. It really makes me want to visit

I hope you can visit one day!

What a fantastic and thorough post. I LOVED all the history you provided. Great tips too on food, parking and all. I was planning a trip for this June, but tabled it until 2022, because it is is not looking promising that Italy and Sicily will open by June. Taomorina looks gorgeous. I can only imagine how lovely it must be to live there. Pinned your post for my soon-to-be visit!

Yes, at the moment the situation is not good throughout Italy. Sicily, however, has encouraging data. I hope they will reopen soon so I can visit my family!(I live in the UK at the moment). Taormina is a beautiful gem and definitely a must-visit while in Sicily! I hope you can visit in 2022!

This is a fantastic guide, thank you for the tips and recommendations, I used this itinerary as the bases for my holiday to Taormina, I fell in love with the place.

Wow, thank you so much for such an informative post!! Saved me a ton of time.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Taormina! 🙂

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12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Taormina

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

On a rocky terrace high above the Ionian Sea on the east coast of Sicily, Taormina couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting. Views of the sea and Mt. Etna, often with a puff of steam wafting above its smoldering cone, are framed by flower-draped houses or by the finest Greek theater on the island.

Taormina's most important tourist attractions are this ancient amphitheater and the picture-perfect qualities of the town itself. But there's a lot more to see and do here, whether it's marveling at the beautiful Baroque church interiors, shopping in the boutiques that lure the town's many cruise ship passengers, strolling in its streets and gardens, climbing up to its castle, or descending to the beaches below.

Plan your trip with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Taormina.

See also: Where to Stay in Taormina

1. Teatro Greco (Greek Theater)

2. stroll along corso umberto, 3. piazza ix aprile and san giuseppe, 4. villa comunale, 5. madonna della rocca and via circonvallazione, 6. swim at isola bella, 7. castelmola, 8. cattedrale di san nicola, 9. porta catania and palazzo duca di santo stéfano, 10. palazzo corvaja, 11. sant'agostino, 12. explore gole dell'alcántara (alcantara gorge), where to stay in taormina for sightseeing.

Taormina's most famous landmark is the Greek Theater, originally built in the third century BC under Hiero II of Syracuse. Under Roman rule in the second century BC, it was completely rebuilt with all the characteristics of a Roman theater.

The perfectly semicircular cavea rises in stepped seating to an upper diameter of 109 meters, the stage stands above the level of the orchestra, and the finely decorated stage loft is so high that its sides adjoin the top rows of seats to create an enclosed space.

A fortuitous gap in the wall of the loft frames Taormina's most celebrated view of the surrounding countryside as far as Mount Etna , one that has been immortalized in paintings and photographs as one of Italy's most iconic.

Address: Via Teatro Greco, Taormina

For most tourists, the greatest appeal of Taormina is the town itself. Its streets are a pleasure to stroll, lined with romantic buildings and opening onto terraces with stunning views.

Taormina's main street, Corso Umberto, begins at Piazza IX Aprile and then crosses the town before ending at Porta Catania . The entire street, with its squares and terraces, shops and open-air cafés seems made for sauntering and stopping to savor the views of Mt. Etna and the sea.

Little lanes, often rising in steps, lead off the main street and are worth exploring, too. Just strolling along Corso Umberto, browsing in its shops and stopping in a café for an espresso or gelato, is one of the most popular things to do in Taormina.

The approach to the town is equally appealing: from the coast road at Cape Taormina, Via Pirandello snakes its way up the mountain, passing Byzantine rock-graves on the left, the belvedere on the right, and the funicular to Mazzarò . It brings you to Porta Messina , which, together with the adjoining Piazza Vittorio Emanuele , forms the grand entrance to the town.

Piazza IX Aprile, which lies along Corso Umberto, opens onto a terrace with a beautiful view of Mt. Etna and the bay. This piazza is where the older part of the town begins, marked by a square stone clock tower.

Decorating the piazza is the double stairway and Baroque façade of San Giuseppe, a pink confection of an exterior. The bright white interior of Rococo stucco work is so ornate and covered with swirls and flourishes that it looks like a frosted wedding cake.

Below the former Dominican monastery, Via Roma runs east to the municipal gardens of Villa Comunale. The gardens were created by Florence Trevelyan, an Englishwoman who planted rare species here and built the fanciful and imaginative Victorian stone follies that survive today.

Its commanding position offers some excellent viewpoints, and you'll find more if you follow Via Bagnoli Croce on to the Belvedere. From here, you can return on Via Luigi Pirandello, passing below the Greek Theater , to the Porta Messina .

Address: Via Roma, Taormina

Via Circonvallazione runs parallel to Corso Umberto, and a stepped road leads from here up to the Madonna della Rocca , a chapel whose ceiling is the rough rock from which it was carved. The route continues up to Castello di Taormina , 398 meters above sea-level on Monte Tauro.

This castle with its tower stands on the site of the ancient Acropolis, and the view from here is spectacular. It is also possible to reach the castle along the winding road that starts on the Circonvallazione and continues to the picturesque mountain village of Castelmola .

In the sea below Taormina is a small rock-bound island with a nature preserve, almost connected to the mainland by a sandy beach. You can cross to walk the paths around its perimeter and enjoy the views from its terraces.

All along the shore below Taormina are coves and beaches for swimming, which you can reach by paths. There is also a cable car between Taormina and the beach resort of Mazzaro , just below town. Just north of Mazzaro are more beaches at Spisone, Mazzeo, and Letojanni. You can also take a bus to the beaches.

High above Taormina, at an altitude of 529 meters, the picturesque village of Castelmola , perches atop a rocky crag. From its lofty terraces, you can look down onto Taormina, the Ionian Sea and Mt. Etna.

It is not only the views that make Castelmola appealing to tourists; it is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, and a walk through its narrow, colorful streets proves why. Bright ceramics decorate the walls, and at its top are the ruins of a castle. Castelmola is about five kilometers from the center of town and accessible by bus.

Opposite the Town Hall, the street widens out into Piazza del Duomo , with the Cathedral of San Nicola. Founded by the Hohenstaufens in the 13th century and altered several times in the 15th to 17th centuries, it combines medieval and more recent features.

The unplastered exterior, with its crenellations, is original, whereas the Baroque main door was added in 1636 and matches the 1635 Baroque fountain in the middle of the square. The three aisles of the basilica are separated by large pillars supporting pointed arches.

The interior is decorated with a number of works dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, including the 15th-century Visitation of the Virgin Mary by Antonio Giuffrè and Madonna and Child with Saints by Antonello da Saliba, painted in 1504.

Address: Piazza del Duomo, Taormina

Corso Umberto, Taormina's main street, ends at the 1400 city gate, Porta Catania, emblazoned with the Aragon coat-of-arms. Near it stands the three-storied Palazzo Duca di Santo Stéfano, built at the same time as Porta Catania.

It is easy to recognize because of its Gothic windows, fish-tail crenellations, and detailed stonework along the top. Concerts are held in the Great Hall, and two rooms display works by the sculptor Giuseppe Mazzullo (1913-88).

Address: Via de Spuches, Taormina

Completed at the very beginning of the 1400s, Palazzo Corvaja housed the Sicilian Parliament of Nobles meetings in 1410. The best preserved palazzo in Taormina, the palace incorporates a 10th-century Saracen tower with a later triple window under graceful curved arches.

The severe crenellated front has twin windows, also with slender columns and arches. On the left side, a Gothic doorway leads into the inner courtyard, where you'll see reliefs depicting the Creation.

Inside the palace is the Sicilian Museum of Art and Folk Traditions , filled with works by Sicilian craftsmen from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Here, you'll see examples of ceramics, wood sculpture, colorful Sicilian carts, and needlework. The church of Santa Caterina and remains of a small Roman theater are in the same square.

Address: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Taormina

The little Gothic church of Sant'Agostino was built in 1448, dedicated to Saint Sebastian, who was believed to have miraculously saved the city from the plague. It was later expanded into a monastery of the Hermits of St. Augustine, whose friars changed its dedication.

Originally a Sicilian-style late Gothic building, it was substantially changed around 1700, adding the bell tower and entrance arch replaced with the present entrance. Only the top of the arch and the small rosette above the door remain from the original church. It is now used as a public library. Its campanile is a small crenelated tower, and the door was added in 1700.

Address: Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina

The Gole dell'Alcántara is a dramatic and evocatively romantic gorge with fantastic rock shapes, some 50 meters deep and only five meters wide. The Alcántara River flows along the northern side of Mount Etna , and several thousand years ago, a lava flow from an eruption blocked the river.

The water caused the lava to cool much faster than usual, so it crystallized into a column formation. Over time, the river eroded the columns, regaining a channel through and wearing them into the dramatic shapes you see today.

The gorge is now part of the Gole Alcantara Botanical and Geological Park , where you can descend to the river level by a lift; walk the trails; and in the summer, wade across the river. More adventurous travelers can join a guided bodysurfing tour through the canyon. The gorge is about 30 minutes from Taormina by bus, even less by car or taxi.

Address: Via Nazionale 5, Motta Camastra

Things to do in Taormina are divided between the attractions in the old town and the beaches and Isola Bella directly below it. Fortunately for tourists, the two are connected by regular buses and a funivia (cable car). Here are some highly rated hotels in Taormina:

Luxury Hotels:

• With magnificent views of the sea and Mt. Etna from its large balconies high above town, Hotel Villa Ducale is easily reached from the highway and has free shuttles to the center and funivia station.
• On a street winding down from the center to the beaches, and a 10-minute walk from either, Hotel Villa Carlotta has sea views, a pool, free breakfast, and a rooftop restaurant.
• An even shorter walk through the public gardens to the center's shops and restaurants, the green Hotel Villa Belvedere has a pool and free breakfast.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• In the center, between Porta Catania and Piazza IX Aprile, the boutique Hotel Taodomus has balconies overlooking the lively street or Mount Etna; full breakfast is included.
• At the edge of the old town near Palazzo Corvaia, a two-minute walk from Corso Umberto restaurants and attractions, the green NH Collection Taormina has sea views, an infinity pool, steam room, and free breakfast.
• Close to shops, restaurants, and the cable car station, Hotel La Pensione Svizzera has sea views and includes afternoon tea and a full hot breakfast on the terrace.

Budget Hotels:

• Near the bus station and cable car to the beach and a 15-minute walk to the center, Hotel Ariston has sea views, a large pool, and free breakfast.
• The same distance from the town center and with views of Mt. Etna and the sea, the traditional Hotel Bel Soggiorno includes free breakfast and parking. You can walk to the lovely Isola Bella from the beachside Hotel Baia Azzurra , also near the cable car to the old town.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Where to Go from Taormina: Sicily's eastern coast is lined with places to visit. Nearby Catania is filled with Baroque architecture, and both Greek and Roman theaters are primary tourist attractions in Syracuse . North of Taormina is Messina , and the northern coastal towns are easy day trips from Messina.

Exploring Sicily : Other top places to visit in Sicily include the ancient sites of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the spectacular mosaic floors of Villa Romana at Enna . If time allows, head farther west to explore the attractions of Palermo and the beautiful Monreale Cathedral .

More on Italy

Taormina Sicily Travel Guide and Information

TripSavvy / Laura Strauta

Taormina, Sicily has been one of the Italian island's top travel destinations since the era of the European Grand Tour, when wealthy young men, many of the English poets and painters, would take extended tours of the classical sites of Italy and Greece. Thanks to its popularity with these travelers of the 17th to 19th centuries, Taormina became Sicily's first beach resort.

Taormina has well-preserved Greek and Roman ruins, a fine medieval quarter and castle ruins, and modern shops and restaurants. Perched on the side of Monte Tauro, the town offers fantastic views of the coast and Mount Etna volcano . Below the town are excellent beaches where you can swim in the clear sea water. Although Taormina can be visited all year, spring and fall are the best times. July and August are very hot, and because most Italians take their vacations those months, they're also very crowded.

What to See

Top attractions include the Greek theater, medieval quarter, shopping and beaches.

• Greek Theater:  Taormina's Greek theater was built in the third century BC, renovated by the Romans, and is now used for summer performances. The theater, built into the hillside, has excellent acoustics and spectacular views of the sea and Mt. Etna.
• Medieval Quarter:  A clock tower gate serves as the starting point for Taormina's picturesque medieval section with its narrow streets and old shops now selling modern clothing, crafts, and souvenirs.
• Corso Umberto:  The lively main street through town,  Corso Umberto , is lined with shops and bars. Along the street are people-filled squares good for enjoying an outdoor drink and people-watching. One of the best squares is Piazza IX Aprile, with its great sea views.

Beaches:  Below Taormina is beaches, coves, and a peaceful sea perfect for swimming. There are paths between the town and the coast. There's also a cable car to  Mazzaro , the beach resort just below Taormina, from  Via L Pirandello . Buses run to beaches, too.

The luxury hotel  El Jebel  is right in the center of town. Also in the center are the 4-star  Villa Carlotta  in a garden setting overlooking the sea and  Hotel Villa Angela  in a park setting with views of Mount Etna and the bay. A less expensive option right in the historic center is the 2-star Hotel Victoria.

If you want to be closer to the sea, Atahotel Capotaormina  has its own private beach. The 4-star  Panoramic Hotel  is right on the waterfront near Isola Bella and  Taormina Park Hotel  is on the road heading down to the sea.

Taormina is 200 meters above sea level on Monte Tauro on Sicily's east coast. It's 48km south of Messina, Sicily's closest city to the mainland. Mount Etna volcano is about a 45-minute drive southwest of Taormina and farther south is Catania, one of Sicily's largest cities.

Transportation

Taormina is on the rail line between Messina and Catania and can be reached by train directly from Rome. The station,  Taormina-Giardini , is 2 km below the center and served by shuttle buses. Regular buses run from Palermo, Catania, the airport, and Messina arriving in the center of town. The closest airport,  Fontanarossa  in Catania, is an hour drive and has flights to some Italian and European cities. A car ferry runs from the mainland to Messina, then take the A18 along the coast for about 30 minutes. Driving in the center is limited. There are two large parking lots on the outskirts.

Restaurants

Taormina has many excellent restaurants in all price ranges. It's a great place for seafood and outdoor dining, often with views. Ristorante da Lorenzo, Via Roma 12, serves seafood on a terrace overlooking the sea. Traditional Sicilian food is served at  Ristorante la Griglia , Corso Umberto 54, on an outside terrace during nice weather. An inexpensive choice is  Porta Messina , next to the city walls at Largo Giove Serapide 4.

Corso Umberto, in the center of town, is a good place for shopping. Many shops sell high-quality items, mostly from Sicily, although you'll find designer fashions and jewelry from mainland Italy, too. There are shops for fashion, jewelry, crafts, mosaics ceramics, puppets, porcelain dolls, and other unique souvenirs, as well as typical touristy t-shirts and memorabilia.

Festivals and Events

Taormina Arte festival  runs from June through August. Plays, concerts, and a film festival are held outdoors in the Greek Theater during summer.  Madonna della Rocca  is typically celebrated the third weekend of September with a religious procession and feast. Taormina has one of the best  Carnival  celebrations in Sicily.

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The Ultimate All in One Guide to Taormina

Taormina is a town located on the eastern coast of the island of Sicily in Italy. It is known for its stunning views of the sea, as well as its ancient ruins and medieval architecture. The town is situated on a hilltop, overlooking the Ionian Sea and the famous Mount Etna. Taormina is a popular tourist destination and attracts visitors from all over the world who come to explore its historic sites, such as the ancient Greek theatre, which dates back to the third century BC, and the 13th-century Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. The town is also renowned for its luxurious resorts, elegant boutiques, and fine dining restaurants.

Getting there and Public Transport: The nearest airport to Taormina is Catania-Fontanarossa Airport. From there, you can take a bus or hire a private transfer to Taormina. Alternatively, you can take a train to Taormina-Giardini station from Catania and then take a local bus or taxi to the town center. Taormina is a small town that can easily be explored on foot. However, if you want to venture further afield, you can take a bus or taxi to nearby attractions.

The bus station in Taormina is located near the town center, just a short walk from the main street of Corso Umberto. From here, you can catch buses to destinations such as Catania, Messina, and Syracuse, as well as nearby beaches and hiking trails. The bus fares in Taormina are relatively inexpensive, with one-way tickets typically costing between €1-3. You can purchase tickets at the bus station or on board the bus (although it’s recommended to buy tickets in advance to avoid any issues).

Discover the Stunning Beauty of Taormina Visually in the Following Video by Through the Looking Glass

Taormina Travel Guide

Here are some top landmarks and sights to explore, Best things to do in Taormina:

• Greek Theatre: The Greek Theatre in Taormina is a 3rd-century BC amphitheater that offers panoramic views of Mount Etna and the coastline. The theater is still used for performances today, including plays, concerts, and operas.
• Isola Bella: This small island off the coast of Taormina is a nature reserve and a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors can take a cable car down to the island or hike down the steep cliff.
• Corso Umberto: Taormina’s main street, Corso Umberto, is a pedestrian-only thoroughfare that is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. It is the perfect place to stroll and people watch while taking in the town’s charm.
• Palazzo Corvaja: This medieval palace in Taormina houses a museum of Sicilian art and artifacts. Visitors can tour the palace and learn about the town’s history and culture.
• Piazza IX Aprile: This charming square in Taormina offers stunning views of the sea and the surrounding hills. It is home to the Chiesa di San Giuseppe and the Torre dell’Orologio, an old clock tower.
• Giardini della Villa Comunale: These beautiful gardens in Taormina offer a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the town. Visitors can stroll through the gardens and admire the views of the sea and the surrounding landscape.
• Mount Etna: Taormina is situated at the foot of Mount Etna (55 Kms from Taormina, accessible by bus or taxi), one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Visitors can take a guided tour to the summit or explore the mountain’s lower slopes on foot or by bike.

Food and Drink: Taormina is known for its delicious Sicilian cuisine, which is heavily influenced by Greek, Arab, and Spanish traditions. Some must-try dishes include arancini (fried rice balls), caponata (a sweet and sour eggplant dish), and cannoli (a sweet pastry filled with ricotta cheese). Don’t forget to wash it all down with a glass of local wine!

Local Culture and Traditions: Taormina is a town with a rich history and culture, reflected in its architecture, festivals, and traditions. The town celebrates many festivals throughout the year, including the Feast of Saint Joseph in March and the Taormina Film Fest in June. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and you will often hear the local dialect spoken in the streets.

Best Beaches in Taormina

There are several beaches near Taormina that visitors can enjoy. Some of the most popular beaches in Taormina include:

• Isola Bella Beach: This pebble beach is one of the most famous in Taormina and is located on a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land.
• Mazzarò Beach: This sandy beach is situated in a small bay between Taormina and the village of Mazzarò.
• Spisone Beach: This long stretch of sandy beach is located a short distance from Taormina and is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing.
• Giardini Naxos Beach: This long, sandy beach is located just south of Taormina and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
• Letojanni Beach: This long, sandy beach is situated just south of Taormina and is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing.

Each of these beaches has its own unique charm and offers visitors a different experience. Isola Bella Beach is known for its stunning scenery and crystal-clear waters, while Mazzarò Beach is a quieter spot that is ideal for relaxation. Spisone Beach is a popular choice for families, while Giardini Naxos Beach is a lively spot with plenty of bars and restaurants. Letojanni Beach is a great choice for those seeking a quieter, more laid-back beach experience.

Hiking Trails in Taormina

Taormina offers several hiking trails for adventurous Travelers, and following are some of the most popular ones:

• The Taormina to Castelmola Trail – This trail offers breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the coastline. The hike is about 2.5 miles long and can be completed in about 2 hours.
• The Gola dell’Alcantara Trail – The Gole dell’Alcantara Gorge , nestled in the foothills of Mount Etna, is a hidden gem of Sicily. Its distinctive terrain, crafted by the Alcantara river over thousands of years, is an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts seeking an alternative to the beach. This hike takes you through the Alcantara River Canyon and offers stunning views of the surrounding nature. The trail is about 3.5 miles long and takes about 2 hours to complete.
• The Isola Bella Trail – This trail takes you to the beautiful Isola Bella nature reserve, where you can enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters or sunbathe on the pebble beach. The trail is about 1.5 miles long and can be completed in about 1 hour.
• The Monte Venere Trail – This challenging hike takes you to the top of Monte Venere, where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of Taormina and the surrounding areas. The trail is about 5 miles long and can take up to 4 hours to complete.
• The Valle del Bove Trail – This trail takes you to the Valle del Bove, a volcanic valley on the slopes of Mount Etna. The hike is about 7 miles long and can take up to 6 hours to complete. It is recommended to have a guide for this trail.

Make Sure to check the weather conditions and trail conditions before embarking on a hike.

Taormina Culture and Traditions

Taormina is a town in Sicily, Italy, known for its rich history and culture. The town has a blend of different cultures, including Greek, Roman, and Byzantine. The town is famous for its stunning Ancient theatre, which is one of the most well-preserved in Italy and hosts several events and festivals throughout the year. The local culture in Taormina is vibrant and diverse, and it is characterised by traditional festivals, arts, and cuisine.

Taormina hosts numerous summer events and exhibitions at the Ancient Theatre, featuring pop and classical concerts, operas, and performances, including the Silver Ribbon Award, Festivalbar, and Kore. Taormina Arte, the cultural institution, organizes music, theatre, and dance festivals, including the Taormina Film Fest (One of the most significant cultural events in Taormina ), which hosts the Italian Film Journalists’ Silver Ribbons. Taormina International Film Festival, which attracts many famous actors, directors, and producers from around the world, takes place every year in June, and it showcases the latest and most outstanding films from all over the world.

Another cultural event in Taormina is the Feast of San Giuseppe, which is celebrated in March. It is a religious festival that involves parades, fireworks, and traditional Sicilian food. The Giuseppe Sinopoli Festival, a festival dedicated to the late artistic director, is held in October by Taormina Arte since 2005. Other traditional festivals in Taormina include the Feast of Saint Agatha, the Feast of the Madonna della Rocca, and the Feast of Saint John the Baptist.

The town is also known for its delicious Sicilian cuisine, which is diverse and unique and is a fusion of Italian and Arabic influencesThe town is known for its seafood dishes, such as swordfish, octopus, and shrimp. Some popular dishes to try include – Pasta alla Norma: This dish consists of pasta with a tomato sauce, fried eggplant, ricotta salata cheese, and basil, Arancini: Fried rice balls stuffed with meat or cheese, Caponata: A sweet and sour eggplant dish that also contains celery, tomatoes, onions, and olives, Cannoli: A sweet pastry filled with sweetened ricotta cheese and sometimes chocolate chips. The town has several restaurants and food markets where tourists can enjoy the local cuisine.

Border Towns and Best Day Trips from Taormina

Taormina is located on the eastern coast of Sicily, Italy, and it shares borders with several towns in the region. Some of the popular day trips from Taormina to the border or nearby towns include the following:

• Castelmola: This small town is located above Taormina and offers panoramic views of the coast and Mount Etna.
• Giardini Naxos: This town is located south of Taormina and is known for its beaches and seaside promenade.
• Calatabiano: This town is located to the north of Taormina and is home to the Castello di Calatabiano, a medieval castle with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
• Forza d’Agrò: This town is located to the south of Taormina and is known for its medieval architecture and stunning views of the coast.
• Sant’Alessio Siculo: This town is located to the north of Taormina and is known for its sandy beaches and quaint fishing village atmosphere.
• Roccalumera: This town is located to the north of Taormina and is known for its beaches and charming historic center.
• Letojanni : It is a small town located on the eastern coast of Sicily, Italy, just a few kilometers away from Taormina. The town has a long sandy beach, crystal clear waters, and is surrounded by hills covered in olive groves and citrus orchards.
• Mount Etna: This active volcano is the highest peak in Sicily and offers stunning views and unique hiking opportunities.

Each of these towns has its own unique charm and attractions that are worth exploring for a day trip from Taormina. All of these day trips can be easily reached by car or public transportation from Taormina.

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An Insider’s Guide To Taormina, Sicily

• June 15, 2023

The ancient hilltop city of Taormina is arguably the most famous and popular destination in Sicily . Backdropped by the smoldering force of Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, the city is a tapestry of winding cobblestone and marble streets.

Steep cliffs plunge down to coves with pebbled beaches surrounded by dense Mediterranean shrubs and sea grottos that dwell beneath the turquoise waves of the Ionian Sea. Numerous civilizations have left their imprint on Taormina over the millennia. As a result, traces of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish can still be seen and felt today.

The city and its hotels, restaurants, beaches, and cultural sites were recently featured as the setting for season two of Mike White’s award-winning series “The White Lotus.” While the show reinvigorated the city’s image as a dreamy and upscale seaside getaway, Taormina has been a resort town for hundreds, even thousands of years. When the city fell to the Romans after the Second Punic War in 212 BC, it became a favorite getaway for wealthy members of the Roman Republic, including senators and patricians.

It’s no wonder the city is known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. Read on to discover the best beaches, bars, restaurants, hotels, and activities Taormina has to offer.

The Best Beaches in Taormina

Mazzarò beach.

Mazzarò is the easiest beach to access from the town of Taormina. It is located directly in front of the parking lot and cable car that connects the area to the town. This crescent-shaped beach is made up of small pebbles and is freckled with stabilimenti . These beach clubs rent out loungers and umbrellas and supply bars and restaurants for their clients. The area of Mazzarò is surrounded by craggy hills, old palm trees, steep walkways, as well as budget and boutique hotels.

Isola Bella

Around the bend from Mazzaró Beach is Taormina’s most famous landmark – Isola Bella, or Isola Bedda in Sicilian dialect. Meaning “beautiful island” in English, the small island is connected to the coast by a narrow strip of sand that comes and goes with the tides. Lush vegetation sprouts from its rocky surface, and a former privately-owned villa teeters at its top. The island, surrounded by a number of sea grottos, has been a national nature reserve since the 1990s.

How To Reach The Beach

• The Funivia Taormina is a cable car system that connects the city to Mazzarò Beach in just two minutes. Cables leave every 15 minutes, and in the summer the service operates until 1 a.m. Tickets cost €3 each way or €10 for a day ticket. The ride has great views of the rocky landscape and sea.
• Taxis operate frequently between Mazzarò and Taormina. The 10-minute drive will cost at least €15.
• InterBus is a Sicilian bus company that departs from Taormina to Mazzarò every hour for roughly €2 each way. Make sure to check the local bus timetable for a detailed schedule.
• If you are feeling particularly daring, you can also reach Mazzarò (or the city of Taormina) through a steep walking path.

What to See and Do in Taormina

Explore the teatro antico di taormina.

Located near the end of the city’s historic center is the ancient theater of Taormina . It’s one of the best preserved ancient Greco-Roman theaters in Italy. The ancient horseshoe-shaped structure is set on a hill slightly above the city and backdropped on one end by the imposing shadow of Mount Etna. On the other, it is surrounded by rolling green hills and stretches of azure Ionian sea coastline.

The theater was built in the 3rd century BC by the Greek tyrant Hiero II as a stage for theatrical performances. When the ancient Romans conquered the area in the 2nd century BC, they renovated and modified the Greek theater with bricks and marble columns. This transformed it into an amphitheater for bloody gladiator games and battles between exotic wild animals.

Today, the original Greek structure remains, as does a decent amount of the original bricks laid during the Roman era. At the height of its splendor, the structure could host up to 10,000 spectators. Today, it still hosts operas and theatrical performances alongside events such as the Taormina Film Fest. It can seat roughly 4,500 people. For €10, guests can explore the ancient structure and enjoy the theater’s expansive panoramic views of the city and coast.

Stroll through Town and Enjoy the Views

The cobblestoned street of Corso Umberto, which winds through the heart of Taormina, is a shopper’s paradise. Wander past artisan shops and upscale boutiques as well as restaurants, bars, and art galleries. Terraces dripping with succulents sprout from pastel-colored buildings while colorful flowers grow out of traditional moor’s head vases. The pedestrian thoroughfare stretches for roughly 1 km and feeds into Piazza IX Aprile , the city’s main square.

Located in the center of Corso Umberto, this black-and-white marble-tiled square is the very center of Taormina. Peppered with outdoor cafes and red oleander trees, it’s dominated by the 17th-century Chiesa di San Giuseppe . This faded pink Sicilian Baroque church is dramatically set against rocky cliffs. And the square is particularly notable for its stunning views of Mount Etna and the coastline.

Visit the Ancient Hilltop Town of Castelmola

Castemola is built atop a natural terrace and surrounded by the ruins of a 16th-century Norman castle. It’s perched on a hill just above Taormina. This lovely town can be reached by car or via a 15-minute bus ride from the Taormina bus station .

Castelmola’s tree-lined main square is composed of geometric black-and-white lava stones that open up to a belvedere . A panoramic vista of green hills snaked with dizzying winding paths, Mount Etna, and the vivid turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea. Narrow streets are freckled with pastel-colored buildings, shops, and cafes. Many of which, sell the town’s famous vino alle mandorle , a sweet almond dessert wine.

One of Castelmola’s most famous attractions is Bar Turrisi . Since 1947, this three-storied bar has been passed down from generation to generation. While the bar is a standout for its almond wine and terraces with views of Mount Etna, its fame comes less from its views and more from its decor. Bar Turrisi is entirely covered in wooden and ceramic phalluses – even faucets in bathrooms spout water from the male genitalia. While unusual, the purpose of these decorations is not to be crude. Rather it’s meant to embrace and celebrate male fertility, as phalluses have long been considered to be a sign of abundance and good luck. This symbolism echoes Hellenic tradition. After all, the ancient Greeks and Romans worshipped Priapus, the god of fertility, freedom, and good fortune.

Learn about Sicilian art at Palazzo Corvaja

Palazzo Corvaja is a historic palace located in the heart of Taormina’s city center. Built upon the ruins of an ancient Greek agora and Roman forum, it is distinctive for its mix of Arab, Norman, and Spanish architecture. This eclectic mix highlights Sicily’s centuries-long history of successive invasions. Its prominent cube-shaped Arab tower dates back to the 10th century. A wing was even added in the 13th century when the Normans invaded the area.

In the 15th century, under Spanish rule, the palace was further modified and yet another wing was added. In the 16th century, it became the residence of the wealthy Corvaja family, who owned it until the end of World War II. Today, the structure houses the Sicilian Museum of Popular Art and Traditions as well as Taormina’s tourist information office.

The Best Bars and Restaurants in Taormina

Da giovanni.

Da Giovanni has been a quaint, family-run restaurant since 1973. It is located in Mazzarò and has floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open for views of the beach and Isola Bella. The white tablecloth eatery serves up traditional Sicilian fare. This includes penne alla norma with tomato sauce and eggplants, spaghetti e bottarga , spaghetti with cured fish roe, as well as Zuppa di pesce , a tomato-based soup heaped with redfish, shrimp, clams, mussels, squid, and mackerel.

Trattoria Tiramisù Mimmo & Son

Trattoria Tiramisù Mimmo & Son , a father-son duo, was included in Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice for 2022 as one of the top restaurants in Taormina. Located in the historic city center, it’s just a stone’s throw away from the ancient Greek theater. This restaurant serves upscale bites with generous portions at budget-friendly prices. Order raw fish of the day such as tuna, prawns, and shrimp, or an au gratin mix of calamari, prawns, and swordfish sprinkled with almonds and pistachios. The first and second courses include Sicilian busiate noodles served with shrimp and pesto, and grigliata di pesce , a grilled mix of fish.

Laboratorio Pasticceria di Roberto

A trip to Sicily is never complete without eating a cannolo . And Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto is one the best bakeries in Taormina to sample the traditional tube-shaped dessert. The family-run bakery also sells artisanal Sicilian treats like cassata cake, marzipan, and strudel stuffed with peaches, lemons, or tangerines.

One of Sicily’s most iconic food addresses, Bam Bar serves up the best granita in town. This island specialty is made with fresh fruit or nut pastes, sugar, and water. As a result, it’s naturally gluten and dairy free! Not to mention, the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day. Grab a seat at one of the quaint little tables outside and order a granita con brioche , a fluffy bun for dipping. There are dozens of flavors, from lemon and strawberry to almond and pistachio. Gelsi (mulberry) and fichi bianchi (white fig) are seasonal specialties only available in August.

Daiquiri is one of the hottest cocktail bars in Taormina. This is thanks to its extensive cocktail menu which includes cucumber margaritas and various delicious fruit daiquiris. Most of the lounge’s seating is located outside in a charming courtyard overflowing with bougainvillea and palm and banana trees. In the busier summer months, the area almost feels like a block party.

The Best Hotels in Taormina

San Domenico Palace

The set of “The White Lotus” season two, San Domenico Palace is a 5-star resort housed in a former 14th-century convent. Soaring on a rocky promontory overlooking the glittering Ionian sea, the sprawling Four Seasons hotel is decorated with original Renaissance-era frescoes. Additionally, it has two restaurants (including the Michelin-starred Principe Ceramian) an outdoor infinity pool, and a fitness center. Not to mention beautifully manicured gardens and two bars. Elegant rooms come with flat-screen TVs and minibars. The upgraded rooms feature terraces with sea views. And the suites have living rooms with private plunge pools as well as hot tubs.

Mazzarò Sea Palace

Mazzarò Sea Palace was recently added to the list of Leading Hotels of the World. As another upscale hotel, it promises a truly unforgettable stay in Taormina. Set in a pretty bay, it has its own private beach, swimming pool, al fresco restaurant, and fitness club. Basic rooms have flat screens and marbled balconies or terraces large enough for two sun loungers. Upgraded rooms and suites have terraces with beach and sea views, separate living rooms, marble bathrooms, as well as two-person private pools.

Mendolia Beach Hotel

Mendolia Beach Hotel is an ideal pick for budget travelers looking for a more affordable stay in Taormina. It is located right in front of the Mazzarò and Isola Bella’s beaches. So what the hotel may lack in amenities and services it makes up for in spectacular views. Almost every room in this 3-star hotel has a small terrace with a sweeping vista of the Ionian Sea and Isola Bella.

The hotel also offers complimentary access to their Mazzarò Mendolia Beach Club with sun loungers, umbrellas, and showers. The beach club has an excellent restaurant. Try the fried calamari and shrimp before enjoying a heaping bowl of spaghetti with clams. The snack bar also sells Sicilian classics like arancini (rice balls), pizza, and sandwiches.

Hotel Continental Taormina

Hotel Continental Taormina is a casual 3-star, family-run hotel located in the historic center. It’s only a two-minute walk from Corso Umberto, the city’s main street, and a 13-minute walk from the city’s ancient Greek theater. As a result, the property is an ideal pick for those looking for an unpretentious stay in the city. Most rooms come with private balconies or small terraces with views of the sea, the city center, or the hotel’s gardens. Hotel Continental’s crown jewel is its rooftop terrace and Sky Bar . Here, you can sip on an Aperol Spritz and take in views of Mount Etna, the Ionian Sea, and Taormina’s historic center.

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One Day In Taormina Sicily Itinerary: What To Do & See

Chic, compact, and colorful – that’s the city on the cliff for you – Taormina! There is no shortage of things to do in Taormina, making it the perfect day trip or weekend getaway. Here is the perfect one day in Taormina itinerary to make the most of your visit.

The “Pearl of the Ionian Sea,” Taormina is spectacular. The old world resort town is perched on a dramatic promontory that drops 700 feet down to the blue Mediterranean. The town looks out over a fiery volcano in the distance.

It’s a touristy town that’s been attracting travelers for centuries. However, to remark that Taormina is a tourist town in no way disparages its beauty.

Taormina is steeped in everything “old town charm” from cobbled lanes, Baroque churches, sweeping sea views, and a buzzing foodie scene. Orange and palm trees swing in the sea breezes.

At a glance, your one day in Taormina will look like this:

• Greek Theater

Villa Communale

• Palazzo Corvaja

Corso Umberto

Piazza ix aprile.

• San Guiseppe Church
• Clock Tower
• Porta Catania
• Isola Bella, Castelmola, or Mt. Etna

A Short History Of Taormina

Taormina is a small mountain town on the east coast of Sicily. It was first inhabited by the Sicels, an ancient people who pre-dated the Greeks.

In 734 B.C., the Greeks arrived from the island of Naxos looking for fertile land in the west. They founded the little village known today as Giardini Naxos. 

Unfortunately, the colony was at near constant war with its neighbors. In 403.C., the town was crushed by Syracuse . The survivors moved further up the hill and founded Tauromenion , which means “the mountain shaped like a bull.”

The Romans arrived in 212 B.C. Roman aristocrats viewed Taormina as a restful retreat, thereby kickstarting the town’s reputation as dreamy holiday spot.

After the fall of Rome in the 5th century, the Byzantine rulers took over, followed by the Arabs in 962. In 1079, the Normans conquered the Arabs and expanded the city until it fell under Spanish control. The town slowly declined in importance.

But, in the 19th century, Taormina was rediscovered. It became a popular destination of the “Grand Tour” itineraries.

These tours were undertaken by wealthy Europeans seeking out the ancient world. It was considered a rite of passage and part of their education. 

A long list of celebrities visited Taormina including D.H. Lawrence, Greto Garbo, Truman Capote, Cary Grant, and Elizabeth Taylor.

One Day In Taormina Itinerary

This one day in Taormina itinerary assumes you are in the city the night before or have arrived early in the morning to make the most out of your day.

Start off your one day in Taormina with breakfast at Bam Bar . Have what the locals do — granita on a warm brioche. Granita is an icy gelato-type confection that’s less creamy and more grainy (almost glassy).

I know it sounds like an odd thing to have for breakfast. But it’s the Sicilian way.

Taormina is a tiny and immaculate town. “Downtown” Taormina centers around a single .5 mile pedestrian street, Corso Umberto, that tumbles past chic shops and tempting restaurants.

A slow stroll down this scrupulously clean route is a lovely way to acquaint yourself on a first visit.

For more of the historic backdrop, you might considered starting your sightseeing with a guided walking tour . I had a walking tour with Franco D’Angelo and he was excellent.

Greco-Roman Theater

After you’re fueled up, head to Taormina’s top attraction, its Greco-Roman Theater . It opens at 9:00 am. An early visit is ideal if you want to beat the cruise ship crowds.

The theater has a spectacular setting, hanging off a cliff between sea and sky and boasting killer views of Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea. It’s the second largest Greek theater in Sicily and Italy, after the one in Syracuse .

Theaters were important to the Greeks and this one was dedicated to Dionysis. In its glory days, Taormina’s theater could hold crowds of up to 10,000 people and was likely acoustically perfect.

The theater’s scenic location was chosen intentionally. It combined four elements important to the ancient Greeks — earth, water, air, and fire. The fire was provided by the smoking volcano in the distance. The sea breezes helped clean the theater.

The theater was semi-circular in shape ensuring everyone had a good view of the stage. The red wall on the top level once held bronze urns and marble statues.

We know from the writings of Vitruvian that the Greeks built the original theater in the 3rd century B.C. But most of what you see today came courtesy of Romans, who significantly remodeled the theater in the first half of the 2nd century.

Five centuries after it was built, the theater was “Romanized,” an amphitheater superimposed upon it.

The Romans removed the first 10 rows of seats to make an arena space large enough for gladiators and built a wall to prevent the wild beasts from having the spectators for dinner. The wall, however picturesque, essentially blocks the view.

It’s not a perfect blending of styles, and perhaps why the theater is not a UNESCO site.

Excavations of the site began in 1748. The theater is still in use today and concerts are held in the summer. There’s a small museum onsite and a wonderful viewing platform next to the museum.

Click here to pre-book a ticket and guided tour of the theater.

Taormina’s lush pubic gardens are just below the theater and worthy of a short stroll. They were once the private gardens of Florence Trevelyan, an English ex-pat.

Florence fell in love with Sicily on her “grand tour.” At the end of the 1800s, she and her husband moved permanently to Taormina.

Florence loved nature and was an expert gardener. To enjoy her garden and have a place to take tea, she built some quirky Victorian follies that she called “beehives.”

The gardens are at their prettiest in June and July when the flowers are blooming.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele

After your garden stroll, head toward Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. Here, you’ll find some Roman ruins, Palazzo Corvaja, and the Church of Santa Catarina.

The Arab palace was built in the 10th century on top of a Roman forum. Its crenelated roof shows that it was intended as a defensive tower. The Spanish expanded the palace in the 15th century.

Today, Corvaja Palace houses the tourist office and the Museo di Arte e Tradizioni Popolari, which consists of a collection of Sicilian puppets and folk art.

Santa Caterina is a 17th century church that was built on top of a Greek temple. Glass panels inside the church reveal traces of the Greek ruins. Behind the church are some ruins of a Roman theater.

Turning onto the main drag, Corso Umberto, you’ll find another Roman ruin, the Naumachie. It’s a 400 foot long Roman wall dating from the 1st or 2nd century A.D. intended to support a large water reservoir.

The word Naumachie refers to the mock naval battles the Roman liked to stage. Though there’s no evidence they took place here.

The reservoir was used as a gymnasium. The 18 red brick niches once held sculptures overlooking the athletes.

Now, it’s time to just enjoy Corso Umberto and its piazzas. The pedestrianized Corso is flanked with designer shops, bars, galleries, and boutiques. You’ll see some beautiful ceramics, antiques, and leather goods.

None of it comes cheap. Taormina is not the place to get a bargain. So you can either splurge or window shop with a gelato in hand.

Be sure to head down the tiny side streets spoking off the Corso. It will involve some uphill climbing. But the back streets are less crowded and you’ll discover secret restaurants or shops.

Along the way, stop to admire the beautiful balconies. Many have “Head of the Moor” planters, with the head of an Arab and the head of a fair skinned women.

They’re not very politically correct, but based on an old legend about an illicit love affair. Depending on which version you hear, either one or both of them ends up dead.

Soon enough, you’ll arrive at Taormina’s grand central square, Piazza IX Aprile. It’s known as Taormina’s “living room.” From its balcony, you’ll have views of the Bay of Naxos and Mt. Etna that can only be described as scenic overkill.

The piazza is dominated by the severe facade of the Church of San Guiseppe, which is known locally as the Purgatory Church. This was where people came to pray for relatives in purgatory.

The square is also home to the Porta di Mezzo gates and is topped by a 16th century clock tower. As you pass through the gate, you’ll a well preserved mosaic of a madonna.

You may want to plop down at the iconic Caffe Wunderbar for a glass of wine or aperitivo . It’s been a Taormina landmark since the 1960s and is the quintessential Taormina watering hole.

If you’re up for a hike, a staircase next to the bar leads up to the Madonna della Rocca sanctuary. It’s 500 steps to the church.

Piazza del Duomo

Further along, you’ll land in Piazza del Duomo. Taormina’s small cathedral resembles a mini fortress.

Its blocky exterior its from the 13th century. Inside, you’ll see 6 massive pink granite columns. They were likely plundered from the theater.

There’s a Baroque fountain in the center of the piazza. Its minotaur-like sculptures represent the ancient city, which was a “bull shaped mountain.” A crowned women sits on top holding a globe and scepter.

You’re almost at the end of the road. You can stop to admire San Domenico Church (now a luxury hotel), the small church of San Michele, and Porta Catania. The mighty gate marks the end of the city. There are some fresco fragments from the 9th century.

Don’t forget to admire the Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano. The exterior is a combination of Norman and Neo-Norman styles, with some pointy Gothic windows thrown in for good measure. The rooftop is decorated with lava stone.

Today, the palace hosts modern art exhibitions.

Break for lunch. Consider avoiding eateries on Corso Umberto and find a small trattoria on a side street. Save room for a freshly filled  cannolo  from Pasticceria D’Amore or Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto for dessert.

In the afternoon, you have 3 options to fill your time. You can take the gondola down to Isola Bella and its pebbly beach; (2) visit the clifftop village of Castelmola; or (3) take a sunset tour to Mt. Etna.

Isola Bella

Beach lovers should head to the photogenic Isola Bella for the afternoon. The “beautiful island” is tucked below Taormina.

The island is tethered to the mainland by a pebbly beach. There’s not much to see on the island itself.

To get there, you take a gondola that leaves from Via Pirandello near Porta Messina and the Greek Theater. They leave every 15 minutes and cost 3 euros.

You can also book a snorkeling tour around Isola Bella and the famous Blue Grotto or take a boat tour .

About a mile from Taormina, and on an even higher perch, is the charming medieval town of Castlelmola. It’s worth a visit just for the eye popping views of Taormina and Mt. Etna. Plus, its twisty cobbled alleys are a delight to strolll.

The main square is Piazza Sant’Atonio. Uphill from the piazza are the ruins of a Norman Castle, with terraced viewpoints. You can sit down at a cafe, have a gelato, or browse the cute shops.

There are several ways to get to Castelmola — car, bus, taxi, or hiking. You can hop on the local blue bus (pay when you board). I wanted to use this option. But if the bus is full, it will whiz past you. That happened to me and the next bus was in 2 hours.

So, I opted to hop in a cab on the way up. It’s $30 dollars one way. You can also negotiate for a $60 round trip, which includes a quick stop at the Madonna della Rocca sanctuary.

You can also walk the 2 miles up to Castelmola. This option is for fit adventures.

It’s a 1,200 foot vertical gain. The roads zig zag back and forth, so it’s not incredibly steep.

But you’ll also be sharing the road with cars. I walked down and it was an easy hike of about an hour.

If you are driving, look for the big pay and display parking garage at the bottom of the town. This is the easiest parking option because the town is a ZTL zone (prohibiting non-local cars). Then, hoof it up to the center square.

A third way to spend the afternoon of your one day in Taormina is to visit Mt. Etna. “Mamma Etna,” is the world’s most active volcano. One of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Eastern Sicily, Mt. Etna has been erupting for 500,000 years. 

She’s perpetually smoking. My guide called her a “chain smoker.” Etna’s fertile soil provides some of the best produce and wine in Sicily.

To experience the volcanic landscape, you can hike around Silvestri Crater. The lower crater is easy to navigate. The upper crater has a steep climb. To go up even higher on the mountain, hop on the cable car.

This 6 hour guided sunset tour leaves at 5:00 pm. You can scamper around lava caves, hike the craters, and sample honey, olive oil, and wine. With more time, you can tour the Etna wineries and sample the distinctive wines.

In the evening, have an apertivo in Piazza IV Aprile. Or, head to Sky Rooftop Bar in the Hotel Continental for great views. Another popular spot for innovative cocktails is Daiquiri in Pizza Paladini.

Then, tuck into some food at a restaurant on a side street away the main drag. I can recommend Adduma . It’s tucked away at the top of Vico Giordano Bruno.

Adduma is a relatively new restaurant with a great menu and fine service. We enjoyed the grilled octopus, pasta dishes, and the lamb ragu.

Ristorante Duomo is a good choice too. It’s set on a romantic terrace overlooking the Duomo.

If you want Sicilian pizza, I had a good meal at Pizzeria Villa Zuccaria. You can even take a pizza cooking class or sample more things on a street food tour .

Tips For Visiting Taormina

Here are some must know tips for spending one day in Taormina.

1. How To Get To Taormina

If you’re driving to Taormina, you’ll need to deposit your car in one of the three car parks outside the historic center. Non-local cars aren’t allowed in the town.

The nearest airport is in Catania. You can hop in a taxi or book a private transfer .

Taormina has a train station and trains run frequently from Catania, Syracuse, and Messina. But the station isn’t well-located, being at sea level. You’ll need to take a taxi or shuttle bus 20 minutes into town.

Bus is the easiest way to get to Taormina. The bus station is on Via Pirandello near the Greek Theater.

You can also visit Taormina on a guided day tour from Catania or visit both Taormina and Mt. Etna on a full day tour from Catania . You can also day trip to Taormina from Syracuse .

2. How To Get Around Taormina

Taormina is a very small town so you can walk everywhere unless your going further afield to Castelmola or Isola Bella.

You can also zip around on a Segway tour or rent bikes or scooters.

3. Where To Stay in Taormina

As a famous resort town, Taormina is overflowing with luxury hotels where you can truly experience la dolce vita .

Grand Hotel Timeo is a 5 star Belmond hotel in the perfect location near the Greek Theater. It boasts incredible views, pools, spa and restaurant. The rooms are decorated in an Italian Baroque style.

Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea is the understated and elegant sister hotel of the Timeo. It’s a short (and free) shuttle ride from town and has its own private beach and cabanas. So this is a great option for relaxing and escaping the crowds.

The San Domenico Palace Hotel is a Four Seasons Hotel housed in a one-time 14th century convent. It’s been featured in some Italian movies and the second season of the TV series White Lotus .

Even if you don’t stay there, it’s a great place to grab an aperitivo perched on a cliff looking out over the Ionian Sea.

Recently, San Domenico was the main filming location for season 2 of the TV series White Lotus.

An easier on the budget option is the Hotel Continental near Porta Catania. The rooms are pretty utilitarian. But the staff is friendly and there’s a stunning terrace with views over the sea, another classic place for an aperitivo .

4. Is Taormina Too Touristy?

Taormina often gets a bad rap for being overly touristy. During high season, it can get crowded, especially when the cruise ships are in port.

For this reason, it’s better to visit in shoulder season. Though even in October, I found it fairly crowded.

But Taormina is still well worth visiting. It’s not a theme park. It’s a stunning and immaculate town that’s popular for a reason.

Nothing obscures the stunning view of Mt. Etna. And you can always detour off Corso Umberto to escape the maddening crowds.

To have the best experience, it’s best to stay overnight and try to avoid weekends. You will have the city to yourself once the day trippers and cruisers depart.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my Taormina itinerary. You may enjoy these other Italy travel guides and resources:

• 2 Weeks In Sicily Itinerary
• 10 Day Itinerary for Italy
• 11 One Week Itineraries for Italy
• Most Beautiful Towns in Italy
• Hidden Gems in Italy
• 10 Day Itinerary for Tuscany
• 1 Week In Umbria Itinerary
• 35+ Historic Landmarks in Italy
• Tips for Visiting Italy
• 5 Day Itinerary for Rome
• 3 Day Itinerary for Florence
• 2 Day Itinerary for Venice
• 1 Day itinerary for Milan

If you’d like to spend one day in Taormina, pin it for later.

2 thoughts on “One Day In Taormina Sicily Itinerary: What To Do & See”

Thank you for such a perfect day! We will be arriving from one of those dreaded cruise ships! 😂 Can you recommend the best way to get from our port in Messina to Taormina. Thank you!!!

Probably the easiest way is to take the train from Messina to Taormina. Book a ticket on Trenitalia. The train station in Messina is near the port. Hope you love Sicily!

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Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Leslie Livingston

Taormina Travel Guide – Our incredible trip to Sicily

Jayne Gorman

May 18, 2023

Taormina has long been one of the most popular holiday spots in Sicily and yet it was never really on my travel radar until I binge-watched a certain TV show last year. ( Coughs *ahem* White Lotus .) It’s a fantastic place to holiday though, as not only is it so aesthetic, but there are so many varied things to see and do in Taormina too.

What I loved about Taormina is that it offers visitors a little bit of everything – from a chic beach scene, to the history of the Ancient Greek Theatre, and refreshing cups full of granita.

Disclosure: Our trip was self-funded but this post contains some affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra expense to you if you book via my links.

What is Taormina like?

Taormina is an elegant hilltop town overlooking snow-capped Mount Etna and the jewel-like waters of the Ionian Sea. I read it is sometimes dubbed the Amalfi of Sicily, and I can see the correlation both in terms of the landscape and the overall atmosphere.

We spent 4 nights in Taormina as part of a week long trip to Sicily in early May 2023. We spent the other 3 nights in Cefalu and felt this struck a good balance between 2 coastal towns with completely different personalities.

We flew into Catania Airport and out of Palermo Airport and hired a car for the week to get around. The drive from Catania Airport to Taormina takes approximately 1 hour.

Best things to do in Taormina, Sicily

To be perfectly honest, my favourite thing to do in Taormina was to laze on Mazarro Beach by day and enjoy fantastic food with jaw-dropping views of an evening. (I mean, who doesn’t like the sound of that?!)

There are a definitely some sights you shouldn’t miss while in this part of Sicily, so here are all the best places to visit in Taormina, along with my favourite things to see, eat and do.

Teatro Antico di Taormina

Possibly the most impressive sight in Taormina is the Ancient Greek Theatre, which dates back to the 3 rd Century BC. Perched at the top of the town, the theatre has spectacular views of Mount Etna and the Calabrian Coast. Taking a seat in the stands, where it feels like you can touch the clouds, it’s just incredible to imagine the drama, musical and gladiatorial battles that have been held here over thousands of years.

Personally, I don’t think you don’t need to spend very long here. We snuck in at 18.30 just before they closed at 19.00 and bought tickets on the door. (€10 per person.) If travelling in peak season you can book skip-the-line tickets here .

I’d also recommend checking out the events schedule in case you are lucky enough to be visiting when a concert is being held at the Teatro.

Isola Bella

If you’ve seen White Lotus Season 2 you’ll probably recognise Isola Bella – it played quite a key role in the final episode, didn’t it!

Isola Bella has long been a popular place to visit in Taormina due to it being both a picturesque island (connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand at low tide) and an ex-private residence turned nature reserve with an interesting history.

Since 2011 Isola Bella has been open to the public for a cost of €4 per person.  ( Every day except Monday, from 9am until one hour before sunset. ) We didn’t end up going inside the Museo as we found it extremely crowded but I think it would be worth arriving at opening time if you’re interested to see the rare tropical plants that the previous owner, Lady Treveylan, planted here in the 1890s.

How to get to Isola Bella

It’s easy to reach Isola Bella from Mazzaro – it is clearly signposted from the Mazzaro cable car station. You will need to take a number of stairs down to the beach but I’m not terribly fit and still found it doable!

You can also take a boat to Isola Bella from Mazzaro Beach – more on that below.

Private boat cruise

Our 4-year-old’s highlight from our time in Taormina was the boat trip we did along the coast, which departed just outside our apartment in Mazzaro.

As it was a little too cold to swim in May we negotiated a private 1-hour Taormina boat cruise along the coast to see emerald green grottos, Isola Bella, Taormina & Mount Etna from the water.

Check out this reel to see some of the highlights.

We paid €40 per adult, our child was free. We were offered the option to share with another couple in order to reduce the price but we decided to cruise privately.

We negotiated a time and fee for our boat trip directly with the tour company who were based on the beach outside our apartment in Mazzaro. (On the far left near Trattoria Il Barcaiolo – a wonderful little restaurant for lunch before/after!)

If travelling in peak season I would recommend booking in advance. The company we used are Boat Excursions Taormina . They offer custom tours include sunset sails and dinner on board and their boats are beautiful and well cared for. They offer a luxury experience that’s perfect for a special occasion.

I also found more affordable Taormina boat tours departing from the nearby coastal town of Giardini Naxos.

Villa Comunale di Taormina

A wonderful place to wander for free while in Taormina town centre is Villa Communale . It’s a historic landscaped garden with amazing views and shaded spots you can sit with a gelato or arancini.

Interestingly, it was originally the garden of the villa of Lady Florence Trevelyan, an English noblewoman who fled to Taormina after a scandalous affair with the future King Edward VII. She ended up marrying Doctor Salvatore Cacciola, who was to become mayor of Taormina, and together they bought a number of properties, including Isola Bella, building the well-known house and exotic gardens I mentioned earlier.

The most famous parts of Villa Comunale of Taormina are the so-called ‘Victorian Follies’, which are whimsical towers or pavilions that were created by Lady Trevelyan as bird watching posts. But there are also interesting statues, cannons and a children’s play area, so it’s a great place for families to visit.

Piazza IX Aprile

The centre of Taormina is a pedestrianised zone encompassed by ancient gates, Porta Messina and Porta Catania. At the heart of Taormina is its main square, Piazza IX Aprile, and you’ll no doubt find yourself here at some point if wandering the main street of the town, Corso Umberto.

The square is a great place to people watch, perhaps with an Aperol Spritz from Café Wunderbar , and soak up the view of Mount Etna in the distance.

It also has a number of notable buildings to check out including the Church of San Giuseppe, a Sicilian Baroque building from the 17 th Century, and the distinct clock tower, Torre dell’Orologio, originally built in the 12 th century but restored over the years.

Sunbathing on Mazzaro Beach

As I mentioned at the start of this post, my personal favourite thing to do in Taormina is relax on Mazzaro Beach and soak up the scenery. Mazzaro is quite an exclusive bay with a couple of notable 5* hotels occupying prime seafront locations. If you have the budget to stay at Villa Sant’Andrea or Mazzaro Sea Palace then they have private areas on the beach for guests. There are, however, a couple of lidos you can rent sun loungers from if you’re not a guest of the hotels.

We recommend Lido Il Delfino which charges €30 for 2 sunbeds and an umbrella and includes the use of their toilets and showers.* They also have a snack bar and restaurant, which we thought were reasonably priced for the location.

Another option is Lido La Pigna . We didn’t use their sunloungers but we really enjoyed dining on their terrace, tucking into pizzas & sharing a tiramisu in a teacup! (Pictured above.)

There is also a tiny amount of public space to the far left of Mazzaro Beach where you can just lay down a towel.

If you have a car you can drive to Mazzaro and park at the cable car station. The front section is operated by the council and you pay by the metre. But behind that are several sections run by private operators. As we were staying in Mazzaro for 4 days we approached one of these companies and arranged a flat rate of €15 per day (paid in cash) so we could come and go as we pleased.

Speaking of parking…

In Taormina we found the best place to park was Parcheggio Lumbi , a multistorey car park close to the city centre that accepts card payments. We walked into the town centre from here, it was short and not too steep, but Google reviews suggest there is a free shuttle bus if you need it.

*Prices correct as of May 2023

Day trips to Mount Etna

The most popular day trip from Taormina is to Mount Etna. There are a couple of different ways to visit but we opted not to this time as our son thought the idea of visiting an active volcano was scary – which is fair enough! If we had, we would have chosen to drive ourselves and take the cable car so we wouldn’t be tied to a full day trip.

If you want to visit Mount Etna on a self-guided trip you can take the cable car to 2500 metres for a fee of €30 for adults and €23 for kids 5-10 years old. This is the highest you can go without a professional guide.

If you wish to ascend higher to 2900 meters, the ticket price is €68 for adults and €50 for kids aged 5-10 years old; this price includes the cable car, a 4×4 vehicle, and a 60-minute walk led by a guide, which sounds awesome.

If you wish to visit the active craters, which are found at an altitude of 3320 meters, you must buy a guided excursion from a tour operator.

Another option if you don’t have young kids, is this Mount Etna sunset tour with wine tasting , which sounds amazing.

White Lotus Season 2 filming locations in Sicily

Just in case you’re as hooked on the scenery in White Lotus Season 2 as I am, here’s a little info I’ve uncovered about the filming locations.

Firstly, if you want to stay in THE White Lotus Hotel then make a reservation at the (very spendy) Four Seasons San Domenico Palace Taormina . However, the show also used as filming locations the unique rock pool and waterfront restaurant at the much more affordable UNAHOTELS Capotaormina . We cruised past this hotel on our boat trip and it looked incredible.

But if you’re wondering where the sandy beach featured in the show is in Taormina, the truth is it isn’t! According to an interview I read, the beach scenes were shot on the sandy shores of Cefalu, as no one looks sexy tripping on the stones you’ll find at beaches close to Taormina.

Where to eat & drink in Taormina

Granita & brioche at bam bar.

If there is one local speciality food you must try in Taormina, it’s granita from Bam Bar . Sharp lemon granita served with a warm fluffy brioche is a distinctly Sicilian way to breakfast and Bam Bar is the most famous place to try it in Taormina.

The colourful décor at the café is as mood boosting as the exuberant owner. This place does get busy but it turns over tables quickly, so it’s worth joining the queue and waiting for a sugar-laden refreshment.

Sundowners on the terrace at Grand Hotel Timeo

For a chic aperitivo with one of the best views in Taormina, you must go to Bar Timeo at the Grand Hotel Timeo . Found right next to the Ancient Greek Theatre, this 5* hotel combines incredible views with spectacular service on its ambient terrace.

We didn’t want to ruin the bar’s ambiance by bringing a 4-year-old so booked an evening meal at Ristorante Timeo instead. We were really impressed with the food and service here. I had the pasta alla norma, which is prepared fresh at the table. My husband had the lamb and said it’s the best he’s ever eaten. We were seated inside due to the time of year but the view was still magical and the staff were great with our little one. They have a kid’s menu and activities and it was just wonderful for us to have an elegant evening without feeling out of place as a family.

Cocktails on the steps outside Timoleone Café

A great casual place to have cocktails before dinner is Timoleone Café, just down the road from Grand Hotel Timeo. We sat at one of the tables lining the stairs outside the café and I had, genuinely, one of the best cocktails of my life here. It was called the Sicilian Spritz – please order one and thank me later!

Cannoli at Fanaberia Cafe Gelateria Siciliana

I don’t honestly know if Fanaberia is the best place to try cannoli in Taormina. We just stumbled into their cafe on Corso Umberto due to the giant model of a cannoli on the front of it! I went for the traditional Sicilian style cannolo with ricotta filling and it tasted pretty good to me.

Seafood with a view at Trattoria Il Barcaiolo

Finally, the very definition of hidden gem is tiny Trattoria Il Barcaiolo , which is a family-run Sicilian restaurant tucked away in a corner of Mazzaro beachfront. Their speciality is seafood, which I’m not a huge fan of (I know, such a shame) but a number of people recommended this place to me and judging by the fact there was never an empty table of an evening, I suspect they were onto something.

The restaurant was right next door to our apartment so I can also attest to the view being awesome.

Where to stay in Taormina

My first ever viral reel was a 3 second clip of the view from where we stayed in Taormina. (Perhaps you are reading this post because you saw it?)

About 5 months before our trip to Sicily I stumbled across this apartment on AirBnb and couldn’t believe the price. (Approx £175/night compared to £1000+/night for everywhere else with the same view.) I immediately made a booking and was so relieved to find the view was even better than it looked in pictures.

The apartment itself is super quirky. It has a citrus colour scheme with fruit-filled art, vibrant tiles and bold orange bedspreads. It’s old-fashioned but well cared for – the pictures online don’t do it justice. I thought it was really charming and a great price for the location.

This isn’t a luxury property, but waking up to the sound of the sea,  enjoying coffee on the balcony, soaking up the scenery and having all that Mazzaro Beach and Taormina town centre offers within easy reach, was priceless.

I wouldn’t recommend this apartment for people with mobility issues and, if you do book it, try not to pack an extra large suitcase. The closest you can get to the apartment with a car is the top of main steps that lead down to Mazarro Beach, which is fairly far to carry heavy luggage.

Families with babies and toddlers might need to be on high alert here due to there being a large number of breakable décor, including a glass dining table.

But for myself, my husband and our 4-year-old son it was perfect being able to self-cater a few meals, have the beach mere steps away, and enjoy an Aperol on the balcony overlooking the moonlit bay once the little one was in bed of an evening.

You can book this apartment on AirBnb . You can also contact them directly via their website or Instagram .

More great places to stay in Taormina that I recommend are:

UNAHOTELS Capotaormina – A clifftop hotel with a unique pool cut out of the rocks that featured in White Lotus.

Paradisea Taormina – 1 bedroom villa with a stunning garden terrace overlooking Isola Bella.

Isola Bella Infinity Suites – Modern apartments with infinity pools & sensational views of Taormina. Perfect for honeymooners but also has family suites.

Villa Belvedere Hotel – Traditional rooms close to Villa Comunale and the centre of town.

I hope that helps you have a wonderful holiday in Taormina, Sicily. Check out my Instagram highlights if you’d like to know more about our time in Sicily.

You may also like:

Malta family travel guide

Puglia travel guide

Best places to visit in Mallorca

Travel guide to Split, Croatia

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I’m Jayne, a travel blogger, content creator and mum to a 4-year-old son. I’ve been blogging since 2010, travelled to 65 countries and share travel guides and tips to help you plan stylish, stress-free trips.

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Taormina travel guide

What do Goethe, Alexander Dumas, Johannes Brahms, Gustav Klimt, D.H. Lawrence, Richard Wagner, Oscar Wilde, Truman Capote, John Steinbeck, Ingmar Bergmann, Francis Ford Coppola, Leonard Bergman, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Federico Fellini, Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, Elisabeth Taylor and Woody Allen have in common?

Simple - they have all sojourned in Taormina, the pearl of the Mediterranean.

Idyllicly perched on a rocky promontory high above the sea, Taormina has been the most popular tourist destination in Sicily for a couple of hundred of years, ever since it became an integral part of the Grand Tour. Beautifully restored mediaeval buildings, breathtaking views around every corner and a giddy network of winding streets strewn with shops, bars and restaurants make for a perfect holiday spot.

Taormina's history

Tauromenium, built on Monte Tauro, was founded by Andromacus at the behest of Dionysius the Tyrant of Syracuse in 392 BCE. The first Punic War saw Taormina falling to the Romans in 212BCE and the town became a favourite holiday spot for Patricians and Senators, thus starting Taormina’s long history as a tourist resort.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines came only to be ousted by the Arabs in 962. They changed the name to Almoezia and set about introducing new agricultural practices (irrigation and citrus fruit farming) and other more cerebral pursuits such as philosophy, medicine and mathematics. Taormina continued to prosper both culturally and economically with the arrival of the Normans in 1079, who, under King Roger de Hautville, threw the Arabs out of Sicily.

After a brief period of Swabian rule, under Frederick II, Charles of Anjou was pronounced King of Sicily by the Pope. The people of Taormina refused to recognise this interloper as their king and, along with a great many other Sicilian towns, joined in the revolt against French rule during the Sicilian Vespers of 1282.

A hundred years of uncertainty followed before the Spanish took over affairs. Evidently impressed with Taormina, they chose Palazzo Corvaja as the seat of the Sicilian Parliament.

The rest, as they say, is storia .

What to see in Taormina

Today, Taormina lives on tourism. Visitors flock from all over the world to see its Greek-Roman theatre, amble along its perfectly preserved Mediaeval streets, admire its dramatic views of Mount Etna and immerse themselves in the archetypal Mediterranean atmosphere.

The main attraction is, without a doubt, the theatre. Now home to all manner of events , including plays, fashion shows, concerts, and cinema festivals, the Teatro Greco, as its name suggests, started its life in the 3rd Century BC hosting performances of works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes. Originally quite small, it was enlarged by the Romans to accommodate their own particular brand of theatrical extravaganza. The views from the theatre are spectacular, taking in a (usually) smoking Mount Etna and the Bay of Naxos down below.

Another testimony of Taormina’s ancient origins is the Odeon. Right in the middle of the old Roman town, just below Palazzo Corvaja, this small theatre was built by the Romans when the town became a military colony in 21 BCE. It was used both for theatrical and musical performances organised for the cream of local society. Strangely, at some point it disappeared, only to resurface again in 1892 when a blacksmith hit upon something that turned out to be red bricks while digging his land. He dug a little deeper and called in the experts who uncovered first the cavea, then the orchestra and finally the scene.

Taormina is centred around its main thoroughfare, Corso Umberto I. At the beginning of this charming street is perhaps the greatest symbol of Taormina’s long varied history: Palazzo Corvaja. Its architecture is a sublime mix of Arab, Norman and Gothic and includes battlements, mullioned windows and shady courtyards. The Arabs built the original tower as part of the town’s defences. Its cubic structure, which is typical of many Arab towers of this period, is thought to have evoked that of the Ka’aba in Mecca. In the 13th Century, the tower was enlarged by the Normans who added a wing containing a hall and some wonderful artwork. The Spanish followed suit, adding another wing at the beginning of the 15th Century to house the Sicilian Parliament. Its present name recalls one of the town’s most important noble families who owned the building from 1538 to 1945.

For the first half of the 20th Century, until after the 2nd World War, Palazzo Corvaja became a kind of lodging house for poor families and fell into disrepair. After the war, it was restored to its former glory and in 1960 another section was added to house the local tourism offices. The main part now houses the Sicilian Museum of Art and Popular Traditions.

At the other end of Corso Umberto I is Piazza del Duomo, complete with 13th-century Cathedral and Baroque fountain. As with many churches of this period in Sicily, the Duomo, dedicated to St Nicholas of Bari, has a distinctly fortress-like quality thanks to its robust structure and the battlements that delineate the roof. Its Renaissance doorway belies an essentially Gothic interior complete with a rose window at the west end.

Taormina is served by its very own cable car which ferries tourists to and from the seaside resorts down along the coast. Extensive beaches , rocky coves, tiny islands (such as the famous Isola Bella) and sea stacks abound, making this enchanting coastline a firm favourite with Sicilians and visitors alike.

Villas in Sicily near Taormina

Taormina, Sicily: a Tourist Guide

Famous and beautiful resort high above the sea in Sicily

> Taormina > Tourist attractions > Taormina hotels > Castelmola excursion One of Italy’s most long-established holiday resorts, Taormina is a picturesque small town perched on a slope high above the Ionian Sea on the eastern coast of Sicily. A popular and fashionable destination for well over a century, Taormina’s hotels and restaurants are very experienced at welcoming foreign tourists. Many of these are fairly expensive, including some fabulous luxury options. However, visitors don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy the town’s principal attractions – the views, the scenery, the atmosphere.

• Sicily destinations and practicalities: full menu (at foot of this page)

Close to the site of one of the earliest colonies founded by the Ancient Greeks in Sicily, Taormina became a thriving Greek and then Roman town. The size and elegance of the town cathedral and many of its buildings are evidence of Taormina’s moderate prosperity over the centuries. By the end of the 19th century this picturesque and ancient town was already on the tourist trail, with famous visitors including Oscar Wilde, Richard Wagner and Tsar Nicholas II. Over the last decades travellers have come for the views, the ancient ruins, the seaside, the town’s film festival, an outdoor theatre season, the fine hotels and more. A classy honeymoon destination or a cheap and cheerful excursion from a cruise ship, Taormina has a lot to offer all kinds of visitor. As a consequence, of course, this small town is sometimes so crowded it can feel like a victim of its own success.

Accommodation is cheaper out of season, and the little town is less packed, too. March, April and May are good months to enjoy sunshine, the flowers and relatively-uncrowded streets and restaurants. Autumn in Sicily can feature heavy rainstorms, but also plenty of sunshine. On the negative side, out of season you may find hotel swimming pools emptied, building works underway around town, and little buzz in the nightlife.

Taormina is the one destination in Sicily, and probably the one Italian destination south of the Amalfi Coast, where tourism is really well-established and dominates the entire character of the town. So for less experienced travellers, non-Europeans, and newcomers to Italy, it is a manageable and reassuring place to stay. English is widely spoken, but the town still values its traditions and you’ll enjoy Sicilian food and a fair amount of Italian atmosphere. If you are a seasoned Italy traveller and looking for authentic Sicily, Taormina is still worth visiting, though you’d probably prefer to combine it with other, less-touristy spots.

> Where to stay in Taormina

Travel to Taormina

Taormina is straightforward to reach. The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa, with seasonal flights from the UK and other European countries, and there is a regular bus service from the airport to Taormina. The journey takes about an hour and a half, and there are services throughout the daytime and early evening. You should check timetables before travelling, via link on the right-hand links panel. Tickets can be booked online in advance or at kiosks outside the airport terminal building. If you are arriving late and relying on public transport, it may be best to stay overnight in Catania, or arrange a taxi transfer through your Taormina hotel.

The bus terminal in Taormina is on on Via Luigi Pirandello, a short walk downhill from the town centre, so you will still have to drag your suitcases to your accommodation (check the distance before committing to this), or arrange for a taxi.

Bus travel is often the quickest way between towns in Sicily, as the island’s rail network is limited; timetables for most useful inter-city bus companies can be checked via the link on the right. Taormina does have a railway station, situated by the sea, far below the town. The station also serves the coastal settlement of Giardini Naxos, and the station is therefore named Taormina – Giardini. The station is on the railway line that connects Messina, Catania and Siracusa, and is also served by long-distance trains from Rome.

Small local buses serve Taormina and its local districts, including the station. Tickets can be bought from the driver, or at the station newsagents ( edicola ). The zig-zagging journey up to Taormina takes about ten minutes. Longer distance buses, including the one from Catania airport, stop in Giardini Naxos as well as in Taormina.

A cable-car connects Taormina with the seaside at Mazzarò, for visits to the beach and Isola Bella. There are also sightseeing buses which run up to Castelmola and down to Giardini Naxos and Mazzarò; although more expensive than local buses, they are aimed at tourists and you can get reasonable value from a 24-hour ticket if you plan your time efficiently.

If you are planning to drive to Taormina, check the parking provision when you are choosing accommodation, and ask your hotel for directions; the central lanes are partly pedestrianised . There are large fee-charging car parks outside the town centre, including the Parking Garage Lumbi, with a bus connection to the centre.

Taormina tourist information

There is a tourist information office on the ground floor of Palazzo Corvaja, by Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. You may not find it particularly helpful or welcoming though – on my last visit staff were unhelpful and even hostile to visitors, perhaps worn down by the large crowds of daytripping tour groups stripping their offices of maps. It’s worth trying to obtain a map or studying the information they have pinned to their walls, though. Doing some online research and printing out/downloading relevant timetables is good preparation for a trip. In my experience commercial businesses such as hotels and restaurants were much more helpful in every way. For more information on what there is to see and do in Taormina, see our special Taormina Tourist Attractions page.

On a budget

There are several fairly economical B&Bs in Taormina, but an alternative is to stay in one of the nearby seaside towns instead. You’ll be closer to the beach, and can take a bus up to Taormina itself. Travelling out of season will also obtain you cheaper accommodation rates.

If you’re on a tight budget, an economical option is to have at least one picnic meal or takeaway per day. Small general stores will make you up a roll from their products on display (cheese, ham etc) for a few euros, and the town has a choice of take-aways where you can buy pizza slices, arancini and other Sicilian street food for a cheap meal. You can fill up your water bottle at drinking fountains, and eat your picnics in the public gardens.

Taormina restaurants

Taormina has a good choice of restaurants, and some are quite reasonably-priced, although you should be prepared to pay a cover charge for each diner. Although the town’s restaurants cater primarily for a foreign, tourist clientele, and do it well, you can still find traditional family-run restaurants with an authentic local ambience and decent prices. Some of these can be found at either end of the town, around and outside the old city gates. I’ve eaten at Trattoria da Ugo (Viale Arcageta 2), a nice rustic-feeling trattoria. For something a bit different, Babilonia (via Timoleone 10) has a romantic location in the leafy garden of a language school, and offers stylish versions of classic Sicilian dishes. With indoor and outdoor tables in the historic centre, Vecchia Taormina (Vico Ebrei 3) is an unpretentious osteria-pizzeria with a friendly atmosphere and a good range of pizzas.

Taormina itineraries: how to visit

Many visitors choose simply to spend their entire holiday in Taormina. This allows for a relaxing, stress-free break. It’s possible to take excursions from Taormina to Catania, Savoca, Etna or further afield, by public transport or organised tours. A trip up to Castelmola and some time spent down by the sea at Giardini Naxo s and Mazzarò is a pleasant way to pass time. Then of course there is the pottering through the pretty town, leisurely aperitivi and long, enjoyable meals.

Travellers planning a more active trip can combine Taormina with a longer tour around Sicily by hire-car or public transport, or a less ambitious exploration of this eastern end of the island. Siracusa and Catania are both attractive and interesting cities to stay in, and for a very varied trip you could follow Taormina with a trip to the beautiful and volcanic Aeolian islands . The main port for the islands is Milazzo, reachable by bus from Taormina with a change at Messina, or by taxi transfer. There are also occasional ferries from Messina in summer.

One excellent itinerary without too much travel is to spend a night or two in Catania seeing the sights, take a bus to Taormina, spend several days in Taormina, then head off the beaten track to the hill village of Savoca for a night or two, to experience a totally contrasting village atmosphere.

> What to see and do in Taormina

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breathtaking views

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“As soon as you arrive in Taormina… “

Magical, mythical atmosphere

You will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere spread all around which has enchanted visitors from all over the world for years and years.

Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, the European highest active volcano, often capped with snow, offering to the visitors a breathtaking, dramatic and memorable view over almost one hundred miles of Mediterranean sea.

Taormina really seems to be born as a tourist resort since past times, when ancient people like the Sicels, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards chose it as their residential site thank to its favourable position, mild climate and magic atmosphere.

Nowadays visitors can still find fine examples of Taormina’s golden times : the splendid Greek Theatre, the Roman “Naumachiae”, the 10th century Palazzo Corvaja, the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolò, the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of Saint Stefano, the public gardens, the “Badia Vecchia” (Ancient Abbey) and many others.

Patch of paradise

The resort was first publicised by a trio of German artists . In 1787 J.W. Goethe discovered the beauties of Sicily and, in particular, of Taormina. He wrote the world known novel “Italian Journey”, in which he describes the beauties of this land and its people and defined Taormina a “ patch of paradise ”.

The German painter Otto Geleng rose interest in Parisian art galleries exibiting his paintings of these magical landscapes. His contemporary, the young prussian photographer Wilhelm von Gloeden settled down in 1880 and made Taormina famous to all European cultural clubs with his artistic portraits of nude sheperd boys with the volcano Mt. Etna on the backstage.

Since then many important celebrities visited Taormina , electing it as their “escapade place” from chaotic city life. Patrik Brydone D.H. Lawrence, Truman Capote, Alexander Dumas, Anatole France, Andrè Gide, Paul Klee, Guy de Maupassant, Luigi Pirandello, John Steinbeck, Gustav Klimt, Elio Vittorini, Oscar Wilde, Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms spent happy moments here.

In more recent times movie , theatre and music celebrities such as Ingmar Bergmann, Francis Ford Coppola, Leonard Bergman, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Federico Fellini, Cary Grant, Tyrone Power, Gregory Peck, Marcello Mastroianni, Elisabeth Taylor, Woody Allen have spent pleasant and memorable holidays in the  Mediterranean pearl .

The many things to appreciate

Since the opening of the first hotel in 1874 , Taormina has become one of the world top tourist destinations where visitors can experience a perfect combination of old times charming atmosphere, preservation of history and culture, an elegant and lively way of life to be enjoyed in relaxing walks through the old town pedestrian areas.

The tourist has a lot to do and see : top level art performances at the Greek theatre, several painting exhibitions held in local palazzi and churces, fine elegant shopping along the famous “Corso Umberto” with its classical music cafès and pastry shops.

Or visiting local art museums, taking naturalistic walks in the surrounding countryside, golfing at the nearby 18-holes green, enjoying the fantastic beaches at easy reach, where the mild Mediterranean climate allows to practise all water sports as swimming, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, or just sunbathing for nearly eight months a year and even more.

Welcome to Taormina, the ultimate holiday paradise!

Sicilian cuisine

For those looking for the world known Sicilian cuisine , the town offers a wide choice of restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias, pastry-shops, bars, cafes, pubs and for any taste and budget.

You won’t find many fast food places : Sicilians aren’t really crazy about them!  Sicilian cuisine is deeply cosmopolitan , drawing from the culinary culture of all its invaders.

The Arabs introduced aubergines and rice as well as a sweet and spicy cuisine. The French and Spanish refined the raw ingredients and the end result is a sumptuous Mediterranean stew in which pasta, tomatoes, vegetables, sea food, lemons extra virgin olive oil and various herbs predominate.

Primarily, Sicilian food mixes Italian staples – pasta, tomato sauce and fresh vegetables – with local specialities and products of the traditional island industries: red chillies, tuna, swordfish and sardines, olives, pine nuts and capers all figure heavily.

Come and see why… go to history .

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As soon as you arrive in Taormina , you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere spread all around which has enchanted visitors from all over the world for years and years.

Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro , Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, the european highest active volcano, often capped with snow, offering to the visitors a breathtaking, dramatic and memorable view.

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TUCIDIDE CONTRO MELO by Alessandro Baricco Taormina International Book Festival – 14° edition > IDENTITY Ancient Theatre, 23 June 2024 @ 9.00pm   TICKETS on ticketone Platea : € 80,00 Gallery: € 65,00 Upper Circle (numbered seats): from € 40,00 Upper Circle (non numbered circle): from € 30,00   MORE INFO www.taormina.it www.taobuk.it www.facebook.com/taobuk www.instagram.com/taobukfestival […]

TAOBUK GALA Taormina International Book Festival – 14° edition > IDENTITY Ancient Theatre, 22 June 2024 @ 9.00pm The event is free upon registration To reserve your free ticket, click here – FULLY BOOKED   MORE INFO www.taormina.it www.taobuk.it www.facebook.com/taobuk www.instagram.com/taobukfestival   Watch the performance of David Garrett at the 2023 Taobuk Gala Evening:     […]

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Taormina is the place I most wanted to visit in Sicily. For years, I’d heard both travelers and backpackers rave about the beauty, charm and energy of the hilltop town, and of course I’d seen it shine on the HBO series White Lotus . I was a bit worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype, but I left completely obsessed with the seaside gem. Taormina sits on Sicily’s western coast, about an hour from Catania in southern Italy , making it the perfect start or end to a road trip around the island. Below is my complete guide to Taormina to help you plan your visit, including my favorite beaches, beach clubs, cliff jumping spots, viewpoints, restaurants, hotels and more.

This post contains affiliate links. When you click these links I may get a small commission that won’t cost you anything, but it does help me run this website.

Lido La Pigna is my favorite beach in Taormina.

It wouldn’t be summer in Europe without a bit of cliff jumping.

WHEN TO VISIT TAORMINA

JUNE THROUGH SEPTEMBER. This is the busiest (and most expensive!) time of the year to visit, but the trade off is sunny weather, long days and good summer energy. The hotel prices peak during this season, especially in July and August, so it’s best to book lodging months in advance before selection drops and prices skyrocket. September is probably the best balance of weather, crowds.

Via Degli Artisti is one of the most picturesque pedestrian lanes in Taormina.

These ceramic heads are called Teste di Moro, all based on a local Sicilain legend.

HOW MANY DAYS IN TAORMINA?

THREE TO FOUR DAYS. The amount of time you spend in Taormina really depends on how much time you want to be at the beach. These were some of my favorite beaches in all of mainland Sicily, and I would be perfectly happy hitting up a different beach club every day for a solid week. That said, three to four days is plenty of time to see the town, walk the sights, visit the Isola Bella, lounge at the beach clubs and eat at the best restaurants in town.

Isola Bella Beach. OUTFIT DETAILS: Frankies Bikinis one-piece swimsuit linked here .

Isola Bella Beach has sun beds and umbrellas for rent, but there are also free areas to lay out a towel.

EXPLORE TAORMINA

BELVEDERE DI VIA PIRANDELLO

For the best view of the iconic Isola Bella, you’ll want to head to the Belvedere di Via Pirandello. It’s a small viewing platform that sits on the road that leads up to town from the beaches. The views from here are unobstructed, and quite lovely. Note that there are only a few parking spaces, and not much space on the road to pull over to wait until a space opens up.

CORSO UMBERTO

Corso Umbero is the main pedestrian boulevard that runs through Taormina. It’s almost a full kilometer of boutiques, bars, fountains, restaurants, cafes and gelato shops, divided in half by the Piazza IX Aprile. The street is bustling with energy, especially during the summer months, and it’s the perfect place to hang in the evenings.

GREEK THEATRE

Built in the 3rd century BC, the ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina is the second largest of its kind in Sicily. It’s located within the town, near the end of the Corso Umberto, literally next door to the Grand Hotel Timeo . The theatre is a lovely place to explore, and doesn’t require much time. The most scenic view is from the top of the cavea, looking down at the stage’s Corinthian column ruins with the Ionian Sea in the backdrop. The Greek Theatre is a paid admission ticket.

GROTTA AZZURRA

Large sea cave that is a popular spot for divers, as well as boat tours. The water in the grotto emits a lovely shade of blue, and it sits protected from the current. Grotta Azzurra is located in Mazzaro, very close to the Isola Bella.

ISOLA BELLA

The Isola Bella was gifted to Taormina by King Ferdinand in the early 19th century, and then bought by Lady Florence Trevelyan who built a house and planted tropical plants around the rocky island. Isola Bella has since become a protected nature reserve, also home to the most popular beach in Taormina. If you don’t mind crowds, it’s a lovely place to spend a summer day. The water is calm and clear, and the island serves up quite the backdrop for a day of sunbathing. Additionally, there are sun beds and loungers for rent along the beach, as well as plenty of free areas to lay a towel.

LIDO LA PIGNA

The iconic Isola Bella is at the top of everyone’s must-visit list when they visit Taormina. Heck, it was at the top of my list! Turns out, Lido La Pigna was my favorite beach in Taormina. The beach has the best vibe – perfectly clear turquoise water, rocks for cliff jumping and loads of cute Italian umbrellas at the charming beach clubs. A great hang on a summer day.

PIAZZA IX APRILE

The dazzling checkered square that divides Taormina in two, Piazza IX Aprile is a fixture of the town. It sits half way down the Corso Umberto in an expansive open space where you’ll find picturesque churches, outdoor cafes and a sweeping panorama of the Ionian Sea.

VILLA COMUNALE

Another amazing setting in Taormina that is courtesy of Lady Florence Trevelyan. A lush tropical garden surrounds the Villa Comunale complete with palms, cactus, ponds, flowering trees and Moorish structures. Villa Comunale is completely free to the public, best time to visit is the late afternoon before sunset.

VIA DEGLI ARTISTI

This is a beautiful pedestrian street corner in Taormina where balconies are adorned with Testa Di Moro faces and eerie green hanging plants.

The lovely Church of San Giuseppe is located in the heart of town.

Teste di Morro.

Charming decor lines the little streets in town.

Corso Umberto is the main pedestrian boulevard.

The ruins of the Greek Theatre date back to the 3rd century BC.

TAORMINA HOTELS

Here is a bit of orientation to the region to help you with lodging selection in Taormina. Most hotels are either located in the main town or down in Mazzaro near the beaches. Both areas are considered Taormina, but they are NOT close to one another. If you stay near town, you’ll be walking distance to the main sights, bars, cafes, restaurants and shops, but the beach is not within walking distance. Taormina’s town is located high up on a hilltop and to reach the coast, it’s a 15-minute drive or a trip down on the local gondola. Mazarro is the other area to stay – a seaside setting close to the Isola Bella, Lido La Pigna and all the beaches. If you stay here, you are not near the main town. It’s a 15-minute drive up the cliff, or a trip up the gondola.

GRAND HOTEL TIMEO

Grand Hotel Timeo is one of the loveliest hotels on Sicily, and one of two Belmond properties in Taormina. It’s location couldn’t be more perfect, literally next door to the Greek Theatre ruins, a couple minutes walk from the main Corso Umberto. The hotel is the epitome of five star luxury – antique decor, ornate rooms, plush linens and the dreamiest views. Like most Belmond properties, the food is wonderful (worth making a dinner reservation, even if you’re not a guest). The hotel is home to a beautiful pool set in the serene landscaped garden, or a free shuttle takes guest to the private beach club of Villa San’Andrea .

HOTEL CAPOTAORMINA

Take one look at this cliffside pool and cave-access beach club, and you’ll be smitten with Hotel Capptaormina . The hotel itself is pretty standard, and a bit dated. A stay here would solely be to experience the epic pool and beach, both featured in White Lotus .

HOTEL TAODOMUS

This converted townhouse is an amazing value for Taormina, centrally located on the Corso Umberto. Ten small rooms occupy the boutique hotel – all are simple, clean and very modern. There is a pretty rooftop terrace that serves up a lovely spot for drinks in the evening, although there are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants just steps away from Hotel Taodomus .

HOTEL VILLA BELVEDERE

This is one of the highest rated hotels in Taormina, and for good reason. The rooms are spacious, the views are sweeping and location is walking distance to town. Hotel Villa Belvedere is by no means cheap, but it’s far less than the Belmond properties and the San Domenico Palace , if you’re looking for something slightly more “reasonable.”

HOTEL VILLA DUCALE

The lovely Hotel Villa Ducale sits perched on the cliffs above Taormina. The views from the hotel’s expansive terrace are divine, an amazing setting for breakfast in the mornings. The location is completely serene, but it’s a 15-minute walk down the stone steps to reach the Corso Umberto (or the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle).

HOTEL VILLA TAORMINA

Another beautiful boutique hotel located in Taormina town. The rooms are clean, modern and comfortable, and gardens are beautiful.

SAN DOMENICO PALACE, A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

If you’re willing to splurge, there isn’t a more iconic stay in Taormina than the San Domenico Palace . This 14th century monastery was where White Lotus was filmed, and it’s even more spectacular in person. The hotel sits on the cliffs, right below the main town, overlooking the Ionian Sea. More than 100 rooms and suites occupy the hotel, some with private plunge pools.

VILLA CARLOTTA

Set in a beautiful 19th century brick villa complete with Morrish design cues, Villa Carlotta offers guests a selection of 28 rooms, suites and a private villa, several with panoramic views of the Ionian Sea. Decor is bright, colorful and chic – lots of character. The Corso Umberto is a short walk from the hotel, location is very good.

VILLA SANT’ANDREA

Belmond’s second Taormina property sits in a seaside villa perched over a quiet bay with Ionian Sea views. Rooms have a classic look to them, several with terraces that open up to the water. Villa San’Andrea has a private beach club with white sun beds and umbrellas utilized by guests of both Taormina Belmond properties.

The loveliest stay at Hotel Villa Ducale .

Vintage Italian.

TAORMINA RESTAURANTS

The little cafe sits in the heart of town, and there is always a wait. Bam Bar serves the best granita in Sicily, and it’s an absolute vibe to chill at one of the colorful outdoor tables in the early evening. The menu of flavors changes daily, favorites include peach, kiwi, raspberry and lemon.

CHAPEAU COCKTAIL BAR

Very cute cocktail bar with little tables and seats scattered along the stone steps that lead down the the Piazza Duomo.

One of the best surprises in Taormina. Madousa sits at the very end of the Corso Umberto, away from all the restaurants on the main drag. The tables are surrounded by lush greenery and fairy lights, an amazing setting for dinner in the evening. The food and drinks are both delicious, I particularly loved the fresh lobster linguine.

MORGANA BAR

It’s a scene, but the ridiculous charm of Morgana Bar makesr it a must-visit for drinks in Taormina. The bar looks like a pink Moroccan riad with waiters running around in turquoise bowties and matching vests. Drinks are pricey, but very good.

OSTERIA DA RITA

A charming Italian eatery that serves a selection of fresh pastas including Carbonara, Pomodoro, Lasagna, the Sicilian Norma and Ragu, as well as a variety of seafood pastas. The fresh mussels in tomato sauce with garlic, chili and parsley is a highlight on the menu. There is always a line for dinner at Osteria da Rita, might be easier to get a table at lunch.

PIZZERIA VILLA ZUCCARO

A very good pizzeria that serves woodfire pizza, calzones and salads.

RISTORANTE LA NAUMACHIE

Upscale dining option with an artful and delicious selection of Sicilian cuisine including fresh pastas, seafood and meats. Reservations highly recommended in summer – try to get one of the outdoor tables next to the ancient walls (the ambiance will take your meal to the next level).

RISTORANTE TIMEO

Located inside the Grand Hotel Timeo , Ristorante Timeo is one of my favorite restaurants in Taormina. The service is refined, and the food delicious. I recommend any of their seafood dishes – the linguine with lobster is particularly tasty.

STECCO TAORMINA

I made many stops at this popsicle shop located across from the Fontana di Piazza Duomo. In fact, I ate this more than gelato while in Taormina. There are dozens of popsicle flavors to choose from including passion fruit, blood orange, pomegranate, pistachio and hazelnut (to name a few), and then you select a dip and a topping. Very refreshing on a hot summer day.

TRATTORIA DA NINO

Located just outside of main boulevard in Taormina, Trattoria Da Nino is wonderful little gem that offers a delicious selection of fresh pastas and seafood. Highly recommend while in Taormina.

Fresh mussels at Osteria da Rita, a favorite in Taormina.

All the market goods.

The tastiest popsicles at Stecco Taormina.

Bam Bar is a vibe (and a must for granite!).

My favorite granite flavor was peach.

GET AROUND TAORMINA

For the most part, it’s very easy to get around Taormina on foot. The main town sits in a pedestrian zone with all boutiques, bars, cafes and restaurants within walking distance. The beaches are a 15 minute drive from town, but most hotels and beach clubs provide complimentary shuttles. Or, the gondola takes passengers from town straight to Mazzaro.

Isola Bella Beach.

Cliff jumpers at Lido La Pigna.

The best viewpoint of the Isola Bella from above is at Belvedere di Via Pirandello.

Give me all the Italian beach vibes.

GET TO TAORMINA

The Catania–Fontanarossa Airport connects Taormina to several European cities including Rome, Munich, Amsterdam, Venice and Berlin, to name a few. Most visitors land in Catania, and head straight away to Taormina, about an hour’s drive. You will find almost all major car rental agencies at this airport. If you’re road tripping through Sicily, and arrive by car, there is a multi-story paid parking garage located at the edge of town, a minute’s walk from the Corso Umberto. It’s possible to leave your car here the duration of your stay in Taormina.

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US 50 bridge closed west of Gunnison due to safety concerns

Travel advisory.

Gunnison and Montrose Counties  — A safety closure is in place for a bridge on US Highway 50 located west of Gunnison. The Colorado Department of Transportation is closing the bridge at the urging of the Federal Highway Administration and state bridge engineering experts due to the findings of an ongoing safety inspection, which identified anomalies in the bridge on Thursday, April 18. The closure is in place between US 50 Mile Point 131 (intersection with Colorado Highway 92) and MP 138. Local traffic will be allowed through the closure point to reach residences. Motorists should use COtrip to plan an alternate route. See below for more information about the northern and southern recommended alternate routes. CDOT has set up an incident command and will coordinate with local, state and federal agencies in order to respond as quickly and effectively as possible. CDOT has been conducting a special inspection for high-strength steel bridges for the Blue Mesa bridges as required by the Federal Highway Administration. This inspection was required because of known issues with similarly constructed bridges elsewhere in the country. A defect was observed during an early investigation of the bridge at approximately Mile Point 136.3. CDOT immediately brought in a second inspection crew with resources to perform another method for testing whether the defect posed a safety hazard on the bridge. The second inspection took place on Thursday, April 18.  CDOT is continuing to assess the safety of the bridge and to quickly determine options for interim and permanent fixes – and will keep the public informed as soon as more information is available. The bridge closure is located between Gunnison and Montrose. It is located east of the US 50 Little Blue Creek Canyon project, which is currently in a planned winter shutdown.

Recommended Alternate Routes

This closure will create a significant detour for commuters between Montrose and Gunnison. The recommended detour route for through traffic is via Interstate 70 to the north or US 160 to the south. CDOT understands the inconvenience that this creates and is rapidly evaluating options to improve options for residents, businesses, and travelers on the western slope. The northern route is 354 miles and requires approximately six hours of travel time. The southern route is 331 miles and requires nearly 7 hours of travel time. CDOT and local partners are exploring whether it is feasible at this point in the season to clear local seasonal routes that may be able to significantly reduce the detour time for local travelers. 

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!

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How to Fly Your Kid Solo, Free of Stress

By Alexander Nazaryan

For many parents and guardians, putting a child on a flight alone may seem terrifying. Belligerent passengers, delays, turbulence: All loom large in a caregiver’s imagination.

Life sometimes leaves no other option. Hudson Crites , 17, of Marshall, Va., was 10 when he started flying unaccompanied to visit his father in Kansas and later Georgia, said his mother, Chelsea Tippett. But the extra attention from airline staff made Hudson “feel special,” Ms. Tippett recalls. Other than a single tarmac delay, he has had no problems.

On rare occasions, children have had troubling experiences. In December, Spirit Airlines accidentally flew a 6-year-old to Orlando, Fla., instead of the intended destination of Fort Myers. Spirit apologized, fired the gate agent responsible and offered reimbursement to the boy’s grandmother for her travel to Orlando. But while the boy was unharmed, his grandmother expressed worry that he had been kidnapped .

If you decide to fly your child unaccompanied, you’ll discover that each airline has its own procedures, fees and routes open to children. While some may find the process complicated, flying alone may be exciting for your child, instilling some independence. Here’s what you need to know.

Before you book, know the process

Regardless of the airline or route, flying an unaccompanied minor differs from an adult or a family catching a flight. Airlines require a trusted pre-authorized adult to be at the departure and arrival gates, and will ask you at booking to provide contact information for those adults. They will also need to present identification at the terminals.

The journey begins at the originating airport’s airline ticket counter. There, airline staff will check your identification and check in the child, perhaps handing them a lanyard or wristband to wear. The agents will provide you with a pass to get through security with your child. You will accompany them to the gate, where you will hand them off to a gate agent. You must stay at the gate until the plane takes off.

In the air, the flight crew will keep watch — but will not babysit, or sit with, your child. If the flight has a connection, a crew member will walk your child off the plane and a gate agent will take him or her to the next gate.

At the arrival airport, the child will be handed off by staff to the authorized guardian or parent who should have already checked in at the ticket counter with proper identification, gone through security with their gate pass and be waiting at the gate.

To learn more about this process, read the Department of Transportation’s online guide, “When Kids Fly Alone,” followed by the website of your selected carrier.

Choosing an airline and paying an extra fee

Before purchasing a ticket, experts advise you to consider an airline’s on-time performance. “Solid on-time performance is hard-earned, and signals a carrier that has tight control of its operation,” said the Ask the Pilot author, Patrick Smith. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has those numbers.

Booking procedures vary. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines require you to call. United Airlines allows bookings online. JetBlue Airways does online bookings, too, but asks for three printed copies of its forms upon arrival at the airport.

International flights may call for a notarized consent letter describing where the child is traveling, with whom they’ll stay and how long they’ll be there.

On top of the ticket fare, flying an unaccompanied minor can be pricey.

Southwest Airlines charges $100 one way for each child, regardless of distance. Alaska Airlines charges $50 per child if the flight is nonstop; a connection adds $25. On Delta, one $150 fee will cover up to four children, and American’s $150 covers all siblings, with no cap on number. United charges $150 for one child, or two children flying together.

Restrictions: There are plenty

U.S. carriers allow children to fly as unaccompanied minors once they turn 5 and before they turn 18. But regardless of your child’s age, make sure he or she is ready by discussing the trip details and your expectations of their behavior. No policy can replace your judgment.

The low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air don’t allow unaccompanied minors, Other airlines have restrictions that, in the broadest terms, differentiate between young children and teenagers. American and Delta restrict children under 8 from routes requiring connections. Both airlines allow children between 8 and 14 to take some connecting flights.

On American, no unaccompanied minor is allowed to take an overnight flight requiring a connection, or a flight that includes a connection on its final leg that also happens to be the last such flight that day (“unless it’s the only flight,” the company adds). Minors are not allowed on code-share flights.

United and Delta have similar rules. Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit don’t allow unaccompanied minors on connecting flights.

JetBlue prohibits minors from flying to Europe, and limits the number of unaccompanied minors in one party to three. Spirit does not allow children on flights to Central or South America. Southwest doesn’t allow children on any international flights. American, United and Delta let minors fly abroad, but restrictions on connections, code-shares and overnights limit options.

American and Delta allow children to opt out of flying as unaccompanied minors once they turn 15 — that is, the child can fly without the assistance of airline personnel. JetBlue ends unaccompanied minor service at 14, while Alaska has an opt-out option at 13. Southwest boasts the lowest opt-out age: 12.

However, you should be able to accompany your child to the gate even if they’re not flying unaccompanied. American requires that you do so for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, even if they’ve opted out.

What to pack

Have a plan to head off your child’s hunger, boredom and thirst. If they are older, make sure they have emergency money and a charged phone.

When her two daughters, then 9 and 11, flew to Denver, Joey Conover of Charlottesville, Va., had a long list for their carry-ons.

“Pack a backpack with iPad, headphones, lightweight book to read, a pad of paper and colored pencils (markers might smear), a small travel game, water bottle (bring empty and fill in airport), snacks, some kind of surprise fidget or animals to play with, hoodie, and a lovey,” she wrote in an email.

“Write your name and phone number on the inside of their arm in Sharpie and put a parent’s business card in a luggage tag on both suitcase and backpack,” Ms. Conover said. (A sheet of paper with all their identification, and their guardian’s contact information, also works. Simply stick in an easy-to-access pocket.)

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Thousands protest in Spain's Canary Islands over mass tourism

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Ukraine attacked eight Russian regions with dozens of long-range strike drones, setting ablaze a fuel depot and hitting three power substations in a major attack early on Saturday, an intelligence source in Kyiv told Reuters.

The Russian defence ministry said on Saturday its air defence intercepted and destroyed 50 Ukrainian drones overnight, repelling one of the largest such attacks on Russia during the conflict in Ukraine.

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At least two people are dead and 14 others injured in a shooting at a block party in Memphis, Tennessee, on Saturday, according to police.

South Korea on Sunday protested Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine with "deep disappointment" and urged Japanese leaders to show repentance for the country's wartime past.

Two Japanese navy helicopters crashed into the sea during a training exercise, killing at least one of the eight crew members on board, the defence minister said on Sunday.