Taormina, often referred to as the pearl of Sicily, is among the most beautiful and most visited places on this Italian island. And after the series White Lotus, it’s even more popular.
Perched high on the rocks, with breathtaking views of the turquoise sea, Etna, and the enchanting surrounding landscape, Taormina offers a perfect blend of history, culture, gastronomy, and beautiful beaches. In this article, we’ll look at what to see and do in Taormina.
Summary for those who Don’t Have Time to Read the Whole Article
- It’s definitely worth visiting the ancient Greek theater (Teatro Greco) with stunning views of Etna.
- The most beautiful beaches can be found near Isola Bella (accessible by cable car) with crystal clear water.
- You can book a trip to Etna via GetYourGuide. With your own car, you can reach Rifugio Sapienza.
- In the center of Taormina, expect higher prices – food, accommodation, and services are roughly double compared to other Sicilian cities.
- The best time to visit is May-June and September-October, when the weather is pleasant without summer tourist crowds and heat.
- Getting around Taormina by car is almost impossible; we opted for the hop-on hop-off bus.
When is the Best Time to Visit Taormina
We went to Taormina in May, and it was already quite hot, but it was just starting to be suitable for swimming. If you want to swim, choose June-September; spring and autumn are ideal for excursions.
Winter (November to March) isn’t as harsh here, around fifteen degrees Celsius, but it’s not for everyone. The city isn’t crowded with tourists, and prices are lower.
How to get to Taormina and how to get Around
The closest airport to Taormina is Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, located approximately 65 km south of the city. You can get to Taormina from the airport in several ways:
By Bus: From Catania Airport, direct Interbus buses run to Taormina. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours, and a ticket costs around €8.
By Train: From the airport, you can first take a bus to Catania’s main train station and then continue by train to Taormina-Giardini station. The train journey takes approximately 45 minutes. From the train station, which is on the coast, you can reach the center of Taormina by bus or taxi.
By Car: If you only want to stay in Taormina, I don’t recommend it at all; getting around the city comfortably by car is impossible. However, if you’re traveling around the island, it’s fine; you can easily make a reservation through GetYourGuide, just make sure to get full coverage, as locals drive like crazy.
Getting around Taormina
Taormina’s town center itself is small and best explored on foot. The main tourist area around Corso Umberto is a completely pedestrian zone where cars are not allowed.
Cable Car: For travel from the center of Taormina to the beaches in Mazzarò Bay and Isola Bella, a cable car (funivia) is available. It runs every 15 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs around €3.
Buses: Local buses connect the center of Taormina with surrounding areas, including Giardini Naxos, Castelmola, and other nearby villages. They are relatively cheap and reliable. We used the hop-on hop-off bus because with a one-year-old, it was the only way to survive the journeys.
Taxi: Taxis are available in Taormina and can help you with transport to more distant places. However, keep in mind that they are quite expensive.
Where to Stay in Taormina
It always depends on what you want to see and do in Taormina.
In the City Center
If you’re coming here mainly for culture, you can stay right in the center. Recommended hotels in the center include Hotel Villa Schuler with magnificent views of the sea and Etna, the family-run Hotel Villa Taormina in a historic building, or the modern Taodomus Boutique Hotel near Corso Umberto.
By the Beach
If you’re coming here for the sea, you’ll want to stay in the coastal areas below Taormina – Mazzarò, Isola Bella, or Giardini Naxos. Just a small warning, the prices are really on another level if you want beach access.
If price is not a factor for you: The luxurious (and very expensive) Mazzarò Sea Palace with its private beach, or Atlantis Bay – VRetreats with panoramic views of Isola Bella bay.
Nearby Resorts – Cheaper Option
If you want something more affordable, choose the resorts: Giardini Naxos or Letojanni. Prices here are significantly lower than in Taormina, but you still have easy access to the city by bus.
Taormina: Sights and other Places to See
Let’s now take a look at what’s worth visiting in Taormina.
Ancient Greek Theater (Teatro Greco)
Taormina’s most famous monument is undoubtedly the Teatro Greco, dating back to the 3rd century BC. Although the name suggests it’s a Greek theater, most of the visible structures are actually from the Roman period, when the theater was rebuilt.
The theater is located in one of the most beautiful spots in the city, with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and majestic Etna in the background. With a diameter of 109 meters, it is the second largest ancient theater in Sicily (after Syracuse). To this day, various cultural events are held here, including concerts and the Taormina Film Fest.
I recommend coming early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the largest crowds of tourists and ideally also the midday heat. Admission is around €10 and is definitely worth it.
Corso Umberto I
Taormina’s main thoroughfare is the pedestrian zone Corso Umberto I, which stretches between the city gates Porta Messina in the north and Porta Catania in the south. This street is lined with beautiful historic buildings, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Head here early in the morning, or you’ll face crowds of tourists like we did (unfortunately, with a child, not everything can be ideally planned, but at least he slept in the stroller and we had peace).
During a stroll along Corso Umberto, you’ll come across many interesting places, including Piazza IX Aprile – a beautiful square with a panoramic terrace offering stunning views. Here you’ll also find the Church of Sant’Agostino with its iconic bell tower, and nearby is Palazzo Corvaja, an impressive medieval palace that now serves as a museum.
Isola Bella
This small island, often called the “Pearl of the Ionian Sea”, is located in a bay below Taormina and is connected to the mainland by a narrow sand spit. Since 1998, it has been a protected nature reserve.
On Isola Bella, you’ll find lush subtropical vegetation and a small museum. The surrounding waters are crystal clear, which is why people come here to snorkel and dive. At low tide, you can reach the island dry-footed via a sandy path.
Isola Bella is most easily reached by cable car from the center of Taormina (Mazzarò station) and a short walk.
Public Gardens Villa Comunale
These magnificent English-style gardens were founded at the end of the 19th century by the Scottish aristocrat Lady Florence Trevelyan. Villa Comunale offers a peaceful green oasis in the middle of the bustling city, with magnificent views of the sea and Etna.
In the gardens, you’ll find diverse subtropical vegetation, including palms, cypresses, cacti, and bougainvillea. Of interest are the Victorian structures called “follies” – unusual brick pavilions and turrets that Lady Trevelyan had built as decorations.
Admission to the gardens is free, and they are open from morning until evening. We mainly came here to escape the heat.
Castelmola
This picturesque village is located on a hill above Taormina (approx. 550 m above sea level) and offers even more impressive views than Taormina itself. Castelmola is considered one of Italy’s most beautiful villages; whether that’s true, you’ll have to decide for yourself.
Besides breathtaking panoramas, you’ll find the ruins of a castle (Castello di Mola) here, offering amazing views of the surrounding landscape, and narrow stone streets with typical Sicilian houses. In local cafes, you can taste traditional almond wine, a specialty of this region.
You can get to Castelmola by bus from Taormina (the journey takes about 15 minutes) or on foot via a panoramic trail (a more challenging option with significant elevation gain).
The most Beautiful Beaches in Taormina
Taormina boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily. Most of them are pebble or coarse sand, but the water is crystal clear everywhere. Here are the best ones:
Isola Bella
The already mentioned beach near the islet of Isola Bella is one of the most photogenic in the area. The pebble beach with crystal clear water is ideal for snorkeling.
Most of the beach is occupied by paid lidos (sunbeds and umbrellas for rent), but there is also a small section of freely accessible beach. During peak season, Isola Bella tends to be packed, so the only way to enjoy it peacefully is to go early in the morning.
Mazzarò
Mazzarò Bay is located right next to Isola Bella. There’s a pleasant pebble beach here. You’ll find many hotels and restaurants nearby, so there will be no shortage of refreshments. The sea has a beautiful emerald color, and nearby you can explore smaller sea caves, including the famous Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra).
Giardini Naxos
Unlike the intimate coves directly below Taormina, the resort of Giardini Naxos offers a long stretch of beaches in a wide bay south of the city. The surface consists of a combination of fine sand and small pebbles.
Giardini Naxos is the largest beach area around Taormina with several sections (Recanati, Schisò, San Giovanni). Along the coast, there’s a promenade full of bars, restaurants, and ice cream parlors.
You can get to Giardini Naxos by bus from Taormina (the journey takes approximately 20 minutes).
Letojanni and Mazzeo
North of Taormina, a long beach stretches, connecting the resorts of Mazzeo and Letojanni. It is a pebble-sand strip with very clear water, surrounded by greenery and mountains.
Letojanni is a lively seaside town with many restaurants and bars, where prices are lower than in Taormina. The local beach is wide and largely freely accessible, with a gradual entry into the sea, which is ideal for families with children.
Mazzeo is a quieter part closer to Taormina, with a beach covered in fine sand and surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation. Regular buses run from Taormina to both resorts.
Trip to Mount Etna
We prepared for a trip to Etna for the entire month we spent in Sicily, but ultimately postponed it because we decided that with one-year-old Jonáš, it would be more stress than fun, but thanks to that preparation, I can tell you almost everything you need to know.
Etna (3,357 m above sea level) is Europe’s highest active volcano, which is good to know, because when we were in Taormina, there were such eruptions that tourists were fleeing Etna. However, no one was harmed, and you don’t have to be afraid to visit. There are several ways to go to Etna.
Southern Route via Rifugio Sapienza
The most popular and logistically simplest route leads from the south side via the mountain resort Rifugio Sapienza (1,900 m).. You can get here from Taormina by car in approximately 1.5 hours or by organized minibus as part of a tour. I had selected trips through GetYourGuide, where you can cancel even if your plans change.
From Rifugio Sapienza, you can take the cable car (Funivia dell’Etna) up to an altitude of approximately 2,500 m. A round-trip ticket costs around €50. At the upper cable car station, 4×4 off-road buses continue, taking you along a dusty road up to the observatory at an altitude of approximately 2,900 m. A complete package including the cable car, jeep, and guide costs €85–100 (it gets a bit more expensive every year).
With a licensed guide, you can then hike to the edge of the main craters, if conditions permit. It’s important to know that above 2,800 m, ascent is only possible with a guide – independent hikes to the summit have been prohibited since 2013 for safety reasons.
Organized Tours from Taormina
Several companies in Taormina offer organized tours to Etna. Recommended ones include Go-Etna, Etna Experience, or Etna Tribe. Prices range from approximately €50 (for a half-day trip across lava fields) to €100 and more (for a full-day ascent to the summit craters, including the cable car).
The advantage of an organized tour is that you don’t have to worry about transport and organization. Moreover, guides know the volcano well and will provide you with interesting information about its history, geology, and current activity. I
Tips for Climbing Etna
- Bring warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Even in summer, it’s cold and windy at the summit.
- Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, plenty of water, and a small snack.
- Respect the guides’ instructions and the prohibition of entry into dangerous zones. Etna is an active volcano, and its activity can change suddenly.
- It’s ideal to set off early in the morning. In the afternoon, clouds often gather, and the summit becomes shrouded.
- Before your trip, check the current status of the volcano – access may be restricted during a strong eruption.
How to Visit Etna with Small Children?
You can visit Etna even with small children, if your children can sit and observe their surroundings (our one-year-old Jonáš couldn’t even handle an hour-long car ride, which is why we postponed the trip); when I was figuring out how to visit Etna with a one-year-old, most travelers recommended booking a panoramic bus through GetYourGuide.
What to Watch out for: Tourist Traps in Taormina
Taormina is a beautiful city, but like any popular tourist destination, it has its downsides. Here are some things you should watch out for:
High Prices in the Center
Taormina is the most expensive destination in Sicily – generally, expect food, drink, accommodation, and service prices to be roughly double compared to Catania or other Sicilian cities. For example, pasta in a regular restaurant costs around €15, a fish main course €20-25, and an Aperol Spritz around €10.
Sunbeds and umbrellas on Taormina’s beaches are also significantly more expensive than elsewhere on the island. Before visiting a restaurant, always check the menu with prices, which should be displayed outside.
To save money, you can head to side streets off the main tourist routes or to neighboring resorts like Giardini Naxos or Letojanni, where prices are more favorable.
Coperto and other Fees
In Italian restaurants, a coperto (cover charge for table setting) of €2-3 per person is commonly charged. In Taormina, you might encounter additional surcharges. If you’re unsure what fees are included, don’t hesitate to ask the staff.
In some bars and cafes, there are dual prices – lower for consumption while standing at the bar, higher for sitting at a table. This is common practice in Italy, but it’s good to be aware of it.
Aggressive Sales and Street Offers
In busy parts of Corso Umberto and near major attractions, you might encounter street vendors who will try to push overpriced souvenirs on you. You might also come across street “artists” offering caricatures or portraits, who then demand exorbitant amounts.
Decline politely but firmly, and don’t let yourself be persuaded into an unplanned purchase. Likewise, be wary of “friendly” street photographers who might offer to take your picture – for a fee, of course.
Transport and Parking
Cars are not allowed into Taormina’s historic center (ZTL zone). Parking is available in large car parks on the outskirts of the city (Porta Catania, Lumbi) at relatively high rates.
FAQ
Is it necessary to have a car in Taormina?
Not at all; on the contrary, you won’t get anywhere with a car.
How to Get from Taormina to Etna?
The best way is an organized tour, which you can book, for example, through GetYourGuide, or drive to Rifugio Sapienza, from where you can continue by cable car and off-road bus.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Taormina?
It’s safe, but generally, tap water in Sicily is quite unpleasant (due to high mineral content).
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
