Visit Taormina

An ancient theatre framing smoking Etna, a main street lined with Sicilian palaces, a cable car dropping to an island tied to the beach by a pebble spit: Taormina sums up eastern Sicily within a few kilometres, as long as you avoid the height of August.

Why go to Taormina?

Taormina is a small town on the east coast of Sicily, perched about 200 metres above the Ionian Sea between Messina and Catania. It is famous for its ancient theatre with views of Etna, its pedestrian historic centre and its coves. It is also a base for day trips to Mount Etna and the Alcantara gorges.

Taormina's must-sees

Ancient remains, medieval palaces and viewpoints, all walkable from Corso Umberto except the island.

Ancient theatre

A theatre of Greek origin remodelled by the Romans and set into the hillside. Its stage opens onto the Ionian coast and, on clear days, the outline of Etna.

Isola Bella

A small island joined to the shore by a narrow pebble spit, now a nature reserve. Its garden and house can be visited, and you can swim all around it.

Palazzo Corvaja

A medieval palace blending Arab, Norman and Gothic influences near Porta Messina. It is said to have hosted the Sicilian Parliament in the 15th century.

Villa Comunale gardens

A public park laid out by Englishwoman Florence Trevelyan, with whimsical follies and planted terraces above the sea. A shady refuge in summer.

Piazza IX Aprile

A large viewpoint square halfway along Corso Umberto, with the church of San Giuseppe and the Clock Tower. The best free view over the bay.

San Nicolò Cathedral

A fortress-like medieval cathedral at the western end of the Corso. On its square, a baroque fountain is topped by a centaur, the town's symbol.

Naumachia

A long Roman-era brick wall lined with arches, the remains of a large reservoir. Easy to miss, it hides in a lane below the Corso.

What to discover in and around Taormina?

The historic centre, from Porta Messina to Porta Catania

Corso Umberto crosses the old town between its two main gates, roughly a kilometre reserved for pedestrians. It is punctuated by squares, churches and palaces, with Piazza IX Aprile and its sea-facing terrace halfway along. The stepped lanes branching off on either side are worth getting lost in. Half a day is enough for the centre, but the walk is far more pleasant before 10 am and after 6 pm, once cruise ship groups have left town.

The heights: Castelmola and Monte Tauro

Above Taormina, the village of Castelmola sits on a rocky peak more than 500 metres high. Buses get there in about fifteen minutes, or you can walk a stepped path, allowing 45 minutes to an hour of sustained effort. Along the way, the sanctuary of Madonna della Rocca and the remains of the Saracen castle offer plunging views over the bay. At the top, Castelmola's lanes are much quieter than Taormina's. Allow half a day, ideally in the late afternoon for the light.

The coast from Mazzarò to Giardini Naxos

The cable car links the upper town to Mazzarò beach in a few minutes. From there, a short coastal path leads to Isola Bella bay, then to the pebble coves of Spisone. Further south, Giardini Naxos has a long sand and pebble beach, with more space and lower prices. This is also where the Greeks founded their first colony in Sicily in the 8th century BC, whose foundations survive in the archaeological park. The swimming season runs from June to early October.

Day trips to Etna and the Alcantara

Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, is about an hour and a half's drive to the Rifugio Sapienza on its southern slope. A cable car and off-road vehicles then climb towards the summit craters, where access is supervised by guides and may be closed during eruptions: always follow local instructions. The Alcantara gorges, a lava flow carved by an icy river, are about 40 minutes away. Allow a full day per trip, or use a local agency to combine both.

Seasons, festivals and the town's rhythm

April, May, June and September are the best months: mild temperatures, warm sea from June and crowds still manageable. July and August bring heat, crowds and peak prices. In summer the ancient theatre hosts concerts, opera and the Taormina film festival, a chance to see it in a different light. From November to March some hotels close and connections thin out, but the town remains very pleasant for a cultural visit. Three nights make for a good stay, combining Taormina with the rest of eastern Sicily and southern Italy.

Frequently asked questions about Taormina

How long does it take to visit Taormina's ancient theatre?
An hour is enough to walk around it and enjoy the view, longer if you read the panels. Come at opening time or late in the day to avoid the heat and groups. In summer, performances let you see it at night.
Can you walk to Isola Bella?
Yes, you reach the island on foot across the pebble spit when the sea allows. The nature reserve and its house can be visited with a ticket, with shorter hours out of season. Swimming around the island is free.
Taormina or Giardini Naxos for an overnight stay?
Taormina offers charm and evenings in the historic centre, but you have to travel to swim. Giardini Naxos is right on the beach, more affordable and family friendly, a few kilometres below with regular buses.
Can you go up Mount Etna from Taormina in a day?
Yes, on an organised tour or by car to the Rifugio Sapienza, then cable car and a guided climb. The programme depends on volcanic activity and weather: summit areas can be closed from one day to the next.
How do you get from Mazzarò beach up to central Taormina?
The cable car is fastest, just a few minutes. There is also a stairway, but it is a steep climb of around twenty minutes, exhausting in midsummer. The cable car runs into the evening in season, with shorter hours in winter.
Can you combine Taormina and Syracuse?
Yes, Syracuse and Ortigia are about an hour and a half's drive south. A day trip is feasible, but two nights there do far more justice to the city and its archaeological park.
Is Taormina manageable with a pushchair?
Corso Umberto is flat and pedestrian, but many side lanes are stepped. The pebble beaches and the climb to Castelmola are harder going: a baby carrier is often more practical than a pushchair.

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