The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Taormina in Sicily, Italy
Taormina is a medieval town perched on a hilltop on the east coast of the beautiful Italian island of Sicily. This quaint Sicilian town offers breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and the famous Mount Etna.
Night view of the town of Taormina in Sicily, Italy
The historic town center of Taormina is packed with historic sites, which include influences from the Siculians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, and Normans. It is also home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Ancient Greek Theatre and Isola Bella.
The beautiful coastal gem is one of the most beautiful places in Sicily, and it offers a ton of things to do. Let's discover Taormina, Sicily, and its endless charm.
Why Visit Taormina
Taormina is a must-visit destination in Sicily, Italy, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. This charming hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily is known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean” and has been a popular vacation destination since Roman times.
Boat in the Ionian Sea on the coast of Taormina
Visitors can enjoy the town’s stunning views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, as well as its ancient theater and medieval palaces. With its rich history, cultural landmarks, and breathtaking scenery, Taormina is the perfect destination for anyone looking to experience the best of Sicily.
Things to Do in Taormina
Taormina is packed with things to do, it has an abundance of historic sites, and many of them are wonderfully preserved today. Let's explore some of the attractions in Taormina where you can explore its unique history and culture.
The Ancient Greek Theatre
The Greek Theatre in Taormina, Sicily, known as Teatro Greco, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous historic landmarks in Sicily. The Greek Theatre was constructed in the 3rd century BC during the Hellenistic period, and it was later expanded by the Romans. It originally hosted performances of Greek tragedies and comedies, playing a crucial role in the cultural life of the city.
The Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina, Sicily
The classic semi-circular design of the theater could originally seat around 5000 spectators. Built from local limestone, the theater features a well-preserved orchestra and elements of the Roman-era stage. The Greek Theatre is further enhanced by its excellent acoustics, which are exaggerated by the unique hillside location.
Views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna in the background make the ancient theater of Taormina a truly special site. The Ancient Greek Theatre does get busy at times, so I recommend visiting in the morning around opening time to get the best experience. Overall, it is an incredible site that combines history, architecture, and beautiful scenery, which is considered a must-visit destination.
The Piazza IX Aprile
The Piazza IX Aprile is the main town square of Taormina, located in the heart of the old town area. This is a magical part of the old town, which is known for having an abundance of historic landmarks. Some of the most notable historic landmarks in this area are the Church of San Giuseppe, the Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio), and the former Church of Sant'Agostino, which now functions as a library.
This is the Piazza IX Aprile in Taormina, Sicily
The Piazza IX Aprile is also famous for its huge panoramic terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea, providing incredible views of the bay and Mount Etna. This Panoramic Terrace has become a hotspot for photographers and Instagrammers, and I can confirm that this is a great location for those who want to capture some awesome memories of Sicily.
Panoramic terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea in Taormina, Sicily
The Piazza IX Aprile perfectly embodies the charm of Taormina in one small town square. It's where the old town comes alive, bustling with visitors, music, and history, and it's definitely an essential place to visit in Taormina.
The Piazza Duomo
Piazza Duomo is a charming square with a great range of cafes and shops. The square is also home to some beautiful historic landmarks, like the Taormina Cathedral mentioned above. However, it is mostly known for its little cafes, bars, and restaurants.
Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
It's a change from the main town square, Piazza IX Aprile, which is known mostly for its historic architecture. Instead, Piazza Duomo offers a good range of amenities and shops while still having beautiful architecture. They are both charming in their own way, and Piazza Duomo should definitely be on the list of things to do, especially as it hosts the Cathedral of Taormina.
Duomo di Taormina - The Cathedral
The Cathedral of Taormina is an incredible medieval church and one of the town’s most iconic landmarks. Originally built in the 13th century, the Cathedral of Taormina has gone through several renovations throughout the Middle Ages. Today what stands of the Duomo di Taormina is a medieval masterpiece. It is well preserved and still functions as a church even today.
Visiting the Cathedral of Taormina is easy as it is located within the town area in the Piazza Duomo. This makes it a must-visit, as you will most likely walk by on a stroll through the old town. Just be sure to look out for this beautiful little church on your way through the Piazza Duomo.
The Saracen Castle
The Saracen Castle (Castello Saraceno), also known as the Norman Castle, is a medieval fortress built on a hilltop above Taormina. Arabic, Norman, and Gothic styles are all visible in the castle's architecture. The Arabs constructed the first cube-shaped tower in the 10th century, and the Normans added on to and altered it in the 13th and 14th centuries.
View of the Norman Castle in Taormina, Sicily
Although the castle is currently closed, visitors can still hike up to the top of it, and the castle's exterior can be explored. The castle sits around 397m above the town of Taormina and takes around 30 minutes to reach the top of the hill where you'll find the Norman Castle.
The walk is peaceful, with stairs guiding visitors to the top, this makes it easy as the terrain is not rugged and easily walkable. Upon reaching the top of the hill, you'll be greeted with the most incredible views of Taormina and the Ionian Sea.
Boats in the Ionian Sea of Taormina
These panoramic views are definitely one of the reasons to walk up the hill, as it offers some awesome photo opportunities. The exterior of the castle is also very beautiful, and its medieval charm is further exaggerated by the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds it. Although you'll have to get in some extra steps to arrive at the Norman Castle, it is definitely worth a visit.
Porta Messina
Another significant landmark in Taormina is Porta Messina, an historic city gate that dates back to the 19th century. Located at the starting point of Corso Umberto, the Porta Messina is an historic gateway that connects the city and serves as a notable starting point for exploring the old town, linking various historical sites and shops along the way.
trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
It is located at the beginning of the town's Corso Umberto shopping street, one of the main streets in the town center. It's an iconic landmark that signals the start of Taormina’s pedestrian shopping street and entrance to the town's main sights. This gate is a beautiful example of the cultural mix of architecture in the town of Taormina, and it's an easy place to visit as it is located at the end of the town.
Porta Catania
The Porta Catania was built in 1440 to serve as the entrance to the town, and it still has a similar function today. Taormina's main town center runs through a few streets that run from Porta Catania to Porta Messina. These two gates signal the start and end of the main area of the town. The Porta Catania is the older gate dating back to the 14th century.
Porta Catania city gate and medieval architecture
The Porta Catania city gate is located near the Piazza IX Aprile town square, so both gates are located near important landmarks and historic sites. I highly recommend viewing out for both of the beautiful city gates on your way through the old town.
Explore the Town
Corso Umberto, the main street of Taormina, is lined with boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. The historic center of Taormina, with its narrow streets and charming piazzas, is of course a must-see, and many of the sites mentioned above are located within the historic center.
Traditional Italian architecture in the old town of Taormina, Sicily
The town center has so many unique shops, cafes, and restaurants that it would be a shame to only visit the main landmarks. Be sure to have a proper browse through the shops in the area and get a taste of the local flavors at the cafes and restaurants. This is a big part of Taormina's charm, and without these romantic little eateries and shops, it would not be the same.
Nature and Wildlife
Taormina's nature is exceptionally beautiful; in fact, many tourists flock to Taormina, Sicily, just to experience its amazing beaches and the mesmerizing Mount Etna. Let's take a look at some of the best nature sites in Taormina.
Isola Bella
Isola Bella is a nature reserve and small island that graces the Ionian Sea. This charming little island is one of the reasons so many beachgoers flock to Taormina from all over the world. Isola Bella has crystal clear water and a small but beautiful beach within a few meters of it.
View of Isola Bella in Taormina, Sicily
In recent years, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sicily, partly because of social media posts featuring the island but mostly because Isola Bella lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful places in Sicily. The water around Isola Bella is crystal clear, and the beaches are also clean, so for those who are seeking that idyllic destination, this is it.
Walking down the hills of Taormina will bring you to Isola Bella, and throughout the journey you will be greeted by magnificent views of the island. There is also a cable car that connects the town to the beach at Mazzarò, the closest beach to the island of Isola Bella. Taking the cable car or walking down the hill are both great options, as the journey offers stunning views of the sea and surrounding landscape.
Isola Bella on the coast of Taormina
The beaches nearby can get busy, but if you go early in the morning, you should be able to get a spot to sunbath. Overall, I highly recommend visiting Isola Bella, as it is an incredible nature reserve in Taormina, Sicily.
Mount Etna
Mount Etna is Europe’s largest active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Sicilian mountain towers at about 3,329 meters (10,922 feet), it is renowned for its frequent eruptions, which range from gentle lava flows to explosive events.
Mount Etna offers incredible views and a range of hiking trails. Mount Etna is still so powerful that you can often see volcanic ash around Catania, Taormina, and some of the other towns around Sicily. Its imposing presence defines the landscape of Sicily and even influences the local culture.
View of Mount Etna during sunset
Although Mount Etna is huge and it takes around 5-6 hours to hike up to the peak, it does have some smaller trails for those who would like to experience the mountain within a day trip. Tours are readily available from Taormina to Mount Etna, and if you would like to drive there yourself, it is only around 20 km from Taormina to one of the mountain entrances.
Visiting Mount Etna is a popular outdoor activity in Taormina, and if you have the time, then I highly recommend visiting as it is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world.
The Public Gardens
The Public Gardens, also known as Villa Comunale, are a peaceful oasis with stunning views of the Ionian Sea and surrounding landscape. They were built by Lady Florence Trevelyan, who later gifted the public gardens to the city of Taormina in 1922.
The Public Gardens in Taormina in Sicily, Italy
The park has a variety of native Mediterranean plants mixed with international exotics planted within beautiful winding paths and a hillside that looks like it came out of an Italian fairytale. These gardens are peaceful places where you can escape the busy tourist hotspot of the Taormina old town and get in touch with nature.
Taormina public gardens in Sicily
The Public Gardens are well worth a visit, the hillside views are incredible, and the plants are beautiful.
Accommodation in Taormina
Taormina is known as a slightly expensive destination with luxury hotels that have stunning views of the sea and surrounding landscape. Season two of the television series 'The White Lotus' is set in a luxury hotel in Taormina, emphasizing the town's appeal and association with high-end accommodations.
Although it lives up to its name with some of the best hotels in Sicily on offer, there are still some alternative options, such as B&Bs. There are a great range of local B&Bs available in the town’s historic center, and they tend to be a lot cheaper than the established hotels while still offering a decent room.
Staying in central Taormina offers the convenience of being close to prime accommodation and dining options, such as the renowned Hotel Villa Belvedere and the exquisite Ristorante La Griglia. Self-catering apartments with a range of options are also available inside the town and surrounding countryside.
For travelers on a tight budget, hostels are the best option, they are cheaper than the B&Bs and guesthouses, and they offer a place to stay and explore the town from.
Finally, Taormina has many villas and holiday homes that would be suitable for families and groups of people. Whichever you decide to choose, booking in advance is sometimes necessary, especially during the summer when Taormina gets very busy.
Events and Festivals
Taormina is such a lively and bustling town, and although it's an old historic town, it still hosts many events and festivals throughout the year. Some of these are modern festivals like the Taormina Film Fest, a popular festival showcasing the best of Italian and international cinema.
While others, like the Giuseppe Sinopoli Festival, a classical music festival held in the town’s historic center, offer a chance to experience Italian culture within an authentic setting.
The Taormina Jazz Festival is another popular festival featuring local and international jazz musicians.
The traditional Sicilian festivals, including the Festa di San Giuseppe and the Festa di Santa Maria.
When to Visit Taormina
The best time to visit Taormina is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. The summer months are also the peak tourist season, with a range of festivals and events taking place.
Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea
Taormina's shoulder season is from May to June and September to October, and this is a good time to visit if you prefer milder weather. Visitors can also visit Taormina during the winter months, when the town is less crowded and prices are lower, but it will be more difficult to enjoy the beach during these months because of the cold weather.
Getting to Taormina
The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, which is about 45 minutes from Taormina by car or bus. Visitors can also take a train or bus from Catania to Taormina, with regular services throughout the day.
Mountain view of Taormina, Sicily
The town is accessible by car, with parking available in various locations throughout the town. Taxis or private transfers from the airport or other nearby towns are also available but will of course be more expensive.
Summary
Taormina is a beautiful seaside destination on the coast of Sicily, packed with a variety of incredible things to do. From the beautiful historic sights like the Piazza IX Aprile town square to the natural wonders like Isola Bella, Taormina offers something for everyone. Taormina is definitely one of the top destinations in Sicily!