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In case you’re dreaming of a beautiful Sicilian beach getaway, I wager you’re considering of the city of Taormina, Italy. Taormina is a impressive the town house to stunning piazzas, an Historic Greek theater, and rocky cliffs that plunge into the intense blue sea.
Taormina could also be the place season two of the hit HBO collection The White Lotus was once filmed. In case you’re in search of lush atmosphere, stunning seashores, and probably the most highest meals and wine you’ve ever tasted, you’re going to like Taormina.
Even sooner than The White Lotus, Taormina was once already a well-liked vacationer vacation spot. Now it’s most likely probably the most touristy position in all of Sicily, and it will get extremely busy in consequence. Inns get dear in the summertime, and cruise ships herald a number of day-trippers.
And that may be so much to absorb. For this reason, Taormina isn’t my non-public favourite vacation spot in Sicily – however I do assume it’s an crucial position to seek advice from for those who’re exploring the japanese aspect of the island.
However for those who’re a photographer, a coastal guru, or only a lover of all issues stunning — you’ll fall in love with Taormina. This the town is significantly eye sweet in Italy, a rustic that is aware of attractiveness higher than virtually any individual else.
Whether or not you come back to Taormina for an afternoon time out, or keep a couple of days and seek advice from Mount Etna, you’ll completely revel in your time right here. I’m excited to turn you the most efficient issues to do in Taormina, Sicily.
This submit was once printed in April 2025 and was once co-written via Adventurous Kate and Dale Peterson.
The view from Piazza IX Aprile in Taormina, Sicily.
Best possible Issues to Do in Taormina, Italy
Discover the Previous The town and Corso Umberto
Simply strolling round stunning Taormina is a pleasant technique to spend your day. The piazzas are the center of the town, and most likely probably the most stunning one is Piazza IX Aprile, with its signature black and white tiles. As in different Italian towns, you received’t need to pass over Piazza Duomo, both.
Corso Umberto is the vigorous major side road of Taormina. It stretches from Porta Messina to Porta Catania, two historic gates of the town. The prevailing-day side road follows the traditional Greco-Roman thoroughfare of Taormina.
This pedestrian-only side road is covered with retail outlets, cafes, and eating places. In case you’re having a look to perform a little buying groceries in Taormina, that is where to do it — simply know that costs will also be prime on this ever-popular vacation spot. The road is continuously stuffed with reside musicians within the night time, making it easiest for a walk.
This theater is fantastic in scale. By means of Shutterstock.
Consult with the Historic Greek Theater
One of the most best issues to do in Taormina is seek advice from the Historic Greek Theater, the Teatro Antico di Taormina. This amphitheater within the center of Taormina was once built within the 3rd century BCE and may seat as much as 10,000 spectators!
Greek ruins are discovered everywhere Sicily, which is one explanation why I really like visiting this island. There’s a fair higher historic theater in Siracusa, however the ruins in Taormina be offering probably the most outstanding perspectives, overlooking Mount Etna and the Mediterranean.
Tickets are 14 EUR ($15 USD) according to particular person, however this is without doubt one of the hottest points of interest in Taormina for a explanation why and it’s price the cost of access. I like to recommend going early within the morning to keep away from the worst of the warmth and beat the crowds. Keep away from visiting within the noon solar if you’ll.
There’s additionally a small, loose museum at the grounds that you’ll seek advice from.
You’ll be able to’t beat this view in Taormina, Sicily! By means of Shutterstock.
Take within the perspectives from the Belvedere di By means of Pirandello
In a town of impressive perspectives, Belvedere di By means of Pirandello provides one of the vital highest viewpoints in Taormina. This panoramic viewing platform offers you a dramatic view of Isola Bella and sweeping perspectives of the Mediterranean beach. You’ll need this to your telephone’s lock display screen!
Getting access to the perspective is loose, however know that you just’ll need to climb about 300 stairs to get there. Be sure you put on comfy strolling footwear, and once more, I like to recommend fending off this climb all over the warmth of noon. Pass later within the afternoon, nearer to sundown, and the sunshine will probably be easiest at the view.
In case you’re now not up for the climb, there are many great viewpoints simply from walking throughout the the town.
Mount Etna is an absolute MUST when visiting Taormina, Italy!
Pass on an afternoon time out to Mount Etna
An afternoon time out to Mount Etna is considered one of my non-public favourite issues to do in Taormina! The city makes a perfect base for mountaineering this energetic stratovolcano, which every now and then appears like THE image of Sicily, and whose dramatic top will also be observed right through the east of the island.
Even supposing Mount Etna is an energetic volcano with common small eruptions, don’t concern — it’s protected to seek advice from. Sicilians were welcoming vacationers right here for many years, and so they understand how to stay you protected. In case you’ve all the time dreamed of strolling on a volcano, that is considered one of your highest alternatives in Europe.
Your highest wager for visiting Mount Etna is taking an arranged excursion with a information, which is what I did. This half-day tour contains pickup and dropoff in Taormina, trekking thru lava fields, and a seek advice from to lava caves, adopted via lunch and wine. Don’t disregard that there are fabulous wines grown proper on Mount Etna!
The sandy bridge to Isola Bella, by way of Shutterstock.
Discover Isola Bella and the Seashores
Isola Bella is the megastar of many a photograph of Taormina — an interesting little island attached to Taormina via a slender strip of sand. You’ll continuously in finding this small stretch of seaside packed all over the summer time months, in conjunction with the close by seashores.
As soon as privately owned after which deserted, Isola Bella is now a conservation house. You’ll be able to stroll to the seaside from the historical middle of the town (a steep 30-minute downhill stroll involving many stairs), or take the scenic Mazzarò cable automotive, which places you only a 10-minute stroll away.
Visiting the island is loose, despite the fact that a part of it’s owned via a neighborhood museum and closed to vacationers.
And for those who’re in search of the seaside from The White Lotus, I hate to damage it to you, however the seaside scenes have been in truth shot in Cefalù, a long way away in northern Sicily. The seashores in Taormina are great, however slender — now not very conducive to filming!
Palazzo Corvaja, by way of Marek Kosinski on Shutterstock.
Consult with the Palazzo Corvaja
Palazzo Corvaja is an engaging historical palace in Taormina. Whilst the city has some ruins relationship again to Historic Greek instances, this palace is a bit of more recent. Built within the medieval length on the finish of the 14th century, Palazzo Corvaja was once house to the Sicilian Parliament right through the fifteenth century.
It’s a singular mix of architectural types, together with Gothic, Moorish, and Norman. More or less like Sicily’s structure in a nutshell.
These days, Palazzo Corvaja properties the Taormina tourism place of business and a small loose museum. It’s price popping within to appreciate the structure and notice what’s on exhibition.
How lovable are those little cable vehicles? By means of Marius Dobilas on Shutterstock.
Take the Mazzarò cable automotive
For a scenic view over Taormina and the Mediterranean Sea, take the Mazzarò cable automotive from the historical middle of the town right down to the seaside. The adventure takes about 5 mins, with 4 little vehicles in a row, and the perspectives can’t be beat.
From the purpose the place the cable automotive drops you off, it’s only a 10-minute stroll to Isola Bella and different great seashores.
Tickets for the cable automotive are 6 EUR ($7 USD) a technique, or 10 EUR ($11 USD) round-trip. The cable automotive runs each quarter-hour from 8 AM till 1:30 AM all over the summer time, and from 8 AM till 8 PM the remainder of the 12 months.
Come to Taormina’s botanical lawn for a lush oasis in the course of the town.
Wander throughout the Taormina Public Lawn
The Taormina Public Lawn is a hidden gem tucked away within the historical middle of the town. This superbly landscaped lawn is the very best respite from the mid-afternoon solar if you wish to opt for a quiet walk or take a seat on a bench within the coloration.
You’ll in finding the doorway to this loose public lawn only some mins clear of the town middle, simply sooner than you achieve Grand Resort Timeo.
No longer solely is the lawn itself very lovely, however you’ll additionally revel in superb perspectives overlooking the ocean from terraces right through the lawn.
What a view from this rocky mountaintop church! By means of Shutterstock.
Climb to Chiesa Madonna della Rocca
Up for a hike? Climb to the Chiesa Madonna della Rocca for spectacular perspectives over Taormina. This humble hilltop church is constructed immediately into the rocks and provides an exquisite view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea from above.
Even supposing Google Maps will let you know that it takes about 20 mins to get to Chiesa Madonna della Rocca from Porta Messina within the historical middle of the town, that’s overly constructive — you will have to plan for it to take a bit of extra time. It’s a steep climb, together with many steps.
Then again, the perspectives from the highest make this hike profitable. As soon as once more, that is any other process that I’d suggest fending off all over the noon solar and doing later within the afternoon, nearer to sundown.
Then again, you’ll take the IN10 bus from the historical middle, which drops you off a couple of mins from the church (despite the fact that the power takes you up some winding hairpin turns too!).
Some other superbly set construction in Taormina, by way of ArtMediaFactory on Shutterstock.
Consult with the Castello Saraceno
Whilst you’re at Chiesa Madonna della Rocca, don’t pass over Castello Saraceno too. The ruins of this historic fortress are positioned only a quick stroll up some stairs from the church. As you’ll consider, the fortress additionally provides fantastic perspectives.
Firstly, the fortress was once most likely the web page of an historic acropolis all over Greek instances, sooner than being taken over via the Romans after which the Byzantines. After Sicily fell to the Moors, the fortress was once utterly reconstructed in 902 AD.
You’ll be able to seek advice from what stays of the fortress, tickets are 10 EUR ($11 USD). Since there isn’t a lot to peer throughout the ruins, and for the reason that view is just about the similar as what you’ll see mountaineering up, I don’t assume it’s essential to shop for a price ticket except you’re actually within the web page.
Wouldn’t you need to spend an afternoon out right here?! By means of Shutterstock.
Take a ship time out alongside the coast
One of the most highest issues to do in Taormina is to take a ship time out. Taormina’s dramatic, rocky beach is much more spectacular when observed from the water! And for those who’re a White Lotus fan, even higher!
On this boat tour impressed via The White Lotus filming places, you’ll seek advice from puts together with Giardini Naxos, Sicily’s Blue Grotto, and a number of other impressive sea caves. You’ll additionally come with refreshments together with fruit, snacks, and beverages onboard.
An alternative choice for a ship time out is this half-day sailing tour from Taormina. You’ll really feel the light for your face and the wind for your hair as you sail alongside the coast, preventing to swim and snorkel at quite a lot of issues alongside the way in which. This excursion additionally contains Sicilian snacks (native cheese, meats, and bread) and wine.
In case you’d desire a sundown boat time out, this is the perfect excursion. You’ll be able to absorb perspectives of Taormina from the water as you watch a impressive sundown, playing an incorporated aperitivo.
I’m nonetheless dreaming of the granita at BamBar!
Devour Granita at BamBar
Granita is a staple of the Sicilian nutrition. Granita is very similar to slush — it’s a frozen deal with this is continuously crowned with whipped cream, and Sicilians like to consume it for breakfast with brioche!
Taormina is house to my favourite position to consume granita in Sicily — BamBar. Other people line as much as consume at this little cafe, and accept as true with me, you’ll fall in love with their clean, subtle granita.
My non-public favourite granita taste is caffe (espresso) with a dollop of panna (cream) on best. I additionally suggest attempting mandorla (almond) once or more while you’re in Sicily. Different common Sicilian flavors are fragola (strawberry), limone (lemon), pistacchio (pistachio, which you will have to pronounce pees-TAK-kee-o, the Italian approach) and mandarino (mandarin orange).
This little theater is price a snappy prevent. By means of Shutterstock.
Consult with the Historic Odeon
Simply up the road from the well-known Historic Greek Theater, the Historic Odeon is any other wreck in Taormina that’s price trying out. This smaller theater was once built via the Romans round 21 AD.
It’s now not as spectacular because the Historic Greek Theater, however seeing as admission is loose to this archaeological web page, it’s price visiting to have a look round.
You’ll love a cooking magnificence in Taormina! By means of Shutterstock.
Take a cooking magnificence
Sicilian delicacies is a bit of other than what you could image while you recall to mind conventional Italian delicacies. And it’s continuously relatively other from Sicilian American delicacies as smartly. Even the specialties of Japanese Sicily and Western Sicily can range relatively just a little!
A few of its hottest specialties right here within the east come with arancini, breaded and deep-fried risotto balls, and caponata, a scrumptious eggplant-based antipasto. On the subject of pasta, pasta alla Norma is a well-known dish with tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, basil, and ricotta.
A good way to enjoy Sicilian delicacies is thru a cooking magnificence. This cooking class with a local chef will let you learn to make conventional dishes together with caponata, recent pasta, and pesce spada alla ghiotta, a well-liked native fish dish.
An alternative choice is this pizza and cannoli cooking class. You’ll seek advice from a neighborhood pizzeria and be told the secrets and techniques of creating Sicilian pizza (which could be very other from thin-crusted Neapolitan pizza). You’ll additionally learn to get ready cannoli, the quintessential Sicilian dessert.
Learn Extra: What to Devour in Sicily
Pass to the opera
Within the temper for one thing fancy and cultural in Taormina? Spend an evening on the opera! Sicily’s maximum iconic opera area, Teatro Massimo, is positioned a number of hours away within the town of Palermo. Then again, you’ll revel in an opera efficiency in Taormina on the small native opera area, Teatro Nazarena.
Night opera performances are held 5 nights per week, and you’ll book a ticket here. Tickets additionally come with a complimentary drink you’ll revel in on the venue’s panoramic outside terrace overlooking Taormina.
Sure, you’ll have wine from Mount Etna on Mount Etna!
Pass on a wine excursion
What’s a time out to Italy with no wine tasting? As with Italian delicacies, Italian wine varies a great deal via area. Inside of Sicily, there are relatively a couple of distinctive wine areas, with one of the crucial well known being founded round Mount Etna.
You’ll be able to seek advice from 3 of the most efficient Mount Etna wineries on an afternoon time out from Taormina with this half-day tour. With its distinctive volcanic landscapes, you’ll be told in regards to the wines of the Mount Etna area, tasting native reds, whites, and rosés at family-run Sicilian wineries.
The excursion additionally contains pickup and dropoff at your lodge in Taormina, a an expert native information, and snacks or foods at each and every of the 3 wineries.
No, this isn’t Iceland — that is Sicily! By means of Shutterstock.
Consult with the Alcantara Gorge
The otherworldly landscapes of the Alcantara Gorge make for a perfect day time out from Taormina. It can be mixed with a seek advice from to Mount Etna.
The gorge is composed of basalt columns shaped via abruptly cooling lava, giving it a particular look. You’ll be able to swim within the cool, transparent waters of the river that runs throughout the gorge, or take a look at actions like rafting.
It’s imaginable to seek advice from the gorge by yourself via using (it’s a couple of 35-minute power) or taking the IN10 bus from Taormina (which takes about 50 mins). You’ll be able to additionally seek advice from the Alcantara Gorge as a part of an arranged excursion.
This top-rated tour is a brilliant choice if you wish to mix a seek advice from to the Alcantara Gorge with Mount Etna. You’ll do a very simple trek on Mount Etna, seek advice from some lava caves, and end off the day with loose time on the Alcantara Gorge to swim or chill out.
Savoca is a well-liked pilgrimage web page for Godfather enthusiasts. By means of Shutterstock.
Pass on a Godfather excursion
A number of scenes of the enduring 1972 film The Godfather have been filmed in Sicily, and you’ll seek advice from a few of them on a excursion from Taormina. You’ll additionally find out about the actual historical past of the Sicilian mafia, which is referred to as Cosa Nostra or “Our Factor.”
This half-day tour from Taormina will take you to 2 Sicilian villages, Forza d’Agrò and Savoca. Pivotal scenes from the film have been filmed in those villages, together with the scene at Bar Vitelli the place Michael Corleone met the daddy of his long run spouse Apollonia, and the scene at a close-by church the place they were given married.
You’ll be accompanied via a an expert native information who may also proportion the historical past and tales of the mafia in Sicily. Remember the fact that the mafia isn’t simply leisure right here — whilst it’s a lot much less of an issue as of late than even 15 years in the past, it’s nonetheless a painful topic for lots of Sicilians.
The view from the caldera in Vulcano within the Aeolian Islands, Sicily.
Take an afternoon time out to the Aeolian Islands
The Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago off the northeast coast of Sicily and considered one of my non-public favourite puts in Italy. I like to recommend spending a minimum of one week within the Aeolian Islands if you’ll, however for those who’re quick on time, it’s imaginable to seek advice from on an afternoon time out to Taormina.
This full-day tour will let you seek advice from two of the islands, Lipari and Vulcano. Lipari is probably the most evolved of the islands, with an attractive little town; Vulcano is a stunner, with a smoking volcano crater and probably the most maximum impressive perspectives within the islands.
Remember the fact that it’s an extended day — you’ll be spending a number of hours in transit (first via bus to the port, then via boat to the islands) to have two hours of loose time on each and every island. And also you received’t see my favourite islands, Salina and Stromboli.
However for those who’re loss of life to peer probably the most Aeolian islands and don’t have the time at this time for an extended time out, this excursion could be a just right choice for you.
It’s so great seeing the view of Mount Etna from Catania!
Consult with different Sicilian towns
Some folks seek advice from Taormina on an afternoon time out from a bigger town, however you’ll additionally do that in opposite! In case you’re basing in Taormina for a couple of days, you’ll take an afternoon time out to a bigger town like Catania or Siracusa.
Catania is the very best town to seek advice from on an afternoon time out, being about 50 mins from Taormina via automotive, teach, or bus. This vigorous, multicultural town isn’t as picturesque as Taormina, but it surely does have a couple of stunning Baroque constructions. The morning fish marketplace is particularly price visiting.
Siracusa is just a little farther from Taormina (about 90 mins via automotive) but it surely’s one of the vital prettiest locations in Sicily. Ortigia, an island house to Siracusa’s historical previous the town, is a a carefully stunning spot, and you’ll additionally seek advice from the spectacular ruins of Neapolis Archaeological Park. The city’s patron saint has a dagger thru her throat. Badass!
In case you don’t have your personal automotive, you’ll seek advice from Siracusa on a private day trip from Taormina.
Whilst the town of Messina is with regards to Taormina, I don’t assume it’s price visiting — this gritty town doesn’t have a lot price for vacationers.
Taormina is price an afternoon time out — or a couple of days.
How A lot Time to Spend in Taormina, Italy
How a lot time will have to you spend in Taormina? Some folks seek advice from Taormina on an afternoon time out from any other town in Sicily, like Catania. If an afternoon time out is all you might have, that’s completely wonderful! Someday can absorb a number of stunning attractions, if now not completely the entirety.
It’s imaginable to seek advice from Taormina on an afternoon time out and climb Mount Etna within the morning and afternoon, then spend a few hours within the night time exploring the city. That is highest executed via excursion.
Taormina additionally makes a just right base for a number of days. In case you’re basing in Taormina, I believe it’s just right to have 3 days right here, considered one of which to be spent on an afternoon time out to Mount Etna. You’ll be able to spend any other day in Taormina, and the general day stress-free at the seaside or doing any other day time out.
As you’ll see, Taormina’s teach station is downhill from the city.
Methods to Get to Taormina, Italy
One of the simplest ways to get to Taormina is via flying into Catania. There are direct flights to Catania from everywhere Europe, and there’s even a seasonal nonstop flight from New York to Catania.
From Catania, you’ll take the teach or the bus to Taormina, which takes just below an hour. Taormina’s teach station is down beneath the city, via the beach, so that you’ll most probably need to take a taxi into the town to keep away from dragging your baggage uphill.
You’ll be able to additionally hire a automotive in Catania and power to Taormina. I believe that Sicily is highest explored on a highway time out, however I like to recommend working out the place you’re going to park sooner than you cross to Taormina. You indubitably don’t need to power from position to put in Taormina; this the town is designed for pedestrians.
In case you’re staying in a single day, you’ll need to you should definitely e book motels that supply parking, or analysis close by parking so much the place you’ll stay the auto.
Taormina has lodging for each finances.
The place to Keep in Taormina, Italy
The place will have to you keep in Taormina? There are motels in Taormina for each finances, from sumptuous splurge-worthy homes to fundamental and inexpensive lodging.
Something to bear in mind when reserving a lodge in Taormina is the positioning. Even supposing it’s a small the town and really walkable, Taormina could be very hilly. Some motels is also positioned up steep, slender, asymmetric streets. Even supposing those motels be offering nice perspectives, you could believe staying within the historical middle of the town for those who don’t need a steep uphill or downhill stroll each day.
Right here’s a take a look at the most efficient motels in Taormina, Italy:
Most sensible-Rated Luxurious Resort in Taormina: San Domenico Palace is the place The White Lotus was once filmed! You received’t discover a extra stunning and sumptuous position to stick on the town. Overlooking the Bay of Taormina, that is a fantastic position to stick for your time out to Taormina.
Most sensible-Rated Mid-Vary Resort in Taormina: Taormina Garden Hotel is a wonderful choice for those who’re in search of a extra inexpensive mid-range lodge in Taormina. A big perk of staying at this great lodge is that you just’re simply steps clear of the seaside.
Most sensible-Rated Price range Resort in Taormina: For a budget-friendly choice, take a look at Hotel Pensione Cundari. It’s just a little out of doors the town, but it surely provides low costs and easy, blank lodging.
Find deals on places to stay in Taormina here.
Taormina is dreamy within the shoulder season.
Best possible Time to Consult with Taormina, Italy
When will have to you seek advice from Taormina? Taormina will get extremely busy all over the summer time months of June thru September. If truth be told, since Sicily is hotter than mainland Italy, it will get a large number of shoulder season vacationers in Might and October as smartly.
You’ll be able to revel in swimming within the sea from Might thru October — although take into account Italians have a tendency to not cross to the seaside except it’s summer time in line with the calendar!
I like to recommend visiting Taormina in April, Might, or October if imaginable. You’ll get pretty climate, fending off the extraordinary summer time warmth, and just about the entirety will nonetheless be open. Many companies in Taormina, together with motels, retail outlets, and eating places, shut from November thru March, since this the town runs on summer time tourism.
In case you’re in search of a wintry weather seek advice from someplace in Sicily, I like to recommend a town this is extra local-oriented and energetic year-round, like Palermo, Catania, or Siracusa.
Is Taormina, Italy Value It?
I liked my time in Taormina, and I believe visiting here’s a should for those who’re going to be exploring Japanese Sicily. Taormina is an excellent vacation spot for sundown enthusiasts, photographers or individuals who respect attractiveness any place on this planet.
I’m hoping you might have a phenomenal time in Taormina!
Extra on Sicily:
Making plans a Commute to Italy:
Cool Puts in Southern Italy:
Cool Puts in Northern Italy:
3 Weeks in Northern Italy: An Itinerary
Parma, Italy: A Colourful, Artsy, Scrumptious The town
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