Is Taormina the best city to visit in Sicily?
- Jenny Feleciano
- 12 minutes ago
- 10 min read
One of the most popular destinations in Italy sits high on a clifftop above the Ionian Sea, but what is so special about Taormina and is it the best city to visit in Sicily?
Taormina is arguably the most visited city on Italy’s southernmost island, hosting millions of visitors each year from all over the world. With dramatic views that rival the Amalfi Coast, it’s no wonder the HBO series The White Lotus chose this iconic location for its second season. If you can look past the crowds or travel in the off-season, it’s easy to see what makes Taormina so appealing.
Read on to discover what draws people to Taormina, and how to plan a visit there!
1. Marvel at the ancient Greco-Roman theater
The Teatro Antico di Taormina was originally built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, and later expanded by the Romans. This historic theater, built into the cliffs above the city, is incredibly well-preserved. Even today, it is still used for concerts and theatrical productions and offers stunning views of Sicily’s eastern coastline as well as the volcanic peaks of Mt. Etna.
2. Explore the city center
Wander the narrow streets and crooked stairways of Taormina’s city center, as you uncover its charms for yourself. Shop to your heart’s content in the dizzying selection of high-end boutiques, artisan stores, and gift shops that offer ceramics, clothing, leather goods, and souvenirs.
Discover historic sites like the Palazzo Corvaja, Duomo di Taormina, Chiesa di San Giuseppe, Porta Messina and Porta Catania, the Roman Odeon, Vico dei Pazzi stairway, Badia Vecchia, Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano, and the Naumachia. As you explore, be sure to venture off the main street to escape the crowds and have a more authentic experience!
3. Take in the views from Piazza IX Aprile
The incredible view from Taormina is one of the biggest reasons people flock here, and Piazza IX Aprile offers one of the best! This lively piazza is the heartbeat of the historic center, an open terrace flanked on three sides by historic buildings and overlooking the Bay of Naxos on the fourth. Whether you’re here at sunrise, sunset, or any time in between, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views!
4. Walk through the communal gardens
Speaking of fantastic views, do not miss out on a walk through the public garden in Taormina. Originally built as a private garden, the Villa Comunale, or Parco Duco di Cesar, features pagoda-style buildings, interesting sculptures, and scenic walkways with exotic plants. But the show-stopper is, without a doubt, the spectacular view of the coastline and crystal clear waters below.
5. Indulge in Sicilian food and drinks
Cool off with some icy, refreshing granita at the famous Bam Bar and decide for yourself if it is indeed what many claim to be the best in Sicily! Stop for coffee at a cozy cafe tucked away on a side street, or one of the many restaurants along Corso Umberto for an aperitivo or meal with views of the sea.
Especially during the peak summer travel season, it’s always a good idea to make a reservation for dinner in Taormina. Most restaurants here will speak English, but you can also ask someone at your hotel to call and make a reservation for you. Check this out for all the best desserts and traditional foods to eat in Sicily!
6. Take a cooking class, food or wine tour
One of the most memorable experiences you will have in Sicily is sampling all the delicious food and drinks, and Taormina will not disappoint in this category! Learn how to make traditional Sicilian dishes with a local chef, take a walking food tour through the city, or book a wine tasting excursion to nearby Mt. Etna. You can also plan your own wine tasting trip by using this guide!
7. Visit the beach and Isola Bella
One of the most unique and beautiful beaches in all of Sicily is on a small bay just below Taormina. This narrow stretch of beach offers the chance for sunbathing, swimming, and exploring the nature reserve of Isola Bella. Often called “The Pearl of the Ionian Sea”, Isola Bella is a small island connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land. The beaches here have spectacular views, and were highlighted in Season Two of HBO’s The White Lotus. To enjoy these beaches, you can stay at one of the hotels located along the bay, or spend time at a lido. Lido is the Italian word for beach club, and refers to a private section of beach that rents sunbeds and umbrellas, and often has a bar or restaurant.
8. Take a boat tour in the Ionian Sea
Taormina is located just above one of the most picturesque stretches of coastline in Sicily, with volcanic rocks, steep cliffs, and hidden sea caves. Take a boat tour for several hours or a full day to explore Eastern Sicily by sea. There are a few things to know before taking a boat tour near Taormina. The waters on this side of Sicily can get pretty rough when you leave the protection of the bays and inlets, so be ready for a bumpy ride! Also, the Mediterranean tends to have cold temperatures, especially in the early summer, so be prepared if you book a boat tour that includes swimming stops. Most locals don’t even start going in the water until July!
9. Hike, drive, or take a bus up to Castelmola
Castelmola is a small town higher up on the cliffside above Taormina. As you would expect, it has beautiful views of the surrounding valley and coastline. If you have the time, I highly recommend a quick visit to this cute town! Stop at the Antico Caffè San Giorgio to taste their famous almond wine or the Pier de Cat Sicilian Bistrò for some granita and almond cookies.
Wander through the streets to explore the local shops, and let yourself get lost in the maze of this ancient walled town. If you’re feeling a little scandalous, pop into Bar Turrisi for a drink, famous for its “phallic” decor. Then you might want to visit the Chiesa di San Nicolò di Bari across the piazza to say a few Hail Marys. Be sure to walk around the back side of the church for the best viewpoint!
Castelmola can be reached by car or bus from Taormina, as well as by hiking the Sentiero dei Saraceni trail, a 2 ½ mile path between the two towns featuring incredible views. If you hike this trail during the summer months I recommend that you go early in the morning, as the Sicilian sun can be brutal and the trail doesn’t offer much shade.
10. Ride the cable car
As mentioned just a few times so far, Taormina is all about the views! One of the best ways to experience these panoramic views is by riding the Taormina - Mazzarò cable car. The bottom station is in the Mazzarò area, near the beaches and Isola Bella. The top station is easily accessible from the city center, just a 3 minute walk from Porta Messina. Both stations have parking; however, they sometimes fill up during peak travel season. If you are driving to Taormina for the day, I recommend that you arrive early in order to find parking more easily. For more information on the Taormina - Mazzarò Cable Car, check out the official site.
Where to stay:
Staying in Taormina
Many people who visit Taormina love to stay in the city center, where you can find historic hotels with incredible views, fine dining, and cliffside swimming pools. Staying in Taormina makes it easy to get around the city and can offer a relaxing stay, especially if you don't plan to venture out of the area. Hotels within Taormina tend to be some of the most expensive in Sicily, so booking early is advised in order to have a wide range of options available.
Due to the challenges of its location, staying in Taormina can be challenging if you want to take multiple day trips outside the city. It is time consuming to drive up and down the road from the coast and traffic can be quite heavy, especially during the peak summer travel season. Public transportion can also be challenging, so just be sure you're familiar with the different bus lines and routes (see below). Booking guided tours is also a good option, as many tour operators will pick you up directly from your hotel in Taormina.
Staying outside of Taormina
If you only plan to spend one day in Taormina or are looking for a location a little easier to get to, you might want to consider staying in a nearby city or town. Catania is a great option that is easilly accessible by car, bus or train. For a slower paced location on the beach, there are several hotels in Mazzarò that have connections to Taormina using the cable car or local bus lines. Letojanni is also a nice, quiet beach town with easy access to Taormina by bus or car.
Finally, if you plan to drive yourself you might consider staying at a local vineyard or agriturismo on Mt. Etna. They offer quiet, relaxing stays with swimming pools and beautiful views. Many also provide farm to table meals, wine tasting, or cooking classes!
How to get to Taormina:
Arriving in Taormina by bus:
Bus service to Taormina is available from Catania-Fontanarossa airport through InterBus, on the line called Etna Trasporti. Pay attention when booking your bus, as some routes from the airport have a stop in the city of Catania, while others go directly to Taormina. Buses are also available from nearby towns and other major cities in Sicily. InterBus is also the main bus line for intercity travel in this area. Timetables are available on this website and tickets can be bought from the driver on the bus.
Within Taormina, ASM is the public bus company that operates local routes. The Green Line runs between Castelmola, Madonna della Rocca, Taormina, Taormina Giardini railway station, and San Vincenzo Hospital. The Red Circular Line travels from the Lumbi car park to the Porta Catania area. There is also a Lumbi Bus, which is a convenient shuttle service that connects the Lumbi Parking lot to the city center (Via Pirandello stop). The Blue Line, or Beach Bus, connects the center of Taormina to the seaside resorts of Mazzarò (Isola Bella), Spisone, Mazzeo and Letojanni. Finally, the Taormina Link offers a direct connection between the center of Taormina and the Taormina-Giardini Naxos railway station. The official ASM website has everything you need to know about using Taormina’s local buses and shuttles!
For sightseeing tours of Taormina and the surrounding areas, there are also hop-on, hop-off buses like the City by See Open-Top Bus.
Arriving in Taormina by train:
Taormina can easily be reached by train from the Catania-Fontanarossa airport, as well as from most major cities in the area. To reach Taormina by train from the Catania airport, you can either take the Alibus to Catania Centrale train station, or take the shuttle to the Fontanarossa train station. Whether you are coming from the airport, from Catania, or any other location in Sicily, your destination will be the Taormina-Giardini Stazione. After arriving here, take the ASM “Taormina Link” shuttle to the city center. ASM bus route information can be found here.
To buy train tickets in advance, use the TrenItalia official website or app. Regionale trains are more reliable than Intercity routes, so watch for this when you book tickets. The Taormina-Giardini train station is known for its beautiful tile mosaics, so you should definitely consider using the train station at some point during your stay!
Arriving by car:
If you prefer the flexibility of having your own transportation, there are some things to keep in mind about visiting Taormina with a car. First of all, most of the city center is pedestrian only, so if you are coming for a day trip you’ll need to find a place to park. Street parking is almost impossible to find, so it is recommended that you use one of the local parking garages and either walk or take a bus to the city center. You can also park at the bottom station for the cable car and ride that up. The local bus line, ASM, manages most of the city's parking garages, and offers helpful information on their official website.
Secondly, driving in Taormina can be very confusing. There is basically one main road that winds up the cliff around the city, then either continues up to Castelmola or goes back down around the other side. There are very few streets you can take into the city center, and if you make a wrong turn you may end up driving all the way up to the top and back down in order to reach your intended destination (speaking from experience). Also, many of the streets that do allow cars in the city center are very narrow and will also have people walking on them. Sometimes there are so many people walking along the street that cars have trouble even getting through.
If you are staying at a hotel in or near Taormina make sure you communicate with the hotel that you have a vehicle, in order to verify whether or not they have parking. Do not just roll up in your car and expect there to be a big parking lot in front of the hotel. If the hotel does not offer parking, ask them in advance for recommendations on where you can park nearby so that you’re prepared when you arrive.
I’m not saying it’s impossible to drive to Taormina, it’s just challenging and can become frustrating very easily, especially if you’re not used to driving in Sicily. After reading this, if you decide you’re brave enough to drive yourself, check this out for everything you need to know about driving in Sicily!
Are you ready to experience Taormina for yourself, and decide whether or not it’s the best city in Sicily?
If you enjoyed reading this, drop me a comment below! Check out some of the other articles on my European Destinations page or read more of my Sicily guides below!
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