Taormina, with its cliffside setting, rocky beaches, ancient Greek theater, picturesque streets, and panoramic views of Mount Etna, is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. Strolling its streets, exploring the public garden, visiting lovely Isola Bella, and climbing the steps up to Castello di Taormina are all top things to do in Taormina, but you can also take several memorable day trips.
We spent several days in Taormina on our visit to Sicily and I loved every minute we were here.
Simply walking through town and exploring side streets is the #1 experience to have in Taormina, but history buffs and photographers will love visiting the Ancient Theater, those who want to relax can lounge at a resort or at one of Taormina’s beaches, and those who want to be more active can hike up to the castle or climb nearby Mount Etna.
This guide lists 12 things to do in Taormina, plus a few extra things (for those with more time), but many of these are viewpoints, piazzas, cafes, or rooftop bars. Most of your time in Taormina will be spent shopping, eating, or exploring the streets and parks, but there are a few key sites to visit.
Top 5 Things to Do in Taormina
We will unveil the bigger list of things to do in just a moment, but if you want a quick list of Taormina’s must-have experiences, here are our five favorite things to do in Taormina.
Visit the Ancient Theater. This is a must-do, even if you aren’t all that into archaeological sites. This theater is set on one of the highest points of Taormina and the views of the theater with Mount Etna and the coastline are spectacular.
Explore the historic city center. The city center of Taormina is car free, making it a wonderful, stress-free place to visit on foot. Corso Umberto is the main thoroughfare through town but exploring the side streets and piazzas are just as worthwhile.
Castello di Taormina and Chiesa Madonna della Rocca. If you have visited our website, you also know we love to hike. This is more of a stair climb, walking up the long series of staircases to Castello di Taormina comes with the reward of panoramic views over Taormina and eastern Sicily.
Sample Taormina’s best restaurants. From Michelin-starred restaurants to rooftop bars with a view, there are quite a few highly rated restaurants in Taormina (and another reason to spend a few nights here).
Take a Day Trip. Taormina makes a fantastic home base for exploring eastern Sicily. Mount Etna and the Etna wine region are the most popular day trips, but you can also visit Val di Noto or Cefalù on a longer day trip.
Piazza IX April
Top Experiences in Taormina
This list of things to do in Taormina starts with our favorite experiences. The map below shows the location of all of these, plus recommended hotels and restaurants.
QUICK TAORMINA GEOGRAPHY LESSON: There are two parts to Taormina. The old town, Ancient Theater, and the majority of restaurants and hotels are located on a hilltop, high above the sea. There are also beaches and coves, as well as a few oceanfront hotels and restaurants. To get between these two areas, you can either drive or take the cable car.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
1. Visit the Ancient Theater of Taormina
This amazing theater was built by the Greeks in the third century BC and it was used for musical and theater performances. It was later enlarged by the Romans who used it for gladiatorial battles.
This theater sits on one of the highest points in Taormina, so expect an uphill walk to get to the entrance. The entrance is at the end of Via Teatro Greco, near the Grand Hotel Timeo.
When to Go: Morning is the best time to visit the Ancient Theater, for several reasons. This is one of the least crowded times to go (just before closing tends to be less crowded as well) and in summer, the coolest time of day to be here. Morning is also a great time for photography, as the theater walls are lit by the sun (the photo above was taken in October, just after opening time).
We visited the Ancient Theater twice, the first time in the afternoon and the second time at opening time. Opening time was a much better experience, with better lighting and lower crowds.
What to Do: A visit to the Ancient Theater takes about an hour. Once you enter the theater, the hill climb turns into a stair climb, to get up to the level of the theater and the viewpoints around the upper perimeter.
For a great view of Taormina, walk up the steps to Belvedere dal Teatro sull’Etna (it’s marked on our map above). Here’s the view:
Belvedere dal Teatro sull’Etna (photo taken in the afternoon)
There’s another viewpoint even higher, next to the Antiquarium del Teatro Antico. Here’s the view, which is very similar to the first one:
Photo taken in the morning
As you walk around the upper levels of the theater, you will get more wonderful views over the coastline and of course, of the theater with Mount Etna in the background.
How to Visit the Ancient Theater of Taormina
Hours vary by month, but the theater generally opens at 9 am and closes between 4:45 and 7:45 pm. Get updated hours and pricing on the official website. It is free to enter the first Sunday of the month.
There is generally a line to purchase tickets and we noticed this line started forming as early as 9:30 am and lasted all day. To skip the ticket line, you can purchase a ticket online in advance or through GetYourGuide.
2. Go for a Stroll along Corso Umberto
Corso Umberto is the main pedestrian street that runs through the heart of Taormina.
It runs from Porta Catania on the east side of town to Porta Messina on the west side of town. This street is about 800 meters long and it takes 10 to 15 minutes to walk the full length of it, but most likely it will take much longer than this, with shops to visit, photos to take, and detours to interesting looking side streets.
Located along this street are boutique shops, small cafes, souvenir shops, and several important piazzas and churches.
As you walk along Corso Umberto, keep an eye out for Vicolo Stretto, the narrowest side street in Taormina. At its narrowest point, it is less than one meter wide.
Several other piazzas and sights we mention next are located right on this thoroughfare.
3. Piazza IX Aprile
This is one of Taormina’s largest and most beautiful piazzas. It sits on Corso Umberto at its midway point. This large square is a bustling, busy place all day and especially beautiful in the evening.
For a great view from Taormina, walk over to the stone wall to gaze out at Mount Etna from Belvedere di Taormina.
Belvedere di Taormina
Also sitting on this square are Chiesa di San Giuseppe, Torre dell’Orologico, and Biblioteca Communale (the public library).
Chiesa di San Giuseppe
4. The Bam Bar
This small restaurant is famous for its granitas. A granita is a shaved ice dessert, flavored with sugar and fruit juices, with a consistency between a sorbet and a slushy.
The Bam Bar sits on Via di Giovanni, a lovely side street in Taormina. Grab an outdoor table and order a few different flavors to try. This is the perfect place to take a break and perhaps cool off if it is a hot summer’s day. They also serve pastries and drinks.
White Lotus fans may recognize the Bam Bar as it was a filming location (there will be quite a few more throughout this article).
5. Have an Aperitivo at a Rooftop Bar
If you’ve read some of our other city guides for Italy, you know we are fans of rooftop bars. Sitting at a rooftop bar, sipping on a glass of wine or a cocktail, with a view overlooking Taormina and Mount Etna, is a great way to relax after a busy day of sightseeing.
Le Bar Louis Vuitton is our favorite. This rooftop bar sits on the top of the Louis Vuitton hotel and overlooks Piazza IX Aprile and Corso Umberto. It’s trendy, the views are wonderful, and the service is fantastic. However, this is an upscale bar, so prices here are on the high side. If you’re interested, make a reservation in advance.
View from Le Bar Louis Vuitton
Sky Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is another popular rooftop bar. This one has a wide terrace with a decent view overlooking Taormina. The view and the setting aren’t nearly as nice as Le Bar Louis Vuitton, but prices are much cheaper here.
Blue Sky Bar is a rooftop bar that was on our list to visit but wasn’t open while we were here. The views over the city and coastline look wonderful.
If you like the idea of taking a walking tour, this sunset walking tour includes Taormina’s top sights plus and aperitivo on a rooftop terrace.
6. Visit Chiesa Madonna della Rocca
Chiesa Madonna della Rocca is a church that sits on a hillside overlooking Taormina. It’s a workout to get here, on a series of zigzagging paths and staircases leading from the city center up to the church. This path is labeled Salita Castello on Google Maps, and there are over 500 stairs to get to the church.
Getting Here: It takes between 15 and 30 minutes to walk from the city center up to the church. This can be a very hot walk, especially in the summer, so it’s best to do it early or late in the day. Bring water and sunscreen, as there is no shade on the trail. If you plan to add on the castle, be aware that it does not open until 10 am (double check these hours before you go).
This church was built in 1640 and gets its name because it was carved into the rock. The view from the terrace in front of the church is the highlight, but since you’ve come so far, it’s worth it to go inside the church for a quick visit.
The terrace in front of the church was a filming site for the HBO series White Lotus.
Chiesa Madonna della Rocca
The view of Taormina from the church
PRO TRAVEL TIP: It is possible to skip the hill climb and take a taxi or Uber to the church. That saves you the massive uphill walk and then it is a shorter stair climb if you continue up to the castle.
7. And Continue the Climb to Castello di Taormina
The winding, uphill stair climb continues up to the castle. Tim counted another 150 steps between the church and the castle, and it’s well worth it, as you get 360° views of eastern Sicily from the top of the castle.
There is a small fee to enter the castle. Get hours, pricing, and learn more about the castle on the official website.
Here is the view:
The view of Taormina from the castle
8. Go for a Stroll through the Public Garden
The Public Garden (also called Villa Communale di Taormina) is a tranquil, quiet spot to visit, with interesting architecture and more wonderful views of the coastline.
This garden is located just outside of the city center and is free to visit. A visit lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much exploring you want to do.
The villa and gardens were the home of Lady Florence Trevelyan, a Scottish noblewoman who was exiled to Sicily after having an affair with Edward VII, the future King of the United Kingdom. She built very unique buildings within these gardens, called ‘Victorian Follies,’ some of which were used for birdwatching.
Running along the south side of the gardens is a wide walkway with beautiful views of Taormina and Mount Etna, and it is not to be missed.
9. Visit (or Stay in) the San Domenico Palace
San Domenico Palace is the Four Seasons Hotel in Taormina. This 5-star hotel is the most luxurious place to stay in town, but it’s also the most expensive.
You don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to dine in its restaurants or have a cocktail at the hotel bar.
White Lotus fans will recognize this hotel, as many of the scenes were filmed here. The hotel pool and the hotel bar made very regular appearances on the show.
We did not stay here but we did have a wonderful lunch at Anciovi Seafood Restaurant, dining on fresh seafood with views of the sea. This outdoor restaurant is located next to the pool and the views are wonderful.
Tim and I also spent an hour or two at Bar & Chiostro, the hotel bar. We had a fantastic time talking with the bar tenders and trying a few of their very creative cocktails.
Onsite is a Michelin-starred restaurant called Principe Cerami and Rosso, a restaurant that serves Sicilian cuisine.
10. Belvedere di Via Pirandello
This is one of the best viewpoints from Taormina. From here, you get views over Isola Bella, the coastline, and Mount Etna. It’s a bit of a walk from the city center, but worth it for those who want to capture images of the coastline on their camera or smartphone.
Isola Bella from Belvedere di Via Pirandello
11. Isola Bella
This small, photogenic, rocky island is connected to the coastline by a thin strip of pebbly beach. At high tide, this narrow walkway briefly disappears, but it is possible to also swim to the island.
Isola Bella was the home of Florence Trevelyan, the Scottish noblewoman mentioned earlier for building the Victorian Follies buildings in the public gardens. She and her husband lived on Isola Bella until their deaths. During that time, she planted ornamental and tropical plants on the island and designated it as a conservation site.
Now, the island is a popular tourist attraction. You can view it from afar or explore the island.
How to Get Here: To get here from the city center, ride the cable car from Funivia – Taormina Mazzarò (the top station which sits just outside of Porta Messina) to Funivia – Mazzarò Taormina (the bottom station). From the bottom station, it is a 10-minute walk to Isola Bella.
Hours & Pricing: There is a small fee to visit Isola Bella. Get hours and pricing here.
12. Go to the Beach
There are several beaches in Mazzarò, the coastal area that sits below Taormina. Lido La Pigna and Spiaggia di Isola Bella are located within walking distance of the bottom station of the cable car. There are restaurants and beach clubs here, if you want to make a day of it.
If you like the idea of staying at a beach resort rather than one of the hotels in the Taormina city center, the Atlantis Bay Hotel has a beautiful setting on a cove and is within easy walking distance of the cable car. We had a very nice dinner at Nui Restaurant at this hotel.
A Few More Places to Visit in Taormina
These are not absolute must-see’s, but they are important religious or historical sites, so I think there worth knowing about.
Duomo di Taormina
This ancient, stone church dates back to the 13th century. It is located on Piazza Duomo, along Corso Umberto, and looks more like a fortress than a church.
Duomo di Taormina
Palazzo Corvaja
This medieval palace was built in the 14th century by a prominent family in Taormina. It is located in Piazza Badia, a scenic spot in Taormina where you will also see the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Today, Palazzo Corvaja is used as an exhibition center.
Palazzo Corvaja and the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria
The Odeon
Just a block from Palazzo Corvaja is the Odeon, the remains of an ancient Roman theater. It is free to visit.
The Odeon
Naumachie di Taormina
The Naumachie is an old Roman wall that was built in the 1st century BC, making it the second oldest structure in Taormina, after the Ancient Theater. This structure was used as a reservoir or cistern for the city.
Naumachie di Taormina
Day Trips from Taormina
One of the best things to do while in Taormina is to take a day trip. And you have several great ones to choose from.
Mount Etna
A visit to Mount Etna is the most popular day trip from Taormina.
Hiking on Mount Etna
By car, it takes just over an hour to get to Rifugio Sapienza, which is the gateway onto the slopes of this mighty volcano. From Rifugio Sapienza, a cable car and shuttle bus combo take visitors up to the craters and from here, you have the option to hike higher with a guide, just as long as Mount Etna isn’t erupting, of course.
You can visit Mount Etna independently, driving here from Taormina and then taking the cable can and bus to 2,800 meters. To go any higher than this, you will have to hire a guide. We cover exactly how to do all of this in our article How to Visit Mount Etna.
If you don’t feel like setting this all up on your own, or if you don’t have plans to rent a car, there are quite a few tours to choose from. This tour from Taormina includes your transportation plus the cable car ticket. But here are a few more (some of these also include other nearby sites).
Mount Etna Tours
Etna Wine Region
Did you know that Mount Etna is one of Italy’s up-and-coming wine regions? Vines grow on the lower slopes of the volcano, creating one of the most unique wine regions in Europe. You can visit the Etna wine region independently if you have a rental car (we cover how to do this in our Guide to the Etna wine region…coming soon) or join one of several tours from Taormina.
Etna Wine Tours
Alcantara Gorge
The Alcantara Gorge is a beautiful ravine that sits near the northern slopes of Mount Etna and Taormina. Things to do here include body rafting and hiking through the river to see the ravine. Like hiking on Mount Etna, this is a great excursion for those who are active and adventurous.
This is one of the best day trip tours from Taormina, which includes your transportation, entrance fee, and a guide. You also spend a little bit of time on the northern slopes of Mount Etna.
This highly rated tour combines a visit to Mount Etna (the Silvestri Craters) and the Alcantara Gorge.
Take a Godfather Tour
Taking a tour to see the Godfather filming locations is another very popular thing to do in Sicily. Here are a few tour options from Taormina.
Godfather Tours
More Day Trips
If you are not planning on going on a road trip through Sicily, it’s possible to visit some other cities and areas in Sicily from Taormina, but this will require more travel time (compared to Mount Etna) and a rental car, as there are very few day trip tours to this next list of places.
Cefalù
We love the small, picturesque town of Cefalù. Cefalù sits on the north coast of Sicily. It is home to a long, golden beach and a charming old town that is just as fun to explore as Taormina. Hiking to the top of Cefalù Rock is one of the most popular experiences to have here.
To get here, it takes 2.5 to 3 hours by car one-way, so there’s quite a bit of travel time involved, but if you won’t be passing by Cefalù on your trip through Sicily, it could be worth it. Once here, you need about 5 to 6 hours to visit Cefalù.
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Cefalù, Sicily
Best things to do in Cefalù and how to plan your day trip.
Cefalù
Syracuse & Ortigia
Syracuse is a city that is located on the east coast. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Greek theater and Roman Amphitheater. Ortigia is the historical center of Syracuse and exploring this small island is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. To get here, it is an hour and a half drive from Taormina.
Ortigia
Val di Noto
Val di Noto is an area of southeastern Sicily that is home to several gorgeous Baroque towns. Noto, Modica, and Ragusa are our favorites. On a day trip to this area from Taormina, you will be able to visit two of them, if you move quickly. It takes about 2 hours to drive here from Taormina.
Noto
Valley of the Temples
The Valley of the Temples is Sicily’s largest and most important archaeological site. With Greek temples that are over 2,600 years old and its massive size of 1300 hectares, it is the largest archaeological site in Europe.
It’s located two and a half hours from Taormina by car, so it’s a long drive to get here. But if you have an interest in archaeological sites and won’t be able to get here on the rest of your trip to Sicily, it could be worth to do it as a big day trip from Taormina.
How to Visit the Valley of the Temples
Everthing you need to know to plan your visit to the Valley of the Temples.Catania
As you do your research, you will see a lot of people recommending Catania. We visited Catania and we agree, it does have a few interesting places to visit, but everything listed above is much more interesting. Catania is only 45 minutes from Taormina by car, so it’s quick and easy to get to, but even so, we think your time is better spent on Etna, in Syracuse/Ortigia, or the small towns of Val di Noto.
Catania
Is Taormina Worth It?
With its picturesque streets, stunning cliffside location, photogenic Ancient Theater, excellent restaurants, and beach access, Taormina is absolutely worth adding into your Sicily itinerary. This was one of my favorite places in Sicily and I think it is a must see.
How to Plan a Trip to Taormina
Ideally, plan on spending at least two full days in Taormina. This gives you enough time to either visit the city’s top spots or split your time between Taormina and a day trip to Mount Etna.
If you want to do both, have enough time to thoroughly explore Taormina and take a day trip, plan on spending 3 or more days in the city.
We have plans to publish a detailed guide on how to plan your Taormina itinerary. This will also include where to stay and where to eat.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Taormina, let us know in the comment section below.
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