Out of everything we did in Sicily, from climbing Mount Etna to exploring the Valley of the Temples to visiting its charming coastal and hill towns, Taormina stands out as one of the highlights.
Perched on cliffs overlooking the Ionian Sea, with steaming Mount Etna forming the perfect backdrop, this city is gorgeous. Add in scenic pedestrian streets, a public garden laced with palm trees and tropical plants, lively squares, bustling street cafes, and a few Greek and Roman ruins, and you have what is arguably the most beautiful city in Sicily.
Taormina can be visited on a day trip from Catania but for the best experience, plan on spending a few nights here, if you can. To watch the sunset from a piazza or a restaurant is magical and to be greeted with views of Mount Etna the following morning is simply unforgettable.
I know I am going on and on about this town, but I really enjoyed the few days we had here, and I would love for you to have the same experience.
In this guide, we will cover the things you need to know to plan a perfect trip to Taormina:
- The best things to do
- How to plan your time, with a detailed one and two day Taormina itinerary
- Where to stay
- Where to eat
Welcome to lovely Taormina.
How Many Days Do You Need in Taormina?
On a visit to Taormina, there are a few must-have experiences (but you can see the full list in our Best Things to Do in Taormina guide):
- Explore the picturesque city center, including Corso Umberto and its maze of side streets
- Visit the amazing Ancient Greek Theater
- Walk up to Castello di Taormina and Chiesa Madonna della Rocca
- Go for a stroll through Villa Communale di Taormina
- Dine in Taormina’s best restaurants
- Visit Isola Bella and spend some time on the beach
This can all be done on one very busy day in Taormina, but for a relaxing and more enjoyable experience, split this list into two days. Any additional day you can add on to your visit can be used to day trip to Mount Etna, the Etna wine region, and Alcantara Gorges, or other towns in Sicily.
How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left corner of the map to see a list of the points of interest and to turn layers on/off. 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.
One Day in Taormina Itinerary
With one day in Taormina, you have just enough time to see the city’s main sights. Ideally, spend two nights in Taormina, so you can get started first thing in the morning, plus sit down to a nice dinner in the evening.
Morning: The Ancient Theater of Taormina
This theater was built by the Greeks in the third century BC. It 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.
The Ancient Theater opens at 9 am. On our visit to Taormina, the line started forming between 9:30 am and 10:00 am, and then remained quite long throughout most of the day. You can skip this line by purchasing your ticket in advance.
We recommend visit the Ancient Theater first thing of the day for several reasons. Not only are crowds light, but you will walk uphill to get here, plus climb quite a few staircases in the theater, so it’s best to do this in the cooler part of the day.
A visit to the Ancient Theater takes about one hour.
Things to Do: While at the Theater, there are a few viewpoints of Taormina that are not to be missed. From Belvedere dal Teatro sull’Etna, you get a beautiful view of the city. The viewing terrace next to Antiquarium del Teatro Antico is a slightly higher viewpoint. Both of these are marked on our Taormina map.
The Ancient Theater with Mount Etna in the background
The view of Taormina from the Greek Theater
Mid-Morning: Centro Storico
Spend the next several hours exploring the city center of Taormina. This is a compact town so it doesn’t take long to walk from one end to the other, but with its scenic squares, boutique shops, outdoor cafes, and handful of historical sites, you could easily spend a half day or more exploring Taormina.
Here are several places not to be missed.
Corso Umberto. This 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 and it is lined with small shops and several important churches.
Corso Umberto in the evening
Vicolo Stretto. This is the narrowest street in Taormina (at its narrowest point it is just one meter wide). Keep an eye out for it as you walk along Corso Umberto.
Piazza IX Aprile. This beautiful piazza sits on Corso Umberto. Belvedere di Taormina is a viewpoint on this square where you get a great view overlooking the coastline and Mount Etna. Also sitting on this square are Chiesa di San Giuseppe, Torre dell’Orologico, and Biblioteca Communale (the public library).
Piazza IX Aprile
Chiesa di San Giuseppe
The Bam Bar. Located on Via di Giovanni, a lovely side street, this small outdoor café is famous for its granitas. It was also a filming site for HBO’s White Lotus series. Have a seat at an outdoor table and have fun trying their various flavors of granita. Pastries and drinks are also on the menu.
Bam Bar
Churches and Historical Sites. Duomo di Taormina is a 13th century church that is located on Corso Umberto. The Odeon is the remains of an ancient Roman theater. The Naumachie di Taormina 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. These are all marked on our Taormina map.
Lunch
One of the things we loved about Taormina is its long list of amazing restaurants (yet another reason to spend several nights here…as we have some fantastic recommendations for dinner).
Our favorite lunch spot is Anciovi, which is located in San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel. If you want to see one of Taormina’s White Lotus filming locations but staying in the Four Seasons is not in your budget, having lunch here is a great alternative. Anciovi is located next to the outdoor pool. Tables have views of the coastline and Mount Etna and seafood dishes are on the menu. Make a reservation in advance.
Pasta at Anciovi
Other restaurants that get rave reviews include La Napoletana (pizza), Osteria da Rita (Sicilian cuisine), and Trattoria Tiramisù Restaurant (seafood, pasta, and tiramisu).
Afternoon: Isola Bella &/or the Public Garden
This afternoon, you can either spend more time in city center or venture down to Isola Bella and the beaches. Take your pick from these two options:
Isola Bella & Beach Time
Isola Bella is a small, rocky island that is attached to the coastline by a thin beach. The best time to visit it is at low tide. At high tide, the water covers the walkway, but it is still possible to swim to the island.
The view from Belvedere di Via Pirandello
To get here, and the nearby beaches, you will first have to get from the city center, which is located up on the hillside, to the coast. The easiest way to do this is to ride the cable car. The top station is located just outside of Porta Messina. Once at the bottom station, it is a 10-minute walk to Isola Bella.
There is a small fee to visit Isola Bella. Get hours and pricing here.
After your visit, you have the option to spend some time on the beach. 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, so you could spend the rest of the day in this part of Taormina.
Public Garden & the City Center
If you prefer to stay up in the city center, you have plenty of time to visit the Public Garden (which is beautiful), get a bird’s eye view of Isola Bella, and spend more time shopping or exploring centro storico.
Villa Communale di Taormina is the Public Garden. It is located just outside of the city center and is free to visit.
The view from the gardens
The 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.
A visit lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much exploring you want to do.
To get a view of Isola Bella, walk out to Belvedere di Via Pirandello. 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 if you want to get a photo of the iconic view of Isola Bella.
The remainder of the afternoon can be spent shopping, relaxing at your hotel, or having a drink at one of many cafes in town.
Evening: Dinner
There are several rooftop bars in Taormina. Our favorite is Le Bar Louis Vuitton, which overlooks Piazza IX Aprile and Corso Umberto. The views are wonderful and the service is impeccable. However, this is an upscale bar, so prices here are on the high side. If you’re interested, make a reservation in advance.
The view from Le Bar
For dinner, here are a few of our favorite restaurants in Taormina.
Ristorante Le Naumachie. We had one of our best meals in Taormina at this restaurant. On the menu are seafood and pasta dishes, made with locally sourced ingredients. The offer indoor and outdoor seating.
Siculishh. This tiny restaurant is a must for foodies and wine lovers. It has a casual setting, the restaurant is decorated with wine labels from the Etna wine region, and funky soul music from the 1970’s was playing during our dinner. The sommelier will help you pair your dining selection with wine from the Etna region.
Vineria Modì. This Michelin-starred restaurant has a beautiful, outdoor setting and impeccable service. Traditional Sicilian cuisine with a contemporary flair is on the menu and their wine list is massive, with wines from around the world. They offer tasting menus (we did the 6 course tasting menu) and an a la carte option.
Ravioli at Vineria Modì
Euphoria Restaurant at Villa Carlotta. We chose to dine at this restaurant for its rooftop views over Taormina and its great reviews. This restaurant sits on the top floor of Hotel Villa Carlotta, an iconic building with a backdrop of Mount Etna that is an iconic shot of Taormina. See the menu, and the view, on the official website.
Nui Restaurant. This restaurant is located in the Atlantis Bay Hotel, which is not in the city center, but located next to the sea. It has views into a picturesque cove, which would be nice at sunset, if you can get the timing to work out, based on the time of year of your visit. We were here in late October and it was already past sunset when we arrived, so we only had views into a dark cove, not the most interesting view. The service is fantastic and the food is very good, but I only think this one is worth it if you can dine when the sun is still out, to make it worth the cable car ride to get here (if you will be staying in the city center).
The roasted octopus at Nui Restaurant
2 Days in Taormina Itinerary
With 2 days in Taormina, you have plenty of time to explore the city center, visit the Ancient Greek Theater and climb the steps to Castello di Taormina, plus get in some beach time.
On your first day, follow the one day itinerary listed above, with several modifications. Skip the visit to Isola Bella…you will do this on day 2.
Day 1
Here is an overview of the modified itinerary from above:
- Morning (9 am): Ancient Greek Theater
- Mid-Morning: Centro Storico
- Midday: Lunch
- Afternoon: Public Garden & more time in the city center
- Evening: Dinner
Day 2
Morning: Castello di Taormina & Chiesa Madonna della Rocca
Start your day with a stair climb up to one of the best viewpoints overlooking Taormina, Chiesa Madonna della Rocca and Castello di Taormina.
Chiesa Madonna della Rocca is a tiny church that is perched on a cliff above Taormina’s city center. A zigzagging path and series of staircases leads from the city center up to the church. You will climb over 500 stairs and it takes 15 to 30 minutes to walk from Taormina to the church.
The path is labeled Salita Castello on Google Maps. This can be a very hot walk, especially in the summer, so it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. Bring water and sunscreen, as there is no shade on the trail. If you plan to continue on to the castle, be aware that it does not open until 10 am (double check these hours before you go).
The view of Taormina and the walking path from the church
Chiesa Madonna della Rocca
To continue up to the castle, the stair climb continues, and Tim counted another 150 steps between the church and the castle. It’s worth it, as you get 360° views of eastern Sicily.
There is a small fee to enter the castle. Get hours, pricing, and learn more about the castle on the official website.
The view from the castle
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 want to continue up to the castle.
Midday: City Center
After your ‘morning workout,’ you have time to return to your hotel for a shower, spend more time shopping or exploring the city center, and having lunch. Alternatively, you can skip all of this and head right to the beach.
Afternoon: Isola Bella & Beach Time
Spend the rest of the day exploring lovely Isola Bella and relaxing at one of the beach clubs at Lido La Pigna or Spiaggia di Isola Bella. You can get here by cable car or hiring a taxi.
Evening: Dinner
For dinner recommendations, refer to day 1 of this itinerary.
3 or More Days in Taormina
If you have 3 or more days in Taormina, you have time to spend a day or two exploring Taormina and a day or two for day trips from Taormina. Taormina makes a fantastic home base for day tripping to Mount Etna, the Etna wine region, or other towns in eastern Sicily.
We cover the best day trips from Taormina in a lot more detail in our guide Things to Do in Taormina, but here are a few of the most popular. These can be done independently or on a tour.
Mount Etna is the most popular day trip from Taormina. A day trip typically takes a half to a full day, depending on how much you do on Etna. We cover all of your options in our guide How to Visit Mount Etna, but a visit usually consists of a cable car ride, 4×4 shuttle, and a little bit to a lot of hiking. This tour from Taormina includes your transportation plus the cable car ticket.
Mount Etna
For wine enthusiasts, the Etna wine region is one of the most unique wine regions to visit in Europe. Vines grow on the lower slopes of the volcano, creating and depending on the location of the winery, there can be a lot of variability in the wines produced here. We cover how to plan your visit in our Guide to the Etna Wine Region (coming soon). This small group tour gets near perfect reviews and visits three Etna wineries.
Taking a tour to see the Godfather filming locations is another very popular thing to do in Sicily. This Godfather tour gets excellent reviews and can be done as a small group tour or a private tour.
The Alcantara Gorge is a beautiful ravine that sits near the northern slopes of Mount Etna and Taormina. 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.
Day Trip Tours from Taormina
What We Did
We had a lot of time in Taormina, spending six wonderful nights here. That gave us five full days in Taormina and with this time we used one day to day trip to Mount Etna, one day to day trip to Catania, and three days in Taormina.
Tim and I spent several days in the Etna wine region, before arriving in Taormina, so we did not have to use any of our Taormina time for an Etna wine region day trip.
From Taormina, we traveled to Syracuse and Ortigia and then continued on to Val di Noto.
If you want to spend time in Taormina and day trip to both Mount Etna and the Etna wine region, plan on spending a minimum of 3 days in Taormina (one day in Taormina and two days for the day trips).
When to Visit Taormina
Taormina can be visited all year. The best time to visit Taormina is from mid-April through May and mid-September through the end of October, when the weather is pleasant and crowds are not at peak levels.
The summer months can be crowded and very hot. Hotel prices will be more expensive during this time.
The winter is chilly and overcast, with a higher chance of rain than the remainder of the year. During the winter months, many hotels and restaurants close. You will still be able to find a place to stay and to eat, but just be aware that fewer places will be open at this time.
Our visit was at the end of October. We had sunny skies and great weather (the daytime highs ranged from 23°C/73°F to 27°C/80°F, cooler at night). Taormina still felt busy, but crowds were not overwhelming. This is a wonderful time to visit Sicily. But during that last week in October, there were quite a few shops getting ready to close for the season.
How to Get to Taormina
If you have a rental car, Taormina is very easy to get to, as it is located on the A18 Motorway. Parking in town is very limited, so it is best to stay at a hotel that offers parking. If your hotel does not offer parking, Porta Catania Parking and Parcheggio Lumbi are two public parking lots in town.
If you do not have plans to rent a car, Taormina is accessible by train (the Taormina-Giardini train station is located on the coast…take a taxi or bus up to the city center) and by bus. Transporti and Interbus offer services to Taormina.
Where to Stay in Taormina
Top rated mid-range hotels in the city center include Casa Turchetti (check out the rooftop terrace and its views of Taormina), Taormina Center Private Apartments, Hotel Casa Adele (this hotel gets fantastic reviews and offers parking), and B&B Re Tancredi.
If you prefer a hotel near the beach, Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel and Taonasi Mazzarò Apartments are two mid-range properties on the coast.
Villa Sara is a mid-range property that is located a short walk outside of the city center, but it features a balcony with stunning views of Taormina and it gets near perfect reviews from prior guests.
Villa Fiorita Boutique Hotel is an upscale property with panoramic sea views. Isola Bella Infinity Suites is a gorgeous property with views of Isola Bella.
If you are traveling on a budget, Villa Chiara Taormina and Hotel Villa Nettuno are two 2-star hotels in the city center that get excellent reviews.
For the ultimate in luxury, stay at the San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel (this was a filming location for the White Lotus series).
Four Seasons hotel pool
Four Seasons hotel bar
We stayed at Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel. This is a 5-star hotel located amidst a beautiful garden. Rooms have extraordinary views of Taormina and Mount Etna. From here, it is a very short walk to the Ancient Greek Theater and Public Gardens.
Our balcony
View from the Grand Timeo Hotel
If you have any questions about how to plan your Taormina itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Sicily
12 Wonderful Things to Do in Taormina, Sicily
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, […]
The Ultimate Two Week Sicily Road Trip Itinerary
This two week Sicily itinerary is done as a road trip, making one loop around the island. On this itinerary, explore Sicily’s most beautiful cities, climb Mount Etna, explore ancient Greek temples, stroll through picturesque hill towns, taste Modica’s famous chocolate, and spend some time on the beach. We spent just over two and a […]
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Cefalù, Sicily
Relax on the beach, explore the picturesque medieval town, visit one of Sicily’s most important churches, and hike to the top of Cefalù Rock for panoramic views over the city and coastline…these all top the list of things to do in Cefalù. Cefalù is a gorgeous seaside town. With its picturesque setting next to a […]
One Day in Palermo | Best of Palermo in 24 Hours
Planning a trip to Sicily and only have one day in Palermo? Palermo, the capital of Sicily, is one of the largest cities in Italy. It is famous for its churches, its vibrant nightlife, and seaside setting. With its nearby international airport, it is also makes it a popular starting and/or ending point for a […]
Noto, Sicily | Best Things to Do on a Quick Visit & Walking Tour
Noto is a small Sicilian city famous for its Baroque architecture, UNESCO-listed city center, and long list of churches. Visiting the churches, climbing the bell towers, and photographing the beautiful buildings top the list of things to do in Noto. The medieval town was destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. The remains of this town can […]
Exactly How to Visit Mount Etna & Important Things to Know
Mount Etna dominates the skyline of eastern Sicily. This is one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe and the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy. It’s also one of Sicily’s biggest tourist attractions. Visiting Mount Etna is a bit more complicated than just putting on a pair of hiking shoes and hiking […]
How to Visit the Valley of the Temples | Sicily, Italy
The Valley of the Temples is one of Sicily’s most popular attractions. This ancient Greek archeological site contains the remains of seven temples, several of which are in amazing condition. This archeological sit sits on the southern coast of Sicily, just outside of the town of Agrigento. It can be visited on a road trip […]
25 Best Places to Visit in Italy | The Ultimate Italy Bucket List
Are you planning a trip to Italy? If so, be prepared to fall in love with an extraordinary country. The food, the wine, the history, the art and architecture, the quaint, hillside towns in Tuscany, and the picturesque Dolomites…there is something here for everyone. The list of places to visit in Italy is long. So […]
How to Plan an Epic Amalfi Coast Itinerary | From 2 Days to One Week
Visits to beautiful coastal towns, wine tastings, dinner and drinks with a view, shopping, boat tours, relaxing on the beach…these are all the wonderful experiences that you can have on the Amalfi Coast. If you are planning your Amalfi Coast itinerary, there are multiple ways to do it. For those on a whirlwind tour through […]
15 Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast of Italy
What do you look for when picking the perfect vacation spot? Beautiful beaches? Charming towns to explore? Shopping? Restaurants with a view? Colorful sunsets? Romance? What if I told you that you could get all of these in one place…the Amalfi Coast. In this article, learn about the best things to do on the Amalfi […]
15 Amazing Things to Do in Alberobello (With Photos & Helpful Tips)
Have you ever seen photos of a place and think “that can’t be real.” Well, that’s what we thought when we first saw photos of Alberobello. This tiny town looks like it has been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. Alberobello is famous for its trulli, small round buildings with conical roofs made of […]
Southern Italy Itinerary: Amalfi Coast, Matera, Alberobello & Puglia
This southern Italy itinerary includes some of Italy’s most popular places to visit as well as some hidden gems. Spend your first few days on the Amalfi Coast, visiting Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, and several Amalfi Coast towns. From here, visit Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. You may not have heard of these towns before, but they could […]
Leave a Reply