10 Top Things to Do in Taormina, Sicily

10 things to do in Taormina

1. Appreciate the beautiful of Isola Bella

Isola Bella (literally beautiful island), is one of the best places to see in Taormina and a symbol of the town. This tiny island is also known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. As the distance from the coast is small, sometimes disappears due to the tide, making it a peninsula.

This island was privately owned until 1990 when the Sicily Region decided to purchase Isola Bella finally. Nowadays, it is a place where locals and tourists go to hang out and relax.

Isola Bella can be reached from Taormina via Pirandello. You will have to pass through the Belvedere terrace, and there is a path with steps that leads directly to the entrance of the island.

If you don’t want to walk, in Via Pirandello, there is the departure station of the Taormina-Mazzarò cable car. The arrival one is located near the entrance to the staircase. This cable car operates regularly, departing every 15 minutes throughout the day until late evening.

2. Explore the Greek Theatre of Taormina

If Isola Bella is a natural symbol of beauty, the ancient theatre of Taormina stands as a cultural icon of the town. It is located on the top of Monte Tauro and offers a breathtaking view of the landscape including Mount Etna.

This Ancient Greek Theatre dates back to the third century BC and is one of the most visited attractions in Taormina and all of Sicily. It was designed to host dramatic performances such as gladiatorial contests, religious ceremonies, and public gatherings.

Nowadays the theatre hosts a variety of cultural events like concerts, festivals, and occasionally film screenings. Over the years, artists like Liza Minelli, the Deep Purple, Robert Plant, and Elton John, made performances here.

Due to these events, it’s important to check the opening time and availability before visiting the theatre. Generally, the theatre is open every day from 9 am to 7.45 pm with the last access 45 minutes before the closing time.

The ticket cost 12 euros.  During the summer seasons, there are extraordinary night visits until midnight.

3. Plan a tour to Mount Etna

While not being located exactly in Taormina, Mount Etna stands proud and visible from any angle of the town. Visiting Mount Etna is one of the best things to do in Taormina. 

Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe located less than 60 kilometers from central Taormina. It can be easily reached by car, making it one of the best day trips from Taormina.

Accessing Mount Etna is relatively straightforward by car, so you can directly visit the volcano at your own pace. It’s important to note, however, that access to higher elevations may be restricted due to safety concerns related to volcanic activity.

If you don’t have a car, I recommend you hire a professional guide or join a group tour. This way, you will understand more about the volcano and enjoy your visit stress-free.

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4. Go shopping (or at least window shopping)

One of the best things to do in Taormina is, without a doubt, shopping. Over the years, the town has become a high-end destination famous for its luxury lifestyle.

The center of Taormina flourishes with clothing boutiques, ateliers, craftsmen, and artists’ workshops.

Corso Umberto and its parallels are perfect for a shopping day looking for couture pieces, jewels, souvenirs, or even sitting in some of the most exclusive cafes like Louis Vuitton Café by Timeo.

As Corso Umberto reaches the old town of Taormina, you can enjoy the town’s architectural heritage. In the center, you will find the Duomo and some of the most beautiful palaces in the town.

5. Enjoy la dolce vita in one of Taormina’s hotels

Luxury lifestyle, beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and wine are all essential ingredients to the Italian Dolce Vita. One of the most fun things to do in Taormina is to enjoy them all together in one of the city’s best hotels.

The most iconic hotel in Taormina, and perhaps all of Sicily is San Domenico Palace owned by Four Season. You might recognize this extraordinary hotel from White Lotus. Its terraces overlooking Mount Etna and the Bay of Taormina are just the cherry on the cake.

Villa Sant’Andrea by Belmond lies a short distance from Central Taormina. The hotel boasts a private beach and an incredible sea view, including the Isola Bella. There are two iconic restaurants with a view and countless facilities to make your stay unforgettable.

If Belmond and Four Seasons might be out of budget, there is good news. Hotel Metropole Taormina is a beautiful 5-star hotel located in Central Taormina with a more accessible price, especially in the shoulder season. And can we talk about this infinity pool with a sea view?

6. Try local specialties

Sicilian cuisine is known all over the world, so trying local specialties is one of the best experiences in Taormina. If you think that Italian cuisine is the same all over the country, you are about to discover how diverse it is from one region to another.

Taormina flourishes with a great number of restaurants and bakeries where you can try all the flavors of Sicily. The wide variety of products makes it easy to find the right food for everyone.

If you’re a vegetarian, try pasta alla Norma or caponata. Seafood lovers will enjoy the fresh fish dishes, while those with a sweet tooth will find paradise in cannoli and granita.

Here are some recommendations to experience the finest flavors Taormina has to offer:

• For the gourmet enthusiast, visit Kisté Easy Gourmet and Otto Geleng at the Grand Hotel Timeo.
• Fish lovers will enjoy Osteria da Rita and Ristorante Pirandello 2.0.
• La Napoletana serves traditional Neapolitan pizza along with some modern variations.
• Vegetarians will love Timoleone Cocktail Bar & Vegetarian Restaurant Taormina.
• Rosticceria Da Cristina is perfect for trying local arancini and pizza al taglio.
• If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss La Pignolata Guinness Cannoli Taormina.

7. Discover religious heritage

Like any other place in Italy, Taormina has an important religious heritage that is worth discovering. Some of the best places to see in Taormina are churches, so here are some of the most noticeable churches not to miss.

The most famous undoubtedly is the Duomo of Taormina. This historic medieval Catholic church stands in the place of the same name in front of the fountain of Piazza Duomo. The arched interior and elaborate statuary make it worth stepping in and admire it inside.

The Church of San Giuseppe stands in the IX Aprile and it is a baroque masterpiece with beautiful interiors. On the same square, you can find also the picturesque Church of Saint Augustine which hosts a library.

Dominating Taormina from a higher point, find Chiesa Madonna della Rocca, a historic and unique chapel built into a rock. From the rock, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Taormina.

Other churches worth mentioning are Church del Varò, Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and Church San Pancrazio.

8. Wake up early and enjoy Taormina without crowds

Taormina is a small town that stays busy with visitors year-round. If you’re wondering how to experience Taormina without the crowds, try waking up at sunrise to enjoy the town from a different perspective.

Waking up early can be challenging, but you’ll be grateful when you see the beauty of Taormina in a peaceful atmosphere. The town has several viewpoints perfect for sunrise, and my favorite is Piazza IX Aprile. 

During the day, this square is usually bustling, so it’s almost surreal to have it all to yourself. If you enjoy photography, you can capture the stunning views, the famous clock tower, the churches, and the beautiful pavement.

Rising early also gives you the chance to have breakfast in a local bar with the freshest pastries. Caffè Forastiero opens at 7.30 am, allowing you to enjoy an early breakfast after your sunrise walk.

9. Visit the train station

One of the most convenient ways to reach Taormina is by train. The town is situated on the line between Siracusa (via Catania) and Messina, offering multiple daily connections.

Once passengers get to Taormina – Giardini Station, they discover an architectural gem. The station was opened in 1886 in a Neo-Gothic style and the internal rooms are furnished with dark wood furniture in the Sicilian style from the late 19th century. 

The station’s rooms feature walls and ceilings embellished with frescoes and relief decorations by Salvatore Gregorietti from Palermo. Gregorietti was also responsible for the stained glass windows and brought iron furnishings.

In my opinion, this station is a fantastic hidden gem in Taormina—one of the most beautiful train stations I have seen in Italy and one of the best places to visit in the town.

10. Escape the heat and crowds at the Villa Comunale

One of the best activities in Taormina is taking a pleasant and relaxing walk at Villa Comunale. Known as the green lung of Taormina, it boasts a variety of native plants including palm trees, cactuses, and colorful flowers such as magnolias, hibiscus, and bougainvillea.

Originally inhabited by Lady Florence Trevelyan, the villa became municipal property in 1922. You can still admire unique ornamental structures commissioned by Lady Trevelyan, known as Victorian follies.

Villa Comunale is not only a great place to unwind and escape the crowds of central Taormina but also offers breathtaking views of the sea.

In conclusion…

This is the end of the best things to do in Taormina and I am sure you are impatient to hit the road and discover everything that Taormina has to offer.

I would love to hear your thoughts, so if you have any feedback or additional tips, leave a comment below. Also, check out my Instagram for regular travel videos and travel inspiration. Or explore other destinations on this travel blog.

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