What to Do in Taormina?

Perched on top of Mount Tauro, Taormina is a natural balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. A city that blends history, cultural and artistic heritage with the beauty of its coastal and mountainous landscapes. This destination attracts thousands of tourists each year who come to discover this true paradise. If you are lucky enough to be traveling soon to explore this jewel of Sicily, continue reading this guide to find out what to do in Taormina for an unforgettable stay!

If you're planning a road trip in Sicily, Taormina must absolutely be part of your itinerary. Considered one of the most beautiful towns in Sicily, this little paradise perched on a hill, offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the imposing Mount Etna, will not leave you indifferent

It is a city rich in history and culture, with incomparable natural wealth. Even though it is a small town, I can assure you that its charming streets and unique atmosphere will enchant you!

The Greco-Roman theater of Taormina is undoubtedly the most famous monument, and the reason why the city has become so well-known internationally. It is the second-largest theater in Sicily, after the one in Syracuse. But it is not its size that has made this place the main attraction of the city, but rather its privileged position, offering one of the best panoramic views of the island. Behind the theater, a beautiful landscape with the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna as a backdrop

This theater was constructed by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, but a few centuries later, in the 2nd century, the Romans made modifications and extensions to hold gladiatorial shows, giving rise to a rather unique blend of architectural styles.

Today, this theater continues to house performances by very prestigious artists as well as the well-known Taormina Film Fest, an award ceremony that brings together world-renowned actors and directors each year!

You can purchase a skip-the-line ticket for the Taormina theater, with a multilingual audio guide that will allow you to discover the history behind the walls of this magnificent theater for €22.

Now head to another panoramic point in the city, Piazza IX Aprile, probably one of the most charming places in Taormina! In this square, you will find two churches: the San Giuseppe Church, on the left, in Baroque style, and the Sant'Agostino Church, on the right.

You can enjoy a drink at one of the many terraces and bars while admiring the panoramic view of Taormina Bay and the imposing Mount Etna. It is also one of the best places to watch the sunset over the city!

The city is surrounded by fortifications built over time to defend the town. The two gates that provided access to the city were Porta Messina to the north and Porta Catania to the south. These two gates are connected by the main street of the city, Corso Umberto. This pedestrian street filled with bars, cafés, and small shops is also a must-visit when in Taormina

Isola Bella is located south of Taormina, and as its name indicates, it is very small: only 1 km²! It is undoubtedly a must-stop on your trip to Sicily This island is connected to the coast of Taormina by a small sandy path, accessible only when the tide is low.

But this small island is not only famous for its unique geography, but also for its lush vegetation! The gardening was done by Lady Florence, the niece of Queen Victoria of England, who acquired the island and, passionate about botany, transformed it into a botanical garden! Today, the island is considered a protected nature reserve

But how can you get to Isola Bella? You have several options available to you <-️

You can walk there from downtown Taormina After taking Luigi Pirandello Street, you just need to follow the signs present in the town for about 30 minutes! But I warn you, the path can be a bit tiring due to the many stairs and slopes, so I recommend wearing good shoes and avoiding the hottest hours of the day.

If you prefer to reach the island by sea, you will need to leave from the nearby town of Giardini Naxos, where several excursions are organized to explore the coasts of Taormina ⚓️ For €49, you can take a boat excursion to Isola Bella, spend 2 hours snorkeling around the island, and discover the Blue Grotto!

If you don't want to get tired walking to Isola Bella, you can take the funicular down! To access it, head to Via Pirandello near Porta Messina, and in a few minutes, you will arrive at the beautiful island! Expect to pay around €10 for a round-trip ticket.

Another one of the most beautiful places in Taormina, for which we also owe thanks to Lady Florence Trevelyan, is the lush garden of Villa Comunale. In the heart of the old town of Taormina, you'll find this magnificent public garden with panoramic views of Taormina Bay. This public garden was created at Lady Florence's request, who was married to the mayor of the city. And the best part? Admission is completely free!

Coming to Italy and leaving without tasting some of the best cuisine in the world should be considered a crime! In Taormina, you will find classic Italian dishes, but also some specific Sicilian dishes that you cannot miss!

Caponata is the iconic dish of Sicily, it can be defined as Sicilian ratatouille. It consists of a salad of eggplant, olives, celery, tomatoes, and capers A delight! You will find Arancini everywhere, fried rice balls typically filled with meat stew, peas, and tomato This is one of the classics of Sicilian street food, along with sfincione Often referred to as Sicilian pizza, this specialty consists of a focaccia-style dough topped with a sauce made from tomatoes, cheese, anchovies, and onions!

Now let's move on to desserts, the star of sweets in Sicily is undoubtedly the cannolo Even though this delicious pastry is found all over Italy, its origin is Sicilian. It is a fried dough shaped like a tube, filled with sweet ricotta cream enhanced with chocolate chips or pistachio.

If you visit Sicily in the summer, maybe another more refreshing dessert will appeal to you more! It is Granita, a semi-frozen dessert with various flavors: pistachio, almond, coffee, chocolate... To taste them, head to Bam Bar, the most famous granita bar in the city!

But don't limit yourself to just tasting all these specialties, you can learn to prepare them all and delight your friends and family when you return! You can participate in a Sicilian cooking class! During this activity, you will meet a Sicilian chef with whom you'll visit the Taormina market and taste products from local vendors before heading to the Ahoy Bistro Siciliano restaurant >> to prepare a complete Sicilian menu that you can then enjoy on the terrace overlooking the sea ‍ All this, with transfers to the restaurant included, for €95 per person.

This sanctuary is very special due to its location at the top of Mount Tauro, about 400 meters above sea level; it is the Sanctuary of Madonna della Rocca. The sanctuary itself is a simple and modest structure, but very charming. Carved into the rock, this sanctuary offers breathtaking views of the Greek theater and downtown Taormina

To get there, it takes about 20 minutes of hiking from Via Circonvallazione in downtown Taormina. It is a very pleasant path, not too difficult to navigate. There are well-maintained stairs along the way, but sometimes a bit too much elevation, so be sure to wear a good pair of shoes!

Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, offers unique soil and climate conditions for viticulture. Wines made from Etna grapes are becoming increasingly renowned worldwide. Thus, during your visit to Taormina, exploring the vineyards around Etna is a must If you don't have a car, no worries: several winemakers offer tours of their vineyards with pickup from Taormina.

For example, this half-day guided tour of the Linguaglossa vineyards, including wine tasting, is available from €50 Departing from Taormina, you will visit a vineyard in the region while enjoying a tasting of wines and local products, all accompanied by stunning views of Mount Etna

If you visit Taormina, make sure to take the time to relax and take a little cruise along its incredible coasts in search of the best diving spots, aquatic caves, and of course, dolphins. Unforgettable experience guaranteed!

This dolphin-watching cruise is undoubtedly the perfect option as it combines exploring the most beautiful caves and remarkable places along the coast of Taormina and Giardini Naxos while observing dolphins, all while enjoying a tasting of Sicilian products with the sunset in the background. All this for just €55!

Just 5 km from Taormina is the charming village of Castelmola. Originally, this village built above Taormina aimed to protect the city from potential attacks. Today, it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy!

The charm of the village lies in its historic center. You will just need to wander through Piazza Sant'Antonio, the Castelmola Cathedral, and the ruins of the Castelmola Castle Don't leave the village without tasting their almond wine, the >, a specialty of Castelmola!

I have mentioned it throughout the guide, it is undoubtedly the protagonist in most of Sicily's landscapes. Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe, and you cannot leave Taormina without visiting it! About 1 hour away by car, you can reach this magnificent volcano and begin your ascent. For this, I strongly recommend participating in an organized excursion, as the trail can be a bit complex.

For adventure-seeking travelers, visiting the Alcantara Gorges is a must during your stay in Taormina! About 30 minutes by car, you will find this canyon formed by lava and crossed by the Alcantara River. This peculiar canyon resulted from an eruption over 8,000 years ago, coming into contact with the river's waters.

If you do not have a car to get to the gorges and are also interested in Mount Etna, this combined tour of Etna and the Alcantara Gorges, departing from Taormina, is ideal for you! For €89, you will spend an entire day exploring Etna with an expert guide, after which you can cool off in the Alcantara gorges. Plus, lunch at a local restaurant and transport from Taormina is included in the price

If you have your own transport to reach the gorges and are looking for thrills, know that you can go body rafting on the Alcantara River for €49!

Now that you know what to do during your stay, you are probably wondering where to stay in Taormina Depending on your preferences, it may be more useful for you to stay directly in Taormina or in the surrounding towns and villages. The choice is yours!

To stay in the city center of Taormina, to have all the attractions nearby and enjoy a good public transportation network, I suggest staying at B&B Casa Al Vicolo 2. This accommodation is located in the heart of Taormina, 400 meters from the Greek theater. Some of the rooms offered have a kitchenette and a balcony. Breakfast is included in the rate and served on a large terrace! For a double room in this establishment, expect to pay from €95 per night.

If you want to be as close to the sea as possible, you should prioritize accommodation in Giardini Naxos, a well-known seaside resort near Taormina. At Naxos Marina Bay, you will stay by the sea, in rooms with a balcony offering a sea view, with some having a jacuzzi on their small terrace. To stay in this dream establishment, expect to pay from about €130!

For a complete escape, away from the crowds, nothing better than sleeping in Castelmola. In this small village, you will be in a calm and charming atmosphere, without being too far from the main attractions of Taormina. For example, the Borgo Medievale is a property offering rooms and small studios in a rustic and medieval style, which perfectly blends with the aesthetic of the village. Its rooms offer breathtaking views of the mountains and the city of Taormina! To stay here, expect to pay from €100

And there you have it, now you know what to do in Taormina! If you want to know what to do in Sicily during the rest of your road trip on the island, I have articles that might interest you See you soon for more articles!