Taormina
Busy, beautiful, glamorous, full of life and with views that honestly don’t feel real.
what to whilst visiting
Taormina is probably one of Sicily’s most famous towns — and yes, it is busy and touristy in the summer, but we still think it is absolutely worth visiting.
It sits high above the Ionian Sea on the east coast of Sicily, with little streets full of restaurants, shops and cafés, incredible views almost everywhere you look and Mount Etna sitting in the distance.
It feels much more polished than Palermo, but still has so much Sicilian character.
Beaches
Isola Bella
You really can’t come to Taormina without seeing Isola Bella.
This tiny island and nature reserve sits just off the coast below Taormina, surrounded by incredibly clear blue water.
There are beach clubs and places to eat around the bay, or you can simply find yourself a spot by the water and spend the day swimming.
The beach is pebbly rather than sandy, so water shoes are definitely an essential.
Take the Cable Car
One of the easiest — and nicest — ways to travel between the town and the beach is the Taormina cable car.
It takes you from the upper town down towards Mazzarò and Isola Bella, so you can spend the morning wandering around Taormina, head down to the sea for the afternoon and then take the cable car back up for dinner. The cable costs around 8 euros each way.
It also saves you attempting a 30 minute steep hill in the Sicilian heat!
Take the Cable Car
One of the easiest — and nicest — ways to travel between the town and the beach is the Taormina cable car.
It takes you from the upper town down towards Mazzarò and Isola Bella, so you can spend the morning wandering around Taormina, head down to the sea for the afternoon and then take the cable car back up for dinner. The cable costs around 8 euros each way.
It also saves you attempting a 30 minute steep hill in the Sicilian heat!
Take a Boat Trip
Seeing Taormina from the water is completely different.
There are boat trips leaving from the coastline around Mazzarò and Isola Bella, taking you around the bays, caves and little swimming spots along the coast.
Most include stops where you can jump straight into the water, and it is honestly one of the nicest ways to escape the crowds in the town for a few hours.
Madonna della Rocca
If you want one of the best views over Taormina, head up to Madonna della Rocca.
The little church is built into the rock on the hillside above the town and looks down over Taormina, the coastline and the sea.
The walk up is steep, especially in summer, so take water and sensible shoes and avoid doing it in the hottest part of the day.
But once you’re up there, the views are incredible.
The Ancient Theatre
Even if you’re not normally someone who visits historic sites on holiday, go and see the Ancient Theatre of Taormina.
The theatre itself is incredible, but it’s the setting that really makes it — through the ruins you get huge views over the coastline and towards Mount Etna.
It dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times and is still used today for concerts and performances.
We’d recommend going earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon rather than in the middle of the day. There isn’t much shade and it gets very hot.
Getting Around
We had a hire car when we visited Taormina. Was it necessary for getting us there? Yes. Was it useful once we actually arrived? Absolutely not.
Driving around Taormina can be a total nightmare. The roads are incredibly steep, some of the streets are tiny and parking is limited. Forget a three-point turn — you’re entering the world of the 99-point turn.
If you are hiring a car, definitely go for something small. Once you arrive, our advice would be to park it and leave it there as much as possible.
Parking can also be expensive during high season, so expect to pay around €3–€5 per hour in some areas unless your hotel includes parking. Definitely check this when booking your accommodation, as having somewhere guaranteed to leave the car will make your life much easier.
Scooters
You’ll notice scooters everywhere in and around Taormina, and they’re much better suited to the narrow roads and steep hills.
They’re relatively easy to hire locally, so if you’re confident riding one, this can be a much easier way to explore the surrounding area without worrying about finding somewhere to park a car.
Do You Need a Car to Get There?
Not necessarily.
Taormina can also be reached using trains and coaches, so if Taormina is your main destination you can absolutely visit without hiring a car. If you’re travelling across from Palermo, just bear in mind that it’s a journey across the island, so allow plenty of travel time and check connections in advance.
Once you’re in Taormina itself, most of the old town is best explored on foot, and the cable car makes getting down to Mazzarò and Isola Bella really easy.
Our recommendation: if Taormina is part of a bigger Sicily road trip, a car is useful for getting there and exploring beyond the town. Once you arrive, park it, forget about it and walk wherever you can.
For a Later Night
Morgana Lounge Bar is probably the best-known late-night spot in Taormina. Hidden down a little side street, it’s much more glamorous and lively than your usual Sicilian wine bar and stays open until around 3:00 AM.
Q Lounge Bar is another good option if everywhere else feels like it’s starting to close. It’s tucked into a little piazza and also stays open until around 3:00 AM.
If you fancy staying out later, these are probably the two we’d head towards.
Drinks With a View
We haven’t been ourselves yet, but Sky Rooftop Bar at Hotel Continental looks incredible.
The terrace overlooks Taormina, the Bay of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna, so this is definitely on our list for a sunset drink next time. It’s open for cocktails and dinner into the evening, although we'd recommend booking if you want a good table around sunset.
For The White Lotus Fans
If you watched The White Lotus Season 2, you’ll recognise San Domenico Palace immediately.
The Four Seasons hotel was the main setting for the series, and you don't necessarily need to be staying there to experience it.
If you're a fan, you can make a reservation for dinner, aperitivo or cocktails at one of the hotel's restaurants and bars. There are several options, including Bar & Chiostro, Rosso, Anciovi and the Michelin-starred Principe Cerami.
It’s definitely more of a special-occasion option, but if you loved the series and want to actually see the hotel while you're in Taormina, we'd book something in advance.
Even if you're not a White Lotus fan, the views alone are pretty incredible.