Taormina, Sicily Travel Guide

If you’re looking for the ultimate destination for the trip of a lifetime, look no further than Sicily!

I’ve been plotting a trip to Sicily for what feels like forever and finally made it happen in 2023! My grandfather’s family is from Sicily, and I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the entire island so it was on my MUST VISIT list for years! It exceeded all my expectations and I’m sure it will do the same for you.

Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island, just off the “toe” of Italy’s “boot”. It’s famous for its cathedrals, vineyards, island beaches and amazing architecture. Sicily has been influenced by many culture’s including Greek, Roman, Norman, Arab and more thanks to its location in the centre of the Mediterranean.

Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. It’s known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean” and has been a sought-after vacation destination since Roman times and still remains one of the most perfect coastal resort towns in Southern Italy. This charming, picturesque town sits near Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, overlooks the Ionian Sea and is known for it’s many churches, lively bars, fine restaurants and antique shops.

Taormina has always been one of the most popular, if not THE most popular town in Sicily, but thanks to HBO’s The White Lotus it is now even more well known.

No matter what your reason for visiting is I hope my detailed Taormina Sicily Travel Guide can help you plan your trip!

Taormina, Sicily Travel Guide

What to Do in Taormina, Sicily

Visit teatro antico di taormina (ancient Greek Theater of taormina)

• Via Teatro Greco, 1, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• The ancient theatre of Taormina is an ancient Green theatre in Taormina built in the third century BC.
• It’s one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions and the first thing I wanted to include in my Taormina, Sicily travel guide.
• The views of the city, sea and volcano from the top of the theater are also amazing! It’s a great first stop when you get to Taormina.
• Ticket cost: Free for under 18, 5€ for 18-25, 10€ if you’re over 25. There’s never really a long line so I would just buy them there.
• Fun Fact: Greek architects used to erect their most important buildings to make nature part of them. The natural beauty of Taormina was fully integrated with the architecture of this theatre.

Shop along Corso Umberto

• Running from Porta Messina to Porta Catania, Corso Umberto is the main street of the town of Taormina.
• You can buy everything from typical souvenirs, like Moorish heads, to leather goods to designer items.
• It’s a pedestrian street which makes it perfect to stroll on. You’ll easily find yourself walking up and down this road 20 times a day as you’re exploring Taormina.

Take Mazzaro Cable car to beach

• The Taormina cable car connects the historic center of the town with it’s beach area of Mazzaro.
• Not only is the cable car the easiest and least stressful way to get the beach area of Taormina, it’s also a beautiful ride!
• It runs daily every 15 minutes. Hours of operation vary depending on the time of year.
• The cost is around 10€

Isola Bella Beach

• 98039 Mazzaro Metropolitan City of Messina, Italy
• Isola Bella Beach is one of the most famous places in Taormina and one of the most beautiful and famous beaches in all of Sicily.
• The beaches surrounding Isola Bella are free, but you can also pay to go to a beach club and get a sunbed.
• If you don’t want to head all the way down the beach, Belvedere di Via Pirandello viewpoint offers a great view of Isola Bella!

Etna Winery Tour with Prestelli Tours

• If you’re staying in Taormina for more than 2 days then you MUST spend a day exploring some of the Etna Wineries!
• We booked a private tour with Prestelli Tours and I can not recommend them enough, it was truly one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had! THIS is the exact tour we booked!
• Our Private Tour of Three Best Etna Wineries included:
  • A private English speaking driver/guide that picks up up and drops you off at your hotel or port in an air conditioned car. Our guide, Roberto, was an extremely knowledgeable sommelier and truly made our day amazing.
  • A visit to 3 family run Etna wineries plus private tours of the grounds and cellars while learning the process of Etna wine production.
  • We visited La Gelsomina, Torre Mora and Villa Neri. Each of these wineries was located at a different elevation, which in turn made the minerals in the soil different and the wines taste different which was so interesting.
  • Wine tasting and food tastings at each winery. (And by tastings I mean essentially unlimited wine and so so many snacks including cheese, meat, olives, olive oil, bread, pasta!)
• Prestelli Sicily Tours is a family run company that runs a variety of private and small group tours in the Taormina area, so even if a wine tour isn’t your thing I suggest booking with them for something else. They offer private tours of Mount Etna, Godfather tours, street food walking tours and much more!

drinks at Morgana Lounge Bar

• Scesa Morgana, 4, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• Open daily from 7:00 PM-4:00 AM. They are closed during the off season so make sure check their website to see if they’re open during your visit.
• Quite possibly the most unique bar/lounge you will ever visit! The signature cocktails are perfectly crafted and the space is immaculately and extravagantly decorated! The lounge is actually completely reimagined and redecorated every single year with a new theme, and not only does the décor completely change, but so do the drinks and staff uniforms. Truly only of the coolest places in Taormina and not to be missed if it’s open during your trip!
• One quick glance at their Instagram will show you how how cool Morgana is!

Places to See in Taormina, Sicily

Villa Comunale di Taormina (Taormina Public Gardens)

• Via Bagnoli Croci, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• City park with beautiful landscaped gardens and picturesque views of the sea
• Also known as Parco Duca Di Cesaro

Piazza IX Aprile

• Located right in the center of Corso Umberto and known for it’s breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna.
• One of the most photographed spots in Taormina and when you get there you’ll see why!
• A beautiful spot to watch the sunset!
• The unique black and white floor tiles really make this square special.
• Church of Sant’Agostino, Chiesa Di San Giuseppe and Torre dell’Orologio are all located here.

chiesA di Sant’Agostino (church of saint augustine)

• Located in Piazza IX Aprile
• A deconsecrated church from the 15th century that now serves as a library.

Chiesa di San Giuseppe (church of saint joseph)

• Located in Piazza IX Aprile
• Beautiful church from the 17th century built in Baroque style.
• The faded pink stucco exterior and majestic double staircase leading to the church make it a must see.

Duomo di Taormina (The cathedral of taormina)

• Piazza Duomo, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• Historic medieval Catholic church with grand arched interior and elaborate statuary.
• Resembles a fortress thanks to it’s stone façade and massive bell tower.
• Built around 1400 it maintains characteristics of Sicilian Romanesque-Gothic architecture

PALAZZO CORVAJA (CORVAJA PALACE)

• Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• A medieval palace in Taormina built at the end of the 14th century and named after one of the oldest and most famous families of Taormina.
• Fun Fact: The first Sicilian parliament met here in 1411.

Best Aperitivo in Taormina

While aperitivo is a pre-meal drink, the experience of aperitivo is a cultural ritual and if you plan on visiting any part of Italy, especially Sicily, I highly recommend you take part in this custom during your stay.

Bar timeo at the Hotel Timeo

• Located in the Grand Hotel Timeo. Via Teatro Greco, 59, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• Bar Timeo at the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo sits on the terrace of Ristorante Timeo with the BEST views of Mount Etna and Naxos Bay.
• Highly recommend planning your visit around sunset if you can!
• This is a luxury, high end experience and the prices reflect it, but I promise the amazing views, delicious drinks and top class service are worth it.

bar sant’andrea at Villa Sant’Andrea Hotel

• Located at Villa Sant’Andrea Hotel
• Located seafront on an exclusive beach on the Bay of Mazzaro.
• If you’re visiting Taormina during the warmer months a visit to Villa Sant’Andrea is a must!

CafFe Wunderbar

• Located in Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina’s historic gathering spot
• You’ll get to enjoy the most beautiful sunset thanks to the panoramic terrace of the Piazza along with your apertivo
• Popularized by Greta Garbo, Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams and Elizabeth Taylor

Chapeau!

• Piazza Carmine, 10, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• Great cocktail bar with outdoor seating and high quality drinks.
• We stumbled on this place before dinner one night and we’re so glad we did! We tried the Fable (Prosecco, Malvasia di Lipari & Drops of Sweet Orange) and the Gold Negroni (Gin Etneum, Pantelleria Passito, Etna Bitter), and both were perfect pre-dinner drinks.

Where to Eat in Taormina, Sicily

There are hundreds of restaurants in Taormina and while it may seem overwhelming I hope these suggestions can offer you a little help while planning your trip.

I always suggest to ask your waiter for recommendations and to make sure and try as many Sicilian tradition dishes as possible! Aubergine (eggplant), pistachio, figs, sardines, pine nuts, lemon, etc. are all traditional Sicilian ingredients that you’ll see incorporated into a lot of dishes.

I’m sharing exactly what we ordered at each restaurant just so you can get an idea of the amazing cuisine Taormina has to offer, but since all of these restaurants create their menus based on the season and fresh seafood available their menus are constantly changing.

bam bar

• Via di Giovanni, 45, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• Cute cafe/bar with outdoor tables specializing in traditional Sicilian granita, a specialty cold treat made from water, sugar and fruit that is never completely frozen.
• A MUST when visiting Taormina. Grab a table outside and order a granita with brioche.
• Open daily from 7:30 AM-10:30 PM during July and August (other months they’re closed on Mondays)
• No reservations, but the table turnover is fast.
• We came here for an afternoon treat and it was amazing, if you’re going to eat granita in Sicily, this is where you should do it.

Trattoria Tiramisu Mimmo & Son

• Via Apollo Arcageta, 9, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• Unique dishes inspired by Sicilian traditions made from the best ingredients that Sicily offers.
• Open for lunch (12:30 PM-2:00/2:30 PM) and dinner (7:00 PM-10:30/11:00 PM) Tuesday through Sunday. Closed on Monday.
• Reservations accepted and recommended via phone or Instagram
• We went to dinner here and it was BEYOND amazing and I highly recommend trying to get a reservation here. We both ordered pasta specials and they were to die for, and a pistachio dessert because if there’s pistachio anything on the menu I’m ordering it!

osteria nero d’avola

• Piazza S. Domenico de Guzman, 2B, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• Restaurant tucked away in a charming corner just off Corso Umberto that is known for its local cuisine and extensive wine list.
• 2 time Michelin Award winning.
• Open for dinner from 6:30 PM-10:30 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Closed on Monday.
• Reservations accepted and recommended. BOOK HERE!
• We went here for dinner on our first night in Taormina and it really set high expectations for the rest of the trip. Highly recommend the Parmigiana di Aubergine, Fresh Trofie with Basil Pesto and Raw Scampi and Half Rigatoni with Cream of Artichokes, King Prawns, Squid, Seasoned Pecorino and Pistachio.

Osteria Rosso Divino

• Via De Spuches, 8, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• Cozy seafood restaurant nestled into a small square off the main Taormina shopping street.
• Open for lunch (12:00 PM-3:00 PM) and dinner (6:00 PM-10:00 PM). Closed on Monday.
• Reservations accepted and recommended. BOOK HERE!
• We went here for dinner and loved how the restaurant itself was tucked away off the beaten path with outdoor tables scattered along the square. Highly recommend the Filetto di Tonno alla Puttanesca and Gnocchi de Patate con Gamberi e Crema di Pistacchio.

Rosticceria Da Cristina

• Via Strabone, 2, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy (located close to Duomo di Taormina)
• Family operated to-go restaurant known for Sicilian street food specialties like arancini and pizza melanzane.
• Open daily from 10:00 AM-11:30 PM
• Very affordable!
• We came here for lunch to try their famous arancini and it was beyond amazing! Definitely the best arancini we had on our trip. There’s always a variety of fillings available, but if they have pistachio make sure to get it! Also worth noting there’s a little outdoor seating area for you to enjoy your meal!

the next few we didn’t get a chance to eat at, but were highly recommended:

• Trattoria don Ciccio
• Medousa Bistrot – Has a pretty outdoor garden with fairy lights. Great for lunch or aperitivo!
• Trattoria Tutti Cca
• Granduca – Amazing view overlooking sea
• La Botte – Close to Green Theatre
• Trattoria da Nino
• Tischi Toschi
• Andreas Restaurant di Andreas Zangeri – Michelin-starred restaurant
• Osteria Santa Domenica

Best Places to Stay in Taormina

NH collection Taormina

• Via Circonvallazione, 11, 98039 Taormina, ME, Italy
• 5-star hotel
• A stylish hotel combining modern and early 20th century architecture.
• Many of the rooms have terraces and balconies with view over the city and coastline.
• Amenities include:
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor pool with lounge area, pool bar and terrace with city view
  • Air-conditioning
  • Paid breakfast (that is absolutely delicious)
  • Spa
  • Gym
• Home to the Zefiro Restaurant that during the summer sits on the rooftop of the hotel. The view from the restaurant is amazing and you can see everything from Calabria to Mount Etna and the iconic Greek Theater.
• This is where we stayed and I can’t recommend it enough! Our room had an amazing view of the city, the sea and all the way to Calabria. Also the price point was perfect!
• BOOK HERE

Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel

• Via Teatro Greco, 59, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• 5-star hotel
• Refined hillside hotel with dramatic views of Mount Etna and the coast.
• Complimentary perks include shuttles to their sister hotel, Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea’s private beach and boat excursions
• Amenities include:
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor pool with pool bar and grill
  • Spa
  • Fitness Center
  • Complimentary Breakfast
• Home to two upscale restaurants, Otto Geleng and Ristorante Timeo, and the terrace bar, Bar Timeo. Even if you don’t stay at the Grand Hotel Timeo I highly suggest you have a sunset cocktail at Bar Timeo during your visit to Taormina, the views are amazing and not to be missed!
• BOOK HERE

Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel

• Via Nazionale, 137, 98039 Mare, ME, Italy
• 5-star hotel
• This luxury hotel on Mazzaro Bay is just a 12 minute walk from Isola Bella and a 5 minute drive from Taormina’s center.
• Villa Sant’Andrea enjoys its own stretch of beach on the secluded Bay of Mazzaro. Sun loungers and cabanas available to guests of the hotel and to sister hotel, Grand Hotel Timeo.
• Amenities include:
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor pool
  • Spa
  • Fitness center
  • Private beach
  • Local shuttle
  • Air conditioning
• Home to two upscale restaurants, Ristorante Sant’Andrea and Brizza, along with Brace at Bar Sant’Andrea, a casual spot for aperitivo.
• Complimentary American breakfast buffet is served daily in restaurant with terrace and ocean views.
• BOOK HERE

San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel

• Piazza S. Domenico de Guzman, 5, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• 5-star hotel
• Formerly a 14th century convent, this timeless hotel sits perched on a rocky promontory high above the Ionian Sea
• If you’re looking for the ultimate White Lotus experience, then you definitely want to stay here because the Four Seasons Taormina is the fictional White Lotus hotel from the season 2 of the hit series.
• Amenities include;
  • Fitness center
  • Infinity pool
  • Spa
  • Art concierge
  • Rental cars
  • Premium Wi-Fi
  • Air conditioning
• The Four Seasons has 3 restaurants, including a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, and 2 bars.
• BOOK HERE

Grand Hotel San Pietro

• Via Luigi Pirandello, 50, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• 5-star hotel
• This 63 room boutique hotel is a restored early 1900s villa known for its timelessness and elegance and offers a view of the Ionian Sea, Isola Bella and Etna.
• Amenities include:
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free parking
  • Outdoor pool
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Air conditioning
• The hotel’s restaurant opens onto a beautiful terrace and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• BOOK HERE

Hotel Villa Ducale

• Via Leonardo Da Vinci, 60, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• 4-star hotel
• A small, luxurious boutique hotel with 19 elegant rooms and suites with views of the sea, Mount Etna and the Strait of Messina.
• Amenities include:
  • Outdoor pool
  • Shuttle service to and from the city center
  • Free breakfast
  • Air conditioning
• Restaurant and bar on a panoramic terrace overlooking the Bay of Giardini Naxos and the active Etna volcano.
• BOOK HERE

Hotel Villa Schuler

• Piazzetta Bastione, Via Roma, 2, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• 4-star hotel
• Charming, family-owned, boutique hotel that was converted from a Sicilian mansion in 1905. This historic hotel the oldest owner run hotel in Sicily.
• Amenities include:
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Breakfast available
  • Complimentary welcome drink
  • Bicycle rental
  • Air conditioning
  • Private beach with shuttle buses
• Kids stay free!
• BOOK HERE

Hotel villa diodoro

• Via Bagnoli Croci, 75, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
• 4-star hotel
• Open all-year round
• The Diodoro has been dedicated to the greek historian Diodoro Siculo, a renowned figure who lived in the old town, telling the story of how distinguished travelers all over the world, discovered Taormina in their search of beauty and sun, art and culture.
• Amenities include:
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free parking
  • Outdoor pool
  • Fitness center
  • Air conditioning
• Restaurant, bar and pool bar on site.
• BOOK HERE

Hotel Villa Belvedere

• Via Bagnoli Croco, 79, 98939, Taormina ME, Italy
• 4-star hotel
• Hotel Villa Belvedere is a boutique hotel surrounded by a lovely garden and situated just 5 minute walk from the center of Taormina with view of Baia di Naxos and Mount Etna.
• Amenities include:
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free Breakfast
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Small function gym
• The only dining option at Villa Belvedere is the poolside restaurant open from noon to 5pm from early April to late October.
• BOOK HERE

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