Taormina Destination in Sicily · Province of Messina

Taormina is a hill town on Mount Tauro, set between rock and sea on the east coast of Sicily, in the Province of Messina. The main things to do in Taormina are seeing the Greek-Roman Teatro Antico, walking the medieval old town between Porta Messina and Porta Catania, and visiting Isola Bella, the small island below the town.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe came here on his travels. Close by rises Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, with paths that lead up its slopes.

The Teatro Antico

The Teatro Antico di Taormina is an ancient Greek-Roman theater that is still in use. Every year it hosts concerts and plays, among them performances by Taormina Arte, and the Taormina FilmFest, a film festival with international guests, takes place here as well. The theater sits on a viewpoint facing Etna, whose slopes are often covered in snow.

Taormina sights in the old town

Two gates close off the historic center: Porta Messina and Porta Catania. Once through Porta Messina, you enter streets lined with buildings that show Roman and Gothic architectural features.

The narrow lanes lead to several landmarks:

• the church of San Pancrazio, built on top of a Greek temple
• Palazzo Corvaia
• the church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
• the Duomo, a stone cathedral in the center of town

Piazza IX Aprile is a terrace above the sea, lined with bars and restaurants. From its balustrade the view takes in the Bay of Naxos and the ruins of the theater. On the square stands the Torre dell'Orologio, the clock tower that is the gateway to the medieval quarter.

Corso Umberto I, the main street, is full of shops. For a break in the shade, the Villa Comunale di Taormina is a public park planted with flowers and trees. In the evening, restaurants with outdoor tables, bars and nightclubs keep the town busy. Menus include fish, cheese, cured meats, arancini and focaccia, while the bars serve ricotta cannoli, granita and cassata siciliana.

Isola Bella and the beaches

Below Taormina are beaches with umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. The best known spot is Isola Bella, a nature reserve since 1998. A narrow strip of land links the little island to the shore. When the water is high the strip goes under; otherwise you can walk across. The island works like an open-air natural museum, with many tree and animal species and a restored house.

The sandy beaches of Mazzarò and Giardini Naxos are a few minutes away by car.

Parking in Taormina

The Porta Pasquale parking garage (location on Google Maps) and Porta Catania Parking (location on Google Maps) are closest to the center. Both are fairly small and usually full in high summer.

Parcheggio Lumbi (location on Google Maps) is about a 10-minute walk from the center, reached by a flight of stairs or a shuttle service.

You can also leave the car at Parcheggio Mazzarò (location on Google Maps), next to the lower cable car station, and ride the cable car up to the old town.

Day trips nearby

Away from the sea, the village of Castelmola sits just above Taormina. It belongs to the association “I Borghi più belli d'Italia” and has a wide view. Visitors come for the castle ruins, Piazza di S. Antonio and the Chiesa Madre di Castelmola.

For nature lovers and hikers, the Alcantara Gorge (Italian: Gole dell'Alcantara) is within reach. Over centuries a river has cut into Etna's volcanic rock here and left striking rock formations.

When to go

Climate averages from Sicily's north coast near Palermo (1995 to 2024 for the air and 2023 to 2025 for the sea) give a rough guide. In July and August daytime highs reach about 30°C (86°F) and the sea about 28°C (82°F). June and September both see highs near 27°C (80°F), with the sea at 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F). May brings highs around 23°C (73°F) with the sea at about 20°C (67°F); in October highs are about 23°C (74°F) while the sea is still near 24°C (74°F). Drivers should plan on the car parks near the center being full in high summer.