Before you go

Your trip to Taormina.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Taormina – Sicília Destination Sicília about 255 km from Palermo

How to get there

Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa Vincenzo Bellini (CTA) Catânia · 66 km
Taormina-Giardini 4 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before booking. Take a domestic flight from Rome or Milan to Catânia (CTA), about 66 km away. From the airport there are direct buses to Taormina taking around 1h30. By train you get off at Taormina-Giardini station on the seafront and take a bus or taxi up to the town center, which is on the heights.

How many days

One day is enough for the Teatro Antico, the Corso Umberto, the Villa Comunale and Isola Bella. With two days you can go up to Castelmola and still have time for the beach. Taormina also serves as a base for Etna and the Gole dell'Alcantara, either by excursion or by car.

When to go

April, May, June, September and October usually have good weather and the sea is swimmable from June. July and August are hot and crowded. In summer the Teatro Antico hosts concerts and festivals. In winter the town is quieter, with some hotels and restaurants closed.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The center has a ZTL (limited traffic zone) and narrow streets; if you arrive by car you should leave it in the public car parks at the town entrance. To go down to the Mazzarò beach and Isola Bella there is a cable car, and local buses go up to Castelmola and down to the station.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Taormina

Morning
Teatro Antico
Arrive at the Teatro Antico at opening time, before the tour groups. Climb to the upper part of the seating to see Etna and the coast framed by the stage columns.
Afternoon
Corso Umberto and Villa Comunale
Walk along the Corso Umberto from Porta Messina to Porta Catania, stopping at Piazza IX Aprile, Palazzo Corvaja and the Duomo. In the middle of the day, rest in the shade of the Villa Comunale.
Late afternoon
Isola Bella
Take the cable car down to Mazzarò and walk to Isola Bella. Cross the strip of sand when the tide allows and visit the islet.
Evening
Piazza IX Aprile
Take the cable car back up and finish at Piazza IX Aprile, the town's terrace over the sea, before dinner.

2 days in Taormina

Day 1

Morning
Teatro Antico
Start at the Teatro Antico at opening time and, on your way out, look for the Roman Odeon hidden among the houses near Palazzo Corvaja.
Afternoon
Corso Umberto
Have lunch in the center and explore the Corso Umberto, the side alleys and stairways, the Duomo and Palazzo Corvaja.
Late afternoon
Villa Comunale
Pass through the gardens of the Villa Comunale, created by Florence Trevelyan, with views over the bay of Naxos.
Evening
Dinner in the center
Dine in the center and take a walk around the illuminated Piazza IX Aprile.

Day 2

Morning
Isola Bella and beach
Take the cable car down to Mazzarò, visit Isola Bella and enjoy the pebble beach during the bathing season, which usually runs from June to September.
Afternoon
Ascent to Castelmola
Take the bus up to Castelmola. Walk to the castle ruins and look down over Taormina.
Late afternoon
Almond wine
Taste the almond wine, typical of Castelmola, in one of the village bars, and descend by bus or on foot along the trail that passes the Madonna della Rocca.
Evening
Last night
Dine in Taormina, near Porta Catania or the Duomo.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you do a day trip to Taormina from Catânia?

Yes. Train or bus take about 1 hour. The bus drops you closer to the center; the train stops at Taormina-Giardini station on the seafront, and from there you go up by bus or taxi.

Does Taormina have a beach?

Not in the town center, which is on the heights. The beaches are below, in Mazzarò, Isola Bella, Spisone and Giardini Naxos. A cable car links the center to Mazzarò. Most are pebble beaches.

Do you need to book the Teatro Antico?

It's not mandatory, but buying in advance avoids queues in high season. On concert or festival days visiting hours may change. Check before you go.

Is it better to stay in Taormina or in Giardini Naxos?

Taormina is on the heights, close to the monuments and with nightlife. Giardini Naxos is on the seafront, flatter and has the beach on its doorstep. The distance between them is short, by bus or taxi.

Can you go from Taormina to Etna?

Yes, by organized tour, car or private driver. The bus to the southern side of the volcano leaves from Catânia, not from Taormina.

Back to Taormina