Taormina packs an outsized number of attractions into a compact hilltop town. Within a 10-minute walk of the main street you can tour a 2,300-year-old Greek theatre, swim at a nature reserve island, and ride a cable car from medieval streets to a sandy beach. The surrounding area adds Mount Etna, hilltop villages, and baroque towns all reachable as day trips.
guide/italy/sicily/taormina/”>Taormina travel guide, Taormina weather by month, best time to visit Taormina, Taormina events and festivals, Taormina neighborhoods guide, where to stay in Taormina, and Taormina travel tips.Things to Do in Taormina: Historic and Cultural Sites
Teatro Greco (Greek Theatre)
The ancient Greek-Roman theatre is Taormina’s defining landmark, carved into the hillside in the 3rd century BC and expanded by the Romans. The stage area frames a postcard view of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea through crumbling stone arches. Entry costs EUR 10 (EUR 5 for EU citizens aged 18-25, free under 18). Opening hours are 9:00 to one hour before sunset (roughly 7pm in summer, 4pm in winter). Summer opera and concert performances use the theatre in the evening with separate ticketing via Taormina Arte. Arrive before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the worst crowds. The site has a small cafe and toilets near the entrance.
Corso Umberto and Piazza IX Aprile
< Also see our Taormina travel guide and Taormina weather by month guide.!– /wp:heading –>Corso Umberto is the pedestrian-only main street running the length of Taormina’s historic centre, roughly 800 metres from Porta Catania to Porta Messina. The mid-point Piazza IX Aprile opens onto a panoramic terrace with a checkerboard stone floor, the 17th-century Church of San Giuseppe, and the former San Domenico monastery (now a luxury hotel). The terrace overlooks the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna. Street performers, portrait artists, and cafe tables fill the piazza from late morning through midnight. The church of San Giuseppe is free to enter and open daily 9am to 7pm.
Palazzo Corvaja
Also see our best time to visit Taormina guide and Taormina events and festivals guide.This medieval palace at the eastern end of Corso Umberto near Porta Catania combines Arab, Norman, and Gothic architectural elements across its 11th to 15th-century construction phases. The courtyard features distinctive Norman arched windows and a stone staircase. The palace houses the Sicilian Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions (Museo Siciliano di Arte e Tradizioni Popolari) with exhibits on local crafts, puppetry, and folk costumes. Entry costs EUR 5, open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm (closed Monday).
Duomo di Taormina (Cathedral of San Nicol Also see our Taormina neighborhoods guide and where to stay in Taormina guide.a)
The 13th-century fortress-like cathedral sits on Piazza Duomo in the western part of Corso Umberto. The austere stone facade with a rose window and crenellated roofline reflects its dual role as church and defensive structure. Inside, the wooden ceiling beams and side chapels contain 15th and 16th-century paintings. The Baroque fountain in the square outside, topped with a centaur holding a globe (Taormina’s symbol), is a popular photo spot. Entry is free, open daily 9am to 12pm and 4pm to 7pm.
Things Also see our Taormina travel tips and FAQ.to Do in Taormina: Outdoor and Nature
Isola Bella
Isola Bella is a small island nature reserve connected to the mainland by a narrow pebble tombolo (sandbar) that you can walk across when the tide is low. The island itself has a small botanical garden with Mediterranean and tropical plants and a house-museum (Casa Bosurgi) built in the 1950s. Entry to the island costs EUR 4, open 9am to one hour before sunset, closed in rough sea conditions. The surrounding beach is free and has sunbed and umbrella rentals from EUR 15-25 per day in season. The beach is pebbly, so bring water shoes. Access via the Mazzaro cable car (EUR 3 each way) from Via Pirandello or by walking down 250+ steps.
Villa Comunale (Public Gardens)
These terraced public gardens on Via Bagnoli Croce were created by Englishwoman Florence Trevelyan in the late 19th century. The gardens contain follies (ornamental brick towers and pavilions), exotic plants including palms and bougainvillea, and excellent views across the bay. Free entry, open daily 9am to sunset. A peaceful escape from the crowded Corso Umberto, located a 5-minute walk from Piazza IX Aprile.
Mazzaro Beach
The main beach area sits at the base of the cliff below Taormina, accessible via the Funivia (cable car) from Via Pirandello. The cable car operates every 15 minutes from 8am to 1am in summer (reduced hours in winter), costing EUR 3 each way. Mazzaro has several lidos (beach clubs) with sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurants, and changing facilities. Lido La Pigna and Lido Mazzaro charge EUR 20-30 per day for a sunbed and umbrella set. The beach itself is pebbles mixed with coarse sand. The water is clear and good for swimming June through October. Free public sections of the beach exist between the lidos.
Things to Do in Taormina: Day Trips
Mount Etna
Europe’s most active volcano rises 3,357 metres behind Taormina. Guided day trips depart daily from Taormina (pickup from hotels around 8:30am, return by 5pm) costing EUR 60-90 per person depending on whether you visit the summit craters or the lower Silvestri craters. Tours typically include transport to Rifugio Sapienza (1,900m), a cable car to 2,500m (EUR 30 extra), and 4×4 bus to 2,900m (EUR 30 extra) with a guided walk at the crater zone. Wear sturdy closed shoes, bring a jacket even in summer (temperatures at 2,900m are 10-15°C cooler than the coast), and check eruption status before booking. Independent access is possible by Interbus from Taormina to Catania then AST bus to Rifugio Sapienza, but takes 3+ hours each way.
Castelmola
This tiny hilltop village sits 530 metres above Taormina, a 5km drive or a steep 45-minute walk up the Saracen path (starts near Porta Messina). Castelmola’s main square has a panoramic terrace looking down onto Taormina and across to Etna. Bar Turrisi, famous for its phallic-shaped decor and almond wine (vino alla mandorla), is the village’s best-known stop. The ruined Norman castle at the top is a 10-minute climb from the square and offers 360-degree views. The Osteria Nero d’Avola serves good-value Sicilian food. Bus service runs from Taormina’s bus terminal (Via Luigi Pirandello) to Castelmola every hour in summer, EUR 1.50 each way.
Savoca and Forza d’Agro (Godfather Tour)
The hill towns of Savoca and Forza d’Agro served as filming locations for The Godfather (1972). In Savoca, Bar Vitelli (where Michael Corleone asked for Apollonia’s hand) still operates as a cafe with film memorabilia. The Church of San Nicolo where the wedding scene was filmed is a short walk up stone steps. Forza d’Agro, 10km further, has the church facade used in Godfather Part II. Organised tours from Taormina cost EUR 35-55 per person for a half-day trip. Public transport is impractical; rent a car or join a tour.
Syracuse and Ortigia
The ancient Greek city of Syracuse (Siracusa) lies 120km south of Taormina, reachable in 1 hour 20 minutes by direct Interbus (EUR 8.80 each way, departures every 2 hours). Ortigia island, the historic heart, holds the Temple of Apollo (6th century BC), the Duomo built around a Greek temple (columns visible inside the cathedral walls), and the Fountain of Arethusa. The Neapolis Archaeological Park on the mainland has the 16,000-seat Greek Theatre (still used for summer performances) and the Ear of Dionysius cave. Park entry costs EUR 10. A full day trip works if you catch the 8am bus and return on the 6pm service.
Alcantara Gorge
The Gole dell’Alcantara is a 25-metre-deep basalt canyon carved by the Alcantara River, located 20km from Taormina. The hexagonal basalt columns formed by ancient lava flows create dramatic geometric rock walls. Entry costs EUR 8 to walk down the steps to the gorge floor; you can wade in the cold river water (bring water shoes, the stones are slippery). Guided river trekking tours with wetsuits cost EUR 25-35. The gorge is 30 minutes by car from Taormina or reachable by a seasonal shuttle bus from Taormina’s bus terminal, EUR 5 return.
Catania
Sicily’s second city sits at the foot of Mount Etna, 55km south of Taormina (50 minutes by Interbus, EUR 5.00 each way). Catania’s baroque historic centre, built from black lava stone, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Key stops: Piazza del Duomo with the Elephant Fountain, the fish market (La Pescheria, mornings only, loud and chaotic), Via Etnea for shopping, and the Castello Ursino. The city has a raw, gritty energy that contrasts sharply with polished Taormina. Trains also run from Taormina-Giardini station (EUR 4.80, 35 minutes) but the bus is faster and more frequent.
