Things to Do in Taormina: 11 Ideas in Town and Nearby
Clinging to the mountainside more than 200 m (650 ft) above the Ionian Sea, Taormina is probably the most photogenic town in Sicily. On one side lie the bay of Giardini Naxos and its turquoise coves; on the other, Mount Etna quietly smokes above everything else. In between, you'll find a small town of cobbled lanes, medieval palaces and flower-filled gardens, made famous by Grand Tour travelers from Goethe to D. H. Lawrence long before the cruise ships arrived.
For us, Taormina has become something of a landmark: we come back on almost every trip to Sicily, and we still haven't run out of things to see around it. We won't pretend otherwise: the town is very touristy, and Corso Umberto can be packed in midsummer. But get up early, climb a little higher or head into the hinterland, and you'll find a much quieter Sicily. Taormina is also a great base for exploring the east of the island, from Mount Etna to the Alcantara Gorge.
In this guide, we share 11 things to do in Taormina and nearby, with how long to plan, the prices we found in 2026 and our honest opinion, including the places that impressed us less. For great meals, also read our selection of the best restaurants in Taormina, and to know what to order, our guide to traditional Sicilian food.
The numbers match the order of the article. The day trips (Mount Etna, Alcantara Gorge, Savoca) are described further down with their travel times.
1. Stroll Corso Umberto, from Porta Messina to Porta Catania
All of Taormina's life fits into one street: Corso Umberto, about 800 m (half a mile) of stone paving between Porta Messina and Porta Catania. You'll walk it several times a day, past shops selling Sicilian ceramics, delis piled with pistachios and almonds, and little stairways leading off into flowery side streets. Halfway along, Piazza IX Aprile opens up like a balcony over the sea, with its clock tower and the church of San Giuseppe: this is where everyone stops for a photo.
What we love most is leaving the Corso behind. A few steps away are Palazzo Corvaja, a medieval palace with Arab and Norman influences, the small Roman Naumachia (a long brick wall from the imperial era) and the Duomo, a fortress-like cathedral with surprising battlements, on a square with a baroque fountain. In summer, the street quickly becomes a solid stream of visitors between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. It's lovely early in the morning, though, when shopkeepers hose down the paving stones, and in the evening, when everyone comes out for the passeggiata, the traditional evening stroll.
- Time needed: 1.5 hours to half a day with detours
- Getting there: pedestrian area (limited traffic zone); shuttle from the Lumbi parking garage to Piazza San Pancrazio, 30 m (100 ft) from Porta Messina
- View on Google Maps
2. Visit the Ancient Theater at Opening Time: Our Favorite
This is why Taormina is famous, and rightly so. The Teatro Antico was built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, then heavily remodeled by the Romans, hence the red-brick stage wall pierced with arches. What makes it unique is the setting: from the top tiers, you can see the coast all the way to Giardini Naxos and, on a clear day, often snow-capped Mount Etna, framed right behind the stage. At 109 m (358 ft) across, it's the second-largest ancient theater in Sicily after the one in Syracuse.
Our advice is simple: be at the gate at 9 a.m. For the first hour, there are only a handful of visitors, the light is soft and Etna is usually clear before the afternoon heat clouds build up. Around 10:30 a.m., the cruise ship groups arrive and the atmosphere changes completely. We sat right at the top, where few visitors bother to climb, and it's the memory of Taormina that has stayed with us the most. In summer, the theater also hosts concerts and the Taormina Film Fest (in June): seeing a show under the stars in this setting is an experience of its own, even if tickets aren't cheap.
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Price: €12 full price, €6 reduced (rate posted by the archaeological park in August 2026; some resellers mention an increase, so double-check)
- Hours: daily 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. in season (last entry 7 p.m.), earlier closing in winter, late openings on some summer evenings
- Getting there: 5 minutes on foot from Piazza IX Aprile along Via Teatro Greco
- Naxos and Taormina Archaeological Park website · View on Google Maps
3. Get Lost in the Villa Comunale Gardens
When the Corso gets stifling, we escape to the Villa Comunale, to our taste the most charming public garden in Sicily. It was created at the end of the 19th century by Lady Florence Trevelyan, an English aristocrat who settled in Taormina and loved botany and birdwatching. She planted the paths lined with bougainvillea, hibiscus and cypress trees, and above all built the quirky "Victorian follies": small brick and white-stone pavilions with arcades and galleries that she used to watch birds.
It's free, shady and has one of the best views of the bay and Etna, from the terrace at the far end of the park. It's the perfect spot for a break with an arancino or a granita bought in town, on a bench facing the sea. It isn't a huge garden (you can walk around it in half an hour), but it's easy to linger much longer.
- Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Price: free
- Hours: daytime, roughly 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in season (hours published by the town for 2024, check on site)
- Getting there: 5 minutes on foot from the Corso along Via Bagnoli Croce
- View on Google Maps
4. Climb to Madonna della Rocca and the Castle for the View
Above Taormina, a zigzagging stairway climbs Monte Tauro to the Madonna della Rocca sanctuary, a small church literally carved into the rock, with a ceiling of bare stone above the altar. You start from the upper part of town, near Via Circonvallazione, and follow the Stations of the Cross: plan on 20 to 30 minutes of climbing depending on your fitness.
Each landing offers a wider view over the rooftops, the theater and the sea, and from the little terrace in front of the church, the whole coastline is spread out below you as far as Capo Schisò. Just above, Taormina Castle, a medieval fortress reopened to the public after years of closure, can now be visited (about €10, from 10 a.m. to sunset). We found the view from the church more than enough, but fans of old stones will enjoy it. One caveat: the stairway is in full sun, so avoid the middle of the day in summer and bring water.
- Time needed: 1.5 hours round trip
- Price: sanctuary free, castle about €10 (2026)
- Hours: sanctuary mainly open in the morning (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and late afternoon in summer, hours vary
- Getting there: on foot from the upper town; the ASM bus to Castelmola (Linea Verde) also stops at Madonna della Rocca
- View on Google Maps
5. Go Down to Isola Bella: Beautiful in Photos, Less So in August
It's the image everyone has in mind: a small, leafy island linked to the shore by a thin strip of pebbles, surrounded by turquoise water. Isola Bella is now a nature reserve: you can visit the island itself, with its house and gardens, and walk across the sandbar when the sea allows. The water is incredibly clear, and snorkeling along the rocks is really pleasant.
We have to be honest, though: the beach is pebbles, not sand, it's very narrow, and in July and August towels are packed side by side by 10 a.m. Sun loungers at the private beach clubs are expensive, and the ride back up to town isn't free either. We enjoyed it much more early in the morning or in September, with water shoes on. If you're looking for a proper beach day, nearby Mazzarò or the long beaches of Giardini Naxos are more comfortable. Isola Bella is best enjoyed as a lovely view, ideally from the road above or from a boat.
- Time needed: 2 hours to half a day
- Price: island €5 full price, €2.50 reduced (2026); beach free, sun loungers extra
- Getting there: Taormina–Mazzarò cable car (€8 one way, €15 round trip, €20 day pass since August 1, 2026, every 15 minutes) then a 5-minute walk, or 20 minutes down the steps from Via Pirandello
- View on Google Maps
6. Take a Boat Trip to the Sea Caves
The best way to see Isola Bella without the crowds is from the water. From Mazzarò beach or the harbor in Giardini Naxos, fishermen and small companies offer trips in a gozzo, the traditional wooden boat, or in a RIB, along Capo Sant'Andrea and Capo Taormina. The boat slips into several sea caves, including the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) with its electric-blue water, the Lovers' Cave and the Coral Cave, then stops for a swim in a cove you can't reach on foot.
It's not a surprising activity, but it's really enjoyable and perfect for a hot afternoon. For us, the small-group trip on a wooden boat is well worth the small extra cost compared with the big boats. Sunset trips with an aperitivo are also lovely, and the golden light on the limestone cliffs is superb.
- Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Price: from about €35–40 per person on a shared tour, more for a private trip (2026)
- Getting there: departures from Mazzarò beach (cable car) or Giardini Naxos harbor; book the day before in summer
- View on Google Maps
7. Have Granita, Brioche and Cannoli Like a Sicilian
In Taormina, as everywhere in eastern Sicily, summer breakfast means a granita with a brioche col tuppo, the round brioche topped with a little knob, which you dunk into it. Almond, pistachio, coffee with a cloud of panna (whipped cream), lemon or mulberry: we have a soft spot for almond granita, both refreshing and creamy, nothing like the sugary shaved ice you find elsewhere. In the afternoon, don't leave without a cannolo filled to order with sheep's milk ricotta and chopped pistachios.
The Corso is full of pastry shops, but they're not all equal: steer clear of displays where the cannoli are already filled (the shell goes soft) and choose places that fill them in front of you. This is also the time to try arancini with ragù, pasta alla Norma or grilled swordfish. We cover all of this in our guide to traditional Sicilian food, and our favorite places for dinner are in our guide to the best restaurants in Taormina.
- Time needed: as long as the break lasts
- Price: granita and brioche about €5–7 at a terrace on the Corso, less on the side streets (2026)
8. Watch the Evening Light from Castelmola, Almond Wine in Hand
Perched another 300 m (1,000 ft) higher, on a rocky peak above Taormina, Castelmola is a tiny gray-stone village with the most spectacular view in the area: Taormina below, the whole coast down to Catania and Etna in the background. You can wander through lanes that are far quieter than down in town, up to the castle ruins and the little panoramic square.
Local tradition says you should try vino alla mandorla, a sweet amber almond wine served well chilled. The most famous place for it is Bar Turrisi, a bar spread over several floors with, let's say, very suggestive decor (phallic objects everywhere, so not ideal with kids), but with an incredible panoramic terrace. We prefer to go up in the late afternoon, when the light turns golden over the coast and the mountains and the village empties of day-trippers. One note: the sun sets behind the mountains to the west, not over the sea, but the colors over the bay are worth the trip.
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
- Price: ASM Linea Verde bus €2 one way (€3.50 day pass); almond wine about €4–6 a glass (2026)
- Getting there: 10 to 15 minutes by bus from Piazza San Pancrazio, or a 45-minute to 1-hour walk up from Taormina via Madonna della Rocca. No ASM parking in Castelmola, and spaces are scarce by car.
- View on Google Maps
9. Head Up Mount Etna: The Day Trip Not to Miss
From Taormina, Etna is everywhere: behind the theater, from Castelmola, above the terraces. It would be a shame not to go up and meet Europe's highest active volcano (about 3,300 m / 10,800 ft). The easiest starting point is Rifugio Sapienza on the southern slope, at 1,900 m (6,200 ft), about 1 hour 15 minutes' drive away. Right next to it, the Silvestri Craters (Crateri Silvestri), old craters from 1892, can be explored freely in an hour: black ash underfoot, red cinders and the feeling of walking on another planet.
To go higher, the Etna cable car climbs to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) (about €54 round trip in 2026). The summit craters can only be reached with a licensed volcano guide (about €130 per person including the 4x4 shuttle and gear), and only when the volcano's activity allows it. It's probably the trip that left the strongest impression on us in Sicily: feeling the warmth of the ground, hearing lava crunch under your shoes and seeing the sea far below is truly unique. Bring a jacket even in August (it's often below 10 °C / 50 °F at the top) and proper closed shoes.
- Time needed: a full day (half a day for the Silvestri Craters alone)
- Price: Silvestri Craters free (a €5 access fee has been discussed, check before going); cable car about €54; guided summit tour about €130 (2026)
- Getting there: by car (1 hour 15 minutes, paid parking at Rifugio Sapienza) or on an organized tour with pickup in Taormina. Check the volcano's status the day before: the summit craters close during eruptions.
- Funivia dell'Etna (Etna cable car) · View on Google Maps
10. Cool Off in the Alcantara Gorge
Half an hour's drive from Taormina, the Alcantara River has carved its way through an ancient lava flow from Etna, creating a narrow canyon with columnar basalt walls: hexagonal columns so geometric they look hand-cut. The sight is really beautiful, especially when a ray of sunlight reaches the bottom of the gorge and makes the emerald water sparkle.
The experience comes with a few caveats, though. The water is ice-cold, even in August, and you get in either through the private park (about €8–13 depending on the season, with an elevator, but a rather commercial feel) or the municipal entrance in Motta Camastra, a long staircase leading straight down to the riverbed. In summer, the small pebble beach at the foot of the canyon gets very busy. To really enjoy the gorge, you need to rent waders or a wetsuit and walk upstream in the water: that's when it becomes magical. If you only look from the viewpoint, the visit is over in half an hour.
- Time needed: 2 hours to half a day
- Price: municipal entrance inexpensive; private park about €8–13 depending on the season; wader rental extra (2026)
- Hours: municipal entrance roughly 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in October
- Getting there: 30 minutes by car (about 20 km / 12 miles) via Giardini Naxos, or Interbus bus from Taormina
- View on Google Maps
11. Visit Savoca, in the Footsteps of The Godfather (for Fans)
North of Taormina, perched on a hill above the coast, Savoca is the village where Francis Ford Coppola filmed the Sicilian scenes of The Godfather in 1971. People come mostly for Bar Vitelli, with its creeper-covered stone facade, where Michael Corleone asks for Apollonia's hand, and for the church of San Nicolò, where their wedding was filmed, perched on the edge of the cliff. The village also has a more macabre curiosity: the crypt of the Capuchin convent, which holds around thirty mummified bodies of local notables from the 17th to 19th centuries (free entry, hours vary).
If you're not a fan of the film, the visit may feel a bit short, and Bar Vitelli has become a very touristy stop, with prices to match for a granita. Movie lovers, on the other hand, will love finding the locations almost untouched, and at the end of the day, once the tours have left, the village gets its calm and sea view back. Combine it with Forza d'Agrò, another nearby filming village, for a great half day.
- Time needed: 2 hours to half a day with Forza d'Agrò
- Price: free (churches and crypt, donations welcome)
- Getting there: 30 minutes by car north along the coast (about 20 km / 12 miles); little parking in the village in summer
- View on Google Maps
How Many Days Do You Need in Taormina?
One day is enough to see the town's highlights, but we recommend 3 days to also enjoy the sea and the surroundings without rushing:
- Day 1: ancient theater at 9 a.m. (2), Corso Umberto and its palaces (1), granita break (7), Villa Comunale gardens during the hottest hours (3), then up to Castelmola in the late afternoon (8).
- Day 2: cable car down to Mazzarò, Isola Bella early in the morning (5), boat trip to the sea caves (6), then the climb to Madonna della Rocca in the late afternoon (4).
- Day 3: a day on Mount Etna (9), or half a day at the Alcantara Gorge (10) and Savoca (11).
With only one day, follow Day 1 and swap Castelmola for sunset on Piazza IX Aprile.
Practical Tips for Visiting Taormina
Best Time to Visit
May–June and September–October are ideal: the sea is warm (22 to 26 °C / 72 to 79 °F), the days are long and the crowds manageable. July and especially mid-August (Ferragosto) are very expensive and crowded. Winter is mild, but many hotels and restaurants close between November and March, and the cable car usually stops in January for maintenance.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa, about 1 hour 15 minutes away by road. Etna Trasporti / Interbus buses run directly from the airport to Taormina in about 1 hour 20 minutes, for €7 one way or €14 round trip (2026). By train, Taormina-Giardini station is by the sea: from there, take a bus up to town.
Getting Around
The center is best explored on foot (and on stairs, so bring good shoes). The cable car links the town with Mazzarò, and the ASM city buses serve Castelmola, the station and the beaches (€2 per ride, €3.50 for a day). A car is handy for day trips (Etna, Alcantara, Savoca) but a pain in town: the center is a limited traffic zone and you'll need to park at the Lumbi parking garage (free shuttle to the center, about €20–30 for 24 hours depending on the season) or the Porta Catania parking garage, more central and more expensive (about €25–34 for 24 hours).
Typical Budget (2026)
- Granita and brioche: €5–7
- Espresso at the counter: €1.20–2 (much more at a table on Piazza IX Aprile)
- Meal in a trattoria: €25–40 per person, considerably more with a sea view
- Ancient theater: €12; cable car: €15 round trip
- Hotel night: from €90–120 for a decent double room outside summer, often €200 and up in August
Taormina is noticeably more expensive than the rest of Sicily. On a tighter budget, staying in Giardini Naxos and taking the bus up is a good option.
Where to Stay
- The historic center, around the Corso: to do everything on foot and enjoy the evenings. It's our favorite, but check for car access or parking if you're driving.
- Mazzarò, by the water: for a beach stay, linked to the center by the cable car. Hotels there are often expensive.
- Giardini Naxos: more affordable, with real sandy beaches and frequent buses to Taormina (15 to 20 minutes).
Conclusion
Taormina has a reputation as an overly touristy postcard, and in the middle of August that isn't entirely wrong. But as soon as you pick your timing well, the town is magnificent. What stays with us is the ancient theater early in the morning facing Etna, and a few hours later the volcano's black ash under our feet. In between came almond granita, the view from Castelmola and the turquoise sea caves. Taormina deserves much more than a cruise stopover: give it a few days, and like us, you may find yourself coming back on every trip to Sicily.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Taormina?
One day is enough for the ancient theater, Corso Umberto and the Villa Comunale. Plan on 3 days to also enjoy Isola Bella and Castelmola and fit in at least one day trip (Mount Etna or the Alcantara Gorge).
Do you need a car in Taormina?
Not to visit the town: the center is pedestrian and traffic is restricted. Buses, the cable car and the Lumbi parking shuttle are enough. A car becomes useful for Etna, Alcantara and Savoca; otherwise, organized tours leave from Taormina.
Can you swim in Taormina?
Yes, below the town: Isola Bella and Mazzarò have very clear water but narrow pebble beaches, reached by cable car. For long sandy beaches, head to Giardini Naxos or Letojanni, 15 to 20 minutes away by bus.
What to do in Taormina when it rains?
Visit Palazzo Corvaja, the Duomo and the churches along the Corso, the Naxos Archaeological Museum (€5) in Giardini Naxos, or take a sweet break in a pastry shop. The ancient theater is still beautiful under a cloudy sky, and that's when it's least crowded.
What is the best time to visit Taormina?
May, June, September and early October: it's warm without being scorching, the sea is pleasant and prices stay reasonable. Avoid mid-August if you don't like crowds.
Can you see Mount Etna from Taormina?
Yes, and it's one of the town's great beauties: you can see Etna from the ancient theater, the Villa Comunale and above all Castelmola. It's more often clear in the morning. To go up, allow 1 hour 15 minutes by road to Rifugio Sapienza.
About the authors
We are Camille & Fabien, two travelers who love authentic discoveries. On Revel Roads, we share our experiences, our favorite food finds and our best addresses to travel like a local. Sicily holds a very special place in our hearts. We go back whenever we get the chance, and Taormina is almost always part of the trip.
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