Travel Guide Taormina: Things to Do to Avoid the Crowds

Located on the east coast of Sicily and blessed with fantastic views of the imposing Mount Etna and the azure blue Ionian Sea, the small mountain village of Taormina has always been a magnet for visitors. And that can sometimes be more of a curse than a blessing. In my big guide, I’ll show you the most important sights in Taormina and tell you whether visiting Taormina is really worth on your trip to Sicily.

In Taormina, it is also worth taking a look at the small side streets. Most visitors often concentrate on Corso Umberto and the Teatro Greco. Both are well worth seeing, but Taormina has a lot more charm to offer.

Places of interest in Taormina

Taormina is quite clearly laid out. Therefore you can easily explore the most important sights in the center in one day and enjoy the atmosphere of this special place in Sicily at the same time.

Corso Umberto I

Corso Umberto I is the lifeline of Taormina. Lined with medieval and Florentine buildings, you can stroll for all you’re worth. Here you will find small boutiques and luxury brands such as Dior or Louis Vuitton, boring stores with stuff for tourists, but also some small, quaint stores.

Daneu 1885 Old-fashioned store for home textiles and a bit of ceramics with a nostalgic flair

Di Blasi Typical Sicilian ceramics and the small store itself is a sight to behold

Tip: If you really want to breathe in the jet-set air on Corso Umberto, you should take a short break from sightseeing at the Louis Vuitton Café by Timeo. The café is part of the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo*, which in turn also belongs to the LVMH Group.

In the café, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the sea with Louis Vuitton decorations – if I hadn’t been wearing my casual sightseeing outfit that day in Taormina, I would certainly have ended up here. (Unfortunately, you should look a bit more stylish here, otherwise you’re likely to be turned away or blasély ignored).

Piazza IX Aprile

Piazza IX Aprile is one of the most popular viewpointsin Taormina and is always busy. However, the square is very large, so that the crowds of tourists are well distributed here even in the high season. And the checkerboard pattern looks great on any souvenir photo!

Porta Messina & Porta Catania

Two city gates form the beginning and end of Corso Umberto I. The northern end is marked by the Porta Messina. To the south is the somewhat imposing Porta Messina. Both are part of Taormina’s medieval fortifications, which were built by the Arabs to protect the city from invaders.

The gates are also a popular meeting point for tours of Taormina.

Teatro Greco

The ancient Greek theater, the Teatro Greco, is an absolutely stunning location in Taormina that you should definitely not miss. The entrance fee is quite high, but the view of the city, the sea and Mount Etna from the stands is simply unique.

The theater was originally built by the Greeks in the 3rd century. BC. later used by the Romans and in the 2nd century. AD. into an arena for gladiator fights.

Large events and concerts take place here in the evenings. The atmosphere with this backdrop must be incredibly fascinating – if you have time, ask about current events on site.

Buy your tickets in advance here & avoid the queue*

Duomo di Taormina

The Duomo di Taormina dates back to the 13th century and is rather plain on the outside. You can also easily recognize the Norman influences in the straightforward architecture. The square in front of it with its baroque fountain is particularly pretty.

Naumachie

In a small side street off Corso Umberto you will find a very special sight in Taormina: the Naumachie is a massive brick wall about 120 meters long and 5 meters high, which probably once formed the boundary of a sports facility where athletes trained.

Villa Comunale

Taormina can be quite exhausting during the day, especially if you keep getting caught between tours of cruise tourists at neuralgic points such as the Corso Umberto or the Teatro Greco.

The gardens of Villa Comunale are a true oasis of calm and a perfect opportunity to take a breather. You also have a great view of the sea and the coast.

The gardens were originally owned by Lady Florence Travelyan, an English noblewoman who also owned Isola Bella. However, like Isola Bella, the park now belongs to the town of Taormina and is open to the public.

The small oriental-style buildings, the“beehives“, are particularly striking. These used to be used for birdwatching or afternoon tea, but are currently not accessible and unfortunately no longer in such good condition.

Via degli Artisti

Via degli Artisti is also a great photo opportunity in Taormina. Here you will find galleries, murals and colorfully designed house facades.

Isola Bella

Isola Bella is a small island off the beach of Mazzaró. It is connected to the beach by a small sandbank and can therefore be reached on foot. Depending on the tide, your feet may or may not get wet, so it’s best to wear something that can be rolled up or put on a beach outfit.

The island itself is a nature reserve and part of it can be visited for a few euros.

However, I personally didn’t find the beach at Mazzaró particularly nice for swimming. A large part of the beach is taken up by hotels and beach bars. And instead of a sandy beach, you’ll find coarse pebbles here. The view of Isola Bella is nevertheless very beautiful and the elegant vibe at La Plage Resort* tempted me to settle down here for a cool drink – but it’s not exactly cheap, and spending an entire vacation here wouldn’t be my thing.

Where to dine in Taormina

You’ll find plenty of cafés and restaurants in Taormina. Unfortunately, the price level here is much higher and you also have to be careful with the quality: Tourist traps are not uncommon here.

Here are a few tips that won’t disappoint you and where you can enjoy typical Sicilian specialties without the touristy atmosphere!

Taverna Don Nino This small, cozy taverna is located near the Villa Comunale and quite away from the hustle and bustle. A real insider tip! There are only two pasta dishes on the menu: pasta alla norma (tomato, eggplant and ricotta) and pasta with pistachio cream and bacon, but they are really, really good and very cheap for Taormina. My recommendation for lunch!

Bam Bar The Bam Bar serves typical Sicilian granita, brioche and coffee in a colorful atmosphere – perfect for something sweet in between.

Chapeau Corso Umberto is of course bustling with life in the evening, but the Chaplin, whose terrace is somewhat hidden down a flight of steps to the side of the Duomo, is a really atmospheric place to sit. And the cocktails are great!

Casamatta Small, modern wine bar with a relaxed atmosphere. Also open during the day.

Budget tip: Rosticceria Da Cristina 2 always serves fresh and good pizza from the tray, delicious street food such as arancine and inexpensive daily specials!

If you want to learn a little more about Sicilian wine, a trip to Taormina is a good opportunity to take part in a wine tasting:

Book a wine and food tour in Taormina here*

Staying overnight in Taormina

Taormina is definitely one of the most expensive spots in Sicily. This means that accommodation here is not exactly cheap and the price-performance ratio often leaves a lot to be desired.

However, if you want to spoil yourself with slightly more expensive accommodation, Taormina is the place for you! Here you will find beautiful boutique hotels or luxury hotels such as the San Domenico Palace*, known from the Netflix series “White Lotus”.

For example, if you want to stay in the middle of it all, but still in a stylish and cozy atmosphere, you should take a look at the Taodomus Small Boutique Hotel*. There are only a few rooms available, so book early.

I was just passing through and unfortunately made a complete mess of my first accommodation: Too expensive, too unfriendly, too dirty. That’s why I moved again, and I can really recommend the accommodation:

Budget tip: Just outside the city center, but within walking distance of the cable car valley station and Isola Bella, I discovered a quaint guesthouse in an old town villa: Villa Moschella* may be a little outdated, but it is really well maintained – and the location is unbeatable. Please note: The rooms are very popular and get booked up quickly!

Check prices & availability for the Villa Moschella in Taormina*

How do you get to Taormina?

Tours & public transportation

Taormina is relatively easy to reach, despite its location on a mountainside. Day trips are offered from many places, e.g. from Catania. You can also take the train to Taormina-Giardini station on your own. From there, buses run up to the center.

Taormina cable car

Mazzaró beach, on the other hand, can be reached by cable car from the center of Taormina. During the season, the cable car runs late into the night, so you can easily enjoy balmy summer nights in the atmospheric old town and then return to your beach hotel.

Prices & timetable for the cable car in Taormina can be found here

Parking: tips for a stress-free journey

Driving in Taormina can be a sheer horror: The access roads are sometimes winding, narrow and crowded. In the high season, you also have to share the narrow roads with various coaches and the roads that you are allowed to drive on in the town center are often one-way streets.

This way you can avoid stress when traveling by car:

• Head straight for Porta Catania. There is a large multi-storey parking garage where you have the best chance of finding a parking space close to Corso Umberto. Unfortunately, the driveways are relatively narrow and you sometimes have to drive up many floors. But the location is unbeatable.
• There are many parking lots around Taormina that offer a shuttle service.
• There are also several parking spaces around the valley station of the cable car.
• Day trips to Taormina are also offered from many places, so you can simply leave the rental car/your car behind.
• Are you staying overnight in Taormina and traveling by rental car? Find out in advance whether a parking space is available.

Are you looking for cheap rental cars for Sicily?
I booked my car for my road trip here*

Is a trip to Taormina worthwhile?

Taormina has a bit of a reputation: It’s posh, at the same time very crowded and somehow doesn’t really want to create a Sicilian atmosphere. And when the big cruise ships dock in neighboring Naxos, it gets even more crowded.

Nevertheless, Taormina is really very charming, and if you follow some of the tips in my guide here, you will certainly find one or two less crowded corners. You should also experience Taormina in the evening: The atmospherically illuminated old town in the evening is truly romantic.

However, I wouldn’t want to spend too much time here, it’s just too touristy and Sicily has so much more to offer! So: excursion definitely, longer no.

Here you will find the 20 most beautiful sights in Sicily with many other great places

Map with all locations for Taormina

Here you can find a map with all the locations from this article. Perfect for saving for your trip!

This post was written on a research trip through Sicily for Travellers Insight, the travel blog of Munich Airport. On the website, you can find more exciting tips for Sicily, Trapani Palermo.