Taormina in Sicily - 10 beautiful attractions

Taormina, located on the eastern coast of Sicily, is by far the most beautiful and charming town we've seen in Sicily. Situated high up on a mountain, the town offers both a breathtaking drive up steep hairpin bends and a stunning view of the sea.

We were deluged with a heavy rain shower during our visit, but I hope the pictures can still do the city some justice. We also met a blogger who I've been following since she started blogging from Sicily 6.5 years ago!

Taormina

Taormina is a popular place for tourists arriving by plane or arriving by cruise ship, and it's not hard to see why. The town is incredibly charming with its narrow streets, charming house fronts and countless outdoor cafes. The city sits high up from the sea but is connected by the Mazzaro beach with the blue caves below, with a cable car. funiva - a cable car.

1st Isola Bella

Head down to the popular Isola Bella beach which takes 5 minutes from the town on the mountain. Be prepared for huge crowds in the summer because the beach is very beautiful. The small island of Isola bella was bought in 1890 by Miss Florence Trevelyan who enhanced it by building a house and cultivating rare plants with precious essence.

2. Picturesque city

If you want to visit some nearby sights, there's a Greek theatre dating back to the 2nd century and two medieval castles (Castello di Taormina and Castelmola) - and of course the volcano. Etna. But just strolling around the alleys or having a glass of wine in one of the charming outdoor cafes is an experience!

3. Ancient theatre in Taormina

The Greek amphitheatre is the most unique building in Taormina. It was built sometime around the 2nd century BC and was originally just a theatre stage, but later in time became more of a stage for gladiators. It measures 109 metres in diameter and for the orchestra (when it was just a theatre) 35 metres in diameter, and seated 10,000 people.

The mighty theatre has the most stunning views in Sicily, with Mount Etna and the Strait of Naxos (Ionian Sea) in one direction and Italy's Calabria in the other. The theatre is Sicily's second largest amphitheatre after the one in Siracusa.

4. The Odeon Theatre in Taormina

In 21 BC, the Romans built a small theatre for about 200 people, behind the church of St Catherine of Alexandria opposite the Corvaja Palace in the centre of the city. At the end of the 16th century, the church of St Catherine of Alexandria was built where the stage had stood, and the Roman theatre was forgotten until 1893. The theatre was used for more personal events, judges and rehearsals of various kinds.

5. Piazza del Duomo

In the classic square (Piazza) there are more sights. Piazza duomo fountain or "Four Fountains" as it is also called from 1635 in baroque style. There are four ponies in each corner spraying fountain water from their mouths, and in the centre are the two large fountains. At the centre is a minotaur, half man and half horse, which is the emblem of Taormina.

From the square you can also see the 14th century cathedral "Duomo di San Nicola". The square is like something out of a film and has everything you need to want to go back.

6. St Joseph's Church

Built between the late 17th and early 18th centuries, this baroque church dominates. It is located outside the bell tower where the door to the third existing walls opened. Photo taken from Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina's main square.

7th Palace Dukes of Santo Stefano

Located near Porta Catania, the city's southern entrance, the palace is definitely one of the Sicilian Gothic masterpieces. It blends elements of Arabic and Norman art. This fourteenth-century palace consists of three floors and has a beautiful garden in front of the two main eastern and northern facades. The palace was the residence of the De Spuches, a noble family of Spanish origin, which is certainly reflected in the building.

8. the Palazzo Corvaja

The Corvaja Palace is located in Piazza Badia at Porta Messina at the angle of the Church of St Catherine in Alexandria. The palace was originally built in the 11th century by the Arabs who then ruled Taormina, having conquered the city in 902.

Palazzo's origins include the early 11th century Arab fortress, which in turn was built on Roman foundations. It was subsequently added to at various periods until the 15th century. Its main body is an Islamic tower and has a courtyard where the Islamic influence can be seen in the arched windows and doors. A 13th century staircase leads up to the first floor and an ornamental balcony overlooking the courtyard.

9. chiesa di San Pancrazio

The church of S. Pancrazio bishop and martyr "patron of Taormina" stands on the ruins of the Greek temple of Jupiter Serapis. Its baroque architecture dates back to the second half of the 16th century.

10th Florence Trevelyan

The beautiful public park, is just one of the pieces of land originally purchased by Florence Trevelyan. She was a close relative of Queen Victoria, and was involved in a forbidden affair with the future English King Edward VII. After being exiled from England, she travelled around Europe before settling in Taormina in 1884.

She married local doctor Salvatore Cacciola and started building several Victorian gardens. The foundations of her 1922 ideas gave the city eternal life. They are now open to the public as a peaceful place to relax from the Mediterranean heat, and enjoy the stunning views along the coast.

Bloggers living in Sicily

Already when Johanna started blogging from Sicily 6.5 years ago, I started following her blog Living in Sicily - it was actually one of the first blogs I started reading. It was great that we could meet yesterday over a glass of wine in Taormina.

Johanna runs her own business in Sicily, including exporting organic vegetables, and it was incredibly interesting to hear more about Sicilian culture and how things work here, both in private life and in the business world.

The cultural differences from Sweden are huge, not least when it comes to what is expected of a woman and a man respectively. It's great to meet someone who can share these experiences, which is difficult to pick up when travelling as a tourist. Thank you for a nice and interesting evening, Johanna!

See more around Taormina

If you have time to look around Taormina, there are more places to seek out.

Forza d'Agro

20 minutes from Taormina and past the tourist resort of Letojanni you'll find the filming location of the godfather film Forza d'Agro. Many of the alleys are so narrow and cobbled, it won't even fit a small Italian car. This is where Francis Ford Coppola got stuck when making his amazing Godfather films.

Getting here: From Taormina - take the A18/E45 toll road, which takes 39 minutes and is 27.4 km long.

Savoca

30 minutes further up the mountain from Forza d'Agro you'll also find the stunning little village of Savoca. It is well known to fans of The Godfather as the village where Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, meets and marries Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone.

Getting here: From Taormina - take the A18/E45 toll road, which takes 39 minutes and is 27.4 km long.

Castelmola

Go even higher up to the village of Castelmola, and get an even better panorama from Mount Tauro. Standing in Piazza Saint Antonino, see Taormina from above.

The small town that inspired Rune Andreasson where grandma would live in the Bamse books. The Monte Tauro mountain also takes you to the "Castillo de Castelmola" a medieval ruined castle at the top, but you have to walk. Don't forget the Turrisi bar and café in the village.

Getting here: From Taormina by bus, scooter or car and go via Leornardo da Vinci and SP10 which takes 20 minutes and is 6.7 km.

More to see in Sicily

There is, of course, even more to see around Sicily. Below you'll find lots of reports with tips and inspiration.

Have you been to Taormina

Have you been to Taormina? How was your experience?

Facts about Taormina

• Country: Italy
• Region: Sicily
• Provins: Messina
• Residents: Around 10 872 (2017) 
• Language: Italian and Sicilian (some speak English)
• Currency: Euro
• Price mode: A bit cheaper than Sweden
• Getting around: Walking, cycling, cable car or bus
• Time difference: None
• Country number: 0039
• Emergency number: 112
• Religion: Christianity, Catholics
• El: Like Sweden
• Water: Drinking beard
• Think about? Eating is the same as in Italy, i.e. there are primi piatti (pasta, risotto, etc.) and secondi piatti (meat, fish, etc.) and side dishes such as potatoes and vegetables are ordered separately. A Sicilian does not want to be called Italian.

Accommodation in Taormina

Hotel Villa Paradiso at Via Roma 2, 98039 Taormina. Free Wi-Fi and breakfast at this well-located 4-star hotel.

Taormina Palace Hotel at Viale S. Pancrazio 56, 98039 Taormina. Free Wi-Fi and breakfast are included at this 4-star hotel.

Eurostars Monte Tauro at via Madonna Delle Grazie 3, 98039 Taormina. Crazy views and breakfast at this 4-star hotel.

Taormina Garden Hotel at Via Nazionale 155, 98039 Taormina. Simple clean 2-star hotel

You can easily find your place via booking.com or Arbnb.

Travelling to Taormina

Fly into Catania Airport which is about an hour's drive away along the smooth E45 road if you take a hire car. Otherwise, there are buses that take 1 hour 30 minutes.

By train, you can take the AMT Alibus to Catania railway station and then the train along the scenic coastline. You may need a taxi or bus to get from Taormina-Giardini station to the city.

Restaurants in Taormina

• Al Saraceno. views of the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna and a pizza.
  Address: Via Madonna della Rocca, 16/18, Taormina. 
•  Pizzichella. Fish restaurant on Isola Bella beach, all served with a nice sea view.
  Address: Spiaggia Isola Bella, Taormina
•  Bam Bar. It serves Taormina's best granita, a popular Italian iced drink that can be described as the adult version of the slush puppie. Choose between almond, coffee, strawberry and mulberry. For breakfast, they serve coffee granita with whipped cream and fluffy brioche.
  Address: Via Di Giovanni 45, Taormina
• Re di Bastoni Pub at Corso Umberto 120, 98039 Taormina. If you want a simple salad and a beer in the middle of the day.
• Trattoria Da Nino at Via Luigi Pirandello 37a, 98039 Taormina. Simple two-course meal for under 200 Sek.

Shopping in Taormina

Antiques and ceramics are the most common items you will find for sale in Taormina. Prices are likely to be highest during the summer from June to September, which is the peak tourist season. If you want to buy souvenirs, you can find them on Via Luigi Pirandello and Viale San Pancrazio, but they are more expensive here than elsewhere in Sicily.

The main shopping street is Corso Umberto and extends from Porta Messina to Porta Catania. The street is quite packed with elegant shops and cafes, as this is also Taormina's main street. It's fun to look too.

Pitches and camping in Taormina

Aurora car park at Vale Dionisio, Giardini Naxos. Close to the beach and bus to Taormina.