Taormina is a beautiful hilltop town that offers plenty of charming spots to take in the Sicilian island vibes, with sweeping Ionian seascapes and Mt. Etna serving as backdrop. Among the best things to do in Taormina include exploring the Teatro Antico (historical centre), the heart of the town where the main walking street of Corso Umberto leads you to most of the interesting landmarks and dramatic viewpoints.
The most notable landmark is the Greek Theatre, with ruins and stage pillars that perfectly frame the blue waters of the Ionian. If you fancy a swim in the calm waves, head down to the coves and pebbled islet coast of Isola Bella. Historical churches dot the main street and rocky hillsides above, and there’s cool spots to head to after the sun sets. Here are great things to do in Taormina in a day or two, well worth the hour’s train ride south from Messina in north-eastern Sicily.
What are the best things to do in Taormina?
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Porta Messina
Taormina's landmark gateway
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You can take in Taormina’s blend of antiquity and modern buzz at this arched stone gateway. It’s also where you can start strolling down Corso Umberto, the main walking street, and reach the viewpoint square of Piazza Aprile midway. Porta Messina is one among 2 of the once fortified town’s portals, the other being Porta Catania that’s around 800 metres on the southwestern end of the Corso. The blue Interbus coach from the train station can take you up to Porta Messina.
ที่ตั้ง: Corso Umberto, 1, Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
เปิด: 24 hours
แผนที่ภาพโดย Jerome Bon (CC BY 2.0) เวอร์ชั่นแก้ไข
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Palazzo Corvaja
A lonely but magnificent 10th-century structure
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This grand Medieval stone fortress-like building’s just a minutes’ walk down from Porta Messina. It has an inner courtyard featuring old Christian reliefs and arched windows with a bit of Arabic influence. Palazzo Corvaja now functions as a museum and art gallery, frequently holding painting and multimedia exhibitions. From the outside, it stands large and tall, retaining much of its ancient architectural features – in contrast to the surrounding modern buildings within the piazza. This partly makes it popular for pre-wedding shoots.
ที่ตั้ง: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
เปิด: Daily from 8.30 am to 10 pm
โทร: +39 (0)942 23243
แผนที่ - 3
Corso Umberto
Taormina's charming main street
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From either of the town’s 2 stone portals, you’ll find yourself walking along the pedestrian-only shopping haven of Corso Umberto. It’s a pleasant cobblestoned route lined with flowers, but can be get quite busy with the summer crowds. This can be good if you like people watching – there’s plenty of cafés along the course where you can sit and enjoy a coffee. Speciality shops range from fashion to jewellery, while most have displays filled with souvenirs. It’s charming during sunset time, with fewer tour groups.
ที่ตั้ง: Corso Umberto, Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
เปิด: Most shops are open daily from 10 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 8.30 pm
แผนที่ภาพโดย Eleassar (CC BY-SA 4.0) เวอร์ชั่นแก้ไข
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Piazza IX Aprile
Pause for a scenic seascape
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Halfway down Corso Umberto, you’ll come across this spacious and beautifully chequered-tiled piazza. It can provide you with a pause and relief from the usually crowded street, with a prize view as its bonus. From the piazza’s southern side, you can take in the sweeping seascape of the Ionian Sea. The other sides are bordered by historical landmarks, namely the baroque San Giuseppe church, the Church of St. Augustine, and the striking fortress-like clock tower. The square’s gorgeous, both day and night.
ที่ตั้ง: Piazza IX Aprile, 6, Corso Umberto, Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
เปิด: 24 hours
แผนที่ - 5
Greek Theatre
Watch an opera at an ancient landmark set against the Ionian Sea
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A 6-minute detour from Porta Messina, Taormina’s ancient Teatro Greco (Greek Theatre) is spectacularly set against the Ionian seascape, with the silhouettes of Mount Etna in the background. It’s a wonderful sight on its own, featuring the intact stadium, terraces and preserved stone walls, together with the ruins of an ancient temple and the stage’s large columns. It still hosts a variety of operas, as well as shows and concerts today. Tickets are from €10, but entry is free if you come on the first Sunday of the month.
ที่ตั้ง: Via del Teatro Greco, 40, Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
เปิด: varies throughout the year, usually from 9 am to 6 pm
โทร: +39 (0)942 23220
แผนที่ - 6
Giardini della Villa Comunale
An urban oasis with magnificent views
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If you’re looking for some serenity to go with the Taormina’s lovely sea views, head down to this small park that’s around 4 minutes’ walk from Piazza IX Aprile. The beautiful Giardini della Villa Comunale offers quiet and lazy strolls, away from the common crowds of Corso Umberto. The well-manicured gardens have bronze sculptures and fountains among flowerbeds and shrubs, and pathways around the cliff edge allow you to take in the views of the bay and parts of the coastal town below. The garden is open to the public.
ที่ตั้ง: Via Bagnoli Croce, Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
เปิด: Daily from 9 am to midnight (summer), and from 9 am to 8 pm (winter)
แผนที่ - 7
Mazzarò-Taormina Cable Car
Steady journey with birds'-eye-views
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A fun way to enjoy an overview of the town and its seascape is from the air – by Taormina’s funivia (cable car). It connects the town’s historical hub to the coastal area of neighbouring Mazzarò. Tickets are inexpensive, and you can hop into a cabin every 15 minutes. Besides enjoying a steady ride with great aerial views, after arriving at Mazzarò you can also easily reach the idyllic islet and beach of Isola Bella within a 10-minute walk down Via Nazionale.
ที่ตั้ง: Isola Bella, Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
เปิด: Mondays from 9 am to 8 pm and Tuesday - Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm. Open until 1 am in summer.
แผนที่ - 8
Isola Bella Beach
Taormina's most beautiful islet and bay
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Head down to Isola Bella Beach if you’re looking to spend some time soaking up some rays or wading in the calm blue waters of the Ionian Sea. The beach forms a natural causeway at low tide, connecting to the rocky limestone islet of the same name. It’s pretty, but very gravelly, with large pebbles and practically no sand. Most sections of the beach are public with sun loungers and paddleboards for rent. You can also find a natural museum here to learn more about the beach’s history (entry is around €4).
ที่ตั้ง: Isola Bella, Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
เปิด: Tuesday - Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. In winter time may vary depending on weather conditions. Tours are staggered in groups of 15 people
แผนที่ - 9
Santuario Madonna della Rocca
Panoramas from a 17th-century church built into a cliff
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This historical chapel is built into rocks above the town. It has a cliff-edge courtyard from where you can take in scenic vistas, with the Greek theatre and bay in view. It’s peaceful and quiet, offering a quiet escape distanced away from the town crowds below. Most buses from town stop here along the way up to the neighbouring commune of Castelmola, and you can even walk up the steps from Corso Umberto (but don’t forget your sunscreen and drinking water in the summer).
ที่ตั้ง: Taormina, Messina, Italy
เปิด: Daily from 8.30 am to 7 pm
โทร: +39 (0)338 803 3448
แผนที่ภาพโดย Arnoldius (CC BY-SA 2.5) เวอร์ชั่นแก้ไข
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San Giorgio Theater
Enjoy Italian arias and duets with a glass of prosecco
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Taormina’s opera house features classics from Madame Butterfly to La Bohème, performed by its troupe of professional singers and pianists. Tickets are around €10, which also gets you a glass of prosecco wine, offered during the show’s halftime interval on their scenic rooftop terrace. You can also check out Taormina Arte, the town’s arts and cultural events rundown of operas such as The Barber of Seville, musicals, sopranos and dance events. It often takes place between the summer months of June and September with venues that include the Greek Theatre. Depending on seating arrangements, tickets range between €23 and €70.
ที่ตั้ง: Via Don Bosco, Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
เปิด: (April) every Saturday from 8.15 pm. (May - October) every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.15 pm.
โทร: +39 (0)340 642 6230
แผนที่