Teatro Antico
One of the best things to do in Taormina is visiting Teatro Antico, which translates to Ancient Theater. It was built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BCE and offers stunning views of Mt. Etna. The theater is still used today for performances and the Taormina Film Festival (which is why you can see a screen in the photo above).
The theater itself offers very little shade, so we recommend going early in the morning if traveling during the Summer. You can purchase standard tickets when you arrive, or choose to go with a guide* and skip the line for a little more. For anyone interested in history, we recommend going with a guide so you can maximize your visit!
- Cost: $28 (Guided)
- More Information: Ancient Theater
- Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Isola Bella
Isola Bella is one of the most famous beaches in Sicily. (You may recognize it from Season 2 of the White Lotus – as it was used as a filming location for the HBO show). It’s deemed the “Pearl of the Ionian Sea”. Since Taormina sits high above the actual coast, you need to take a cable car to get down to the beach area. Be prepared for a lot of stairs! The cable car is inexpensive (3 euros each way) and you can purchase tickets on-site. The ride is less than 5 minutes.
There are a few beach clubs where you can rent a chair & umbrella, while enjoying drinks and food from the bar. We visited Mendolia Beach Club and it cost us around 20 euros a person, but prices can vary depending on time of day and season. It was the perfect way to relax after a few busy days of sightseeing. Be aware that the beaches near Isola Bella are pebbly so it may be helpful to bring water shoes if you plan to swim.
- Cost: €6 (R/T cable car) + 20€ (beach chair/umbrella)
- Estimated Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Chiesa Madonna della Rocca
It is free to visit this small chapel, built into the rocks high above the city, but you’ll pay for it in stairs! It’s 300 steps from downtown Taormina to get to the top but the view is worth it. If you’re traveling in the Summer, we recommend going early in the morning to beat the heat, as there is very little shade along the path. You can enter the chapel daily from 9:30-12:30 but we found we enjoyed the views of Taormina and Mt. Etna the most!
- Cost: Free
- Estimated Time Needed: 1 hour
Mt. Etna Wine Tasting
An unforgettable excursion to do while in Taormina is to get out into the countryside to visit the Mt. Etna wine region. Not only are the views incredible but the wines are award winning! There are a variety of tours leaving Taormina, but we recommend this small group tour* that includes roundtrip transportation, a wine tasting and lunch. For more information about this experience, check out our previous post: A day in Mt Etna Wine Region.
- Cost: $150 per person
- More information: Mt Etna Small Group Wine & Food Tasting*
- Estimated Time Needed: All Day
Piazza IX Aprile
Piazza IX Aprile is considered downtown Taormina. It’s home to the Duomo, St. Nicolas Cathedral as well as a viewpoint overlooking the Ionian Sea. It’s located off their main shopping street, Corso Umberto, where you can pop into local boutiques for clothes, souvenirs and ceramics. We found some amazing hand-made items in Taormina, including an olive dish and lemon juicer.
- Cost: Free
- Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours (if shopping)
Villa Comunale
Villa Comunale was recommended to us by a friend whose family lives in the region and it’s a hidden gem! Surrounded by fauna & flora, it’s a quiet place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The large trees offer a lot of shade and the views of the coastline are stunning. This would be a perfect spot to bring some Sicilian treats and relax.
- Cost: Free
- Estimated Time Needed: 1 hour
Bam Bar
A visit to Taormina Sicily isn’t complete without trying some Granita. Granita is a semi-frozen dessert made from fruit. The best way I can describe the texture is that it’s like a combination of gelato & Italian ice. This frozen treat originated in Sicily and is usually served with a large, soft brioche bun for dipping. Bam Bar is a famous location in Sicily to try granita, though, so be prepared to wait for a table. Some of our favorite flavors included strawberry, lemon & pistachio.
- Cost: 3-5 euros
- Estimated Time Needed: 1/2 – 1 hour (depending on the wait)
Overall, Taormina Sicily was one of our favorite cities during our Summer trip. From the charming downtown – to the crystal clear water along the coast, don’t miss out on this dreamy destination!
