The best things to do in Taormina, Sicily
We spent two days in Taormina, Sicily at the start of March. Though the main tourist season starts at the end of March/start of April, most of the main attractions were still open. However a few bars and restaurants were still closed for winter.
Sicily gets very hot in the summer but during our visit it was around 18°C in the day and 13°C at night. Perfect weather for exploring and sipping on Aperol, without needing a break from the sun! These were our favourite things to do in Taormina.
Explore the town
Taormina sits high above sea level with impressive views across the Mediterranean and Mount Etna. Just wandering around the town's old, narrow streets, piazzas, and churches is an experience in itself. We especially enjoyed the Chiesa del Varó and the views from Piazza IX Aprile.
Walk (or catch the cable car) to Isola Bella
The iconic island that protrudes from the eastern edge of Taormina is Isola Bella. Once accessible, it’s now closed to the public and is a protected wildlife conservation area. However you can still go down to the beach, catch a boat ride, swim in the sea, and even relax at a beach club – if they’re open during your visit.
The cable car was closed for maintenance so we walked down (what feels like) hundreds of steps to visit Isola Bella – which is definitely worth the view. But catching the cable car or replacement bus back to the top is recommended!
Visit Villa Comunale
This beautiful garden overlooking the ocean was designed in part by a cousin of Queen Victoria in the early 1800s. Today it’s a place to relax, watch the sunset, check out the old Sicilian architecture, and wander among the different plants. Villa Comunale is free to enter and opening times vary depending on the season.
Check out the amphitheatres
There are two ancient theatres in Taormina – one Greek and one Roman. We visited the larger Greek theatre one morning. Entry costs €6.50 per person and we spent about 45 minutes wandering the grounds.
Eat at pizzerias and Osterias
One of the best things about a trip to Italy is the food (and limoncello spritzes). We were only in Taormina for two nights, which meant we only had a few opportunities to eat in town. But these were our favourites.
Osteria da Rita for pasta
La Neapolitana for pizza
Bam Bar for granita
Arco Rosso for drinks and bruschetta
Planning a holiday to Sicily? Check out our full travel itinerary here.