Ciao, bella Taormina!
Taormina…we found the perfect term for it, it’s the Positano of Sicily. With its hilltop views, winding roads and terraced landscapes, Taormina has Amalfi coast charm right here in the South. This is definitely a place you want to add to your Sicily bucket list. Taormina is a luxurious and lush Sicilian hilltop city. Known for its breathtaking scenery, high-end shopping and crystal clear beaches.
Taormina is so easy to visit if you are staying in Catania. You don’t have to worry about navigating through windy roads or claustrophobic Italian backstreets; it is simply a quick 45 minute drive on the open A18 highway. There is also ample parking in Taormina thanks to their many large parking areas so you don’t have to stress about finding a parking spot on a busy summer afternoon or evening. (We saved you the parking locations at the bottom of the post).
We’ll be honest, Taormina gets quite crowded in July & August so come prepared for the crowds. However, you can still enjoy a tranquil Taormina and have it mostly to yourself in the summer months if you wake up early. We know rising early doesn’t sound like fun when you are on vacation, but you’ll thank us later. Around 8am the town is still just waking up, the streets & cafes are all empty so you can have them all to yourself. This is the best time to take photos and grab a granita at Bam Bar for breakfast.
After that we recommend a visit to Teatro Antico di Taormina. If you are interested in ancient ruins combined with gorgeous views, this is the place for you. This is an open-air amphitheater that has been preserved, but is also still being used for concerts and shows today. It does cost a small fee to enter, but this place is actually really spectacular for many different reasons. First, it is enormous. There is so much space to walk around and take photos without having to worry about all of the people that are also there. Second, the views! This place is situated at one of the highest points in Taormina so you can see the terraced homes and businesses that form the city of Taormina while also getting that beautiful coastal view. On a very clear day, you might even be able to see mainland Italy! Lastly, the artifacts are truly amazing and it is marvelous that we are able to get near them and interact with them as much as we can here.
Where to eat?
We often get asked to recommend places to eat, so this time around we wanted to make sure we have some awesome options for you. Here are our favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner places.
Breakfast
BamBar - Via di Giovanni, 43, 98039 Taormina ME
Give us all the granita! Okay, if you have had granita before you have never had it like this. We mentioned this in our Marzamemi post but if you don’t know what granita is, it is a little difficult to describe because literally nothing compares to it. Granita is known as ‘Italian ice’ but it is thicker than a snow cone and less creamy than ice cream. Bottom line, you need to try one and BamBar is just the place to do that. With a wide variety of flavors, five options in the morning and sixteen in the afternoon, the owner prides himself in having the best granita in Sicily. We have been living here for over a year and a half and have had our fair share of granita around the island. Although we have not tried them all, this has been the most flavorful of in our opinion. Also, how cute is this place?! The yellow tiles on the walls outside, accent table tops and hand painted walls on the inside of the venue makes it a great instagram location as well. They have great hours as they don’t close for riposo (extended lunch break). They open as early as 7am and close at 11pm every day except for Monday when they are closed. Seriously, do yourself a favor and order at least two flavors of granita with some panna and brioche and take some cute pics. You will not be disappointed!
Lunch
Medousa Bistrot - Via Sesto Pompeo, 1, 98039 Taormina ME
Unwind from a busy day of sightseeing and enjoy a fresh lunch here. Medousa Bistrot is a beautiful outdoor garden oasis filled with decorative Sicilian gems. It is a lovely venue to stop at to enjoy a glass of wine, a bruschetta with burrata or a light and refreshing seared tuna salad. While the lunch menu is not very large, it is seasonal and fresh. If you are a bit tired of pizza and pasta, this is a great alternative for lunch since it provides you with options such as salads, fresh fish, etc. In addition to the amazing food, the atmosphere is unlike any other scene in Taormina’s city center. While staying central you still feel relaxed and serene thanks to the greenery that encloses you from the hustle and bustle of the city. Mainly, it is a really enticing and beautifully decorated place with exquisite food. Check it out the next time you’re in Taormina.
Drinks
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo - Via Teatro Greco, 59, 98039 Taormina ME
If you aren’t familiar with the Belmond hotel chain, this is a luxury hotel that seriously takes luxury to the next level. We are so blessed to have a Belmond in Sicily and there is no better location for it than in Taormina. At first glance, you see the floral arched walkway leading to the large double doors of the lobby. Walking through the doors and seeing the intricate details in the room will take your breath away. We know the nightly rates are quite expensive at this hotel, so if you can’t stay the night at least go to enjoy a drink and maybe some lunch or dinner at their outdoor lounge. Their beautiful and expansive terrace gives you some of the best views to see in all of Sicily! With panoramic ocean views you can trace the Eastern coastline of Sicily while simultaneously being treated to views of the active volcano Mt. Etna. Does it get anymore Sicilian than that? We don’t think so!
Dinner
Osteria Nero d’Avola Via S. Domenico de Guzman, 2B, 98039 Taormina ME
With a traditional Sicilian menu and an opening time of 7pm, this two time Michelin award winning restaurant is just what you need to finish your day in Taormina. This restaurant is located off of the main square so it is likely to not be overly crowded when you visit, but it is still recommended that you make a reservation in advance just in case. Their menu consists of traditional Sicilian dishes such as pasta nero di seppia and pasta norma but here the food is made fresh with organic produce and fish caught daily. There is a large menu selection of food and Sicilian wines to choose from and best of all, the items are all reasonably priced.
Views
Parco Duca Di Cesaro - Via Bagnoli Croci, 98039 Taormina ME
This enormous park is a great place to check out while in Taormina. There are multiple entrances to the park that will show you different pieces the landscape has to offer. Regardless of which entrance you choose, we recommend taking the time to walk through the entire park so you can see all it has to offer. Known for its expansive landscaped gardens and picturesque sea and city views, you will also find special pieces of architecture hidden throughout the park. There are multiple benches to sit down and relax on as well as water fountains to drink cool refreshing water from. So go ahead and explore this little secret while in Taormina.
Our IG secret spot
After having breakfast or dessert at Bam Bar, make sure you check out the tiny street to its right called Piazza S. Domenica. It has the most beautifully painted door in Taormina along with a gorgeous balcony overflowing with succulents planted in Sicily’s iconic Testa di Moro, the moorish head ceramics. The house belongs to a well knows Sicilian fashion designer, Marella Ferrera. We definitely love her taste in house front decor.
Beach
Isola Bella Beach - Via Luigi Pirandello, 22, 98039 Taormina ME
Relax at one of the best beaches in Sicily. This beach is super fun to locate as you get to ride a cable car down from the city of Taormina! After you park in one of the areas we mentioned above, head to the address listed here. This will take you to the Taormina cable cars which run from the beach to the city every 15 minutes. After buying a ticket for €3, the car will take you down to the coastline of Taormina. Head to the right and you will see Isola Bella beach. During the summer season, you can pay to relax on a chair under and under an umbrella or bring your own chair and relax for free. We typically will rent the chair and umbrella as we like to use the amenities the beach club provides. For example, there is a bathroom, restaurant, bar, and shower. The water at this beach is a clear and turquoise blue unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. Even if you aren’t visiting in the summer months, it is still worth a visit to walk around the beach and marvel at its beauty.
*There is a parking lot near the beach if you do not wish to take the cable car. However, the drive down is narrow and quite steep. The views are beautiful though, and during the off season when there are less cars and people on the streets this could be a good option!
Here is the address: Via Nazionale, 62, 98039 Villagonia ME
Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea - Via Nazionale, 137, 98039 Taormina ME
Yep, there’s another one! This second Belmond location is a sister hotel to the one previously mentioned. While Hotel Timeo sits high on the hilltop and provides you with once in a lifetime views of Taormina, Villa Sant’Andrea gives you the Sicilian beach experience and provides you with private beach access. You can visit this paradise on the beach to enjoy a day in a plush lounge bed or have a waterfront dining experience. As a reminder, this is a luxury hotel so the prices reflect this; however, the view, food, and experience will be well worth it.
Shopping
If you are interested in high-end luxury shopping, ceramics shopping or souvenir shopping, Taormina has got you covered! It is one of the more expensive places on the island to purchase from, so if you are traveling to another location and don’t want to spend so much money I would recommend waiting. However, Taormina does have a lot to offer in terms of shopping compared to other cities on the island. So if you find something you can’t live without - buy it! There are many affluent clothing, jewelry, handbag and shoe shops in Taormina. If you aren’t looking to buy, window shopping is always fun! Additionally, Taormina is a great place to find authentic Sicilian ceramics. If you are looking for something traditional such as the Moorish heads, the lemon tiled table tops or the colorful pine cones (la pigna) which line the streets and restaurants you can find them reasonably priced at any of the ceramic shops here. The shops are always a pleasure to wander around in and gaze at the beauty of the handmade pieces even if you aren't looking to buy. Lastly, there is the souvenir shops which you can find on just about every corner in Taormina. Whether you are looking to take home a magnet, some limoncello, or a T-shirt, you will see an abundance of shops all over Toarmina and will find just what you are looking for.
As we mentioned earlier, Taormina is breathtaking. Whether you are up in the city or down on the coastline, Taormina is full of shops, restaurants and activities for you to enjoy. So why not just take a walk without a destination in mind and see what you can discover!
Taormina Parking
There are two parking structures within the city that allow for visitors to park. It is not at all possible to park on the streets of Taormina, because it is restricted to residents & delivery vehicles. The roads are also extremely narrow and windy, so we recommend you go straight to one of the below parking lots. They are super convenient and take the stress out of driving in Taormina.
Parcheggio Lumbi - Taormina 98039 Taormina, Province of Messina
This large and spacious parking garage is located on the drive up to the city center of Taormina. Since the city is situated on a hilltop and parking is scarce, you can pay an hourly fee to park your car in the garage and a bus will take you on the short two-minute drive up to the hill for no extra charge. The bus runs back and forth between the garage and the city every 10 minutes.
Porta Catania Parking - Corso Umberto, 805, 98039 Taormina ME
While you will have to drive a little further through Taormina, this parking garage will put you closer to the city center of Taormina and you won’t have to wait for the bus. The price is the same as the first garage at €4 per hour.
Tolls- Driving to Taormina from Catania, you will enter through the tolls if you take the highway. This way is recommended although you will have to pay a small fee. The average cost is €1,60 there and again €1,60 for the way back. Don’t stress about the tolls! They are very easy to pass through, grab your ticket and then enter your ticket and insert your coins at the last toll entering Taormina. We do recommend having coins or a small €5 bill on hand when passing through the tolls.
Words by: Megan Sheets
Photography by: Niki Csanyi