Are you looking for the best things to do in Taormina in Sicily, Italy? You’re on the right page, as I have been to Taormina with my husband. I’m more than happy to share with you some of the places to visit and activities that you can do while you are in this romantic town of Sicily.
Taormina couldn’t have asked for a more picturesque location on a rocky terrace perched high above the Ionian Sea off the east coast of Sicily. The best Greek theater on the island or flower-draped homes frame views of the sea and Mt. Etna, which frequently has a puff of steam wafting above its smoldering cone.
The most notable tourist draws in Taormina are this historic amphitheater and the town’s idyllic features. But there is much more to see and do in this area, including admiring the stunning Baroque church interiors, shopping in the charming boutiques that draw many cruise ship visitors, strolling through the town’s streets and gardens, ascending to the castle, or going down to the beaches.
In addition to the Odeon, Taormina has another, larger theater that dates back to antiquity. The ancient theater in Taormina, unquestionably the city’s most well-known and well-liked attraction, is arguably the best reminder of the Greeks’ artistic, intellectual, and technical prowess on the entire island.
Best Things to Do in Taormina: Visit the Ancient Theater of Taormina
The semi-circular theater, which was built on the brow of a hill in the third century BC, is partially in ruins and partially well-preserved, but it completely blends into its surroundings, which is a distinctive feature of ancient Greek architecture. The Romans, who also used the theater for gladiatorial fights and other preservation work in the 19th century, actually renovated much of what is still present today.
Even if the history doesn’t particularly pique your interest, the breathtaking view from the theater’s seats undoubtedly will.
It would be a really unique thing to do in Taormina if a show coincided with your trip. The Greek theater is still used as a concert and event venue. The only drawback is that some of the natural effects would be lost because the venue would have to undergo significant changes during the day in order to prepare for the event.
2. Duomo di Taormina (Cathedral of Taormina)
With its prime location in the middle of the old town of Taormina, Sicily, Piazza Duomo is undoubtedly one of the city’s most important landmarks. The Cathedral, one of Taormina’s most priceless historic sites, is housed there. It also houses the town hall and a magnificent fountain in baroque design with a statue of the Minotaur, Taormina’s emblem, at its center.
Best Things to Do in Taormina: Visit the Taormina Cathedral
The previously mentioned town square, the cathedral on Piazza Duomo, is the Cathedral of Taormina, also referred to as Duomo di Taormina or St. Nicolas Cathedral of Taormina. It was initially built in the 13th century and has since undergone a few reconstructions, most recently in the 18th century.
One of the most significant places to see in Taormina is this cathedral. It has a genuinely unusual appearance because it has what would be expected of a fortification rather than a church in terms of architecture. Beautiful windows, columns, and even door jambs with carved figures can be found inside. There are smaller chapels, one more in the Baroque style and the other more in the Gothic, on either side of the main altar.
The Fontana Piazza di Duomo is visible in front of the cathedral. It is known as Taormina’s “four fountains” and is highly ornamented in the baroque style. Columns surround it, and a mythical pony sits atop each.
Water pours into the fountain’s base from each of their mouths. A female minotaur, a creature that is half human and half horse, is perched high atop a column at the center of the basin. She serves as Taormina’s emblem. She is holding two potent symbols of authority in her hands: an orb and a scepter.
3. Walk around Parco Trevelyan and other public gardens
Beautiful gardens in Taormina offer breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and are a must-visit location when exploring the town. Even though there are significantly fewer people at Villa Comunale, the views are just as breathtaking as those from the popular Piazza IX Aprile!
Parco Trevelyan, one of the gardens to visit, is named after Florence Trevelyan.
Best Things to do in Taormina: Visit Parco Trevelyan
From 1884 to 1907, Lady Florence Trevelyan, Queen Victoria’s cousin, resided in Taormina. She designed the Villa Comunale during her stay here as an English garden, complete with eccentric Victorian follies, thousands of different kinds of exotic plants, and exquisite flowers. Visit this location to get away from the crowds and relax in a shaded area while taking in the breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the Ionian coastline.
Furthermore, if the crowds and the mid-afternoon heat of a Sicilian summer become a little too much, the Taormina Public Gardens, with their exotic plants, shade, benches, and curious constructions, offer up an oasis of calm.
4. Ride the Taormina Cable car
You can reach Mazarr, which is located on Taormina’s coast, in just two minutes by taking the cable car, during which time you can take in the views that are provided along the way. Find your way to Via Luigi Pirandello, which is only a few minutes away from Porta Messina, and from there you can take the cable car to the station.
Best Things to do in Taormina: Ride the Taormina Cable Car
After arriving in Mazzar, you can travel approximately 500 meters to Isola Bella to relax on its beach. It is a wonderful spot to visit during the warmer months for activities like sunbathing and swimming, but during the cooler months, it can be just as enjoyable to go there for a stroll. You also have the option of enrolling in the local diving school located at the beach, if you feel up to the challenge.
5. Naumachie di Taormina
The ruins of an ancient Roman wall that once surrounded the Gymnasium and were only discovered in 1943 are known as the Naumachia. This wall was 130 meters long and contained 18 niches. It was constructed in the first century BC, making it the second-oldest building in the city after the Greek theater.
Best Things to Do in Taormina: Visit the Naumachie di Taormina
Because of the large water basin that can be found in this location, the structure was mistakenly given the name Naumachie, which means “the sea battle.” On the other hand, the basin wasn’t used to stage any of the major sea battles; rather, it was just a reservoir that supplied the Gymnasium and the rest of the city with water.
6. Porta Catania
The historic archway known as Porta Catania is carved into the wall that once surrounded and protected the ancient city of Taormina. If you and your family or friends get separated from each other, this is a good place to meet up that you can all agree on. Or you may wish to explore the many different things there are to do in Taormina on your own.
Best Things to Do in Taormina: See the Porta Catania
The principal street in Taormina terminates at the city gate from the 1400s called Porta Catania, which bears the coat of arms of the Aragon family. In close proximity to it is the Palazzo Duca di Santo Stéfano, which was constructed at the same time as Porta Catania. It has three floors.
Because of its Gothic windows, fish-tail crenellations, and detailed stonework along the top, it is easy to recognize. The sculptor Giuseppe Mazzullo’s (1913-88) works are displayed in the Great Hall, which is also used for concerts, and two other rooms.
7. Stroll through Corso Umberto
Taormina’s town itself is the main attraction for most visitors. Its streets are enjoyable to stroll through, dotted with charming buildings that open to terraces with breathtaking views.
Best Things to do in Taormina: Stroll along Corso Umberto
The main pedestrian-only street in Taormina is called Corso Umberto, and it is great for shopping. It is named in honor of Umberto I of Savoy, who ruled Italy from 1878 to 1900. It was formerly a part of the historic Via Valencia street.
Off the main street, there are numerous small lanes that are interesting to explore and frequently rise in steps. One of the most well-liked activities in Taormina is simply strolling along Corso Umberto, perusing its shops, and stopping in a café for an espresso or gelato.
Along with shopping, you can take in the various architectural styles, which range from Arabic to Spanish and Baroque to Gothic. Corso Umberto is an unbelievably fun place to stroll, shop, and sightsee while remaining right at the historic center of Taormina because of these.
8. Enjoy various Piazza IX Aprile / Belverde Square
Taormina’s main square, Piazza IX Aprile, is also the most beautiful. Numerous different monuments are housed there, including the Church of St. Joseph and the clock tower right next to it. Right from the square, you can see Mount Etna and the bay of Naxos.
Best Things to do in Taormina: Visit the Belverde Square
The ancient Greek theater, Teatro Greco, is even visible from this square, making it a truly central location to many of Taormina’s best attractions. It is also incredibly picturesque. The most significant structure in the square is the clock tower, which dates back to the 12th century. It has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times since then.
The double staircase and pink confection-like Baroque façade of San Giuseppe adorn the piazza. Rococo stucco work’s bright white interior is so elaborately decorated and covered in swirls and flourishes that it resembles a frosted wedding cake.
9. Roman Odeon
Another building in Taormina that dates back to ancient times is the Odeon, a small theater that was constructed by the Romans in the year 21 BC. The Odeon is another one of the city’s attractions. It is actually quite small for a theater from its time, but it is nevertheless an excellent showcase of how culture was highly regarded in Taormina during the days of yore in Taormina.
Best Things to Do in Taormina: Visit the Roman Odeon
Your trip will have a bit more intrigue thanks to the fact that The Odeon wasn’t discovered until a little more than a century ago, and prior to that, it wasn’t even thought to exist! It is a well-kept secret, to use the phrase in its most literal sense.
10. Enjoy the Beach
At a height of 210 meters (689 feet), Taormina dominates the surrounding landscape. The coastline that lies directly below Taormina, both north and south, is breathtaking. a number of picturesque bays, each with grottoes, rocky coves, and good sandy or pebbled beaches, all of which are conveniently accessible by cable car or the helpful shuttle-bus service offered by the hotels in town.
Isola Bella
Best Things to do in Taormina: Visit Isola Bella
The most well-known is without a doubt Isola Bella, also known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean.” It is a small island that was designated a nature reserve in 1998. It is connected to the mainland by a thin isthmus that rises from the crystal-clear waters.
Definitely, Taormina’s most picturesque beach is Isola Bella. At the base of the city, a pebble beach stretches out in front of the named islet, which is covered in vibrant vegetation.
A thin strip of beach, which vanishes and reappears in time with the tides, connects the island to the mainland.
When the tide is high, this natural sand strip completely vanishes. At this point, the water is so clear that it is conducive to activities like diving and snorkeling.
Lido Re del Sole
A short distance from the Taormina highway exit on the A18 can be found Lido Re del Sole, which can be found on Spisone beach. This establishment, run by a family, excels both in its quiet atmosphere and the warmth of its service staff. There is a restaurant at the beach club where you can get some delicious fish dishes to eat.
Spiaggia di Mazzeo
The beach of Mazzeo is located between Mazzar, which is also a beach, and the town that is close to Letojanni. This beach is distinguished by its extremely fine sand, dense vegetation that surrounds the entire shore, and calm and crystalline water in water.
Spiaggia di Letojanni
Take pleasure in this magnificent sea while being only a few steps away from the bustling life of the Letojanni village. The beach at Letojanni provides you with everything you need for a vacation in Letojanni – Taormina that you will never forget. You can find a variety of excellent restaurants, bars, and pubs all in close proximity to the water here.
Naxos Beach
Best Things to Do in Taormina: Relax at Naxos Beach
The stunning beach resort of Giardini Naxos is located just 8.9 kilometers away from Taormina, making it a convenient day trip destination. You can take it easy on the beach, go for a stroll along the beach promenade, go shopping, or take advantage of the opportunity to participate in a variety of sporting activities here. In addition, this location is home to a quaint archaeological park that guests are welcome to explore.
The resort is not as lively as the nearby town of Taormina, but it is significantly cheaper. This is a good place to use as a base if you want to be close to Taormina but are on a budget and want something more affordable.
More Information about Sicily:
Map of Taormina, Sicily, Italy:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
I hope that inspired you to visit the romantic Sicilian town of Taormina. It is definitely worth visiting, so I highly recommend including this on your itinerary to Italy.
Best Things to Do in Taormina (Sicily, Italy)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
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