Guide To The 5 Best Beaches Near Taormina, Sicily
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While Taormina isn’t a beach town, there are several nearby beaches that make staying here attractive, allowing you to combine your holiday with sightseeing and beach time.
We found that in summer, it was a great respite from touring, and a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the warm and enjoy a day at the beach, Italian-style!
➡️ Quick Tip: In Italian, the word for beach is Spiaggia and the word for beach club is Lido.
Planning A Last-Minute Trip to the Beach?
Here are links to favorite boat activities:
🏖️ Isola Bella Bour Tour
🚤 Boat Tour from Giardini Naxos
🛌 Where to Stay On the Beach You Are Visiting?
UNA Capotaormina
Mazarro Sea Palace
UNA Hotels Naxos Beach Sicilia
Albatros Beach Hotel
5 Best Beaches Near Taormina
All the beaches listed are close to Taormina. Some are within walking distance, while others are a short drive or bus-ride, making it easy to fit a day at the beach in your itinerary.
When my husband and I are traveling, we often are interested in the small indulgences, without breaking the bank. So, in the beach list below, I‘ve included beach clubs (called lidos) and places to stay to help make your experience more enjoyable and comfortable.
1. Must-See One-of-a-Kind Beach near Taormina:
Isola Bella
Isola Bella is the busiest beach in the Taormina area and for good reason.
It’s rare to find a beach connected to an island that is also a protected nature reserve, linked by a footpath just a couple of feet wide that is sometimes slightly immersed in water.
The public (free) part of the beach is very rocky and gets crowded quickly, making it difficult to find a spot. It’s still neat to see but I recommend going early to stake out your position and don’t forget your water shoes.
The other parts of the small beach are taken up by beach clubs, which cater to those who want a more comfortable experience sitting on a beach chair as you admire the island across the bay.
HIGHLIGHT: Take a boat tour when you get there to see the nearby grottos and snorkeling.
BEST BEACH CLUB/LIDO: There are only 2 or 3 beach clubs on this tiny bay. During high season, they can be extremely expensive, especially for what you receive in return.
If you’re set on spending time on this beach inlet, I would stay at La Plage Resort instead, which offers complimentary access to their lido, right on the beach.
HOW TO GET THERE: From Taormina town center, take the cable car down. Once you exit the Mazzaro station, walk along the main road, Via Nazionale, for 10 minutes until you reach the stairs down to the beach.
WHERE TO STAY: If you want to stay near Isola Bella, UNA Hotels Capotaormina offers a private beach with stunning views of the sea and Isola Bella. It is just a cable car ride up to Taormina’s town center, shops and restaurants.
2. Easiest Beach to Access From Taormina: Mazzarò
This beach is located right near the base of the cable car. A little less hectic than Isola Bella, but still small, Taormina visitors tend to gravitate to Mazzarò beach for its easy access.
If you don’t have a lot of time but still want to get a beach experience, this is where I would go to spend a few hours. Some adventurous tourists enjoy climbing the small rocks in this inlet and leaping into the crystal-clear water below.
BEST BEACH CLUB/LIDO: One of the best beach clubs in the area is Lido La Pigna, known for its delicious food, making it the place to be.
From June to September, the price is around €30 per person per day and includes a beach chair, umbrella, shower and dressing room. You can call or email ahead for reservations.
HOW TO GET THERE: Take the Cable Car or bus from Taormina. Very limited parking on the street or in the Mazzarò parking lot.
WHERE TO STAY: If you decide to stay overnight and are looking for a splurge, the stunning Mazzarrò Sea Palace sits right on the beach and houses, Armonia, the #1 high-end restaurant in town. All rooms at the hotel have sea views, making for an unforgettable stay.
3. Beach With A Relaxed Vibe: Spisone
A little further north of Mazarrò, the beaches in Spisone offer a calmer, more relaxed vibe. The beach has finer pebbly sand, much more appealing for sunbathing and walks on the beach.
There’s a mixture of public spaces and private beach clubs here, making it all around more accessible to visitors.
BEST BEACH CLUB/LIDO: We spent an afternoon at the stylish Tao Beach Club, which turned out to be the perfect way to ease into vacation mode and recover from jet lag.
We were visiting in July, high season, so we reserved our chairs in advance. The club has four rows of chairs, each priced differently.
We chose the cheapest row in the back but it didn’t matter much. You are still very close to the water.
They also have cabanas, but they are extremely expensive and not well-shaded (which you’ll definitely want when sitting under the strong Italian summer sun).
The service is top-notch and they don’t pressure you to keep ordering food or drinks all day.
The entry to the water is a little rocky at the start so it’s wise to bring water shoes. My husband forgot his and bought a pair from one of the beach vendors.
We paid €80 for two chairs and an umbrella and thought it was completely worth it, especially seeing as it was our main “activity” for the day.
4. Best Sandy Beach: Giardini Naxos
If you are looking for a fine sandy beach, head to Giardini Naxos, specifically Schisò beach. It’s a bit farther away from Taormina, around a 15 to 20-minute trip, so you’ll need to drive, catch a bus or take a taxi.
The restaurants and lidos here tend to be cheaper. Many people are drawn to the water’s sandy beach bottom, which makes swimming more pleasant and comfortable. An added bonus – the wonderful views of Taormina and Castelmola from the sea.
HIGHLIGHT: Many of the boat and snorkeling tours on the coast leave from Giardini Naxos, at the port, closer to Schisò beach , making it an ideal location to combine beach time with a boat tour.
BEST BEACH CLUB/LIDO: Sayonara Beach Club is slightly north of Schisò beach, about a 3-minute walk. They offer 2 chairs and an umbrella for 30 euros, a bargain compared to the beach clubs closer to Taormina.
WHERE TO STAY: Most of the nicer beachfront hotels are on Spiaggia Recanti, including UNA Hotels Naxos Beach Sicilia, a great choice if you’re looking for more of a resort-style hotel for your stay.
5. Best Beach With Local Atmosphere: Letojanni
If you’re looking to get away from the buzz of Taormina, head to Letojanni, about a 10 to 15-minute drive away. It is also a short bus or train ride from Taormina.
The beach here is less crowded and has a laid-back atmosphere, a great place to relax and explore a coastal beach town.
BEST BEACH CLUB/LIDO: Lido Beach Fly offers a full restaurant and beach seating for very reasonable prices. Located on Letojanni beach.
WHERE TO STAY: Albatros Beach Hotel is a great place to stay, overlooking Letojanni beach. It’s located just across the street from the beach and offers a complimentary private beach section for guests, complete with chairs and umbrellas. They also provide a €5 shuttle service to Taormina.
🏖️Pros of Going to A Beach Club/Lido
➡️Convenience: Chairs, towels, and an umbrella are provided, so there’s no need to lug them with you or try to fit them into your suitcase.
➡️Protection from the Heat: In summer, the sand gets hot – too hot to walk on barefoot. Sitting on the beach without shade can feel like being stranded on an island surrounded by hot lava.
➡️Food & Drink Service: Many lidos offer food and drink service right to your chair –
a nice touch of luxury.
Beaches Near Taormina FAQs
Is it safe to swim at the beaches near Taormina?
Yes, the beaches near Taormina are generally very safe for swimming. Sometimes there are jellyfish in the water but this summer, there didn’t appear to be any.
Are there free beaches in Taormina?
There are no entry fees to the access the beaches themselves, but many are lined with private beach clubs where they charge you a fee to rent an umbrella and chair.
There are also public (free) areas where you can sit, though these areas are often scattered and limited, as the beach clubs often dominate the space, leaving very little room for public seating.
Can you walk from Taormina to the beach?
Yes and no. You can easily walk to Isola Bella or Mazzarò Beach from Taormina in about 30 minutes or take the cable car and be there in just a few minutes.
Spisone Beach is about a 45-minute walk from the center of Taormina but in the summer heat, you won’t want to walk all the way there. For beaches like Giardini Naxos or Letojanni, it’s best to take a bus or taxi.
Savvy Summary
If you’re looking to spend a day at the beach, follow some suggestions in the guide to the 5 best beaches near Taormina for one-of-a-kind, sandy, and relaxing beach experiences, as well as boat tours, beach clubs and places to stay on the beach.
If you need help planning your visit to Taormina, don’t miss my guide on where to stay in Taormina and the most memorable things to do in Taormina.
