12 Memorable Things to Do in Taormina, Sicily
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I was a bit skeptical about our recent trip to Taormina, Sicily.
We stayed for four nights, and I’d heard mixed reviews beforehand—everything from “It’s too touristy” to “It’s breathtaking,” “It’s expensive,” and even “It’s the best part of Sicily.”
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, especially with all the attention Taormina has gotten since White Lotus Season 2 was filmed there.
But after our visit, my husband and I kept using one word to describe our stay in Taormina – charming.
And honestly, we started to think it rivals and may even surpass Positano and the Amalfi Coast with its beauty.
Short on time? Quick Links:
Memorable Things to Do in Taormina
Here are a few favorites from my Things to Do List:
🚤 Boat tour along coast
⛰️🍷Mt. Etna and winery tour
🏨Boutique hotel with a swimming pool – Hotel Villa Belvedere
12 Things To Do In Taormina
When I plan our trips, I try to strike a balance—mixing in hidden gems that are easier on the budget with splurge-worthy experiences.
Here are a few of those memorable moments that will make your time in Taormina truly worth it:
1. Take a boat tour
One of the best ways to truly appreciate Taormina’s beauty and grandeur is from the water.
A boat tour offers a unique perspective of the coastline and lets you take in views you simply can’t get from land.
It’s also a great way to see Isola Bella from the sea without fighting the crowds.
➡️Pro tip: Be sure to check the tour’s starting point—many depart from Giardini Naxos, which is about a 15-minute drive or taxi ride from Taormina.
There are several tours to choose from—many include swimming and snorkeling in hidden grottos:
Day boat tours typically follow the coast from Giardini Naxos to Mazzarò Bay, with stops for a swim at scenic spots like Isola Bella.
If you’re short on time, consider a Sunset Tour, which includes an aperitif on board and spectacular views as the sun sets over the coastline.
2. Visit Castelmola and walk down to Taormina
Castelmola is a charming village perched above Taormina, offering stunning panoramic views of the coastline and Mount Etna.
Most visitors take the 15-minute bus ride up the winding hill, then enjoy a scenic 40-minute walk back down to Taormina.
If you’d rather skip the walk, you can easily purchase a round-trip bus ticket instead.
In high season, catch the bus from Taormina’s bus station to guarantee a seat on board. Best to go earlier in the day if you are looking to walk down to be beat the heat.
3. Sunset drinks at Bar Timeo
Everyone asked if we went for drinks at the White Lotus‘ San Domenico Palace Four Seasons but we opted for something even better – Bar Timeo.
Located in the luxurious Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, (probably the most beautiful hotel in Taormina), the elegant outdoor bar offers the most gorgeous sunset views from its expansive veranda.
The drinks are expensive but we were super impressed by their creative cocktail list. A fun, pre-dinner activity.
4. See a Concert or Performance at the Amphitheater
If you time your visit right, catching a show at Teatro Antico (the Ancient Greek-Roman Theater) is an unforgettable experience.
Built in the 3rd century BCE, it offers the incredible opportunity to watch a performance with Mount Etna as a dramatic backdrop.
The theater also hosts the Taormina Film Festival, which has previously been attended by the likes of Martin Scorsese and Michael Douglas.
Even if there are no performances slated while you are there, it’s still worth a visit to the Amphitheater.
5. Mt. Etna Volcano Hike
With Mt. Etna as the constant backdrop to Taormina and eastern Sicily, a visit to Europe’s largest, and one of the most active volcanoes in the world, is a must thing to do.
It’s just over an hour’s drive from Taormina and makes for an easy day trip if you’re looking for something active and a bit different.
It also offers a nice cool escape from the summer heat. (In the other months, bundle up!) Even though it recently had a large eruption, it’s still very safe to visit.
You can drive there yourself but there are some restrictions on how far up you can trek without a guide.
I highly recommend going with a guide – they have a wealth of geological knowledge and they are pros when it comes to trekking around the mountain.
There are a few tours to choose from depending on what you’re looking for:
👉Full-Day Mt. Etna Tour – If you’re a hiker and want to trek up to the summit (around 10,000 feet), this one’s for you.
You’ll start by driving to Rifugio Sapienza, then take a cable car and then a 4×4 jeep or bus to a crater formed after the 2002 eruption.
From there, it’s quite a hike up that gets you close to the mountain’s summit.
👉Half-Day Tour – Great if you want to get a feel for the volcano without committing to a big hike.
These tours still include visits to volcanic caves and craters but at lower elevations and can be done in a shorter amount of time.
We booked a tour that spent the morning at Mt. Etna and the afternoon at a winery, which was the perfect balance for us. Which leads me to…
⛰️Find out more information & reserve your spot on a Mt. Etna tour:
Full-day Mt. Etna tour here
Half-day Mt. Etna tour here
Mt. Etna & winery tour here
6. Try Sicilian wine – or Better Yet, Take a Winery Tour
My husband, a wine aficionado, was really impressed by the unique flavors of Mt. Etna wines. Even better, Sicilian wine is surprisingly affordable.
There are plenty of winery tours to choose from, and be sure to include a visit to the Gambino Winery.
It’s one of the loveliest in the area and offers a full lunch alongside their wine tasting experience, making it a perfect way to savor the local flavors.
🍷Find out more information on winery tours here
7. Eat at a good restaurant that has a view
There are many, many restaurants in Taormina. I did a lot of research to find places that offered delicious Sicilian cuisine with something a little extra:
Off the beaten path, Relè Taormina has it all – delicious seafood and pastas (we tried the stuffed sardines and pistachio cream pasta) – set against a stunning sunset backdrop of Taormina and Mt. Etna, all at reasonable prices.
The splurge of our trip was dining at Ristorante Nui, located in the Atlantis Bay Hotel in Mazzarò (take the cable car down and a 5-minute walk).
Service was top-notch, with elevated Sicilian food in a dining room that makes you feel like you’re floating on water. Many groups were celebrating here.
8. Stroll down Corso Umberto – But Only in the Evening
One morning I had to make a quick stop at the pharmacy on Corso Umberto and I was shocked by the hordes of people and tour groups filling the narrow walkway.
It was such a stark contrast to our delightful evenings there.
At the end of the day, when the tour groups go home, Corso Umberto becomes a charming pedestrian street perfect for a leisurely stroll.
You can browse the shops, take in the scenic piazzas and wander down the side streets at your own pace, free from the daytime chaos.
In fact, one evening we were out late and there was barely anyone on the Corso – in the middle of summer.
9. Have Your Portrait Drawn
Every evening as we walked down Corso Umberto to our hotel, we walked past Fabio, a talented artist who draws incredible portraits and caricatures.
Not normally our thing but we, along with many others, stopped to watch him draw. He is that talented.
On our last night we asked him to draw a portrait for us as a memento from our vacation. You can find him in Piazza IX Aprile, closer to the Louis Vuitton store.
10. In the summer, stay at a hotel with a pool
At the end of a hot Sicilian day, there will be nothing you enjoy more than taking a dip in the pool – especially when you are surrounded by magical views of Taormina.
You will feel like you are stepping onto a movie set.
While most people think of the White Lotus pool at the Four Seasons, there are several other stunning pools in town that are just as beautiful, at a range of price points:
Excelsior Palace Hotel – the hotel’s claim to fame is its Olympic-sized pool with panoramic views. The property also features extensive gardens and sweeping views in every direction. It’s located right at the entrance to Corso Umberto.
Rooms are spacious and a bit dated but the friendly staff, magnificent surroundings and prime location make it well worth a stay.
Hotel Villa Belvedere – A peaceful pool that gets sun all day and has a great poolside menu.
Rooms are stately, staff incredibly helpful and it’s just a five-minute walk from the center of town.
Infinity pools can be found at the adults-only Villa Fiorita, located near the cable car, and at the upscale Hotel Metropole, centrally located right on Corso Umberto.
If you need help figuring out where to stay, check out my guide on Taormina’s best boutique hotels.
11. Take the Cable Car
Don’t leave Taormina without riding the cable car, called the Funivia. It’s great fun to see the town from up above for visits to Isola Bella or Mazarrò Bay.
The ride only takes a few minutes and is the easiest way to get to the beach. Something different that you don’t get to experience often in Italian towns.
12. Go To The Beach & Try a Beach Club
Taormina is on a hilltop so technically it doesn’t have a beach but Isola Bella & Mazarrò beaches are a quick cable car ride away, located in bays with Taormina addresses and considered to be part of Taormina, sometimes referred to as “Lower Taormina”.
The beaches are typically Italian with pebbly rocky sand but beautiful crystal-clear blue water and incredibly refreshing. There are also several other beaches nearby with sandier beaches. We spent half of our beach time just swimming in the sea.
Each beach has public areas where you can lay out a towel, and private sections run by lidos (beach clubs), where you can rent chairs and umbrellas.
If you’re visiting during high season, I highly recommend reserving a spot at a beach club in advance. It will save you the headache of walking around in the heat trying to find a seat, as lidos often fill up quickly in the summer.
Your hotel can usually arrange reservations and many beach clubs also offer shuttle services. In high season, lidos can be pricey, around €60-80 for two chairs, two towels and an umbrella.
It was our main activity for the day so we found it was worthwhile and made our beach visit stress-free.
Check out my guide to the 5 best beaches near Taormina to help you plan your beach visit.
FAQs
How many days should in Taormina is enough?
Two to three days should be plenty of time to see everything.
If you are planning day trips to Mt. Etna, wineries, or nearby towns, you may want to add an additional day to your itinerary.
How do you get around Taormina?
Taormina is nestled halfway up Mt Tauro. If you are staying near the town center or “Upper Taormina” as some people like to call it, the town itself is small enough that you can walk everywhere.
There is also a bus that loops around Taormina every 45 minutes.
How do I get to Lower Taormina?
If you’re planning to explore “Lower Taormina” — the charming beachside part of town that is down the hill along the shoreline, the easiest (and quickest) way to get there is by hopping on the cable car, which takes a couple minutes.
But if you’re up for a bit of adventure, the scenic 30-minute walk downhill offers some pretty stunning views along the way.
Is it difficult to drive in Taormina?
Taormina has many pedestrian-only streets and narrow, winding roads, which can make driving and parking a challenge.
It’s best to leave your car in a parking garage and explore the town on foot or if necessary, by public transport.
How do you get to Taormina?
From Messina
Taormina is 45 minutes south of Messina, a major port town where many cruise ships dock for the day. Express trains can get you to Taormina in just over 30 minutes or you can opt to drive.
Taxis on this route can be pricey, and express trains not only get you there faster but tend to be the better option overall.
From Catania
Taormina is less than an hour’s drive from Catania. You can also take the train to the Taormina-Giardini station, but keep in mind that the station is located at the bottom of the hill, outside the town center.
From there, you’ll need to take a bus or taxi up to the heart of Taormina.
What airport is closest to Taormina?
If you are flying, the closest airport is Catania’s airport, about an hour from Taormina by car.
There are airport shuttles available but if you have a lot of luggage or don’t want to wait, you can arrange in advance for a car transfer.
Savvy Summary
Taormina is a charming town with breathtaking views of the sea and Mt. Etna. The 12 memorable things to do in Taormina listed are full of experiences that will help you appreciate its appeal. If you need help planning your visit, don’t miss my guide to the 5 best beaches near Taormina and the best boutique hotels to stay at in Taormina.
