TAORMINA
Hiding on the picturesque cliffs of the Ionian Sea, Taormina, the jewel of Sicily, captivates its visitors with its timeless beauty and rich history. This magical city combines ancient ruins, medieval architecture and breathtaking coastal views, making it a truly unforgettable destination. The city's stunning beauty, rich culture and luxurious atmosphere have long made it a popular destination for celebrities and stars from around the world.
One of the unmissable stops on your visit to Sicily!
ℹ️ USEFUL INFORMATION
How much time do we have for Taormina?
Definitely 1 full day! We recommend combining bathing at Isola Bella and visiting Castelmola with Taormina, so it's worth setting off early in the morning and dedicating a full day to it. Trust me, you won't regret it!
How to get to Taormina?
Taormina is 40 minutes away by car from Aci Trezza. You have to travel on the highway, where you can pay by card or cash at the toll gates (the highway toll is approx. €1.50 one way).
Important: go through the gates marked "biglietto" (Telepass reads electronically, which requires a chip)
If you want to get to Taormina by bus or train, you have to go to Catania, where both the bus and the train depart.
Parking: There is no street parking in Taormina because the streets are narrow and the town itself is very small. It is possible to park in a large parking garage, which is ideal for sightseeing due to its location.
Parcheggio Porta Catania: https://goo.gl/maps/CSQV2osr3Hv7BqGj6
📸 THINGS TO SEE
Starting from the parking lot, your path will lead you through the medieval gate Porta Catania. Porta Catania & Porta Messina are located at both ends of Taormina's pedestrian street. The cobbled pedestrian street will take you past many beautiful sights - such as Dumono di Taormina, with its beautiful fountain; Piazza IX Aprile and its wonderful view of the sea and many, many small narrow streets that you can explore to your heart's content.
Teatro Antico di Taormina - https://goo.gl/maps/rGpcBkfxR2syGzkKA
The ancient Greeks already knew that Taormina was a very special place. in the 3rd century BC, an impressive ancient Greek theater was built on top of the hill. The panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea and the smoking Mount Etna towering among the ancient ruins provide the most spectacular backdrop. The sheer magnificence and charm of the place itself will captivate you. Don't miss it under any circumstances.
Bam Bar - https://goo.gl/maps/sGgMFrK2f1z3H7Pq7
You can't miss Bam Bar! Even if the line is long, trust us, you won't regret waiting. They serve the BEST granita in Sicily. Granita is a type of ice cream/sorbet made from water, seasonal fruits and natural ingredients. Not only does Bam Bar boast one of the best granitas in Sicily, but with typical Sicilian ceramic tiles on the walls, hand-painted lava stone table tops and colorful murals, it makes for an Instagram-worthy spot.
Tip: Order brioche with granita, eating granita without brioche is considered a crime against humanity. If you like whipped cream, then by all means order your granita with "Panna". And don't be ashamed if you order a second round ;)
After Bam Bárb, be sure to walk over to the small street on the right - Piazza S. Domenica. Because it has Taormina's prettiest little painted door, as well as a beautiful balcony filled with Sicily's iconic Testa di Moro (Moor's head ceramics) and succulents planted in them. The house belongs to a well-known Sicilian artist, Agatino Giammona.
🏖 ISOLA BELLA
One of the most iconic places in Sicily and the cover of many postcards. This place truly lives up to its name - Isola Bella (Beautiful Island). Located in a gorgeous bay surrounded by a rocky coastline with crystal clear blue water, the beach is a paradise for swimmers and snorkelers. If you have time, sign up for a boat tour around the island and explore the nearby caves and coves. If you want, you can rent a sunbed, but the beach in front of the island is free.
How do you get to Isola Bella?
Cable-car: a cable car starting from the city center that can be used to go up and down
By car: From Porta Catania, drive down to: Parcheggio Mazzarò https://goo.gl/maps/mQ6fwVxJfsuHTAZN8 and you can park here
On foot: for the adventurous and those who want some physical activity - there are stairs from the center all the way to Isola Bella... but on a warm summer day we do not recommend it
Tip: Take drinking water and water shoes with you, the pebble beach makes it difficult to get in and out of the water.
The bay of Mazzarò next to Isola Bella is also wonderful, if you liked Taormina and would come back for a second day, it is worth exploring the rest of the coast as well. The nearby sandy beach of Giardini Naxos is ideal for swimming with children.
🏰 CASTELMOLA
The cherry on top of a day spent in Taormina is Castelmola. Castelmola is a tiny medieval town above Taormina with a wonderful view. The town itself consists of 4-5 streets, so it does not take much time to visit.
Bar Turrisi is where you should go. A visit to Bar Turrisi guarantees a lot of giggles, laughs and blushes for some, as the bar is decorated in a penis 🍆 theme. You don't have to expect offensive things, but 🍆 appears in every detail - tiles, menu, furniture 🤣
The bar has 4 floors, and our suggestion is to grab an aperol spritz on the top floor during sunset. The view is unbeatable. If you are lucky, you can also see the lava flowing from Etna from here.
If you are hungry, you can eat pizza and other simple food in Bar Turrisi.
Parking at Castelmola: https://goo.gl/maps/7Mdg7qdGo1MSxvPf8
TIP:
We recommend that you plan your day in Taormina well, because there is a lot to see...however, you will not regret that it is a denser day, because you will be richer with many, many experiences.
We recommend the order described in the post for the day:
Morning - Taormina center (get there early to beat the crowd)
Afternoon - swimming and exploring Isola Bella
Sunset - Castelmola