Taormina—The Gem of Sicily

My opinion of Taormina is that it is certainly worth more than a day to fully enjoy all that the area has to offer. It is also possibly the most beautiful place that you will visit in Sicily.

Is Taormina too touristy?

Not Disneyland, but Taormina is a beautiful mediaeval hill town with a Teatro Greco, lovely garden, alleys to wander and explore, and stunning views of the sea and Mount Etna, but Taormina is a tourist resort town with a high ratio of tourists to locals.

What is special about Taormina?

Taormina's most famous landmark is the Greek Theater, originally built in the third century BC under Hiero II of Syracuse. Under Roman rule in the second century BC, it was completely rebuilt with all the characteristics of a Roman theater.

How much time do you need in Taormina?

The time you spend in town will depend on what you want to visit, but I recommend spending at least 2 days in Taormina. In my opinion, this is the minimum for enjoying the must-see attractions of the region.

Which is better Catania or Taormina?

Taormina is unquestionably more scenic than Catania, although I much preferred Siracusa as an east coast base. Taormina is also a major tourist trap, and is not on the beach but up a cliff.

?? The most beautiful place in Sicily ? | Travel vlog: Taormina | Isola Bella | Etna | Italy

What is the nicest part of Sicily?

Top 15 Places to visit in Sicily

• 1) Taormina. ...
• 2) Syracuse and Ortigia Island. ...
• 3) Lampedusa and Rabbit Beach - Pelagie Islands. ...
• 4) Val di Noto. ...
• 5) Aeolian Islands. ...
• 6) Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. ...
• 7) Cefalù ...
• 8) Mount Etna.

Should I stay in Taormina or Syracuse?

Taormina is more touristy but it's also breathtakingly beautiful and there's lots to do all around the area. In hindsight, if I could have only done one place it would have been Siracusa because of the play (Taormina with no play) but if you have a car you can easily do both.

Is Taormina walkable?

Taormina is a good place to walk. The main Corso Umberto is closed to traffic (which in practice means only police cars and delivery vans drive along it) and is the place to fare una passeggiata or take a pleasant walk in the early evening. Walking in Taormina also inevitably means walking up and down steps.

Do I need a car in Taormina?

Whether you would require a car would depend on what you'd like to see and do, and whether or not you intend to take any excursions from Taormina. But even then, you wouldn't require a car for your entire stay, or the days you would spend around Taormina itself. Parking is challenging in Taormina in summer.

How do you get around in Taormina?

To access the beach and the island, you have three options:

1. Walking. There is a stairway which will take you down to Via Bagnoli Croci and onward down to Mazzarò. ...
2. Cable Car. From Taormina, you can take the Mazzarò cable car staight down to the beach of Isola Bella. ...
3. Driving.

How expensive is Taormina?

The average daily cost per person would be about 50-100 euros for accommodation, 40 to 50 euros for food and about 20-50 euros for transport and entertainment. When it comes to eating out, Taormina has several options for you to consider.

What is Taormina in Sicily like?

Taormina is served by its very own cable car which ferries tourists to and from the seaside resorts down along the coast. Extensive beaches, rocky coves, tiny islands (such as the famous Isola Bella) and sea stacks abound, making this enchanting coastline a firm favourite with Sicilians and visitors alike.

Is Taormina busy?

Taormina is touristy with a high ratio of tourists to locals.

Is Palermo or Catania nicer?

Catania has more of a city feeling and in this respect, I like it slightly less than Palermo. But it's the perfect destination for a visit to the Etna and the lovely and charming Taormina, besides the unique Noto. Mondello Beach in Palermo is, however, so beautiful and unmissable if visiting in summer.

Is there a beach in Taormina?

Mazzarò Beach

The most popular beach in Taormina (and one of the most popular in all of Sicily) is the Baia di Mazzarò just below Taormina.

What is a typical Sicilian breakfast?

As Sicily is a part of Italy (can't stand those who say the opposite only because it's an island!), Sicilian breakfast at home is like the Italian one: strong black coffee, with or without milk, with few biscuits or some sliced bread with butter and jam, possibly homemade.

Is Catania Sicily worth visiting?

While it doesn't attract the same kind of attention as Palermo, Catania's unheralded delights are worth exploration: fine architecture, bustling markets, lively cultural events and centuries of history dating to the city's beginnings as a modest Greek colony.

Is driving in Sicily hard?

Most travelers will find that driving in Sicily is not overly difficult, especially in larger cities like Palermo and Catania. When navigating around some of the island's more complex historic centers, drivers will need to be on top of their game.

Is it worth to rent a car in Sicily?

Why Rent a Car in Sicily? For anyone planning a trip to Sicily we highly recommend renting a car for your time on the island. Renting a car in Sicily is probably the best way to see the island and allows you the flexibility to explore this incredible island at your own pace.

Where is the best place to base yourself in Sicily?

Catania would be your most convenient base in Eastern Sicily via public transport. Taormina is optimal for Etna, and Etna wineries, but it's also possible to visit Etna from Siracusa, and wineries as well, but then also the UNESCO Val di Noto towns.

What airport is closest to Taormina Sicily?

Catania Fontanarossa "Vincenzo Bellini" International Airport is the closest airport to Taormina. It is located 65km, about an hour's drive from Taormina. The airport Fontana Rossa is the sixth airport in Italy for passenger traffic, and the first of the South Italy.

How do I get from Catania to Taormina?

The best way to get from Catania to Taormina is to train which takes 56 min and costs €3 - €8. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €5 - €9 and takes 1h 17m.

Which is better Palermo or Taormina?

It depends on your preference, Taormina is a small, chic and pricey tourist resort, Palermo is a big and chaotic city, two completely different environments/experiences. With only 4 days, you have to decide between the two.

Which part of Sicily has the best beaches?

From pebble shores and smooth sands to hidden coves and off-the-radar spots, these are the best beaches in Sicily to seek out.
...

• Isola Bella, Taormina. ...
• Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa. ...
• Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, Trapani. ...
• Mondello, Palermo.

Is 2 weeks in Sicily too long?

2 Weeks in Sicily: The Perfect 14-15 Days Itinerary. You're planning to go 2 weeks in Sicily and are looking for a complete itinerary for your stay? You're in the right place! A good news: 14, 15 or 16 days in Sicily is the ideal time to visit the island's must-see attractions.