The Best Things To Do in Taormina, Sicily

This charming little town on the east coast of Sicily was my home for about two weeks when I spent my summer vacation in Sicily. It is as dreamy as it looks in the photos. It is genuinely one of the nicest places I have visited. It is packed with rich history, captivating views and a vibrant culture. This should definitely be on your to-visit list if you ever go to Sicily. Here’s why and I will also share my favorite things to do in Taormina. 

When you step foot in Taormina, it’s like you’re traveling back in time. You enter this city through a large and medieval archway. The picturesque streets under the Sicilian sun immediately welcome you. When I came here for the first time, it felt like a warm blanket wrapped around me. From local coffee bars to ice cream shops and restaurants – you’ll be immediately greeted by these things. Just walking around this place is an adventure in itself so I definitely recommend just walking and seeing where you will end up. 

The best things to do in Taormina

1. Walk on Corso Umberto

This is the main street on which you enter Taormina after you walk through that archway. Corso Umberto travels through this city and shows you all those fun places including local boutiques and other shops along the way. Don’t forget to look up while you’re exploring this place – because the buildings here are magnificent. The details on the roofing are absolutely gorgeous. 

If you walk on Corso Umberto further into Taormona, you’ll pretty quickly reach Palazzo Corvajo. This square is filled with restaurants, street artists and an adorable little church. When my sister and I were here, there were actually some wedding preparations going on and the entire railing outside of the church was filled with the most beautiful pink, white and red flowers. This square also has a great view over the shore beneath Taormina. Taormina is located high up on a hill, so the views are spectacular. You can walk further on Corso Umberto and explore more restaurants and shops after this beautiful square.

Read more: 8 Unforgettable Women Travel Essentials For A City Trip

2. Take the cable car down to Isola Bella

I will write an entire new blogpost on the little paradise called Isola Bella that’s located down from Taormina. You can take the cable car from Taormina down to Isola Bella (or take it up to Taormina) and you’ll enter one of the most beautiful beaches of Sicily. It’s such a picturesque scene.

You do have to walk a pretty big distance from the cable car to the actual beach and water of Isola Bella. There are also a lot of stairs to walk down and later walk back up if you’re leaving. Something to keep in mind, especially if you’re visiting in the summer. The temperatures in Sicily rise quickly and it gets hot. We were here during a heatwave and it was about 40 degrees celsius. Take enough water with you if you go here in the summertime, you will definitely need it. 

Isola Bella does not have a sandy beach, so take your water shoes with you. The water is as crystal clear as it can get and you’ll see the fish and sea stars just swimming and relaxing beneath the surface. Small warning though – this is a pretty packed beach. It is popular among tourists and popular among the locals. Not a hidden gem as I try to navigate you towards, but too good not to share. It is worth the trip down. 

3. Visit the ancient Greek theatre 

One thing to absolutely visit when you go to Taormina is the ancient Greek theatre on the side of Taormina. You’ll walk along one of the most beautiful streets of Taormina up to this theatre. The sides of this street are filled with, again, beautiful buildings, but also lots of trees and colorful flowers. The ancient Greek theatre is the crown jewel of Taormina.

It was constructed during the third century BC and stands as one of the most celebrated remnants from ancient Greece still intact today. As you walk through its stone corridors, imagine being transported back to a time where performances were held under open skies. Feel the echoes of dramatic plays and musical events that once filled these spaces with life.

The theater’s stunning acoustics are worth experiencing firsthand – they’ve stood the test of time and still impress visitors today. It obviously no longer holds those performances of that time, but they organise concerts and other festivities during the year. The location on the mountainside gives you a breathtaking view on Mount Etna and Naxos Bay. 

4. Walk around Villa Comunale

One tip if you’re here during the hottest time of the year – visit Villa Comunale. This park used to be the private gardens of an English noblewoman who lived in Taormina at the end of the 19th century. She married the mayor of the city. Nowadays, this is a public park and thus open for everyone to visit. There is so much shade in this park to catch a break from the sunshine and the hot narrow streets of Taormina. 

This park also has a magnificent view on Naxos Bay and Mount Etna. Lady Florence, the English noblewoman, planted all kinds of flowers and trees from all over the world in this park. The result: a little flower heaven with vibrant colors and lots of butterflies. It is a calming escape from the busyness that Taormina can have. After all, Taormina is a popular destination. But once again, it’s too good not to visit and there are definitely spots to escape the crowds, like this park.

Read more: How to Start With Slow Travel

5. Try the local food

Obviously, we’re in Sicily and we love Italian and Sicilian food. I have a list of food for you to try while you’re here. Besides the usual pasta and pizza while you’re on Italian grounds of course. Don’t forget those! 

• Pasta alla Norma. This pasta is topped with fried eggplant and ricotta cheese. Do I need to say more? I love ricotta cheese.
• Caponata. This is usually served as an appetizer – it’s a vegetable stew. 
• Granita. A semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water and various flavors. 
• Cannoli. Probably should have started with this one as it’s truly Sicilian. It’s a Sicilian pastry filled with ricotta cheese. 
• Tarrone. Fan of almonds? Definitely try this, as it’s nougat made from almonds!
• Anything pistachio. Pistachio is just the main character here in Sicily. You will find anything with pistachio filling or toppings. I absolutely love pistachio. Genuinely a dream come true to have so many options. 

And to finish off this post about the best things to do in Taormina, I have a few practical tips.

1. Wear comfortable shoes. Taormina is located on a mountain and the streets go up and down. It can be very steep, especially if you step away from Corso Umberto.
2. Keep in mind that Taormina is a medieval city. And as the streets are very picturesque, they also are very narrow and can be busy. There’s not a lot of shade either. It can get very hot, so take a hat with you to protect yourself from the sun and just keep in mind that it can get busy and hot. 
3. Take water shoes down to Isola Bella, but wear sneakers on your way down. I tried to walk through the shallow water in Isola Bella to go from one part of the island to the other and lost my slipper about 10 times. Also, the rocks are too big to step on with your bare feet. It hurts! 
4. The bus station of Taormina is located down the mountain and it’s a steep, 10-minute walk up to Taormina itself. You’ll cross the cable car on your way up and eventually enter Taormina through the archway. I didn’t rent a car while I was here, so I don’t know where the good parking spots are. 

Please let me know if you’re visiting Sicily soon! You’re going to have a great time here. I cannot wait to visit the west side of the island with Palermo and Cefalù in (hopefully) the near future.