Taormina was my first taste of Sicily, and what a dangerously charming introduction it was.
Perched above the Ionian Sea, with Mount Etna in the distance, Taormina is one of those places that feels almost too cinematic to be real. There are winding lanes, dramatic sea views, pistachio everything, aperitivo moments that feel stolen from a movie, and enough stairs to remind you that “vacation walking” is still cardio.
I spent five days in Taormina, staying at the Grand Hotel San Pietro, exploring the historic center, visiting the Ancient Theatre, walking down to Isola Bella, eating my body weight in pizza, pasta, granita and cannoli, and taking a food and wine tour through town. I also took a lovely day trip to visit the historic town of Castiglione di Sicilia, plus several Mt. Etna wineries, which was a fabulous way to spend the day.
Here’s what I loved, what I would do differently, and what I’d recommend if you’re planning a trip to Taormina.
Where Is Taormina?
Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily, overlooking the Ionian Sea. The closest major airport is Catania, and from there, it took about one hour by private transfer to reach Taormina.
I booked a private airport transfer through Sicily by Day, which ended up being easier and less expensive than the transfer quoted by my hotel. My hotel had quoted €110 each way, while Sicily by Day came in at €75 each way when booking both arrival and return. An unexpected bonus was that I have the same driver for both transfers, and he was so kind and charming, making the ride even more memorable. Note: If you book any of the Etna People tours mentioned later in this post, it’s also worth noting that you can book transfers through them as well for a discount.
Where I Stayed in Taormina
I stayed at the Grand Hotel San Pietro (Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia), which is just outside the main historic center. The location worked really well for me because it was close enough to walk into town, yet just removed enough to feel calm. PS – did I mention how dreamy the pool is!?
The hotel also offered a free shuttle into Taormina, which was especially helpful at night. During the day, I usually walked into town through the Villa Comunale gardens, which quickly became one of my favorite places in Taormina.
The walk into the center took around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the route and how often I stopped to take photos, which was frequently.
Best Things to Do in Taormina
1. Wander Corso Umberto
Corso Umberto is the main street through Taormina’s historic center, and it is where you’ll find boutiques, cafes, restaurants, churches, piazzas and plenty of people-watching.
It can get crowded, especially on sunny days and weekends, so I recommend exploring earlier in the day if you want photos without a sea of people in the background.
My favorite way to experience Corso Umberto was to wander without a strict plan. Some of the best moments came from ducking into side streets, stumbling on little viewpoints, and finding quieter corners just off the main drag.
2. Visit Villa Comunale
Villa Comunale was one of my favorite discoveries in Taormina.
It is a free public garden filled with lush Mediterranean plants, quirky historic structures, shaded pathways and gorgeous sea views. The gardens were originally designed in the late 1800s by Florence Trevelyan (who has quite the interesting life and story), and they have this wonderfully romantic, slightly eccentric feel.
This is also one of the best places in Taormina to pause, cool down and take in the view. I visited on both cloudy and sunny days, and it was beautiful in completely different ways each time.
3. See the Ancient Theatre of Taormina
The Ancient Theatre (Teatro Antico di Taormina) is one of Taormina’s must-see attractions, and yes, it is worth it.
The ruins themselves are impressive, but the real magic is the setting. From the theatre, you get sweeping views over the coastline, the sea and Mount Etna when the skies are clear. The site does involve stairs and uneven stone paths, so wear shoes with a proper grip.
I actually loved seeing it on a more overcast day because the soft gray sky made the brickwork look especially dramatic. Sunshine is lovely, of course, but Taormina has a way of still being stunning when the weather refuses to behave. To book skip the line tickets with an audio guide, click here.
4. Walk Down to Isola Bella
Isola Bella is one of Taormina’s most famous sights, and it really is beautiful.
You can reach the beach area by cable car from Taormina to Mazzarò, then walk from there to Isola Bella. The cable car connects Taormina’s historic center with Mazzarò, and Isola Bella is around 500 meters from Mazzarò.
I decided to walk down the stairs from near my hotel because I wanted the scenic route. The views were spectacular, but the path was steep, pebbly and slippery in parts. I would only recommend walking down if you’re steady on your feet and wearing good shoes. I would not personally choose to walk back up in the heat.
Isola Bella itself was gorgeous, but very crowded. The beach is more rocky than sandy, and people were packed into every available patch of space. I’m glad I saw it, but I was also very happy to head back up to my hotel pool afterward.
5. Chiesa di San Giuseppe
One of the most beautiful corners of Taormina is Piazza IX Aprile, the stunning square overlooking the sea that feels almost impossibly cinematic at sunset.
Located right on the piazza is Chiesa di San Giuseppe, a historic Baroque church with a soft blush-pink exterior, elegant stone staircase, and beautiful architectural details that instantly catch your eye as you wander through town.
I loved stepping inside because the interior feels peaceful and intimate compared to the busy energy of Corso Umberto just outside. The church itself dates back to the 17th century and adds so much character to the piazza. What also struck me during my time in Taormina was just how many weddings were taking place throughout the town. Between the dramatic sea views, historic churches, elegant piazzas, and golden evening light, it is very easy to understand why Taormina has become such a romantic destination for Italian weddings.
Even if you are not especially interested in churches or architecture, Piazza IX Aprile and Chiesa di San Giuseppe are absolutely worth experiencing while exploring Taormina’s historic center.
Where to Eat and Drink in Taormina
1. Bam Bar
On a hot Taormina day, granita is not optional. It is survival. I went to Bam Bar and ordered raspberry and peach granita with cream and brioche. The texture was smoother than the icy granitas I’d had before, almost like a silky fruit puree. The cream made it feel indulgent, and the brioche turned it into a light lunch.
This is one of those classic Taormina experiences that absolutely lives up to the hype.
2. La Napoletana
La Napoletana was my first dinner in Taormina, and it was exactly what I needed after a travel day.
It is tucked away just off Corso Umberto, which makes it feel calmer and more neighborhood-like than the main street. I ordered a pizza with prosciutto, mozzarella, sautéed mushrooms and toasted pistachio. Pistachio on pizza might sound unexpected, but it was fantastic.
The pizza had that dreamy combination of a thin center with a thicker, doughy crust, perfect for soaking up all the extra toppings.
3. Vineria Modì
Vineria Modì (Google Maps) was one of my best meals in Taormina.
I started with octopus served over creamy mashed potatoes with an olive crumble, and it was genuinely one of the best octopus dishes I’ve ever had. For my main, I had a filled pasta with a creamy Parmesan-style sauce that burst out when you bit into it.
This is a great option if you want a more polished lunch or dinner in Taormina.
4. Wunderbar Caffè
Caffè Wunderbar (Google maps) was my go-to spot for aperitivo. On one visit, I had an Aperol spritz with snacks, then returned another day for a very dramatic mango and fig caipirinha served in a smoking glass. The snacks come free with your drink, and you can see what they have available that day and negotiate a bit on which ones you want (otherwise they just bring a selection). It is right on the Corso Umberto where it meets Piazza IX Aprile, so it’s convenient, lively and great for people-watching.
5. Trattoria Tiramisu
Trattoria Tiramisu (Google maps) ended up being one of those wonderfully relaxed dinners where everything just hits the spot. The restaurant sits slightly off the main tourist drag, which gave it a calmer and more relaxed atmosphere than some of the busier restaurants directly on Corso Umberto.
We shared a delicious bruschetta, plus several pizzas, including a seafood pizza with shrimp and arugula and another topped with pistachio, creamy cheese and smoked ham. Unsurprisingly, the pistachio pizza ended up being everyone’s favorite.
And yes, the tiramisu absolutely delivered. You cannot call your restaurant Trattoria Tiramisu and serve a mediocre tiramisu. Thankfully, this one was rich, creamy, and worth saving room for.
6. Ristorante Pizzeria Taormina
One thing you will quickly learn about me from this Taormina trip is that Sicily completely converted me into a pistachio enthusiast.
At Ristorante Pizzeria Taormina, I had a pistachio pesto pasta that I still think about. Rich, creamy, nutty and deeply savory, it felt like the perfect example of how Sicilian cuisine takes simple ingredients and somehow turns them into something incredibly memorable.
After several days of eating my way through Taormina, this ended up being one of those dishes that really stuck with me. If you love pistachios, this absolutely needs to go on your Taormina food list.
7. Food and Wine Tour in Taormina
One of my favorite evenings was a Taormina food and wine tour.
We visited three different spots and tried seafood, pasta, Sicilian wines, cheese, charcuterie, pastries, cannoli, almond wine and limoncello. The food was great, but the real magic was the group. I ended up with a hilarious group from the Brighton area, and I don’t think I had laughed that hard in ages.
The tour was also a great way to learn more about Sicilian food beyond my self-imposed diet of prosciutto, pistachio, cheese and carbs.
What to Buy in Taormina
Shopping in Taormina is a mix of very expensive boutiques, touristy souvenir shops and a few lovely smaller finds.
I found two beautiful bracelets from a clothing and jewelrey shop called Marilu`Di Giammona Maria near Piazza Duomo, plus two handmade face masks from a small shop just beyond the piazza called Caffa Store. The daughter of the shop owners had made the masks herself, which made them feel like such a sweet souvenir.
If you love ceramics, jewelry, linen clothing or accessories, leave time for shopping. I wish I had given myself a little more time to browse properly – and more space in my suitcase to bring it all back.
The Best Day Trip from Taormina: Mount Etna Wine Country
One of the absolute highlights of my Sicily trip was a full-day Mount Etna winery tour from Taormina.
I booked the experience through Etna People, and it ended up being one of those travel days that reminds you why group tours can actually be wonderful when you find the right people.
We spent the day winding through the villages surrounding Mount Etna, visiting historic towns, exploring vineyards built on volcanic soil, tasting Sicilian wines, and eating long leisurely lunches overlooking the vines. Here’s where we went:
Castiglione di Sicilia
Before the wine tastings even began, our guide Roberto took us to Castiglione di Sicilia, a stunning hilltop town perched high above the valley. This ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the entire trip.
Unlike Taormina, which is lively and internationally known, Castiglione di Sicilia felt incredibly local and untouched. Walking through the narrow stone streets genuinely felt like stepping backward in time. There were almost no other tourists around, which made the experience feel even more special.
We wandered through tiny alleyways, churches, panoramic viewpoints, and castle overlooks while learning stories about the town’s history from Roberto, who was absolutely fantastic throughout the day.
There was even a local goat named Matteo with his own Facebook page. I think Matteo has sadly passed since my trip, but the page lives on to celebrate his quirky yet fabulous spirit and the humor of the lovely people who created it.
Wine Tasting on Mount Etna
Our first winery stop was at Patria (Google maps) focused more heavily on the wine production process itself, including the impact of Mount Etna’s volcanic soil on Sicilian wines.
We tasted sparkling wines, whites and reds while learning about fermentation, oak barrels, and Etna’s unique wine-growing conditions. The wines were shockingly affordable compared to what you might expect in other major wine regions, especially given the quality.
The second winery, Torre Mora, felt almost cinematic with rolling vineyards, stone farmhouse buildings, and Mount Etna looming in the background. It felt like the Sicilian version of Tuscany, with a long lunch and local wine flowing while warm air drifted through open windows.
Lunch included local cheeses, olives, incredible olive oil, roasted potatoes with rosemary, and a simple but delicious basil couscous dish with tomatoes and cheese. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and unfussy in the best possible way.
After lunch, we toured the vineyards themselves and learned more about the grape-growing process directly from the winery staff while overlooking Mount Etna.
Honestly, it was one of those days where every five minutes I found myself thinking, “This is absurdly beautiful.”
Practical Taormina Travel Tips
Stay three to four nights if you can. You can see the main historic center in a day, but you’ll want more time for Isola Bella, the Ancient Theatre, food tours, beach time, shopping and day trips. You can go on day trips to Mount Etna’s wine region, up the actual volcano, to towns like Syracuse, Noto, Godfather film tours, and many more.
Wear proper shoes – I’d suggest smart chic flats and sneakers over high heels. A modest pair of heels (perhaps a short stacked pair) for dinner would be fine, but I wore my beige Me Too ballet flats everywhere. Taormina is beautiful, but it is also full of stairs, slopes, uneven paths and slippery stone.
Book airport transfers in advance. Catania Airport is about an hour away, and a private transfer made the journey easy.
Bring cash for small purchases and transport. When I visited, the cable car ticket machine required cash or coins, as did some local shops, so it’s worth having some euros on hand.
Do not rush through Catania Airport if you want snacks. I had an excellent cannoli and arancini before passport control, but there were fewer options once I passed through to the non-Schengen gates.
Is Taormina Worth Visiting?
Yes, Taormina is absolutely worth visiting.
It is beautiful, atmospheric, delicious and easy to fall for. It is also touristy, crowded in places and not the cheapest destination in Sicily, so I’d go in with that expectation. Plus, there are many wonderful day trips you can take from Taormina, making it a great base for your vacation.
For me, Taormina was the perfect first taste of Sicily. I loved the views, the food, the warmth of the people, the gardens, the drama of the coastline, and the way every side street seemed to offer another reason to stop and stare.
I left knowing I had only scratched the surface of Sicily, which is exactly the kind of feeling that makes a trip successful.
Taormina gave me pistachio pizza, sea views, ancient ruins, granita with brioche, a new aperitivo ritual, new friends, and a very strong desire to return to Sicily.
Honestly, what more could you want?
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Did you find this blog post helpful? I always love a simple thank you but if you did want to buy me a coffee as a thank you (my favorite beverage while writing these blog posts!), visit:
buymeacoffee.com/jessicagioglio
Jessica Gioglio founded the travel and lifestyle blog, The SavvyBostonian and is the co-author of The Laws of Brand Storytelling and The Power of Visual Storytelling. Professionally, Jessica has led innovative marketing and public relations programs for Dunkin’, TripAdvisor, Sprinklr, and more. Today, Jessica is a keynote speaker on brand storytelling (book her here) and founder of With Savvy Media & Marketing, a strategic branding, storytelling, and content strategy consultancy.
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