Last updated on November 4th, 2024 at 07:40 pm
Are you looking for things to do in Taormina Italy? Our guide on what to do in Taormina will have you covered.
Visiting the enchanting town of Taormina in Italy with kids is an adventure that promises a perfect blend of history, culture, and family-friendly activities. In this guide to Taormina, we’ll explore the best things to do in Taormina, from exploring ancient ruins to enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the town centre.
We’ll look at family-friendly day trips from Taormina, and for those seeking sun-soaked relaxation, we’ll uncover the best beaches in Taormina Sicily – the perfect backdrop for family fun. Plus where to eat in Taormina and where to pick up the yummiest snacks!
Is Taormina worth visiting? Most definitely. Get ready to head on a memorable trip and create lasting family memories with the help of this Taormina blog.
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Where is Taormina in Italy and How do I Get There?
Taormina is a popular holiday destination on the east coast of Sicily. The town itself is perched on a hilltop with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea. A cable car connects the historic centre of Taormina with the beach area of Mazzaro – where you’ll find the majestic Isola Bella.
How To Get to Taormina: Catania is the closest airport to Taormina. The most cost-effective way to travel from Catania to Taormina is via the Etna Trasporti bus. It takes around an hour and costs 6 euros one way.
Find the recommendations below on this Map of Taormina Sicily:
How Many Days Should I Spend in Taormina?
Two or three days is adequate to be able to see the local sights of Taormina, sample some of the fantastic food and fit in one or two half-day trips from Taormina.
You can see Taormina in one day. On a Taormina day trip, you could fit in all of the suggestions below, minus the boat trip and the half-day trip to Mount Etna.
✅ Check out these One Day in Taormina Tours
You might want to think about spending longer in Sicily and venturing to a couple of other popular spots. If you’re looking for things to do in Sicily, Palermo and Syracuse both have plenty going on.
If you’re interested in short visits to other parts of Italy, we’ve got itineraries to share with you for Cinque Terre, Rome, Montepulciano or Lake Como.
Taormina Itinerary: What To Do In Taormina:
A visit to Taormina is definitely one of the top things to do in Sicily.
If you can stay for longer than 1 day in Taormina, so much the better. Here are our recommendations for the top things to do during a short stay in this beautiful town. Make sure you add them to your Taormina itinerary.
Beaches in Taormina Sicily
The Isola Bella beach in Taormina is at the bottom of the town, adjacent to the island of the same name. It’s a small pebbly beach but the view is outstanding, making it the most popular of beaches in Taormina.
There are restaurants and shops nearby, kayak rentals and of course the walkway across the water to the island (see below). It is particularly popular so gets extremely busy (you’ll have to squeeze your towel into any gap you can find).
There are steep steps down to the beach (which may be hard work for small kids or those who are more infirm on the way back up).
Other beautiful and popular beaches in Taormina include:
- Mazzaro Bay (another steep set of stairs). There are several beach clubs here where you can hire sun loungers and umbrellas, and a couple of restaurants too. Sadly I was strung by a couple of jellyfish here – but the water was otherwise lovely.
- Mermaida Bay (Mermaid Bay). This Taormina beach is by the Atlantic Hotel. It’s quieter here and, if you’re in Taormina with kids, it’s a great place for them to give snorkelling a try.
- Spisone Beach (close to Mermaid Bay). Another quieter beach, although perhaps not as pretty as Isola Bella Beach.
Book a Boat Trip from Giardini Naxos
A short bus or taxi ride away from Taormina is Giardini Naxos, where you can take a boat trip to spots such as the Grotto Azzurra (Blue Cave) and Isola Bella.
Giardini Naxos also has some nice beaches, and beach club and restaurant prices are lower here than in Taormina.
Our trip was 2 hours long. This is a great option if you haven’t got time for a full-day boat tour (or you have young kids who may get bored). Perfect if you have only 1 day in Taormina.
✅ Book HERE for Boat Trip from Giardini Naxos
Our boat trip included one stop for swimming/ snorkelling, a drink and snack (prosecco and almond biscuits) – and of course, plenty of views of beautiful landscapes. Despite another jellyfish sting (how unlucky was I?) we had a great time on this good-value, short but sweet boat trip.
If you enjoyed the second series of White Lotus, you may know that it was filmed in and around Taormina. If you’re interested in checking out some of the locations they used, consider booking this boat trip:
✅ Book HERE for White Lotus Boat Tour
Explore Isola Bella
If you’re staying in the town, take the cable car down to Mazarro. Turn right and walk for around 200m before you reach the steps leading to the small pebbly beach there. It’s pretty small, but one of the most popular beaches of Taormina.
Water shoes are a good idea if you’re planning on walking across to the island – particularly for kids. Don’t worry if you didn’t bring any with you though – there are plenty of opportunities to buy them as you go down the steps to the beach.
The nature reserve on Isola Bella is one of the most popular attractions in Taormina. It costs 4 euros to enter so remember to bring some money with you if you want to take a look.
The water here is also a great place to swim (although, again, look out for the jellyfish) and we saw lots of people snorkelling too.
Take the Cable Car
The cable car is an attraction in its own right, even though its primary intention is to get you from the lower to the upper part of Taormina (or vice versa). If you’re in Sicily with kids, they’ll find the experience a lot of fun and you’ll also be treated to some great views.
The cable car gets busy in the early evenings (from Mazzaro up to the historic centre of Taormina). Bear that in mind if you have a dinner reservation and leave yourself plenty of time. A one-way ticket for the cable car costs 3 euros.
Visit Taormina’s Main Square
Taormina’s main square is called Piazza IX Aprile, otherwise known as ‘Taormina’s Living Room’. It’s a Taormina must-see and you’ll find it about halfway down the town’s main street, the Corso Umburto.
In the main square, you’ll find an amazing viewpoint which looks out across the sea (this has to be one of the best views in Sicily). On the other side, you’ll find the Baroque-style church of San Giuseppe. A wedding was taking place at the church while we were there at sunset and it was just beautiful.
Try Cannoli at I Dolci Di Nonna Rosa
Cannoli is a Sicilian institution, and the best can be found at I Dolci Di Nonna Rosa on Viale San Pancrazio (recommended by our host). In case you haven’t tried Cannoli before, the best way of describing them is that they are tube-shaped Italian pastries with a sweet ricotta filling.
They’re often decorated with candied fruit, pistachio and chocolate chips. Cannoli is the traditional dessert of Sicily, so if you’re wondering what to eat in Taormina, this is definitely it – and I Dolci Di Nonna Rosa is the place to try it!
With so many amazing traditional Sicilian dishes and snacks on offer in Taormina, how about booking a food tour?
✅ Book HERE for Taormina Food Tours
Day Trips from Taormina: Join a Tour to Mount Etna
If you’re pondering on things to do in Sicily and you’re based in or near Taormina, you’re in the perfect location for a day, or half-day trip to Mount Etna. It’s one of the best day trips from Taormina you can do.
Mount Etna is an active volcano which still erupts several times a year (the most recent large eruption was in 2002). Despite this, there are regular Etna tours from Taormina and you’ll be safe if you go with a certified guide who keeps an eye on the weather and the likelihood of eruptions.
We booked a half-day Mount Etna tour and also included in the tour was an exploration of the lava caves nearby, and a visit to a local vineyard. There, we sampled some of the local wine and had a light lunch.
You’ll need to be of reasonable fitness for the hike around Etna, but we saw lots of families with young children managing it just fine.
Our group were provided with hiking boots if needed, and we were all picked up and dropped off at or near our accommodation.
✅ Book HERE for half-day tours to Mount Etna from Taormina
Try Granita at Bam Bar, Taormina
Granita is another traditional Sicilian dessert made out of ice and sugar and similar to sorbet. The most common flavours are lemon and almond.
Over the summer months, granita is traditionally eaten by locals for breakfast with brioche – yum! We were recommended Bam Bar for the best granita in Taormina – their granita is on another level, and they even offer gluten-free brioche. There may be a bit of a queue here as Bam Bar is popular.
Take The Godfather Tour
Whether you’re a fan of Francis Ford Coppola’s films or not, this Taormina tour will take you to some of the most impressive spots in and around Taormina. It’s definitely up there as one of the best things to do in Taormina.
Excursions will take you to the medieval towns of Savoca and Forza D’Agro, about a 30-minute drive from Taormina. Both towns have been used as filming locations for the movies.
Tours usually last around four to five hours. Some are a little longer.
Personally, I love this Godfather fact which I thought was worth a mention: Marlon Brando wanted to make his character Don Corleone look like a bulldog, so stuffed his mouth full of cotton wool for the audition and then wore a mouthpiece for the movies! Try Excursions Sicily for a half-day tour.
✅ Book HERE for The Godfather Tours from Taormina
Visit the Duomo and Churches
The church of San Giuseppe in the main square of Taormina has free entry and is open from 8.30 am to 8 pm.
The medieval Duomo (Cathedral) of Taormina looks a bit like a castle – it’s worth popping in as they have some impressive artworks there. The Piazza Duomo, where the cathedral is located, is also a nice spot to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Munch on Arancini at Antica Rosticceria Da Cristina
Arancini are rice balls with a variety of different fillings, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried. They’re said to have originated in Sicily in the 10th Century when the island was under Arab rule.
Arancini are hugely popular due to the fact they make the perfect mainstay of an Italian-packed lunch. Antica Rosticceria Da Cristina has some specialities worth seeking out at this venue. The pistachio and speck ham is particularly yummy and if your kids are fans of spaghetti bolognese, they’ll love the ragu ones.
If your family is interested in learning to cook some traditional Sicilian dishes, such as Arancini, consider booking a Sicilian cookery class:
✅ Book HERE for traditional Sicilian Cookery Classes
Check out the Side Streets on Corso Umburto
Visiting Taormina has to include the Corso Umburto: Taormina’s pedestrianised main street, lined with cafes, boutiques and beautiful food shops. If you’re wondering what to do in Taormina at night, a stroll along Corso Umburto should probably feature.
One of the most attractive things about Corso Umburto is the pretty alleyways leading off it. They’re filled with colourful plant pots and pebbled steps. Look out for all the Moorish ‘head’ ceramic plant pots.
You’ll frequently see a male head plant pot next to a female one. They’re a nod to the legend of the young girl and a travelling man from the Far East whose love story ended in tragedy. Read more here.
Taormina Guide: FAQ
What to Take With You to Taormina:
Take a good pair of walking boots if you plan to do a Mount Etna tour.
A raincoat/ windbreaker is also handy as it gets really windy.
For Isola Bella and its pebbly beach, come prepared with water shoes.
Take a snorkel with you for the boat trip as they’re not included. A microfibre towel is a good option too. Pick up some marine protective suncream and antihistamines in case you are unlucky like me and come into contact with some jellyfish friends!
Is Taormina Expensive?
I’d say Taormina is moderately priced. Restaurants and bars around the main square are pricier, as are the restaurants and beach clubs near Isola Bella – you’ll be paying for those views. You can, however, find reasonably priced accommodation and food in Sicily (particularly if you’re happy to sacrifice the views).
What’s the Best Time to Visit Taormina?
Taormina has a Mediterranean climate. You’ll experience hot, dry summers and fairly mild winters. July and August can be pretty scorching (and crowded). We visited in early September, just before the kids went back to school and it was still very hot. May, June, September and October are ideal if you’re not a fan of very hot weather.
What’s the Distance from Catania to Taormina?
It’s about 52 kilometers from Catania to Taormina and it takes around 45 minutes between the two, via taxi, bus or train.
Parking in Taormina
There are four public car parks in the town of Taormina. Three are in the historic centre (on the hill). These are Lumbi Parking, Porta Catania Parking and Porta Pasquele Parking. The fourth car park is called Mazzaro Parking and this is at the bottom of the town in Mazzaro, close to Isola Bella. You’ll pay around six to eight Euros for a four-hour stay.
For ideas on where to stay, take a look at these Boutique hotels in Taormina.
If you’re interested in venturing to other locations in Europe, check out my Croatia Family Itinerary or Scotland Family Itinerary.
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