Things to do in Taormina

Taormina sits on a terrace cut into the cliff. The sea sits on one side, Etna on the other. It has drawn visitors since the age of the Grand Tour, and the view is still the reason.

The town on the terrace

The ancient Greek theatre was cut into rock in the third century BC and rebuilt under Rome. It still frames Etna behind the stage. Piazza IX Aprile, the main lookout, is nicknamed the balcony of Sicily.

• Corso Umberto. The pedestrian spine of the old town, shops and churches end to end.
• Isola Bella. A small nature reserve joined to shore by a sandbar, down a steep path or cable car from town.
• Public Gardens. Terraced gardens with sea views, quieter than the main streets and shaded in summer.

What the day is for

Taormina itself is a half-day walk. The theatre is the one thing worth timing around opening hours. Etna is the classic trip from here: jeeps on the north side, a cable car on the south.

Godfather scenes were shot in villages near Taormina. That draws its own small tour trade. Savoca, one of those villages, still trades on the connection.

Practical

• Weather. Summer highs run near 28C with mild nights around 22C; winter stays gentle for the coast, cooler and wetter than summer.
• Theatre hours. Early morning or just before closing avoids both the heat and the tour groups.
• Etna access. The cable car and paths above can shut on short notice for wind, snow or volcanic activity, whatever the coastal weather is doing.
• Isola Bella. The path down is steps the whole way; the cable car saves the climb back up.
• Getting here. The town sits above the train station; a local bus or taxi covers the hill.