11 Things to Do in Taormina
Taormina is a city that offers plenty of things to do for all tastes. Starting from Taormina or nearby towns like Giardini Naxos and Letojanni, many tours are organized to help you discover the beauty of this part of Sicily.
1. Stroll through the Center
The first thing you should do in Taormina is simply stroll through the center. Discover the flower-filled corners, the chic little ceramic shops, the viewpoints, and the narrow streets crowded with restaurants and bars.
Don't miss a walk through the Villa Comunale park, either - it's one of Taormina's must-see sights.
2. See an Opera Performance in Taormina
From April to October, the Italian Opera Live Cultural Association organizes opera performances at the Nazarena Theatre in Taormina.
The Italian Opera show features the most famous arias and duets from the Italian repertoire. Ticket prices are €30 for standard admission and €50 for a VIP ticket. The performance lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
Book Tickets for the Italian Opera
Once a month, from May to October, "Opera Selection" shows are organized, featuring only arias from a famous opera (May 10 - Tosca by Giacomo Puccini, June 14 - La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, September 13 - Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo, October 4 - La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini). The price for these performances is 50 EUR.
Book Tickets for Opera Selection
3. Sunbathe at Isola Bella
The beach at Isola Bella is the most famous beach in Taormina. It features pebbles rather than sand, so you will need water shoes to enter the water; however, the landscape - with the narrow isthmus connecting the island to the shore - is breathtaking. You will find three private beach clubs as well as sections of free public beach right across from the island.
4. Explore the Surroundings of Taormina with a Hop-On Hop-Off tour
To explore the area around Taormina, you can book a Hop On Hop Off tour with the CitybySee tourist bus (operating from April to October). For one day, you can get on and off at any of the stops according to the schedule.
The bus follows the coastline but also climbs above Taormina, making stops in: Giardini Naxos (Recanati bus station) - Taormina (Pirandello bus station) - Letojanni (Piazza Cagli) - Castelmola (the parking lot in front of Hotel Villa Sonia) - Isola Bella (the cable car parking lot).
Note: The audio guide headphones don't always work, so it's best not to rely on the commentary.
5. Go Trekking
Taormina stretches from sea level up to an altitude of about 200m, so if you don't take the cable car, you'll naturally find yourself navigating many sloped streets and stairways. Beyond the casual stroll, you can challenge yourself by climbing the more than 500 steps that lead to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Rocca. From there, you can continue your ascent even further to reach the Taormina Castle.
You can also hike up to the beautiful medieval village of Castelmola by choosing the route known as Sentiero dei Saraceni ("Path of the Saracens"). In about 45 minutes you will reach your destination, where you can reward yourself by tasting a glass of vino alla mandorla, the almond-flavored wine specific to the village of Castelmola.
6. Take a Boat Trip to Isola Bella
Some small boat trips are organized directly from the beach at Isola Bella. However, most boat tours depart from the port in the resort of Giardini Naxos, which you can reach very easily in about 15 minutes by taking a bus from the Taormina bus station.
The boat captains will take you through the bays of Naxos and Taormina, showing you various caves (usually including the famous Grotta Azzurra - "The Blue Grotto"). Along the way, they will stop for a swimming break and offer you a glass of Prosecco or almond wine, paired with traditional biscuits or savory arancini.
A more special experience is the semi-submarine, which allows you to stay both inside to admire the beauty of the seabed and outside to enjoy the coastal scenery.
7. Visit Mount Etna
Mount Etna is not far from Taormina, and many companies organize excursions that include transportation. Most will take you up to an altitude of 1900m, from where you will have free time to explore on your own. You can stay at the level of the Silvestri Craters or take the cable car up to 2500m.
Some excursions also include short trekking routes or wine and local products tastings, while others also involve a visit to the Alcantara River Gorges.
8. Follow in the Footsteps of "The Godfather"
The CitybySee company also operates a Hop-On Hop-Off tourist bus (the Green Line) that reaches the villages of Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, where famous scenes from the movie "The Godfather" (Il Padrino) were filmed.
The bus runs from April 1st to October 31st and stops at Piazza Cagli (Letojanni) - Hotel Antares (Letojanni) - Capo dei Greci (Sant'Alessio Siculo) - Tourist Office (Sant'Alessio Siculo) - Villa Genovesi (Sant'Alessio Siculo) - Piazza dei Caduti (Casalvecchio Siculo) - Piazza Fossia (Savoca) and Forza d'Agrò (Piazza Piano).
Note! The stops in the villages are short (maximum 1 hour) and unguided, and you will be in a rush the whole time.
If you want to enjoy Savoca and Forza d'Agrò at a more leisurely pace, choose a guided tour. You will visit the iconic Bar Vitelli and the Church of Santa Lucia, where the wedding between Michael Corleone and Apollonia took place.
9. Take a Cooking Class in Taormina
Learn how to cook traditional Sicilian dishes like arancini and delicious cannoli, or opt for something more classic - a pizza-making lesson.
Pasta-making classes are also organized at the Museo della Pasta restaurant, located on Corso Umberto in the heart of Taormina.
10. Go Snorkeling
You can go snorkeling on your own if you have your own gear, especially in the area around Isola Bella. If you'd like to explore other spots and receive some professional guidance, there is also the option to book a boat tour (departing from Giardini Naxos) that includes all the necessary equipment.
11. Go Kayaking
Kayaking tours to the Isola Bella Marine Park are also organized departing from Giardini Naxos. You should choose these excursions only if this isn't your first time kayaking and you are in good physical shape.
