Introduction

Taormina is a coastal town on the Italian island of Sicily, lying on its eastern coast. Perched upon a hillside, Taormina overlooks one of the island’s most stunning beaches, while it also sits in the shadow of the majestic Mount Etna. Aside from that, Taormina has plenty of remains from the Roman Empire, when it was considered a major settlement. Today, people come to the town for its hot summers, its amazing vistas and the wide range of historical sites, although Taormina’s charms are worth exploring all year round, even when it gets a little quieter during autumn and winter. The town is also famous for growing lemons, which are used to make limoncello, a local drink sold worldwide.

Ideal car

Important things to note

Highlights & Hotspots

The Teatro Greco, a mainly-Roman amphitheatre is probably the most iconic structure in Taormina. Here, for a small fee, you can sit and look out onto the beach in one direction and gaze with wonder at Mount Etna in the other.
Just off the coast is Isola Bella, a nature reserve. Here, you can see some of the local wildlife as well as plants that are only native to Sicily. Walking here is sure to give you a little peace of mind if feeling under the weather.
Taormina’s most notable cultural event is the Taormina Film Fest. Held every June, it features the Italian equivalent of the Oscars, the David de Donatello awards which are given out to worthy actors, directors and producers.
Elsewhere in the town, October is when the Giuseppe Sinopoli Festival is held. Celebrating the work of legendary composer Sinopoli, it features a huge number of classical music performances, arranged by the same people behind the Film Fest.