Taormina is a hilltop comune on the East coast of Sicily. It is visible from the peaks of Etna and a popular spot for tourists. This is due to its history, its perfectly preserved mediaeval streets and dramatic views of Etna. We had a recommendation to pay the village a visit and so found ourselves navigating the narrow, winding roads to see for ourselves. A short overnight stay would hopefully allow us to experience the local history and culture.
A quick accommodation search soon made us realise that this was an expensive place to stop; however as it was our anniversary we pushed the boat out and booked a stay. Our pick was B&B Giulia for a heady €112 a night! This was more than double what we would normally pay so we hoped it would be worth it. After some interesting traffic, navigational and parking issues on our ascent we finally found our accommodation!
The accommodation was very nice; we had a very high spec room which was modern and a fancy bathroom. There was also a communal sun terrace and access to tea and coffee if required. Was it worth the extra – in our opinion no. Perhaps with a bit more notice to book we may have found an equally as nice property for a fraction of the cost.
Around Taormina
Odeon
The walk to the town wasn’t too far and we discovered the Odeon; a compact open air archaeological site dating back to 21 BC. It is in a fenced off area and easy to view from just over the fence. It is possible to go in at certain times but we went past when it was closed. Entry is free and it is located behind the Church of St Catherine.
Corso Umberto I
This is the main street running through Taormina and also the busiest. This is a typical example of the mediaeval streets and cute alleyways running off it. Here you will find copious souvenir shops, restaurants and bars, designer shops and places selling local produce. Wandering down this street is an enchanting experience, taking in all the smells from the restaurants, the lemon smells from the local produce and taking in the general ambience of the area.
Piazza IX Aprile
Found in the middle of Porta Messina and Porta Catania, the main gates to the city, Piazza IX Aprile is the main and most spectacular square in Taormina. From the terrace there are spectacular views of Mount Etna and Teatro Greco. The square is lined with cafés and works by local artists. It also hosts the Church of San Guiseppe and the Torre Dell’Orologio, the 12th Century clock tower.
Teatro Antico di Taormina
This is the most stunning and popular attraction in the village and has to be a must see for all visitors. We visited on Palm Sunday when we were delighted to find that the €10 entrance fee was waived. It appears the first Sunday of every month is free and we were fortunate with our timing!
The theatre was built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC and later enlarged by the Romans. It is the second largest theatre in Sicily but for the views of the gulf of Schisò and Mount Etna this is the most stunning (Etna was hiding in cloud on our visit).
The Teatro was definitely worth the visit not only for the history but for the incredible views. Even better it was free! This was definitely the highlight of our visit to Taormina. For those with larger budgets than ours, try a stay at the Grand Timeo Hotel which is right next door to the Greek Theatre.
Food and drink
Of course we had to eat out whilst here, especially as it was our anniversary! Not much research was undertaken; instead we decided to wander and see what we came across. We decided on Trattoria Tutti Cca which was located just up an alleyway to the left of The Church of St Catherine and adjacent to the Odeon.
Our meal was nice; with a bottle of fizz and 2 courses each for a reasonable €50. The highlight was the impromptu entertainment and serenading we experienced. It certainly added to the enjoyment of our experience and made us giggle!
Final thoughts
Taormina is the ideal place to experience some of the Sicilian culture on offer. With history, a wide variety of food and drink, local produce available for sale as well as breathtaking views it would be a shame to miss out. It is hilly as expected; and the traffic and parking a bit of a nightmare. We can however see why it was recommended to us, and we would certainly agree it is a must see in the Catania and Messina area. We loved our time here and would highly recommend even a short visit like ours – you won’t regret it!
Carol & Nigel x
April 2023
Linked posts:
- Should I hire a car in Sicily?
- Thinking of visiting Mount Etna?
- Driving Tour around the Sicilian Coastline
- Spending a day in Palermo
- Erice – A hilltop wonder not to be missed
2 thoughts on “A short stay in Taormina”