How long to stay in taormina

Taormina seems to get poor reviews, but I really enjoyed it! It was our first stop on our trip to Sicily and we spent four nights there. It is a beautiful place so , of course, lots of people go there! Loved our time in Sicily but Taormina, not so much. Very crowded, commercial, expensive, mediocre food. We got off the beaten path and still shared it with thousands of our newest friends.

At night it was a bit less congested, but not by much. When we look back at our time in Sicily Taormina ranks last on our list of places we enjoyed. We really like Siracusa and even Palermo, as gritty as it is, held more for us. I concur with Marsh's take on Taormina. We were there in on a gourmet guided tour with an Italian Chef. Our local guide lives in Taormina so it made the area even more meaningful. We spent 2 wonderful nights. We were planning to revisit Sicily this September for 28 days.

Our flights were canceled. That said, our plan was to do a day trip this time from Acireale. Hopefully we can return to this amazing island. Taormina is exquisite. Edited to add: Like Alan, our favorite town was Siracusa. We stayed 5 nights on the island of Ortigia.

It was our plan to revisit this September and stay at the same BnB. I was in Taormina as a day trip from a cruise and I loved it. Was there in late September and did not find it overly crowded This was about 12years ago. After group visit to the Theatre we were let loose for about four hours. I enjoyed the best limoncello gelato ever ouside the theatre and strolled down to the English Garden which was beautiful and empty, then lunch, a lovely fritto misto de Mari, such a nice change from the cruise cuisine!

I had planned to go and buy some beautiful marzipan fruits but shops had closed for the early afternoon break and the bus back would leave before they reopened. Have always wanted to go back and spend at least two nights. Could stay at the beach town at the bottom of the hill and take the bus or taxi up to the town?

I spent a few nights in Taormina and enjoyed it. It depends on when you go regarding crowds. I went at the beginning of last May and it wasnt too bad.

Ray, I will also recommend our favorite casual restaurant in Taormina. Our chef guide took us to Da Christina for the best Arancini we've had so far. My favorite was the Eggplant version. I just read online that they are offering an Arancino Cooking Class. I think one night is enough because it's so small and compact and a totally outlier in terms of cost compared to other Sicilian towns. I went on a long day trip prior to heading to the airport in the late evening, and that was enough.

If I had stayed an overnight, it would have been just fine too but no more than that. We were in Taormina for 3 nights in This villa belonged to a rich Englishwoman, passionate about birds and who decided to build many structures such as feeders and nesting boxes.

The view of the bay is magnificent and it is the ideal place to enjoy a picnic in the shade of the vegetation. The most famous monument of Taormina remains its Greek theatre. It dates from the 3rd century BC and is remarkably well preserved. It can accommodate more than 5, people and is home to theatrical performances and concerts. An important thing to know is that if you visit it a day of concert, you will see a huge stage in the middle, which removes a bit of magic from the place.

Only about 30 minutes to take a few pictures but again, it is mainly for the view that we go there. Despite the prize, the Greek theatre remains an absolute must see in Taormina. For those who still have some energy left, go to the via Circumvallazione. From there, a staircase of more than steps and without any shade bring a bottle of water , will bring you to the heights of Taormina in about twenty minutes on foot.

Also worth seeing: the sanctuary of Madonna della Rocca , a small chapel partially dug in the rock. For more information and to book your activity, click on the button below:. I book my paragliding session now! You can reach Isola Bella on foot in half an hour from the top of Taormina going back will be harder on your legs! This cove is simply stunning, with its pebble beach and crystal clear waters. At the beach, you can also enjoy many activities click on the links to book :.

At Isola Bella, you can go diving, take a boat trip , rent a jet ski or just relax! The best way to discover Isola Bella is to go on a boat trip , and this one is clearly amazing. There is a swimming and snorkeling stop in Isola Bella bay and you will see, Graziella and her husband, the boat owners, are super friendly!

Located 5km from Taormina, the small village of Castelmola is worth a visit for its ruined medieval castle and its charming little streets. In the village and from the castle, there are some of the best sightseeing points on the valley below and on Etna. Less touristy than Taormina , Castelmola is the perfect place to have a drink or go to the restaurant!

Located 50 minutes drive from Taormina , this site is a geological curiosity. The Alcantara Gorge are more than 25 meters high and only 2 to 4 meters wide. The particularity of this narrow canyon lies in the formation of its walls, which are the result of several lava flows coming from the northern slope of Etna. This volcanic material cooled down in contact with the waters of the river and drew original shapes. This place is not necessarily the best for swimming, because the water is very cold!

The Alcantara Gorge, on the other hand, is the ideal place to try canyoning. As you will be well equipped, you will not feel the cold and the descent of the river by canyoning in the middle of the gorges is really great! This activity includes pick up at your accommodation at all hotels located between Taormina and Catania. Book your canyoning tour in the Alcantara Gorge by clicking on the button below:.

I book my canyoning tour from Taormina now! Voyage Tips Advice There are several ways to reach the gorge. The first one is by the main tourist spot, there is a big sign at the entrance and a large parking lot that will allow you to park your car easily.

You will then use an elevator to go down to the gorges and will be have a guided tour. This three-star boutique hotel is at the Porta Catania end of Corso Umberto. It's a little place with a rooftop terrace, stylish bedrooms and helpful staff. A convenient option for seeing the sights and also enjoying views. The two-star Hotel Victoria is good, cheap option, in a perfect central location directly on Corso Umberto.

This is a comfortable family-run place to stay with good bedrooms. Staying here, you'll be following in the footsteps of artists and writers and maybe feeling some of the atmosphere of the Taormina of days gone by. Located a little above the historic centre at the Porta Catania end of town.

I've stayed in one of the Casa Vittoria apartments, right on Corso Umberto in a perfect location for enjoying Taormina. Very comfortable, with a big terrace overlooking the street from high above, and good value for money if you're travelling as a group or a family.

Lots of stairs to climb, though. A popular one-star on the Via Pirandello, the road leading down from Taormina to the sea, the Astoria is a good-value choice which is only a short walk from the historic centre although you will be walking uphill to get there. The hotel, a handsome red villa with sea views, is opposite the bus terminal and close to the cable-car, making it very convenient for travellers using public transport.

Located on a street which winds below the centro storico , the four-star Villa Belvedere is still within walking distance of the sights, with the advantage of sea views, smart rooms and studio apartments, and a swimming pool on a panoramic terrace. Villa Ducale is a comfortable four-star hotel set in a splendid villa with wide views and offering a touch of luxury.

It's a little way out of town on the road leading inland from Taormina, and offers a shuttle service into town. Self-catering apartments a short walk from the historic centre, with parking spaces, Casa Lucia will be a practical option for those with cars or wanting an independent stay. A popular four-star hotel on the headland between Isola Bella and Giardini Naxos, the Capotaormina has a swimming pool built into the rock, and a small private beach accessed by a lift inside the cliff.

It's a picturesque place to stay and relax, with terraces, balconies and views towards Etna. The hotel has a shuttle bus operating a few times a day up to Taormina. Etna to the North or Syracuse and Noto to the south. In both cases, you can opt for popular resort experiences or seek lodging in the more remote villages located along the way for a quieter approach to travel in Sicily. Devoting a full week in Sicily opens up several more options for travel. You will be able to expand on the 4-day itineraries by visiting more archeological sites and nature reserves in addition to the cities and towns.

Along the west coast, stop in Trapani and take a boat out to the Egadi islands. If you travel on the eastern side of the island, you can choose to tour the whole coast or target the southeast or northeast corners.

If you want to "see it all", consider this 7-day itinerary that ticks off all of Sicily's main highlights. Two weeks is the ideal amount of time for a road trip around the entire island and the most highly recommended amount of time to spend here, especially if it is your first time to Sicily or if you are traveling far to get here. If you are short on time but want to circumnavigate the island, it is possible to squeeze it into days but you will have to cut at least a few activities from our recommended day itinerary or sacrifice some of the built-in down-time.