The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is the second largest Greco-Roman theatre in Sicily after Syracuse, built in the 3rd century BC by the Greeks and expanded by the Romans. Its natural setting is unique: the cavea is nestled between the azure sea of the Bay of Naxos and the smoking volcano Etna in the background. It has a capacity of 5,400 spectators. Today, it still hosts the prestigious Taormina Film Festival, international concerts, and classical performances. Open year-round, it is a symbol of Taormina throughout the world.
Isola Bella is a 1-hectare islet connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand and pebbles, in the Bay of Taormina below Capo Sant'Andrea. A Nature Reserve managed by the WWF since 1998, it is home to unique Mediterranean flora and a Victorian villa once owned by Lady Florence Trevelyan, now a museum. Crystal-clear waters ideal for snorkeling, among caves and a seabed teeming with fish. It can be reached on foot or by cable car from the center of Taormina. One of the most photographed bays in Sicily.
Corso Umberto I is Taormina's main street, 800 meters long between Porta Messina and Porta Catania, a pedestrian meeting place for the international elite. This cobbled street is lined with medieval buildings, high-fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, art galleries, historic ice cream parlors, and gourmet restaurants. It opens onto the scenic Piazza IX Aprile, with the Church of San Giuseppe, a panoramic view of Mount Etna, and the Ancient Theater. The Clock Tower spans the street. Best explored at sunset.
Taormina's Villa Comunale, named after the Duke of Cesarò, is a 3-hectare public park built in the late 19th century by Lady Florence Trevelyan, an English noblewoman and friend of Queen Victoria. The terraced garden overlooking the bay offers breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Its distinctive Victorian Follies, exotic pagoda-style buildings, are a highlight. Paths lead through Mediterranean plants, hibiscus, bougainvillea, and palm trees. Free admission, ideal for a romantic break in the heart of Taormina.
Castelmola is a medieval village perched 529 meters above Taormina, considered one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. Reachable in 15 minutes by car or with a pleasant hike, it offers 360° panoramic views of Mount Etna, Calabria, the Bay of Naxos, and Taormina from above. Visit the ruins of the Norman castle, the Mother Church, and the legendary Bar Turrisi with its almond wine. Narrow alleys, stairways, and postcard-perfect views await. The sunset is unmissable from the terrace of Piazza Sant'Antonino.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Rocca is a rock church dating back to 1640, carved into the rock of Mount Tauro, 398 meters above Taormina. It can be reached on foot in 20 minutes from the Via Circonvallazione, following a scenic route with 14 stations. The small church features a stone altar and part of the ceiling is formed from natural rock. The lookout terrace offers breathtaking views of the Ancient Theatre, Isola Bella, the Bay of Naxos, and Mount Etna. One of the most spectacular views in Sicily.
