Taormina Holidays

Taormina is one of Sicily’s most scenic holiday resorts, set high on a hillside above the Ionian Sea with views towards Mount Etna. It has a polished, historic feel rather than a purpose-built resort atmosphere, with narrow lanes, elegant piazzas, boutique shops and café terraces that are made for slow wandering. The main street, Corso Umberto, runs through the old centre and is the natural focus for an evening stroll, with restaurants, gelaterias and bars tucked into side streets and around lively squares.

The resort is best known for the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, a striking Greek-Roman amphitheatre with sea and volcano views. It is one of Sicily’s most memorable sights and is easy to visit from the centre. Other pleasant spots include Piazza IX Aprile, the public gardens of Villa Comunale and the viewpoints dotted around town. Taormina is also a popular base for excursions to Mount Etna, as well as boat trips along the coast and visits to nearby towns such as Castelmola.

Although the town itself sits above the coast, beaches are easy to reach. A cable car links Taormina with Mazzarò, where you’ll find small pebble beaches and lidos. Isola Bella, a tiny island connected to the shore by a narrow strip of beach, is the best-known coastal spot and is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and boat trips when the sea is calm. The beaches are beautiful but compact, so they can feel busy in peak season.

Eating out is a big part of a Taormina holiday. Expect Sicilian pasta dishes, fresh seafood, arancini, cannoli and granita, with everything from casual trattorias to smart restaurants with terraces. Nightlife is stylish but generally relaxed, centred on wine bars, cocktail spots and late dinners rather than large clubs.

Taormina suits couples, friends and culture-focused travellers who want a scenic base with history, good food and coastal access. It is worth knowing that the resort is hilly, with steps and uneven streets, so it may be less convenient for anyone with limited mobility.