Sicily is the most conquered island in the world, according to many historians. And frankly, it’s easy to see why powerful groups throughout history would want to post up and call Sicily — and specifically the hill-top town of Taormina — their home.
Historically, Sicily’s breathtaking (and strategic) perch above the azure Ionian sea and a rich climate ideal for diverse flora and fauna drew the likes of the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Spanish, Austrians, and British — just to name a few. Everyone wanted in on Taormina.
Welcome to breathtaking Taormina, Sicily. (Photo Credit: Yoav Aziz)
From azure oceans to lush gardens, Taormina has it all. (Photo Credit: Alexis Subias)
Today, the place is still very in-demand — with travelers, that is. Exclusivity and luxury radiate in Taormina, especially since the airing of season two of a mega-popular series featuring the subversive antics of luxury hotel guests and staff (you might know the one).
But Taormina is more than a glamorous retreat — its history-flecked, Michelin-starred, visually captivating experiences for travelers abound, so much so that you can easily fill your days there from sunrise to long after sunset. Here’s what you absolutely must do and see in the jaw-dropping hill-top town of Taormina, on Sicily’s east coast.
See the Sights of Sicily
Whatever you do — don’t miss these places:
- Ancient Theatre of Taormina — a 10,000-seat Greek amphitheater with breath-stealing views, it was designed for dramatic and musical performances by its Greek builders, and then expanded to accommodate games and competitions by the Romans later. Today, travelers agree it’s the #1 site to see in Taormina because of its spectacular view of Mount Etna and the sea beyond.
The Greek amphitheater atop Taormina is an absolute must-visit. (Photo Credit: Xihao Liu)
Explore the gardens of the city and feel transported. (Photo Credit: Bogdan Bararu)
- Villa Comunale — beautiful Italian gardens created in 1899 by the English aristocrat Florence Trevelyan, who bequeathed the garden to Taormina upon her death. It’s the perfect place to wander around and take a break from the heat of the day while enjoying Mediterranean flora, statues of notable people through Sicily’s history (including Florence herself), and striking views of Mount Etna. It’s also a great place to picnic.
- Piazza IX Aprile — the main square in Taormina, you’ll find historic buildings, a beautiful pink cathedral, and great people watching as the square comes to life in the evening. The square is also the start of the main shopping street in town. A bonus: You may even manage to see a few Sicilian wedding parties entering or exiting the church.
A visit to the top of Taormina is well worth the trip. (Photo Credit: Andrea Capiello)
- Castelmola — widely regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in Sicily and parked precariously at the top of the mountain overlooking Taormina, visitors to this charming village can walk the hundreds of steps up from Taormina to Castelmola. Hot tip (pun intended): Avoid doing this hike in the middle of a steamy summer’s day — opt for early morning or evening instead.
Whether you choose to explore the ancient theatre or simply to walk among the Italian gardens of Taormina, you’ll feel like you have walked straight into a mythological fairy tale.
Get Seaside and Out on the Water
A cool cable car (called the Funivia) from town provides access to Taormina Mare — aka the beaches — where visitors can rent sun beds and umbrellas and enjoy a great lunch. Isola Bella is, without a doubt, Taormina’s most beautiful beach, set at the foot of town. It’s connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of pebbles and sand which, during high tide, is covered.
The beaches of Sicily are some of the most beautiful in the world. (Photo Credit: Peppe Occhipinti)
Isola Bella is the region’s most famous beach. (Photo Credit: Yoav Aziz)
One of the best things you can do is opt for a golden hour boat cruise to see the shore and the dramatic hill-top town from sea level. You’ll also see cool grottos and gorgeous Isola Bella, and you’ll be treated to sunset drinks and snacks out on the Ionian Sea.
Eat and Drink Your Heart Out — Buon Appetito
Let’s start with the drinking — specifically, wine tasting in Taormina is a totally underrated activity. Even if you’ve been to wine tastings in Europe before, you may not have tried many Sicilian wines because they weren’t regularly exported until a few decades ago.
Nevertheless, there are a whopping 65 native wine varieties in Sicily, including Grillo (white) and Frappato (red). Gambino Winery is a great place for a local tasting.
Dine with a view when exploring Taormina. (Photo Credit: Yoav Azi)
Now, to eat. Here are some restaurants travelers to Taormina love, from small trattorias to Michelin-starred experiences:
- Osteria RossoDiVino — keep an eye out for a breathtaking 14th-century townhouse in the center of Taormina, because that’s Osteria RossoDiVino. The cooking here is outstanding, with local, seasonal ingredients starring in dishes like seared tuna and seafood spaghetti.
- La Capinera — a Michelin-starred restaurant with a killer seaside view, the Chef Pietro D’Agostino-helmed osteria serves seafood, homemade pasta, artisan desserts, and an extensive wine list.
- Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto — Sicily is known for inventing the cannoli, so you’ll probably want to try one here. There’s no better place than Roberto’s — you’ll be stopped in your tracks by the window display of handmade treats, and blown away by the flavors and textures of the artisanal pastries within.
Singularly unique restaurants can be found everywhere on the streets of this Sicilian gem-of-a-city. (Photo Credit: Yoav Azi)
- Bam Bar — enjoy a classic Italian granita (topped with whipped cream) or a cocktail and a bite in this cute café in the historic center of town, just off Corso Umberto. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and it feels slightly tucked away from the hustle and bustle.
- Morgana Lounge Bar — a chic and swinging cocktail bar with gorgeous interior design and carefully crafted cocktails, you’ll often find live music and you’ll always find a crowd having a great time there.
- Al Saraceno — serving up Sicilian specialties and pizzas over a dramatic view of Mount Etna and the sparkling city, dining on its open-air terrace shouldn’t be missed. Opt for pizza and mussels here — both are fantastic.
No matter what spot you choose, you’re bound to have one of the best meals of your life in Taormina.
Shop Sicilian Fashion and Antiques
One of the favorite pastimes of so many repeat visitors to Taormina is shopping. The main shopping street is Corso Umberto, which is lined with shops that sell all kinds of treasures: Hand-painted ceramics, art, textiles and, of course, luxury goods.
Innumerable treasures line the streets — what will you find? (Photo Credit: Lynn Breyfogle)
A shopping trip to Corso Umberto wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Italian leather shoemaker Lorenzo Camarda’s brick-and-mortar. The Camarda family has been handcrafting shoes for a century in the Italian footwear tradition, including their process called The Goodyear Welt. Each shoe is colored and shaded, giving uniqueness to each piece.
Whether it’s adding a pop of color to your built-ins or new ceramics to your kitchen, the colorful, head-turning earthenware you’ll find at Blue Royal is just plain fun. And if you’re an antiques fan, Saro is your place. The building façade is covered in ivy and, inside the shop, you’ll find all kinds of items from wall art to vintage Italian linens, traditional marionette puppets to woven straw bags.
Take a Cooking Class
These classes fill up quickly, and for good reason. Most of them are hosted by either chefs or families (sometimes several generations lead the class) in their own homes. You’ll learn the expert secrets to making Sicilian specialties like ravioli, linguini, traditional béchamel sauce, vegetable dishes, and fish.
Take a cooking class so that you can take a part of Sicily back home with you. (Photo Credit: Alex Ivrs)
In no time, you’ll be cooking like Nona back at home, and looking back fondly on your time in one (or more!) of these fabulous cooking classes.
Now, all that’s left to do is book your trip. Soak up the Sicilian sun and enjoy long, full days in breezy, hill-top Taormina — you are going to be so glad you went.
Stay tuned for a gorgeous new Kimpton nestled in the heart of the hill-top town of Taormina on Sicily’s east coast, complete with panoramic views spanning from Calabria to the Bay of Isolabella, opening in 2025.
