On the beautiful island of Sicily, 50 km below Messina, lies the small town of Taormina. Surprisingly lively and colorful, this gem of a town is nestled in the northeast of the island, between Mount Etna and the Bay of Catania.
Let’s dive right in and share our impressions along with the must-sees in this town that captured our hearts!
You might wonder why, as the town doesn’t look particularly inviting at first glance. That’s because it’s hidden in the hills, and the best part (its city center) is entirely pedestrianized.
It’s both a good and a “bad” thing because, on the one hand, Taormina charms with its colorful, lively streets, winding alleys, and numerous shops, plus stunning views of the Bay of Catania and Mount Etna. But to enjoy it fully, you’ll need to park outside and walk to the center (we’ll discuss parking options at the end of this Taormina guide).
It might not surprise you that Taormina was our favorite place in Sicily. The city is vibrant, colorful, and full of surprises. Plus, it has an amazing atmosphere. So, it’s a definite must-do if you’re in the area!
We hope you get the chance to visit and enjoy it as much as we did!
If you’re looking for accommodations, check below:
Here’s what we loved visiting in Taormina:
These gardens are perfect for escaping the heat and enjoying lovely views of the surrounding buildings and the bay below. But it’s not just about the view; the park is full of plants (some exotic), bird feeders and houses, ponds, sculptures, and charming pavilions scattered throughout.
This unique park was built by Lady Florence Trevelyan, an Englishwoman who bought and transformed this land in the 1890s, creating the Villa Comunale we see today. She built distinctive oriental-inspired pavilions known as “Beehives.” These are completely open structures with arches and terraces on all sides, where she reportedly spent her days “bird-watching and sipping tea.”
These pavilions still stand today (though you can’t enter them) and add a lot of charm to the park.
The church itself is modest, but it offers a beautiful view of the bay and lower town. We came across it on our walk from the parking area to the city center. The route is steep, sun-drenched, and ends with lots of steps, but the panorama is worth it.
These ceramic heads, shaped as vases, are a Sicilian emblem and can be found all over Taormina – on terraces, balconies, staircases, and, of course, in many shops. They add an artistic touch to the city, and we enjoyed spotting the various faces and designs.
Curious, we dug into the story behind these heads, known as “Moor’s Heads” (not “skull heads”). “Moor” refers to the Moors, a North African people, and the story behind these heads is intriguing:
The neighbors, impressed by her thriving plant, began creating similar vases, aiming to match her green thumb. Today, these heads are proudly displayed by Sicilians. They’ve become decorative objects, with some used as bowls, champagne coolers, and of course, vases – anything you can imagine!
Corso Umberto is the main street in Taormina, lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. Often referred to as the “Sicilian Saint-Tropez,” this street captures the spirit of the city. It’s lively and colorful, and every shop invites a stop. Small alleys, stairs, and paths branch off this main street, all begging to be explored.
Located along Corso Umberto, this square is hard to miss. Piazza IX Aprile offers lovely views of the bay, as well as the San Giuseppe church with its quaint little facade – perfect for sunset photos.
Further along Corso Umberto, you'll find Duomo Square with its drinking fountain and the Duomo di Taormina. This spot offers a completely different atmosphere from the previous square, leaning more into the medieval vibe.
You can also take a look at small excursions like these:
As promised, here’s a guide to parking options in Taormina.
It’s worth noting that the town doesn’t have a lot of parking, and most of it is paid. In summer, it can be challenging to visit without booking a stay that includes private parking, for example.
One option in peak season is to park in the lower part of town and walk up to the center of Taormina, or take a bus.
With a van or camper, we avoided driving uphill, as the streets are quite narrow, even in low season (April). Instead, we found a great free parking spot on via Madonna Delle Grazie, in Villagonia, a town just below Taormina. From here, it’s a 10–15 minute walk (uphill) to the town center and the Villa Communale gardens. We highly recommend it! Plus, the walk to the center passes by the Madonna delle Grazie Church with its beautiful viewpoint.
GPS coordinates for the parking: 37.848721, 15.286652.
If you need to rent a car, we suggest checking out DiscoverCars. They offer the best deals! Prices are transparent (no surprise fees during booking), and rental conditions are unbeatable, including unlimited mileage, basic coverage, and theft protection. Truly unbeatable!
And that’s a wrap on our Taormina guide!
We didn’t dive into the lower part of town, with its beach and Isola Bella, but just know that area is there.
We hope you found this helpful in planning your Sicilian getaway.
In Sicily, as in the rest of Italy, there are ZTLs (Limited Traffic Zones) in town centers. Make sure to check where you’re driving and parking, as only certain license plates are allowed in these zones, monitored by cameras. Unless you want a €200 fine, we really recommend parking a bit outside the historical center and walking more.
Bonsoir, Juste un.petit message pour vous remercier de votre SUPER BON PLAN PARKING GRATUIT de Taormine! C était parfait pour se rendre en ville comme vs le disiez et aussi pour accéder à la plage d isola bella (une 30 trentaine de.min le long de la route mais pratique qd même !!) Et dans le secteur, ce genre de.bons plans est très appréciable !! Merci encore et ...bons voyages à venir !! Isabelle et Xavier (05)
Merci énormément pour ce retour. On est très heureux que nos conseils soient utiles et on espère que votre séjour à Taormine et en Sicile s'est bien déroulé ! Bonne continuation à tous les deux !
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