Heads up: this guide has affiliate links. If you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this site free. How it works
Taormina is a small hilltop town on Sicily’s east coast, about an hour north of Catania. It sits high above the sea, with views of Mount Etna, a Greek theatre, and Isola Bella, a tiny island joined to the beach below.
I did it as a day trip from Catania with friends in November 2023, by rental car. Here’s how to get there, where to park, what to do in town and down at the beach, and what it’s like out of season.
Quick answer:
- Worth a day trip? Yes. One day is enough for the old town and Isola Bella.
- Getting there: about an hour by car from Catania, or about 85 minutes by bus from Catania airport.
- My favourite part: Isola Bella and its beach.
- November? Warm and quiet when I went. We could still sit on the beach.
How to get from Catania to Taormina
| Option | Time | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car (what I did) | About 1 hour | Rental, fuel and parking | Easiest for combining the town and the beach |
| Bus from Catania airport | About 85 minutes | €7 one way | Etna Trasporti or Interbus, stops up in town |
| Train | About 50 minutes to 1h15 | €6.50 | Stops at Taormina-Giardini, by the sea; a local bus (€1.10) takes you up to town |
Parking in town: we left the car in one of the big paid car parks, Lumbi or Porta Catania. Free shuttle buses run from both into the centre. The old town isn’t usually a ZTL, but restrictions can apply in high season or during events, so don’t try to drive into the centre.
Parking at the beach: for Isola Bella, we drove down and parked near the beach.
If you’re renting a car, read my guide to driving in Sicily first. You can also compare buses and trains on Omio.
Things to do in Taormina’s old town
The old town is small and mostly pedestrian, so you can walk all of it in a few hours.
Corso Umberto
Corso Umberto is Taormina’s main street, running right through the old town. It’s lined with cafés, boutiques and pastry shops, and balconies full of flowers above them.
Piazza IX Aprile
Halfway along Corso Umberto, Piazza IX Aprile is the main square, with a checkerboard floor, a clock tower and wide views over the sea and Mount Etna. It’s the place to stop for a coffee.
Try a granita
I didn’t get one, but almost every guide to Taormina sends you to Bam Bar, near the cathedral end of Corso Umberto, for granita with a brioche. It’s the classic Sicilian breakfast.
Taormina Cathedral
At the other end of Corso Umberto, the cathedral (Duomo) dates back to the 13th century. With its plain stone front, it looks more like a fortress than a church. There’s a fountain in the square outside.
Public Garden (Villa Comunale)
The public garden is one of the most panoramic spots in town, and a shady break from the crowds. It once belonged to Lady Florence Trevelyan, a Scottish noblewoman, and look out for the brick follies she built among the palm trees.
The Greek Theatre (Teatro Antico)
The Greek Theatre is Taormina’s most famous sight, with Mount Etna and the sea behind the stage. I didn’t go inside on my day trip, but if you do: tickets cost €12, it’s open daily from 9 am to 7:45 pm, and going at opening time beats the tour groups.
In summer, the theatre is also a venue: the Taormina Film Fest is held here every June, and there are concerts and opera nights through the season. Seeing a show with Etna behind the stage is a good reason to plan a summer trip around it.
Isola Bella and the beach (my favourite)
Isola Bella was my favourite part of the day.
See it from above first. The viewpoint on Via Pirandello, on the road between the old town and the beach, is where I took the photo at the top of this post. It’s the best view of the island and the bay.
The small island sits just off the beach below Taormina, and the beach is free to use. You can rent a sunbed from the vendors, and it makes a nice spot to watch the sunset.
The island itself is a nature reserve: entry is €5, and whether you can walk across without getting your feet wet depends on the tide.
The cable car down to the beach
If you’re not driving, a cable car runs from the old town down to Mazzarò, right next to Isola Bella. It runs every 15 minutes from 8 am, until 8 pm in winter and much later in summer. Since August 2026, it costs €8 one way or €15 return.
If you have more time
I didn’t get to these on my day trip, but they’re the other big things to do from Taormina:
- Castelmola: a tiny village on the hill above Taormina with even bigger views. The bus takes about 10 minutes (€1.90), and most people take the bus up and walk down in 30-40 minutes. Try the local almond wine.
- Mount Etna: I only saw it from a distance. You can visit on a tour from Taormina or drive up the south side to the Etna cable car (€54 return to 2,500 m). Etna is an active volcano, so check the current conditions before you go: eruptions can close the summit and even Catania airport.
- Alcantara Gorge: a river gorge inland, lined with columns of volcanic rock, popular in summer.
- Giardini Naxos: the seaside town below Taormina, with a long beach and the train station.
Weather in Taormina and the best time to visit
June to September is the warmest and sunniest time, and October is still good. July and August are the busiest months.
I went in November, and it was warm and quiet: we could still sit on the beach at Isola Bella. Average highs are around 16°C up in the town, and it’s warmer down by the sea, so bring a layer for the evening.
Where to stay in Taormina
Staying overnight lets you see the old town in the evening, after the day-trippers leave.
Taormina FAQ
Is Taormina worth a day trip from Catania? Yes. It’s about an hour away, and one day is enough for the old town and Isola Bella.
How do I get from Catania airport to Taormina? The direct bus takes about 85 minutes and costs €7 one way. It stops at the bus terminal up in town.
Where do you park in Taormina? In the Lumbi or Porta Catania car parks, with free shuttle buses into the centre. For Isola Bella, there’s parking near the beach.
Is there a beach in Taormina? Yes, down by the sea: Isola Bella and Mazzarò are the closest. The beach at Isola Bella is free.
How much is the Taormina cable car? €8 one way or €15 return, since August 2026.
Where’s the best view of Isola Bella? From the viewpoint on Via Pirandello, between the old town and the beach.
Can you visit Mount Etna from Taormina? Yes, on a tour or by car to the south side. Check the current conditions first, as eruptions can close the summit.
What’s Taormina like in November? Warm and quiet when I went, and we could still sit on the beach.
Planning more of Sicily? Read my guides to Syracuse and Ortigia, Catania and driving in Sicily.
