What to Do in Taormina

From pristine beaches and luxury yachts to adventures to Mount Etna and the Alcantara Gorge!

"To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything."

-Goethe

When Goethe visited Italy in search of inspiration in the late 1780s, it wasn’t even a nation-state yet (this wouldn’t occur until almost a century later), but even then, he recognized that Sicily was an essential piece of the Italian experience. Sicily holds the fascination of adventure and off-the-beaten-path authenticity, with a generous helping of luxury and old world sophistication. These days, a new generation is discovering what Goethe, Geleng, D. H. Lawrence, and Truman Capote appreciated before them in Sicily.

Of all the cities to explore in Sicily, the hilltop town of Taormina in Eastern Sicily is arguably encapsulates the best that Sicily has to offer. From ancient ruins to pristine beaches, from private yachts to the caves of Mt. Etna, Taormina offers the best of all worlds. Taormina will even be in the headlines this year, as the 43rd G7 summit will be held here on May 26 & 27, 2017. For travellers eager to discover this historic and beautiful town, here are the top things to do in Taormina, Sicily:

Beaches

The beaches of Taormina, at the foot of the hilltop town, are among the most beautiful and luxurious in Sicily. On the northern end is the bay of Mazzaro', Its pebble shores, reachable by a cable railway from Taormina, offer both paid bagni (beach clubs with umbrellas and other services) and free beach areas. To the south is the bay of Giardini Naxos, the longest beach in Taormina. It has both pebble and sand beaches, and because of the many bars and beach clubs is also a popular nightlife spot. In the middle is Isola Bella, the most famous and beautiful beach of Taormina. With lush vegetation and pristine crysal clear water, the pebble shores that stretch along the islet of Isola Bella and its surrounding beaches are sure to be an unforgettable highlight of your stay in Taormina.

Private Yacht Tour of the Taormina Bays

Beaches aren’t the only places to enjoy the beautiful coastal bays of Taormina. The best views of Taormina’s beaches are on the water, so why not sunbathe and swim in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea from the privacy of your own luxury yacht? Visit the bay of Isola Bella, the bay of Mazzaro’ and the bay of Mermaids, all the best spots along the Eastern Coast of Sicily - without the crowds!

Find out more about our private luxury yacht excursions in Taormina here: Taormina Boat Tour

Mount Etna

Turning to the inland view from Taormina, Mount Etna looms spectacularly to the West. At only an hour’s drive from Taormina, Mount Etna is one excursion that you don’t want to miss. Visit the volcano’s extinct craters, and descend into lava caves to see the beautiful curves of solidified lava flow. From the Valle del Bove, at an altitude of 2,150 meters (7,000 ft), you can see the breathtaking panorama of the volcano and its dominion, the beautiful island of Sicily.

Find out more about our excursion to Mount Etna from Taormina here: Mount Etna Tour From Taormina

The Alcantara Gorge

The black lava walls of the Alcantara Gorge stretch 50 meters high, polished by the crystal clear water of the Alcantara river tumbling down. Refreshing pools form at its base, and the surrounding paths and trails offer spectacular views and lush, untarnished flora and fauna. The Alcantara Gorge on the northern slope of Mount Etna, at only 20 kilometers north of Taormina, is the perfect escape for nature-lovers, photographers, and adventure-seekers. Of course, for those just looking for a relaxing way to cool off on a hot day and not interesting in hiking paths and stairs, there’s even an elevator that can take you the 50 meters down to the pools below.

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Wine Tasting on the Slopes of Mt Etna

From native Sicilian grapes like nero d’avola, nerello mascalese and nerello cappuccio as well as big-name international grapes such as merlot and cabernet, the fertile volcanic soil of Mount Etna is perfect for winemaking. A wine-tasting excursion on the slopes of Mount Etna is the perfect refreshing escape on a hot day in Taormina.

Ancient Greek Theater

The Ancient Greek Theater in Taormina is one of the most important sites of the city. Originally built by the Greeks for dramatic and musical performances, the Romans expanded the theater to accommodate games and gladiator battles. Second in size only the theater in Syracuse, the Theater of Taormina is one of the world’s most admired. The stunning panorama of the Calabrian and Ionian coasts and the peak of Mount Etna make it clear why the Ancient Greeks chose this spot! It is still in use today for rock concerts, operas, and the Taormina film festival

From relaxing experiences like wine tastings and a luxurious private yacht perusing the coastline of Taormina, to adventurous excursions to see the ancient Lava flows Mount Etna or hike in the natural beauty of the Alcantara Gorge, email us help curate your perfect stay in Taormina!