Sicily Tourist Guide

Taormina Tourist Information

Taormina is a popular and fashionable tourist resort with famously stunning views and a picturesque Graeco-Roman theatre, high above the sea and facing Etna.

As an attractive and permanently-fashionable destination, Taormina is known as a delightful but expensive place to stay. Many of the town's hotels and restaurants are in the upper price-bracket. However, one of the town's principal attractions - the view - is free to enjoy, and visiting for a day trip or careful planning can make Taormina accessible to all. Accommodation is cheaper out of season, and the little town is less packed, too. March, April and May are good months to enjoy the sunshine (usually), the flowers and relatively-uncrowded streets and restaurants. On the negative side, out of season you may find hotel swimming pools emptied, building works underway around town, and little buzz in the nightlife.

> Find a hotel or B&B in Taormina

Travel to Taormina

Taormina's rail station is by the sea, far below the town. It also serves the coastal settlement of Giardini Naxos, and the station is therefore named Taormina - Giardini. The station is on the railway line that runs between Messina and Siracusa, and is also served by trains from Rome.

Buses from the station to Taormina are approximately half-hourly and stop right outside the station, where you will find a timetable. Tickets cost €1.30 and can be bought from the driver, or at the station newsagents (edicola). The zig-zagging journey up to Taormina takes about ten minutes. In Taormina buses stop at the 'Bus Terminal' on Via Luigi Pirandello, somewhat below the town centre. A taxi for the same journey will cost around €12, and will save you from lugging your cases around the town's sloping streets.

The bus company Interbus also operate longer-distance services, to Catania Airport and further afield. Within Taormina, small orange local buses wind their way in a circular route around around the residential periphery of town.

Taormina tourist information

There is a tourist information office at the station, and another on the ground floor of Palazzo Corvaja, by Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, where you can pick up a useful free map with some walks marked out. For more information on what there is to see and do in Taormina, see our special Taormina Tourist Attractions page.

On a budget

There are several fairly economical B&Bs in Taormina, but an alternative is to stay in one of the nearby seaside towns instead. You'll be closer to the beach, and can take a bus up to Taormina itself. Travelling out of season will also obtain you cheaper accommodation rates.

If you're on a tight budget, an economical option is to have at least one picnic meal or takeaway per day. Small general stores (such as the 'Mini Market' close to the public gardens on Via Bagnoli Croce) will make you up a roll from their products on display (cheese, ham etc) for 1 -2 euros. And a small rosticceria (such as the Rosticceria di Aucello Cateno at Via Capuccini 8, above Porta Messina, which is open until late) will serve pizza slices or hot stuffed calzoni for about the same price. You can fill up your water bottle at street fountains, and eat your picnics in the public gardens.

Taormina restaurants

Taormina has masses of restaurants, and some are quite reasonably-priced, although you should be prepared to pay a cover charge (coperto) of 1-2 euros per person.

'a Zammàra, Via F.lli Bandiera 15 (down a narrow lane from the Corso): A classy restaurant with superlative dishes. Try the Maccheroni alla Norma, made with delicious fresh pasta. 3 courses and mineral water approx. 23 euros each. This was the most expensive meal we ate in Taormina, but also the best. It's advisable to book ahead on 0942 24408. 'a Zammàra website.

Vecchia Taormina, Vico Ebrei 3: An unpretentious osteria-pizzeria with a friendly atmosphere and a good range of pizzas as well as a few pasta dishes.

Granduca, Corso Umberto 170: Popular with tourists, this decent though rather stuffy restaurant has a dining terrace with wonderful views over the sea.

> Read more: Taormina tourist sights.