Taormina walking tour & city guide

Along Corso Umberto

Corso Umberto I is the main street, running between two old city gates, Porta Messina and Porta Catania. It is lined with boutiques, ceramic shops, pastry shops and churches, with stairways and alleys leading off on both sides.

Halfway along, Piazza IX Aprile is a terrace-like square with a wide view over the coast and Etna, and the clock tower gate leads into the medieval part of town. The Palazzo Corvaja and the cathedral square, with its baroque fountain, are just a short walk further on.

The Greek Theatre and the coast

The Teatro Antico, built by the Greeks and rebuilt by the Romans, is Taormina's star attraction. From its upper rows, the view frames the sea and the volcano, and it still hosts concerts and festivals in summer. The Villa Comunale public gardens offer another peaceful viewpoint.

A cable car descends to Mazzarò, where small beaches and the tiny island of Isola Bella, a nature reserve linked to the shore by a sandbar, are perfect for swimming.

Visiting tips

Catania airport is about an hour away by bus or car. Taormina is very popular in summer, so visit the Greek Theatre early or late. Trips to Mount Etna, the Alcantara Gorges and the village of Castelmola above town are easy to arrange.