One Day in Taormina Sicily: The Perfect Day Trip or Cruise Excursion Itinerary

A single day in Taormina is the perfect amount of time to get to know the town and experience some of the best things to do here, allowing you to discover why this spot on Sicily’s Ionian coast has been attracting travellers for 2,000+ years.

By following my suggested Taormina itinerary below you will visit historical landmarks, enjoy authentic Sicilian food and drinks, and soak up some of the island’s famous Lenta Vita, the slow life. Here’s what I’ll cover in this guide to exploring Taormina:

• Key info for orientation
• Arriving in Taormina
• A morning in Taormina
• Lunch in Taormina
• An afternoon in Taormina
• My favourite time of day in Taormina: aperitivo
• Dinner in Taormina
• Bonus: Staying in Taormina

Before we jump into our itinerary, there are some quick facts and tips about visiting this popular tourist destination that will be useful both in planning your time here in advance of arriving, and also while in the town itself:

1. Taormina is located on the side of Mount Tauro, meaning that getting to and from certain parts involves steep walks, sets of stairs, and a cable car (more on this below). Therefore, anyone with mobility challenges or a fear of heights may struggle to enjoy Taormina fully.

2. This town is one of Sicily’s most historic, and arguably one of the island’s most beautiful, with sweeping views of the Ionian sea and nearby Mount Etna. Because of this, combined with the fact that for over 2,000 years it has been a vacation spot for the rich and famous, travellers coming here should anticipate elevated prices for most things. This is across the board, from eating and drinking to guided tours and booked experiences, when compared to Sicily in general. In my experience, though, these costs are offset by the fact that everything in Taormina is high quality, from food and drink through to service.

3. Taormina is a seasonal destination, meaning that many attractions, restaurants, and shops are closed during the cooler months. Typically, things start to shut down (shops, hotels, many restaurants) around late October and re-open in early April and as such, this guide assumes you’re visiting during this period. For those visiting Taormina outside of these months I’d recommend spending a little more time double checking that the sites you want to visit are open, as are the restaurants and bars that you are looking to dine and drink at.

Many visitors who come to Taormina from other parts of Sicily will arrive either at the Taormina-Giardini Naxos train station, or close to the Mazzarò car park (incidentally my recommendation for where to park in Taormina for anyone travelling here by car) where the funivia (cable car) up to the old town is found.

For the purpose of this itinerary, we will consider the Mazzarò cable car station/parking lot as the start of our day trip.

If you’re arriving by train, make your way to Mazzarò by either taking a taxi (around 10 minutes with an average cost of 20 to 25 euros one way) or via one of the local buses with an average journey time of 15 minutes that run along this part of the coast. The frequency of these buses varies based on the time of year, so I would recommend checking the official timetables here.

Note that while it is viable to walk from the train station to the Mazzarò car park and cable car station, I do not recommend doing so as there are few pavements or walkways along the road, and traffic is constantly flowing.

The first part of our itinerary takes us up into the famous historic center of Taormina, and the quickest way to arrive here is via the town’s funivia cable car from the station in the Mazzarò car park. This service runs typically from 8am until very late daily, and the journey up Mount Tauro from Mazzarò only takes 5 minutes.

Get your tickets from the self-service machine or manned ticket office, and hop on the next car that arrives. A return ticket currently costs 10 euros per person, and can be used at any point during the same day to come back to the car park at the end of your day.

For those with a fear of heights or looking for a cheaper route to the town centre, walking is always an option, though it would take roughly 30 minutes up the steep slopes. There is also a local bus that runs frequently during the busier months, taking around 10 minutes.

Alternatively, if you’re more interested in skipping the history of Taormina and are more intrigued to spend a whole day enjoying the beaches here (note I recommend some beach time in the second part of this day still), click here to jump to that section now.

Once in the old town our first stop is Taormina’s most famous attraction, the ancient Greek theater. Getting from the cable car to the ancient theater is short walk (around 10 minutes) passing through the start of Taormina’s old town.

If you’ve not yet had breakfast, take a detour to Bam Bar, grab an outdoor table, and enjoy an authentic Sicilian breakfast; granita and brioche. Bam Bar is one of the town’s most famous spots for granita and can get busy during the busy summer months, so if you’re pressed for time, a great backup option is Bar Trinacria in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, en route to the ancient theater.

While the Teatro Antico di Taormina might not be as popular as some of Italy’s other famous archaeological sites, such as Pompeii, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get busy. I love coming to this ancient theater when it first opens at 9am so you can get in before the large tour groups arrive, and that’s why it is the first stop on this Taormina itinerary.

This impressive structure was constructed in the third century BCE and used frequently up until the mid-350s when a major earthquake struck this area and the theater became unsafe. The theater that we can see and explore today was restored as Toarmina became a popular destination for travellers during the era of the Grand Tour, with the most recent preservation project concluding in 1955.

You should allow a couple of hours maximum to visit this site, including a stop at the cafe at the top of the hill into which the theatre is built, offering more spectacular views of the Greek ruins and wider area, perfect for a recharge and break before continuing your day.

I always recommend booking tickets to major attractions like the Greek theater in advance to guarantee entry, and to save time on the day of travel. With a reservation, you’ll be able to breeze straight in before the site starts to fill up. Get your tickets via the official website, or an approved reseller such as GetYourGuide for a private tour.

When you’re finished at the theater, let me next guide you to some of Taormina’s other top historical and cultural sites, before we break for lunch.

Heading back the way you came, returning to historic center of this compact town, from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, turn left sharply, heading downhill, (passing Bam Bar, my earlier recommendation for breakfast), walking along Via di Giovanni and Via Bagnoli Croci until you reach the Villa Comunale di Toarmina.

These public gardens serve as Taormina’s main public park, providing visitors with a leafy escape from the town center and panoramic views of Mount Etna on clear days. Nature lovers may opt to spend time longer here where the landscaped gardens, once a private residence that was gifted to the town and people of Taormina by Lady Florence Trevelyan, an English noblewoman who made the town her home in the second half of the 19th century, are the perfect place to enjoy the area’s scenery and relax among the beautiful flora.

Once you’re ready to leave the the Villa Comunale, retrace your route back up to Taormina’s historic heart, follow the town’s main pedestrian street, Corso Umberto, until you reach Piazza IX Aprile.

This beautiful checkered piazza is the focal point of the town, and a favourite spot for visitors and locals alike to take in the panoramic views of the coastline. I’d recommend pausing here to appreciate the scenery and atmosphere, perhaps sitting near the Church of San Giuseppe or checking out the view from the Belvedere di Toarmina.

Just a short walk further along Corso Umberto you’ll reach the end of Taormina’s old town, marked officially by the Porta Catania. Just before the gate, you’ll find the Duomo di Taormina, which, while small compared to Italy’s iconic cathedrals such as those in Milan and Florence, is no less interesting.

Personally, I find the architecture of the exterior the most interesting part of this church on Piazza Duomo, where, unlike Milan’s or Florence’s, it is austere and simple. This is deliberate, as the Normans, who controlled Sicily between 999 to 1194, built their churches to act as mini-fortresses as well as places of worship.

If you have visited all of the above quickly and are looking for further recommendations on what to see and do in Taormina before breaking for lunch, take a look at this guide. For those who are ready to eat, retrace your footsteps back towards Piazza IX Aprile so we can make our way to lunch…

In Taormina’s historic centre I’d like to share with you two options for lunch:

• Ristorante del Corso for a relaxed, sit down meal with authentic Sicilian and Italian options, served in an informal and friendly environment just a few steps from Piazza Aprile IX. I enjoy stopping here for a simple plate of pasta between activities, and to people watch visitors and locals streaming up and down Corso Umberto.
• Rosticceria Da Cristina 2 for grab-and-go Sicilian street food specials such as arancini and pizza by the slice. This spot is perfect for a quick lunch to maximise your sightseeing time in Taormina, or those travelling on a budget.

If you’re running ahead of schedule or aren’t too hungry just yet, make your way back to the cable car station and take the trip down the hill to the Mazzarò car park/funavia station, where our afternoon in Taormina will take us.

Regardless of where you had lunch, the second part of this itinerary will ultimately bring you to one place: Taormina’s famous Isola Bella and its adjoining beaches. This part of the itinerary is focused on relaxing after a busy morning, either by exploring one of southern Italy’s most unique nature reserves, or by soaking up some sun and enjoying Sicily’s waters.

Ambitious travellers could even do both, or if you skipped earlier parts of this itinerary. From the cable car station at the Mazzarò car park, walk onto the SS114/Via Nazionale road, turning right and walking for around 5 minutes. Cross the road and head down the stone stairs that descend to the beach, where you’ll arrive at:

This small island, sitting just off the main coastline, is accessible via a small tidal spit of sand connected to the Spiaggia di Isola Bella (Isola Bella beach).

Beyond the natural beauty of this little island, it is unique for the fact that the same Lady Florence Trevelyan who created what would become the Villa Comunale also spent a lot of time here, planting several species of exotic plants, making it a haven for nature lovers.

To access the island fully, you’ll need to pay a small admission fee, which represents an extra cost that goes to the preservation of the wildlife and old residence of Lady Trevelyan, which I’d recommend reserving online via the official website here.

Note that full access to the island can sometimes be restricted in the event of bad weather, so it’s always worth checking in advance for unplanned closures via the official website here.

However, anyone can appreciate Isola Bella at a distance from the beaches that lead to the island for free, and for those looking for something a little extra, the best way to see the island is by taking a boat tour/boat ride along this stretch of Sicily’s coastline.

If you’d rather spend your time enjoying Sicily’s sun and famously clear waters, you can either grab a spot on the stretches of sand close to the connection to Isola Bella, which is a free public beach, or make your way to Mendolia Beach Club and rent a sunbed for around 10-20 euros (depending on exactly when you visit), my preferred option for the enhanced comfort.

We love this traditional Italian stabilimento beach club with its quintessential Sicilian decor, efficient service, and reasonably priced bar. There is also a great restaurant here which is a fantastic alternative for lunch if none of my previous recommendations grabbed you and you are looking to dine as close to the sand and water as possible.

If you aren’t much of a beach person, or you want to swap the coastline for expansive mountain and coastal vistas, consider skipping the journey down to Isola Bella entirely. Instead, make your way to the village of Castelmola, perched high above Taormina, near the old Castello di Mola (Saracen Castle).

Catching a quick 15-minute local bus or a short taxi ride from town takes you up to this tiny town, which feels a world away from the busy streets below. Another option is hiking up, with an average journey time of an hour following the steep paths that lead of out Toarmina’s historic center (often sign-posted with directions to the Chiesa Madonna della Rocca). Once up here, wander the crowd free, cobblestone alleyways and enjoy even more dramatic, uninterrupted panoramas of the region.

By this point of the day, it’s possible you’ll need to start thinking, unfortunately, about returning to your base or cruise ship. If, however, you are spending a little longer in Taormina and looking for a recommendation on enjoying an indulgent Sicilian aperitivo, you’re in luck, as this is my favourite part of any day…

Depending on how you followed this itinerary, I will share with you two recommendations for aperitivo in Taormina.

If you skipped the first part and made your way straight to the beach and/or Isola Bella, it would be a shame not to see the old town of Taormina. Departing the beach, if you opted to rent a bed at one of the beach clubs you can make use of their shower facilities to refresh yourself, follow the steps up the hill to Via Nazionale. Walk a few further minutes to the cable car at Mazzarò, grab your tickets, and then a spot on the next car up the mountain.

Once at the top of the hill, head through Taormina’s ancient streets, following Corso Umberto I to almost its end, around a 20-minute walk from the cable car station, turning off on Piazza del Duomo to arrive at the San Domenico Palace.

This ex-monastery, now one of Taormina’s top hotels, is the ultimate symbol of La Dolce Vita in Taormina, where they serve aperitivo on their terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna. This luxury experience comes at a premium as there is a minimum spend per person (check the official website here for the latest information), but the quality of the drinks, the unbeatable views, and immaculate service make it worthwhile. There is no better way to sign off a full day in Taormina in our experience.

One important note about aperitivo at the San Domenico: you must book in advance as they do not accept walk-ins unless you are a hotel guest. As such, if this sounds like something you’d like to do, reserve your table online here.

If you’d rather not commit in advance to aperitivo, or there is no availability when you are in Taormina, another one of my top spots for an evening drink is Caffè Wunderbar on Piazza IX Aprile. The views here are almost as good as those at the San Domenico; try to get a table as close to the edge of the railing as you can or feel comfortable with, with the big upside being that they welcome walk-ins without a reservation.

It’s likely that you’re not staying in Taormina long enough to have dinner due to train timetables, onward car travel, or a cruise pick-up. If you are however, and regardless of how you spent the rest of the day, my dinner recommendation for a perfect final day in Taormina would be Bell’Assai.

This restaurant is found just 5 minutes on foot along Via Nazionale from the Mazzarò cable car station, at the top of the stairs for the beaches at Isola Bella, making it perfectly located for the end of a day in Taormina whether you spent the afternoon at the water, hiking the paths to and from Castelmola or living La Dolce Vita in the historic center.

I love the relaxed environment and views of the coastline here, and recommend you request a table at the window, especially if you’re dining at sunset. I particularly enjoy the fresh seafood dishes, traditional Sicilian cuisine (the Pasta alla Norma is a highlight!), and extensive wine list.

Speaking honestly, a single day in Taormina is not enough to really enjoy the town, though it is ultimately better than nothing. Hopefully however this guide has given you pause to think about maybe choosing to stay overnight or spend a few nights in Taormina on your trip to Sicily.

I’d recommend staying for at least two nights, or even three, to really enjoy everything that Taormina has to offer. You’ll find that this town and area offers accommodation for almost all types of traveller and budget, from the old-world luxury hotels that Taormina is famous for, through to cozy apartment rentals with direct beach access.

Beyond being able to take your time exploring the town and enjoying the beaches and nature here at a calmer pace, staying in Taormina means you’d be perfectly placed to visit Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, plus other famous locations in eastern Sicily such as the Alcantara Gorge and Aeolian islands.

For a full breakdown of the best areas, top hotels, and rental options, as well as Sara’s and my personal favourite places to stay in Taormina, read this dedicated guide here:

I trust this Taormina guide has shown you how to have the perfect day here, or at the very least has inspired you to explore the town more than most visitors do, as well as the nearby areas of Mazzarò and Isola Bella as part of a wider Sicily itinerary. For any questions about travelling in Taormina, elsewhere in Sicily, or beyond in Sardinia and mainland Italy, contact me here.