Where to Stay in Taormina, Sicily – Best Areas & Top Hotels in 2026

Destinations don’t come much more special than Taormina, which combines history, nature and good-living in to the perfect place for a vacation. If you’ve found this guide, that probably already know this, and now need to start planning your trip.

If you know the area you’d like to stay in Taormina already, use the links below to jump ahead. If you’re looking for a breakdown of the key areas in the town, and the different options on offer to relax, continue reading.

Contents of this guide:

• Where to stay in Taormina centre
  • Hotels in Taormina (including luxury)
  • B&Bs in Taormina
  • Apartments & Villa Rentals in Taormina
• Staying near Taormina’s Beaches (Mazzarò & Isola Bella)
  • Hotels in Mazzarò and near Isola Bella
  • Apartments & Villas in Mazzarò and near Isola Bella
• Staying in Giardini Naxos (Near Taormina)

The historic centre, home to Taormina’s famous ancient Greek-Roman theatre, is where most visitors will consider basing themselves initially. Beyond immediate access to the city’s historical sites, staying in the center also means you are never further than a short walk from the main street, Corso Umberto. This street is largely pedestrianised, making it perfect to explore the many shops, bars and restaurants at your own pace without needing to go far.

Like many popular locations, this convenience means that hotel/apartment costs in the centre are the highest per night compared to other nearby areas. Staying centrally also means you will need to travel a little to visit Isola Bella and Taormina’s other beaches, or to head out on day trips to Mount Etna, Ortigia, or Catania.

If access to cultural sites, the best places to eat, and the top stores is your priority, let’s take a look at the different options:

Taormina is one of Italy’s most iconic vacation destinations, similar in prestige to the Amalfi Coast. The town and area has attracted high-end travellers since wealthy Europeans came here on the Grand Tour during the 1800s, and this legacy and heritage lives on today in the city’s grand hotels.

Probably the most famous hotel is the San Domenico Palace (a Four Seasons Hotel), built in the remains of a 14th-century Dominican monastery, and was the basis for the “White Lotus” hotel in the second season of the hit show. Another legendary spot is the Grand Hotel Timeo, which sits right next to the ancient theatre in the historic centre and offers a terrace with unforgettable views.

Beyond the luxury hotels you’ll also find a range of mid-tier/4 star options within the town center area, some of which feature swimming pools – a rarity in Italian cities perched on mountain sides in the way Taormina is.

Taormina town is also full of bed and breakfasts, from traditional family-run properties through to boutique establishments. These are great if you want to rest in a beautiful room without the full scale (and price) of a large hotel.

Within the immediate historic centre, you’ll find a mix of regular apartment rentals and higher-end properties. On the side of the hill that Taormina sits on (Mount Tauro), a short walk from the cable car station connecting the town with the main road below, you’ll find more apartment and villa rentals that offer gorgeous views and increased privacy.

Average accommodation cost: Highest in Taormina; above the average for Sicily, and in line with other luxury destinations such as Capri or Portofino

Accommodation types in Taormina:

• Luxury Hotels
• Boutique B&Bs
• High-end apartment and villa rentals

Best suited to:

• High-end/luxury travellers
• Short stays
• History lovers

As much as I love the town centre for its history and culture, let’s next look at my favorite area to stay in Taormina: Mazzarò and Isola Bella. If we think of the center as “upper Taormina,” where it sits high on Mount Tauro, then “lower Taormina” is the area of Mazzarò which sits along the coastline, looking out to the beautiful Ionian Sea.

This is mine and Sara’s favorite area to stay in as you can reach the beach more conveniently and from here you have easy access to the A18 autostrada (around a 5 minute drive) and the Giardini-Taormina train station (15 minutes via bus or taxi or a 40 minute walk) making day trips easy.

Getting to the historic town centre remains easy and convenient where the base station of the the cable car (funivia) is found at the Mazzarò parking lot (incidentally my recommend place for parking in Taormina if your accommodation doesn’t include it as it sits safely outside of the ZTL detailed previously).

What’s more, while there are fewer places for dinner here compared to the center, some of our favourite spots to enjoy some authentic Sicilian cuisine are found here, including Ai Paladini (for authentic granita) and Ristorante Da Giovanni (for freshly-caught seafood), as are some of the wider area’s highest-rated restaurants such as Nui Restaurant.

Stays in this area are almost always cheaper per night compared to the center, making this a great option for travellers who are happy to sacrifice a little convenience and not spend too much. If this area sounds more like where you’d like to stay in Taormina, let’s take a look at the accommodation options here:

Along the SS114 (Via Nazionale) road which flows through Mazzarò, following Taormina’s coastline, you’ll find numerous 3 and 4-star hotels, many of which work in collaboration with the area’s restaurants and beach clubs to extend their services. You’ll also find some higher-end options such as the Villa Sant’Andrea (A Belmond Hotel) and the Atlantis Bay Hotel (The Leading Hotels of the World Group) which offer guests private beach access, stunning pools, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.

In this area you’ll also find a good range of self-catering options, from small apartments to large luxury villas. Sara and I previously stayed at Paradisea, a cozy apartment set back from the Via Nazionale main road with direct access to the Mendola beach near Isola Bella. We loved this apartment for the lovely garden and jacuzzi with sea views out to Isola Bella – I bet you a glass of Etna wine that you won’t find a better holiday rental in Taormina – check availabilty here.

Average cost: Lower compared to the historic center; a little above the average for Sicily

Accommodation types in Mazzarò / Isola Bella:

• 3 and 4-star traditional hotels (with a handful of luxury options)
• Apartment rentals
• Small villa rentals

Best suited to:

• Beach lovers
• Travellers exploring the wider area
• Families/small groups
• Medium-term stays

Looking beyond Taormina’s historic center and iconic beaches, just a short journey south along the SS114/Via Nazionale you’ll find the town of Giardini Naxos.

Getting to Taormina from Giardini Naxos is simple where there are frequent buses between the towns (taking roughly 20 minutes between the center of Giardini Naxos and the Mazzarò cable car station/parking lot). This makes this area a good alternative for staying near Taormina where you can get to the main sites relatively easily, while paying less on average per night.

Beyond reduced costs, another major draw is the town’s long, sandy beaches. Less “cove-like” and rocky than Mazzarò or Isola Bella, this area is particularly popular with families and young couples.

The town of Giardini Naxos itself is full of traditional and welcoming bars and restaurants, making it a good base for those travelling on a budget or searching for a more relaxed vibe away from the crowds and sights or Taormina. Accommodation tends to be traditional, with the majority of options being family run medium sized hotels, small B&Bs, and apartment rentals.

Average cost: Most properties come in at less per night compared to Taormina center, Mazzarò, or Isola Bella areas and are very much in line with the average for Sicily

Accommodation types in Giardini Naxos:

• Family-owned 3-4 star hotels
• Traditional B&Bs
• Standard apartment and villa rentals

Best suited to:

• Families
• Young couples
• Budget travelers
• Longer-term stays

Taormina is one of Sicily’s most popular locations for international travelers from across the world and those exploring Italy internally. You won’t struggle to find somewhere to stay, and I hope this guide has helped you understand which area and accommodation type is best for you. If you have any follow-up questions about staying in Sicily, or anywhere in Italy, get in touch here.