The 'Pearl of the Ionian' — a small nature reserve island connected to the shore by a narrow sand and pebble bar. The view of Isola Bella from above in Taormina is one of Sicily's iconic images. The water is extraordinarily clear.
Isola Bella is a tiny island nature reserve in the Mazzarò bay directly below Taormina, on Sicily's Ionian coast, and the 'Pearl of the Ionian' is one of the island's most recognisable images. The islet sits just offshore, joined to the mainland by a narrow bar of sand and pebbles that surfaces or submerges with the tide, so that visitors can sometimes wade or walk across and at other times must swim. The beach itself is small and made of smooth grey pebbles rather than sand, framed by steep green slopes and the medieval town perched on the clifftop above; the celebrated view of the islet from Taormina's terraces is reason enough to come. The water is exceptionally clear, a deep blue-green over a rocky and pebbly bottom that supports rich marine life, making this one of the best snorkelling spots near Taormina. The bay is sheltered and the swimming is generally calm. The beach is busy and atmospheric in summer, with a mix of private lidos renting sunbeds and umbrellas and smaller free pebble stretches; beach bars, snorkel-gear hire and boat-trip operators run from the shore, and the islet itself is a protected botanical reserve that can be visited on foot for a small fee, with paths through Mediterranean gardens and a small museum. Access is the main consideration: the beach lies far below the hilltop town, reached by a cable car (funivia) from Taormina down to Mazzarò followed by a short walk and a flight of steps down to the shore, or by road and bus to the bay. The pebbles can be hard on bare feet, so water shoes are useful. Compact, scenic and superbly clear, Isola Bella suits snorkellers, photographers and couples more than families seeking broad sand, and rewards an early arrival before the cove fills.
Amenities
- sunbed rental
- beach bars
- cable car to Taormina
- snorkelling equipment hire
Good to know
- Best for
- snorkellers, photographers, couples, swimmers
Highlights
- Tiny island nature reserve joined to shore by a tidal sand-and-pebble bar
- Exceptionally clear blue-green water with excellent rocky-shallow snorkelling
- Iconic clifftop view of the islet from Taormina's terraces
- Protected botanical reserve on the islet, visitable on foot for a small fee
- Cable car from Taormina down to the Mazzarò bay
Tips for visiting
- Take the funivia cable car from Taormina to Mazzarò, then steps down, to avoid driving and parking
- Bring water shoes: the beach is smooth pebbles, not sand, and can be hard on bare feet
- Arrive early in summer as the small cove fills quickly and lido space is limited
- Pack or hire a snorkel mask for the clear, fish-rich water around the islet
- Check the tide if you hope to walk rather than swim across to the islet
When to visit
May to October for swimming, with late spring and early autumn offering clear water and thinner crowds. Arrive early in summer mornings before the small cove and lidos fill.
Accessibility
Reaching the beach requires the cable car plus a flight of steps down to the pebble shore, with no step-free route or beach wheelchairs, so access is difficult for visitors with limited mobility.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Isola Bella beach from Taormina?
The beach sits far below the hilltop town. The easiest route is the funivia cable car from Taormina down to Mazzarò, then a short walk and steps to the shore. Buses and road access to the bay are also available, though parking is limited.
Is Isola Bella a sandy beach?
No. It is a smooth-pebble beach rather than sand, so water shoes are recommended. The trade-off is exceptionally clear water and excellent snorkelling over the rocky, fish-rich shallows.
Can you visit the island itself?
Yes. Isola Bella is a protected botanical nature reserve that can be visited on foot for a small admission fee, with paths through Mediterranean gardens and a small museum, depending on tide and opening hours.