Hilltop resort town with the Greek-Roman theatre facing Etna, Corso Umberto, and the beach below at Isola Bella.
Taormina is a hilltop resort town about 52 km north of Catania on Sicily's Ionian coast, reached in roughly 70 to 85 minutes by coach. Interbus line IN14 and Etna Trasporti line ET07 run from Catania Airport and the Via Archimede coach station to Taormina Terminal Bus on Via Pirandello, at about EUR 7 one way, with frequent departures in summer and a last service around 22:45 in August. The regional train from Catania Centrale to Taormina-Giardini costs about EUR 5.50 but leaves visitors at the coast, so a local bus at about EUR 1.10 is needed for the climb to town. Drivers can take the A18 in about 50 minutes and use the paid Lumbi or Porta Catania car parks outside the pedestrian centre.
The main sight is the Teatro Antico on Via Teatro Greco, a Greek theatre rebuilt by the Romans whose stage frame opens onto Mount Etna and the sea. Corso Umberto, the pedestrian spine of town, runs between Porta Messina and Porta Catania past Piazza IX Aprile, the Torre dell'Orologio, the Duomo and the Baroque fountain in Piazza Duomo. Side lanes hold small shops, granita bars and wine rooms. Below the town, a cable car and footpath lead to the beach at Isola Bella, a small island linked to the shore by a pebble strip, which suits swimming in summer.
A workable day begins with the morning coach, reaching Taormina by about 10:00, then the theatre while light is soft and groups are smaller. Late morning is for Corso Umberto and the public gardens of Villa Comunale, followed by lunch of pasta alla Norma, fresh fish or arancini in a side street away from the main square, where prices are lower. The afternoon can go to Isola Bella or a granita and almond pastry stop before an evening return with the sunset view from Piazza IX Aprile.
Spring and early autumn are ideal, with warm weather and thinner crowds, while July and August are hot and heavily visited by cruise passengers and tour groups. The town is steep, so comfortable shoes matter, and the compact centre means a full circuit takes only a few hours, leaving time to pair Taormina with the Alcantara Gorge or Savoca in the same excursion.
| Distance | About 52 km (32 miles) north of Catania |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 70-85 minutes by coach |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Teatro Antico, Via Teatro Greco 1, 98039 Taormina ME |
How to get there
- Coach Interbus IN14 / Etna Trasporti ET07 from the airport: 80-90 minutes, EUR 7.00 (~$8.05) one way, up to 44 departures a day in August, last about 22:45 (about 19:45 in November)
- Regional train Catania Centrale to Taormina-Giardini: EUR 5.50 (~$6.33), then local bus from the station to Taormina Terminal Bus at EUR 1.10 (~$1.27), 5-15 minutes (trenitalia.com)
- Driving: A18 motorway, about 50 minutes; paid parking at the Lumbi and Porta Catania car parks outside the pedestrian centre
Location
Teatro Antico, Via Teatro Greco 1, 98039 Taormina ME
37.8524, 15.2923 View on map
Highlights
- Teatro Antico with its stage view of Mount Etna and the sea
- Stroll along pedestrian Corso Umberto between Porta Messina and Porta Catania
- Sunset at Piazza IX Aprile
- Beach and cable car access to Isola Bella
- Granita and pasta alla Norma in the side streets
Tips for visiting
- Take Interbus IN14 or Etna Trasporti ET07 at about EUR 7 one way and check the last return time on interbus.it or etnatrasporti.it.
- Arrive early at the Teatro Antico to avoid cruise and tour groups.
- Choose the coach over the train: the Taormina-Giardini station needs a further local bus uphill.
- Eat on the side lanes rather than on Corso Umberto for lower prices.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as streets and steps are steep.
When to visit
April to June and September to October are best; visit the theatre early in the morning to avoid crowds. July and August are hot and busy.
Accessibility
Corso Umberto is pedestrian and mostly level, but the town sits on a steep slope with steps and cobbles, and the Teatro Antico has uneven stone. Wheelchair access is limited in parts of the theatre and side lanes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the coach or train better from Catania to Taormina?
The coach goes directly to Taormina Terminal Bus in about 70 to 85 minutes. The train to Taormina-Giardini costs about EUR 5.50 but requires a local bus at about EUR 1.10 to reach town.
Where should a driver park?
The paid Lumbi and Porta Catania car parks sit outside the pedestrian centre and are the usual choices. The centre itself is largely closed to traffic.
What is the main attraction?
The Teatro Antico, a Greek theatre rebuilt by the Romans, frames Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Corso Umberto and Isola Bella are the other main stops.
When is the best time to visit?
April to June and September to October are the most comfortable. July and August are hot and crowded.