Taormina trip planner

Getting there, getting around, tourism info and more

Trip-planning basics

• How to long to spend in Taormina: A day is enough to see Taormina, but most folks come here to relax, in which case spending at least two nights is best—that is, if Taormina is your thing at all. If you prefer a more cultural Sicilian vacation, I'd say ignore Taormina entirely and spend your time in Siracusa, Palermo, Agrigento, and other more rewarding places (and, if you want a few days to relax, try Cefalù instead—rather less touristy and more Sicilian-feeling—or even the Aeolian islands.) In other words: Taormina may be famous, but it's not necessarily worth visiting.

• How to get to Taormina: Taormina is on the northern half of the eastern coast of Sicily, 52km (32 miles) south of Messina and 53km (33 miles) north of Catania (120km/75 miles miles north of Siracusa). Taormina is well-serviced by trains, but to any train trip time add at least half an hour (to wait for then ride the thrice-hourly bus up from the train station, down by the shore, to the town atop its hill 15 min. away). Coaches are slower, but do let you off right at the gate to town. If you drive, the city center is closed to traffic; park in one of the large municipal lots just outside the walls... » more

• Visitor Information: The tourist office is in the Palazzo Corvaja on Largo S. Caterina, near the north end of Corso Umberto just inside the town's Porta Messina gate (tel. +39-0942-628-322 or 0942-23-243; www.comune.taormina.me.it).
  
  The Taormina hotels association website www.taohotels.com has good general info on town as well, as does the regional tourism consortium Distretto Taormina Etna (www.taorminaetna.it) and the local private site www.taormina.it.
• Getting around Taormina: Taormina is a walking city. Park your car in one of the municipal lots at either end of town and just stroll the streets. If you want to hit the beach, take the funivia cable car down from Via Pirandello (exit Porta Messina at the north end of town and turn right).
  

Festivals & Markets:

• In May they throw a festival to show off traditional Sicilian carts and costumes.
• There are concerts and performances in the Greek theater and churches around town from June to September as part of the ★ Taormina Arte festival (www.taormina-arte.com).
• In June, Taormina also hosts an international film festival (www.taorminafilmfest.it).
• Since 2010, there is a Taormina Jazz Festival (www.taorminajazzfestival.it) over a long weekend in mid-July with free evening performances in the Public Gardens.
• There's a daily morning market in Via Cappuccini

Tips & links

Share this page

Search ReidsItaly.com