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Comune in Sicily, Italy
Photo: Bill Johnson, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Taormina (Sicilian: Taurmina) is a town in the province of Messina on the east coast of Sicily.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Teatro Greco
Ancient theatre of Grecian origin, but re-built in Roman brick in the 3rd century BCE. Impressive for the views and because the proscenium (the back-drop) survives, unlike in most amphitheatres.
A square with a balcony facing the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna. In the corner of the square stands the Torre dell'Orologio.
A clock tower and gate to the southern part of Taormina.
Corvaja Palace
Medieval palace, dating from the 10th century, that was built by the Arabs when they ruled over Taormina. The main body is an Arabic tower. It has also an inner courtyard where the Arabic influence can be seen in the architecture.
Remains of a small theatre built by Romans in 21 BCE, visible from the surrounding streets.
Villa Comunale
Restful gardens, populated by mock-oriental follies on the verge of tumbling down. The gardens are the creation of Florence Trevelyan (1852-1907), an English conservationist who also bought Isola Bella. She settled and married here and is buried in nearby Castelmola.
This fine Gothic tower used to host an abbey (Abbazzia).
Built in a style similar to Badia Vecchia. Now it's a site of the Fondazione Mazzullo, which hosts a collection of numerous works of the artist Giuseppe Mazzullo.
The remains of a 120-m-long Roman structure. Probably it was a part of nymphaeum, with a monumental fountain. Now it is the foundation for a few buildings.
In 1905, the English artist Robert Hawthorn Kitson, heir to Kitson and Company but driven from Britain by homophobia, built a house in Taormina. He commissioned Frank Brangwyn to design murals and furniture for the Casa Cuseni. Alfred East also contributed. The property, including extensive gardens, was inherited by his niece Daphne Phelps just after World War II. She intended to sell, but ended up staying, running the place as a pensione for half a century, with guests such as Bertrand Russell, Roald Dahl, Henry Faulkner, and Tennessee Williams. It is now open as a museum and gallery, with beautiful gardens, and 5 rooms available for guests.
Parco di Isolabella
This is the tiny tombolo island seen below, now a nature reserve. You can paddle out to it but the museum is closed and the beach is sharp volcanic shingle, so it's probably best admired from the terraces up the hill.
Small museum, appears to be closed in 2018.
Cinquecento Vintage Tour
A vintage self-drive excursion or a themed tour on a classic Fiat 500, starting from Taormina and Giardini Naxos area. The most popular excursions are themed on Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather movie and on the Etna Wines Road. You can reach villages like Savoca and Forza D’Agrò.
Taormina-based company offering private day tours with local drivers to Mount Etna, Savoca, Castelmola and other destinations in eastern Sicily.
Gelateria with big portions, mostly happy customers, has dairy-free alternatives.
Customers have enjoyed the views of Naxos bay and Mount Etna, but are not always impressed by the food or service.
Sicilian gastronomy. Prices are high.
Good food and friendly service.
This bar has a theme: penises. Quite a lot of them. An allusion to Greek antiquity, the owner says. Still, if it keeps drawing the visitors....
Smart house near Isola Bella natural reserve, Isola Bella and Mazzarò beach.
2-star hostel near beach.
Central 2-star place.
Has single, double and triple bed rooms starting from €25. Spacious, clean accommodation.
3-star
Cliffside 3-star hotel overlooking the Bay of Mazzaró. Close to the transport link down to the beach.
3-star, outside the town center and a few metres from the bus station.
2-star hotel.
Group of family-sized apartments with private terraces and facilities and the services of the nearby 3-star Hotel Jonic. Full kitchen facilities and home comforts are all provided in this structure.
4-star, surrounded by its own extensive gardens. Central and quiet position. Own garage with valet parking. 21 spacious rooms and 6 junior suites with 24-hour room service, parking, garages, solarium, sport activities and shuttle service to the hotel beach. Free Wi-Fi.
3-star in the historical centre.
4-star hotel.
4-star hotel with spacious rooms on the beach. Features 3 restaurants, 3 bars and a wellness and beauty centre.
Residence of Citrus
In a quiet location overlooking a terrace with evergreen plants, prickly pears and lemon trees. Each apartment is bright and spacious with a TV, radio and washing machine.
Hotel Bel Soggiorno is in the centre of Taormina, in a panoramic position. Rooms and suites have a balcony or terrace overlooking the panorama over the Bay of Naxos.
4-star near Greek Theatre. The owner is Scottish rock star Jim Kerr of Simple Minds.
5-star plush place in extensive gardens. Kaiser Wilhelm II stayed here in 1906.
4-star castle-like Sicilian villa.
4-star boutique hotel.
5-star spa with indoor & outdoor pools.
Hotel Imperiale
5-star hotel in centre with free Wi-Fi, a spa, a terrace with city views & an outdoor pool.
4-star hotel overlooking the sea from a great height, with outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and large meeting facilities plus access to the private beach of the sister hotel on the coast.
4-star historic villa at the foot of Taormina with a wonderful view of Giardini-Naxos Bay. Note there is another Villa Sirena on Via Pirandello.
An antique residence in the heart of Taormina surrounded by a typical Sicilian garden with pleasant scents. Antique furnishings, panoramic terrace with a splendid view.
This 5-star hotel was built in 1830 by an aristocratic British family. Charming rooms overlooking the bay.
By bus
Bus is the best public transport option, as this will bring you up the hill to the town centre
By train
There are trains roughly hourly from Messina to the north and Catania to the south, both taking just under an hour.
By car
The exit from the Autostrada is just north of town.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Catania · International · CTA
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