Traveling to Taormina, Italy
A hilltop town located on the east coast of Sicily, Taormina is filled with thousands of years of history, delcious food and draw dropping beauty.
Taormina is one of those signature Italian summer destinations, with sunny beaches, spectacular seaside views, and stunning food. Built on a cliff, you will constantly be impressed with the views one has. No matter what direction you set your gaze, you exist in a dream. Here, I have compiled a list of things to do: restaurants, cafes, and dessert spots.
What To See & Do
Teatro Antico di Taormina (Greek-Roman Theatre)
*Actively used for concerts and shows, Il Volo was impressive to watch there.
Visit the Beach (Isola Bella, Mazzaro, Giardini Naxos, Spisone Beach and Letojanni)
Piazza IX Aprile
Palazzo Corvaja
Corso Umberto
Villa Comunale di Taormina (Taormina Public Gardens)
Chiesa Madonna della Rocca
Duomo di Taormina
Taormina Mazzaro Cable Car
*Ride back from Isola Bella, cut out all of those steps back up.
Chiesa di San Giuseppe
Cooking Classes
Wine Tour
Day Trips
Mount Etna - Visit the crater and witness panoramic views.
Syracuse
Castelmola
*This is where the Godfather took place.
Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
Boat Tours
The Restaurant Recommendations
Travel Tip for Authentic Dining: When exploring a new city, venture beyond tourist-saturated main streets and famous landmark restaurants. Seek out eateries frequented by locals, which typically offer more genuine cuisine, more reasonable prices, and a more authentic cultural experience. While exceptions always exist, immersing yourself in local dining spots is a reliable strategy for discovering the true culinary heart of a destination.
*I have not personally visited all these restaurants, but all were highly recommended and are on my list of must-go.
La Romana Pizzeria | Trip Advisor: 5.0/5.0
Osteria Da Rita Dal 1991 | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Trattoria Tiramisu Taormina | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
La Bottega del Formaggio | Trip Advisor: 5.0/5.0
Trattoria da Nino | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Ristorante Malvasia | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Casa Niclodi | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
La Napoletana | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Rosticceria Da Cristina | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
*Great for an evening bite, rice balls, and a Messina beer.
Bell’Assai | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
La Tavernetta | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Osteria RossoDiVino | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Osteria Villa Zuccaro | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Osteria De Gustibus | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
TreQuarti Taormina Antipasteria Siciliana | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
La Locanda Dei Mori | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Cafe & Dessert
Bam Bar | Dessert | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Timoleone Cocktail Bar & Veggie Restaurant | Bar | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Re di Bastoni | Bar | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Daiquiri Taormina | Bar | Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Chapeau! | Bar | Trip Advisor: 5.0/5.0
Ten House - Cocktails and Live Music Taormina | Bar | Trip Advisor: 5.0/5.0
Flamino Taormina | Bar| Trip Advisor: 4.5/5.0
Taormina is breathtaking and worthy of anyone who visits it. This is one of the well-known places in Italy, and you can expect to be surrounded by many tourists. I would recommend traveling slightly off-peak, so not July or August. OR, if going during a busy time, you may want to make all of your restaurant reservations and things to do ahead of time.