Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. The destination is the Pearl of Sicily. It overlooks the imposing Mount Etna, the worlds most active volcano. The ancient Greeks loved to construct their buildings in beautiful scenic locations. The stunning amphitheater overlooking the Ionian Sea dates back to the third century BC. Taormina was once described by Ernest Hemingway as being so pretty “it hurts to look”. The legendary resort town with its twisting medieval streets is full of many old churches, lively bars and fine restaurants. Undoubtedly, a cinema worthy backdrop.
The Small List
Best Hotels
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo – The hotel teeters on the Sicilian clifftops with a panoramic view of the clustered terracotta rooftops of the medieval town below. It also looks beyond to the ominous Mount Etna. The most celebrated Sicily hotels will dazzle you. Find your own personal haven.
Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea – This sea-facing location satisfies every sense. It is located on the scenic Bay of Mazzarò, and sets the standard for romance among Sicily hotels. Their rooms will take your breath away.
Hotel Metropole – This polished hotel is set on a cliff overlooking the sea in the vicinity of the Clock Tower and in the central Corso Umberto. The bar is chic and the bistro offers live jazz.
Hotel Villa Angela – A boutique hotel with stunning views of the Ionian Sea all the way to the top of Mount Etna. A spectacular setting filled with an authentic Sicilian atmosphere. It is an ideal location to discover the city and to enjoy the infinite beautiful of the area.
Best Restaurant for Dinner
Osteria Rosso Divino – A wine and food restaurant in the heart of the city center where the menu changes daily. The kitchen offers the freshest meats, fish, cheeses, and ingredients from the market. The menu offers genuine tastes, delicate scents and rich colors.
Ristorante Aranciara – A welcoming restaurant located in a citrus garden with a charming entrance and a rustic feeling. A popular stomping ground for incognito celebrities, especially during the annual film festival
Vicolo Stretto – Enjoy Sicilian specialties from the rooftop terrace of this famous restaurant and wine bar. A trendy spot with a stunning view over terra-cotta roof tiles and the town clock tower.
Best Place for Lunch
Restaurant Oliviero – Located at Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, feast on freshly grilled fish, colorful salads, and delicate homemade pasta. It has its own exclusive shoreline to gaze at the sea below.
La Plage Beach Resort – La Plage Resort is located directly on the beach inside the Isola Bella Nature Reserve in Taormina. Fragrant gardens surround the resort. Their “Fusion” restaurant is ideal for lunch. Here, the Mediterranean flavors and traditions blend with the natural and intimate style of Sicilian cuisine.
Best Bar
Wunderbar – Cafe Wunderbar is Taormina’s historic gathering spot. The cafe sits on the Piazza IX Aprile and has served literary and glamorous types for a century.
Things to See
Greek Amphitheater – The Greek Theater of Taormina is the most fascinating historical monument of the “pearl of the Ionian Sea”. It is in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. Surprisingly, the theater is well preserved. Today, it is used for opera and musical performances.
Madonna della Rocco Sanctuary – Literally meaning “Mary of the rock”, is a tiny sanctuary that was built around 1640 inside a grotto on Monte Tauro. It is well worth the hike for the heavenly views from the church’s terrace.
Mount Etna – The highest volcano in Europe and one of most active in the world is on the east coast of Sicily, in the Metropolitan City of Catania. It’s impressive size looms over the entire region. Its spectacular eruptions and its fiery lava flows have always aroused the interest of scientists. In addition to visitors from all over the world.
Corso Umberto I – The pedestrian friendly, vibrant lifeline of the Pearl of Sicily is lined with small boutiques and historic buildings. Unquestionably, a perfect thoroughfare to enjoy a stroll in one of the prettiest cities in Sicily.
Isola Bella – Picturesque and charming, the Isola Bella is without a doubt Taormina’s most beautiful beach. Above all, Isola Bella is a Nature Reserve.