This blog post is about what to do, where to stay, where to eat, and what to wear in Taormina, Sicily, Italy.
Headed to Taormina? Great Choice! This is a city with ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and delectable cuisine. You will find cobblestone streets and you can delve into the rich past, from greek origins to medieval influences. Whether you are a history buff, a food enthusiast, or simply seeking mediterranean paradise, Taormina awaits with its undeniable charm and timeless allure.
We went in the April and the weather was in the 60’s and 70’s. It was beautiful, some days with chilly and others were warm but it was never too hot, making it the perfect sightseeing weather.
Where to go:
- Ancient Theatre: The views from this ancient greek theater are amazing! It is a 10,000 + seat amphitheater built in the third century BC. They still use it for shows and entertainment today! If you are lucky, you could catch a show while you are in town.
- Volcano: Mount Etna- It’s Europe’s largest active volcano and you can head straight to the top! There are many tours that take you up and many hiking trails you can do on your own. When we were there, there was a snow storm so it made it more difficult to be out walking around but it was still amazing! How incredible that one day you can be up on a mountain/volcano in a snow storm and the next day lounging on the sand at the beach!
- Beach: There are a few beautiful options as well as day trips to nearby islands!
- Shops: Corso Umberto- Shop the city streets! You’ll find restaurants, quaint shops, gift shops, antiques as well as upscale shopping!
- Bay Tour/ Boat Tour: There are many tours you can catch for a different view of the city- from the water!
- Cooking Class: We did a cooking class and it was such a fun experience! We were invited into a professional chef’s family home, where we learned more about the towns history and made an amazing 4 course meal!
- Wine Tasting: There are many wine tasting tours around the city!
- Isola Bella Island: This is a beautiful island that you can see when driving by! It does connect to Taormina. You can climb and explore the island or just lounge with an incredible view! There are also boat tours for this island as well.
- Chiesa Madonna della Rocca: Visit this historic chapel is built into the top of the mountain and enjoy the amazing views from the top of the mountain! You can walk or take a taxi! It is quite a walk up the mountain but on a cool day it might be doable!
Where to stay:
- We stayed here- Grand Hotel Timeo: A Belmond Hotel Taormina. It was absolutely beautiful with the most amazing views! You could eat breakfast or dinner on the terrace in style. The grounds are gorgeous with gardens everywhere and there is also a pool if the weather allows! It was chilly when we went so we did not take a dip. The hotel is located right in the middle of town so almost everything is walking distance. Also, the ancient greek theatre is literally adjacent to the hotel so you can walk there in one minute!
- Another option is: The Four Seasons Hotel Taormina– also a luxury hotel with amazing views from above!
- If you are looking for something closer to the beach- Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare is a great option! This is a sister hotel to the Grand Timeo, where we stayed. This hotel is right on the beach and you have full access if you are staying at their sister hotel! We went there one afternoon to explore, have lunch and enjoy the sand and sun!
Where to eat:
- There are great dining selections at the hotel but we also ventured out for many meals!
- Corso Umberto City Streets offer many restaurant selections!
- Ristorante Pirandello 2.0: We had great seafood here and a great view as well!
- Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel- We ate a casual lunch with a view of the beach here!
What to wear to Sicily (in Spring) :
- Layers! I know this is a popular answer but it’s true! When we went to Italy, it was April. The weather was chilly most days. Sometimes it would warm up but I wore long pants or jeans most days and always had a jacket or sweater with me!
- Pants/Jeans: I packed a nice pair of jeans and some comfortable athleisure pants. I did not end up wearings shorts but this was because it was spring and still chilly.
- Comfortable walking shoes: I opted for dressier sneakers, for example- my vejas, because you will be doing a lot of walking!
- A water resistant coat and boots (if you are planning on going up to Mount Etna) : It is extremely cold up on the volcano! There was also an unexpected snow storm when we went and because it was snowing, it was wet! Prepare yourself with a warm coat that is also water resistant!
- A scarf: a great addition to your outfit or just to keep you warm!
- A dress: bringing at least one nice dress or skirt is a good idea for a nice dinner out on the town!
As you navigate the enchanting streets and take in the breathtaking views, Taormina promises a symphony of experiences that linger longer after you have gone from this paradise. Prepare to be captivated, inspired, and utterly enamored by the timeless allure of Taormina.
Have you been to Sicily? Let me know what cities you explored in the comments below!
