Hotels in Taormina

Taormina Hotels

On a sun-kissed mountainside overlooking the glittering azure waters of the Ionian Sea is the achingly beautiful town of Taormina. Quintessential sleepy Sicilian streets overlooked by balconies and lined by parked scooters wind down into a piazza where medieval churches and an astounding panoramic ocean view await. Standing at the rail in the sunshine, looking down onto the sandy beach hundreds of metres below or across to the snowy summit of Mount Etna, the Porta di Mezzo clock tower chiming the hour as it has done for centuries, you won’t be left wondering why Taormina has long been a destination for writers and artists.

Things to see

Taormina’s premier sight is one of Sicily’s most renowned ancient ruins, the Teatro Greco. Built by the ancient Greeks in the 7th century BC and added to by the Romans, this remarkably preserved amphitheatre not only hosts music, plays, and festivals but has as its backdrop a simply breathtaking panorama of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. On Taormina’s thriving main street, Corso Umberto, you will find a wealth of restaurants and cafés from which to people watch – keeping an eye out for any famous faces – as well as designer boutiques and gelato shops. For a quiet spot in which to enjoy your gelato, escape into the nearby leafy Giardini della Villa Comunale, whose statue of a relaxing business man and woman each possessing angel wings perfectly encapsulates the blissful peace you’ll feel walking among the fountains, fishponds, and medieval villas. As evening draws in, make your way into the town’s main square, the Piazza IX Aprile, its characteristic black and white paving in front of St Augustine’s and St Joseph’s churches shining in the light of their lanterns, and watch the sun setting over the ocean.

Hotels in Taormina

You won't have any problems finding an elegant place to stay in Taormina, with luxury and mid-range hotels in every area, from the centre of town down to the beach. Many line the main street, Corso Umberto, and the roads above it, such as Via Leonardo Da Vinci and Via Don Bosco, and below it, such as Via Luigi Pirandello. Hotels here occupy classical Sicilian buildings in sleepy side streets with views over the rooftops to the sea. Luxury Taormina hotels closer to the water, many along Via Nazionale, offer spa treatments and swimming pools. All hotels have air-con, satellite TV, and free WiFi as standard. Hotel Villa Paradiso and Hotel Isabella are highly recommended.

Where to stay

If an indulgent beach holiday is what you’re most looking for, hotels along Via Nazionale leading out of Taormina towards Mazzaro Bay offer pampered luxury right next to white sandy stretches. To be closer to Taormina’s hustle and bustle, within earshot of the church bells yet still in view of the sea, stay on Corso Umberto or the historic streets around it, in classical Sicilian apartments and villas with balcony views and garden cloisters.

How to get to Taormina

Taormina couldn’t be easier to get to, with the internationally-served Catania–Fontanarossa Airport in the nearby city of Catania just a 45 minute drive away. Many Taormina hotels offer an airport shuttle service on request. Hire cars are available at the airport. To add to the convenience, train, bus and taxi services run to and from Catania and Messina, so if you’re staying in either of those cities, Taormina also makes for a memorable day trip.