Taormina is what we can safely call a true gem of the Messina province, as well as the whole Sicily. This little picturesque town has been a tourist attraction for hundreds of years, offering many interesting spots to visit. What monuments should you see? Which beach to choose and where can you get the best views? Here are 10 places, which you just have to see when visiting Taormina.
Stroll down the Corso Umberto
Corso Umberto, located in Taormina, is a place you simply must see. It’s what we’d compare to the Main Square in Cracow. It’s the main and the most important alley in the area, surrounded by monuments from various time periods, full of shops, cafes, restaurants – and, of course, tourists. From one side, the street is closed off by the characteristic “Porta Messina” gate, and on the other end, there’s the Porta Catania.
The street was named “Corso Umberto” in the honor of the King of Italy, Humbert I. The alley is located on the ancient road Via Valeria, connecting Catania and Messina. The most famous street in Taormina does not allow any vehicles to enter, since there are so many tourists. At dusk, Corso Umberto takes a completely different form, which is, without a doubt, worth checking out as well.
The Antico di Taormina Amphitheatre
The second most important attraction of the city is the incredibly well preserved ruins of the ancient theatre, built in the 3rd century BC. The material, that the theatre is made of, would suggest that it’s the Romans who are responsible for the building process, but the layout is very characteristics of the Greek theatres. Specialists say, that the Romans rebuilt the already existing theatre, originally created by the Greeks.
The ruins’ diameter measures up to 120m, and it’s the second biggest ruin in Sicily, right after Syracuse. The building is preserved well enough to allow plays, concerts and festivals to be held right there, on the ancient stage. Admittedly, part of the auditorium had to be rebuilt. The theatre is located in a gorgeous area, with the view of Mount Etna in the background, and the sea views below it. The entrance ticket costs 10 EUR, available online or at the theatre.
The Villa Comunale Park
This gorgeous, picturesque garden was once a property of a famed British gardener, Florence Trevelyan, wife of the mayor, Salvatore Caciolli, hence why this Taormina garden uses a lot of English stylistics. Trevelyan died on October 4th, 1907, soon after the garden became the property of the town. In the garden, we can admire various different plant species, impressive palm trees and a magnificent view of Mount Etna. Bird lovers will also be pleased, as the garden has a lot to offer in that regard. Although, the gardens are fairly popular, most of the time, they’re less crowded than, for instance, the ancient ruins or the main street. Viewing is free, and during the summer season the garden is open till midnight.
Piazza IX Aprile viewpoint
Another interesting place is the Piazza IX Aprile – the most famed viewpoint in the area and one of the most famous in all of Sicily. The square offers us a breathtaking view. Here, we can utilize the stationary binoculars, and to add to the charm of the place, the whole ground is covered by alluring black and white floor tiles. The name of the place comes from the events that happened on April 9th, 1860, when during a mass in the cathedral, among the believers sparked a rumour, that the forces of Giuseppe Garibaldi have arrived to Marsala. In reality, they came a bit later.
the Duomo di Taormina Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo
By the Cathedral Square, as one can imagine, is the most important religious site in Taormina – the Duomo di Taormina Cathedral. The history of the basilica dates back to the 12th century, but there are reasons to believe, that there was a temple in the same exact place in the Byzantine times. For centuries, the temple had been rebuilt many times, in various different styles, elements of which are still visible today. A major overhaul happened after the Second World War, in the 1938 – 1938, under the guidance of Armando Dillona. In 1980, the Pope, John Paul II, raised the temple in status to a minor basilica. On the gorgeous square, we can also spot an antique fountain.
The island of Isola Bella
Isola Bella is a little island, located near the city of Taormina, known also as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. Similarly to the aforementioned park, the island was also once a property of Florence Trevelyan. In 1990, the authorities of Sicily bought the land and transformed it into a Nature Reserve. Crystal clear water and the stony beaches attract hundreds of tourists and amateur divers. On top, there’s a viewing terrace. The tickets to the island cost 4 EUR, and it’s most certainly a price worth paying.
The Taormina – Mazzaro Cableway
Cable car rides are among our favourite attractions, no matter if we’re in Porto, Lecco or Trapani, so on our must-visit list we also had to include a ride of some sorts. The lift starts off in our little historic city centre and ventures down to Mozzaro. The ride takes up to a couple minutes, giving us an easy access to the seaside. One way ride costs 3 EUR, but there’s also an option to buy a 24h ticket, that costs 10 EUR. For 50 EUR we can buy a ticket for the whole week, for 100 EUR we get a full month. The locals can usually lower the price quite significantly, so utilize your contacts if you have any. The ride opens at 8:00, closes at 20:00 (apart from Mondays, for some reason it starts at 9:00)
The Mazzaro beach
When you get down from Taormina, you can enjoy a proper, premium beach. The stony beach Mazzaro usually finds a spot on the top Sicilian beaches lists, and offers us a short cruise to the famous Grotta Azzurra (the Blue Grotto). There are sunbeds and parasols for lease from the locals.
The Chiesa Madonna della Rocca Sanctuary
By the Monte Tauro Castle, there’s another small tourist attraction – the Madonna della Rocca church. Its placement is somewhat special, as it’s carved into a part of a mountain. The history of the building dates back to the 12th century, it was rebuilt in the 17th. The legend says, that a Marian apparition appeared, and a young shepherd was there to witness it. In memory of that event, every third sunday of September, there’s a mass gathering of shepherds in the church.
View from the Monte Tauro Castle
Above the Taormina town, close to 400m above the sea level, there are ruins of a Saracen castle. The way to the castle is through stairs located right next to the church mentioned above. The exact history of the monument is still unknown, and unfortunately, the place’s not available for visiting. We can only inspect the insides of the castle from the outside. But it’s not all bad, since it’s still a marvelous viewing point of the entire area of Taormina and its surroundings. Without a doubt, the climb is worth your while, since you will not get a better view anywhere in the area.
