Taormina Itinerary – How to Spend 5, 2 or 1 day in Taormina, Sicily

Nestled on the eastern coast of Sicily in Italy, Taormina is a charming hilltop Mediterranean town celebrated for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty.

I spent a summer in Sicily road-tripping around the whole island and totally fell in love with this part of Italy because it’s so unique. Sicily is a perfect blend of Europe and North Africa and offers the best of both worlds.

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If you’re planning to visit Taormina in Sicily soon, this Taormina itinerary is perfect for you regardless of how many days you have there!

I spent one-third of my time in Sicily in Taormina and the nearby area because there’s so much to do. With this Taormina itinerary, I’ll help you make the most of your stay and experience the best of the area!

What and where is Taormina, and why visit

Taormina is a picturesque Mediterranean town known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. Perched on a hilltop along Sicily’s eastern coast it offers breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea.

Taormina is arguably the most popular destination in Sicily and has been attracting tourists since the 19th century. And trust me, it’s popular for a good reason. Highlights include the ancient Greek Theatre with views of Mount Etna, charming cobblestone streets, and beautiful beaches.

Taormina traces its roots back to Ancient Greece, when the first colony of Magna Graecia was established on Sicily in 734 B.C. Over the centuries, the town saw successive rulers from Romans and Muslims to Normans, Bourbons, before being unified with Italy in the 19th century.

This diverse history has given Taormina a rich cultural legacy that, combined with its stunning seaside location and proximity to Mount Etna, makes it an essential destination for all travelers in Italy.

How many days in Taormina

While Taormina is a rather small town there are plenty of things to do in Taormina and nearby so spending 3-5 days in Taormina is ideal.

If you’re limited with time, but would still love to explore most of this area, then account for 2-3 days in Taormina. With 2 or 3 days you will be able to cover the main attractions in Taormina and will be able to embark on some of the popular day trips to explore the nearby area (like climbing Mt. Etna!).

However, if you only have one day in Taormina, you will still be able to cover the main attractions in this charming town.

Where to stay in Taormina

Regardless of how many days you have in Taormina, you will be based in one hotel or apartment only, there’s no need to change your stay unless you want to try different options. I suggest renting in the Taormina city center because it’s the most convenient. Here are my recommendations on where to stay in Taormina:

Taormina 5 day itinerary

If you have 5 days in Taormina you’re in for a treat! This 5-day Taormina itinerary covers all the best things to do in Taormina and the unmissable day trips to help you explore the nearby area.

Day 1 – The Best of Taormina

Day 1 in Taormina is focused on the things to do in Taormina: from the main attractions to the best restaurants. 

BamBar

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? At least that’s what my grandma used to teach me. BamBar is the most famous breakfast and granita place in Taormina (probably in the whole of Sicily!), so make sure you treat yourself with a nice sweet breakfast there.

Insider tip: BamBar is very popular and you can’t reserve a table, so it’s basically on a first come – first served basis. You’ll need to queue in order to get a table so make sure to come early in order to beat the crowds.

Corso Umberto

Corso Umberto is the most popular street in Taormina full of different shops where you can find anything you can think of: from simple souvenirs to luxury shops like Dior. The whole street is very picturesque with many beautiful corners.

Corso Umberto is a very lively place with street musicians, tourists from everywhere, you can really call it the heart of Taormina.

Insider tip: Try to find the tiniest street of Taormina just off of Corso Umberto and see if you can fit in there (I barely could and I’m quite fit, that’s how tiny it is!).

Piazza IX Aprile

Piazza IX Aprile is the most beautiful square in Taormina if you ask me. Because the whole city is actually built on a steep hill, Piazza IX Aprile right at the edge of it, so the breathtaking views are inevitable here!

From one side you will see Mount Etna and from the other side the beautiful Ionian Sea. You will find the little church Chiesa di San Giuseppe there. It’s free to visit and really pretty inside, make sure to have a look. 

Piazza del Duomo

As you continue walking, you will get to Piazza del Duomo where you’ll find the Taormina Cathedral. Unfortunately it was closed when I was there, but the whole square is another picture-perfect place. It was also less crowded than Piazza IX Aprile.

Lunch at Il Baccanale

By now you might be hungry, so I recommend Il Baccanale restaurant for lunch. Taormina in general is a bit more expensive than other places in Sicily because it’s the most popular. However, you can still find more affordable, but equally good options and Il Baccanale is exactly that. 

Teatro Antico di Taormina

Teatro Antico di Taormina is the most popular attraction in Taormina, so I recommend booking tickets in advance. The theater was initially built by Greeks in the 3rd century B.C. and was later expanded and rebuilt by Romans.

It could seat 10,000 people, so it’s the 2nd biggest theater in Sicily! What’s cool about it is that you can still attend concerts and plays there, so make sure to double-check if something interesting is happening during your visit. 

Book your Teatro Antico tickets

Villa Communale

Villa Communale are gorgeous public gardens built in the mid-19th century by Lady Florence Trevelyan who was exiled from England on charges of having an affair with Queen Victoria’s firstborn son Edward VII. Lady Florence got married to the mayor Salvatore Cacciola with whom she built these gardens now open to the public. 

Dinner at Osteria da Rita (dal 1991)

For dinner I recommend Osteria da Rita (dal 1991). It is a very popular restaurant and another one where you might queue to get a table, but totally worth it!

Day 2 – Savoca & Forza D’Agro: Godfather and Mafia Tour

This day trip from Taormina is for all Godfather lovers and those interested in the history of the Sicilian Mafia! While Savoca is the most popular filming location, the Church of the Santissima Annunziata (Mother Church) in Forza D’Agro was used as a filming location too. 

However, the best of Godfather and Mafia is in Savoca, a beautiful little village only 40 min away from Taormina. In Savoca, you will find Bar Vitelli which is my personal favorite place. Make sure to stop to have a coffee where Michael had it too! Inside the cafe you will find many photos from the movie set! After that, walk the Godfather Wedding Walk and visit Chiesa di San Nicolo where Michael and Apollonia got married. 

To get the best of it and learn more about the real mafia that inspired one of the best movie trilogies of all time, I recommend Godfather vs Mafia Tour. It’s a small group with lunch included.

Book your Godfather vs Mafia Tour

Day 3 – Mount Etna & Isola Bella

Day 3 in Taormina is probably the most exciting because you will hike the world’s most active and highest volcano and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Etna! While Mount Etna is not the most difficult hiking activity you will do in your life, it still requires some planning in advance!

Even though it is relatively safe to visit Etna, it is still the most active volcano in the world and therefore I recommend getting a guide! Not only will they keep you safe, but you will also learn a lot about myths and history of Etna alongside its natural and cultural significance. In the end, Mount Etna is enlisted to the

I recommend this Mount Etna Half-Day Tour to get the most of your visit to Etna. 

And if you’d like to do a private tour with some wine tasting (because yes, they’re making wines from the Etna soil in nearby villages!), then check this amazing tour. 

Book your adventure:
Mount Etna Half-Day Tour
Mt. Etna Private tour

Potentially, you can visit Etna on your own as there’s a cable car that will get you up to 2500 meters (8 200 feet) above the sea level and you can walk around the lower craters. However, I would not recommend it because you will be very limited with what you can do and there are some safety concerns associated with it.

Insider tip: You need to pack properly for this day trip, especially when it comes to clothing as the temperatures at Etna are at least 10 degrees Celsius (50 F) lower than the ground! So, it’s very important to pack in layers and bring some food/snacks with you to keep you going.

After an active day hiking it’s time to hit the beach and relax a bit. Head to Isola Bella, a nature reserve and the most beautiful and the best beach in Taormina. There’s a cable car in Taormina city center that will get you down. 

Day 4 – Stromboli and Panarea Day Trip

Another great and unique day trip you can do from Taormina is to visit Aeolian Islands which is an archipelago of seven islands off the northern coast of Sicily. The Aeolian Islands are enlisted to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. 

With this recommended day tour you will visit Stromboli and Panarea islands.

Panarea is the smallest of the seven inhabited Aeolian Islands. However, it is also the most popular one because celebrities and billionaires like Giorgio Armani, Will Smith, Jeff Bezos, Rihanna, Lady Gaga have all been to Panarea which added it up to its hype. With this day tour you will enjoy Panaraea’s beautiful black beaches without breaking a bank. 

On the other hand Stromboli is most famous for its volcano which is one of the 4 active volcanoes in Italy (3 of these are in Sicily!). What is so cool about Stromboli is that you can enjoy its beaches while watching the volcanic eruptions! 

Stromboli & Panarea day tour

Day 5 – Cooking Class in Taormina & Chillax 

The last day in Taormina is reserved for relaxed activities and just enjoying the city at a slower pace.

As a big foodie, I highly recommend doing some of the cooking classes in Sicily because the cuisine here is just incredible.

This Cooking Class with Chef Mimmo is one of the best cooking classes you can get. You’ll learn how to prepare Sicilian specialties like Caponata Siciliana, handmade pasta and Ghiotta fish. You’ll also get a chance to taste the local wines, cheese and salami.

Book this Cooking Class with Chef Mimmo

Taormina 2 day itinerary

If you have only 2 days in Taormina, my suggestion is to spend one day on things to do in Taormina and the 2nd day on a chosen day trip. 

Day 1 – The Best of Taormina

Follow the same itinerary as on day one above. If you’d like to squeeze in a cooking class, then I suggest dropping Villa Communale and skipping lunch time because you will anyway eat what you cook during the class.

BamBar

Corso Umberto

Piazza IX Aprile

Piazza del Duomo

Lunch at Il Baccanale

Teatro Antico di Taormina | Book your Teatro Antico tickets

Villa Communale or cooking class | Book this Cooking Class with Chef Mimmo

Dinner at Osteria da Rita (dal 1991)

Day 2 – Day Trip to Savoca or Mount Etna

I personally think that you can’t come to Taormina and not visit Savoca or Mount Etna.

If you’re a huge fan of Godfather and have a particular interest in learning about the Sicilian Mafia, then you can’t skip Savoca!

On the other hand, Sicily’s history and culture is tied to Mount Etna, so if you’re seeking some adrenaline and love nature, you must hike Mount Etna! 

1 day in Taormina itinerary

With only 1 day in Taormina focus on main attractions in Taormina. 

Morning

BamBar

Start your day with breakfast at BamBar. You have to try their famous granita.

Corso Umberto

Walk down Corso Umberto Street. Do some shopping and people watching. 

Piazza IX Aprile

The best square in Taormina with beautiful views of both Mount Etna and Ionian Sea. Soak up the vibe and go inside the Chiesa di San Giuseppe.

Afternoon

Lunch Time

For lunch time I recommend Il Baccanale.

Piazza di Duomo

Another beautiful square in Taormina with the main cathedral. 

Teatro Antico di Taormina | Book your Teatro Antico tickets

The Theater of Taormina is the main attraction you can’t miss to learn more about its history that dates back from Ancient Greece times.

Evening

Villa Communale

Spend your evening enjoying the beautiful public gardens in Taormina.

Dinner

Conclude your 1 day in Taormina with a nice dinner. I recommend Osteria da Rita (dal 1991).

Getting to Taormina

By air: There are no direct flights to Taormina, rather the best is to fly to Catania which is the nearby city. The distance between Catania Airport and Taormina City Center is about 66 km (or 41 miles) and will take you around a 50 min drive to reach Taormina. To get to Taormina you will either need to rent a car, take a car transfer, train or bus. 

By bus: You can reach Taormina from Catania Airport with Interbus. It will take you around 85 minutes. This is also the cheapest option.

By train: Train is another cheap option and faster than the bus. It will take you around 1h to get to Taormina.

By private transfer: There are 2 options you can choose. The best and most comfortable one is to get a private car transfer to Taormina, although this option is the most expensive one too. However, if you’re traveling with other people, up to a group of 4, you can easily share that cost which then significantly reduces the price per person and makes it the most optimal option. Another more affordable option is a shared transfer with a car. The ride should be around an hour. 

By car: If you’re into road trips, then I highly recommend renting a car because this is the easiest and best way to explore Sicily and Taormina region. 

Getting around Taormina

Taormina is a pretty small town, very easily walkable with all main attractions spread around the central area. Because of that, you really don’t need to use any public or private transport while in Taormina, especially if you’re staying in the city center which is my recommendation.

And if you’re looking to spend more than 1 day in Taormina, then you’ll be picked up by a tour company for your chosen day trip. However, if for some reason you’re not staying in the Taormina city center and it takes you more than 30 min to get there by foot, then you would need to get a car to reach the center or get a taxi. 

Best time to visit Taormina

With the beautiful Ionian Sea at its foothill, the best time to visit Taormina is during the summer time, so from June to September. Trust me when I say that the sea is so gorgeous, with beautiful crystal clear and turquoise water, you will want to swim in there!

However, even in the summertime and despite Taormina being the most touristy place in Sicily, this gorgeous island is not as popular as other parts of Italy and nowhere near as crowded as the Amalfi Coast.

Average temperature in summer is 32 celsius (90 F), but it can go as high as 48 celsius (119 F)!, and as low as 19 C (66) F. Of course both max and min temperatures happen on rare occasions, but just something to keep in mind. Surely, you’ll need to have a high SPF sunscreen there.

Is Taormina worth visiting?

With a rich history and strong cultural heritage, Taormina is one of the most beautiful and must visit destinations not only in Sicily, but in all of Italy.

Taormina is the perfect place for anyone who loves great food, beautiful sights, gorgeous sea and breathtaking nature. It’s surely a place one has to visit at least once in a lifetime.