Time for Taormina: this fashionable Sicilian resort is on the up

January 4th 2010

Taormina, high on the Monte Tauro and dominating two sweeping bays below is Sicily's most popular and fashionable resort with famously stunning views and a picturesque Greek-Roman theatre.

Taormina is the most important tourist resort in Sicily and a fascinating town. If you are looking for a relaxing holiday in a lovely town, this is definately be the place for you. Taormina is a town where you can wake up in the morning, have your breakfast and be just meters from the main street, groceries, bakery, shops, restaurants, bars and pubs to enjoy the night life. This is the place to sit and relax at an elegant open air coffee shop and watch the world go by.

At the end of the 18th century, Johann Wolfgang Goethe came to this place during his "Journeys through Italy" and was amazed and charmed by its beauty. After him, Guy de Maupassant passed by, and then many other intellectuals and artists, from Henry Faulkner to Paul Klee, from Truman Capote to Tennessee Williams and D.H Lawrence some of whom lived in Taormina for long periods, increasing the town's prestige. Hollywood was also enchanted by this "little piece of paradise": Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Audrey Hepburn and Liz Taylor, who spent a stormy honeymoon here with Richard Burton. International stars still visit, especially due to the Taormina Film Festival.

Taormina still manages to retain most of its small-town charm despite the many tourists who visit each year and the town offers 15th - 19th century palazzi and small intimate piazza's, a quaint castle and many monuments. At the end of Corso Umberto I, is Piazza IX April, home to the Church of Sant'Agostino, the Church of San Giuseppe and the Porta di Mezzo (Middle Gate) that includes the wonderful Clock Tower. This square provides a wonderful view over the Gulf of Messina and is surrounded by elegant open-air coffee shops. From the Teatro Greco, there are panoramic views encompassing southern Calabria, the Sicilian coastline and snow-capped Etna.

After an appetizer in the square, you will be spoilt for choice in the many trattorie, ristoranti and pizzerie, many of which are dotted along quiant side streets and away from the hustle and bustle. The evening often continues in the nearby lounge bar La Giara, or in other clubs such as the Septimo, on the Salita San Pancrazio. Another very popular club, especially in the summer is the Panasia beach, an elegant and original seaside establishment with sofas available on the beach where you can relax and sip a cocktail.

Practicalities

Having a car is not necessary in Taormina as the town is very hilly and it is possible to reach the best attractions of Taormina like the Greek Theatre, the public garden, main street on foot and the beach by public transport.

It's very important in Taormina to know that you cannot easy access or go around with cars because of the traffic limitations. At certain hours only residents are allowed. For This reason Taormina has 2 big car parks located at the entrance of the town itself called "Parcheggio Lumbi" and in the opposite direction an easy car park to reach called "Porta Catania". If you park at "Parcheggio Lumbi" you can take a small bus that every 5 minutes takes people to Taormina Piazza S. Pancrazio just 10 metres from Porta Messina, or if you take the other car park Porta Catania you can easy walk and arrive in the Corso Umberto I and Piazza del Duomo. The cost is euro 40,00 per week.

Taormina is not located on the beach but overlooking the sea and for this reason you can easily reach the beach by a cable car which is located about 100 metres from the Porta Messina at the price of euro 1.30 per person each way - taking you straight to Mazzaro beach and Via Nazionale. The coastline is unquestionably appealing with a mixture of grottos and rocky groves and Italian lido's, which are fully equipped to provide a perfect and comfortable day at the beach. Just a short distance south of Taormina, you will find the beaches of Giardini-Naxos, which are more spacious and great for swimming.

Getting There

Taormina is Sicily's main tourist destination; it is well serviced by important roads as well as by train and is also conveniently reachable by plane:

From Palermo take highway A19 Palermo-Catania and continue on A18 until destination. From Syracuse take the state road 114 to Catania and then take highway A18 until the exit at Taormina. From Agrigento take state highway 640 for Caltanissetta, continue then on highway A19 to Catania and then get on the A18 until destination. From Trapani take A29 towards Palermo, continue on A19 Palermo-Catania and then take A18 up to destination.

Those coming from Continental Italy must continue on highway A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria and exit on Villa San Giovanni to board the ferries that go to Messina. From Messina, highway A18 will get you in no time to Taormina.

Taormina is on the Messina-Catania line with direct and very frequent trains going both ways. If you are coming from Palermo or from other cities in Sicily, you will have to change trains.

The International Airport of Catania (CTA) is 50 km. away from Taormina. The airport offers connections with all the major Italian and European cities, including all the capitals. From the airport the Alibus shuttle service goes to Catania station every 20 minutes. There is a direct bus available from Etna Transport linking the Airport with Taormina. Private transfers are also easily arrangeable.

Where to stay

Our new properties in Taormina are located right in the heart of the town, so perfect for nipping out for essentials and steps from restaurants and bars. They are well presented and furnished and as well as being right in the centre, they offer outside balconies and terraces which are rare in the centre and perfect for relaxing and dining:

Taormina Terazza: Lovely apartment in the centre of Taormina with sea views, large terrace and access to beach via cable car

Casa Taormina : Lovely apartments in the centre of Taormina with outside space and just steps from restaurants, squares and shops

Taormina centre apartment: Lovely apartment in the popular and fashionable tourist resort of Taormina with famously stunning views and a picturesque Greek-Roman theatre, high above the sea and facing Etna