GETTING AROUND TAORMINA
Useful information for your holiday in the most elegant city in eastern Sicily
Welcome to Taormina, the pearl of Sicily and a premier tourist destination.
The Taormina Hotel Association (AAT) is pleased to provide a practical guide for a smooth, enjoyable stay.
You’ll find key information below on getting around Taormina, parking, transport and must-sees. Everything you need to make the most of your time in the city.
Restricted Traffic Zones and Parking
Taormina Old Town is not yet a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL), but restrictions are introduced at certain times during the high season or during specific events. Access to the city centre is always permitted for residents and hotel guests. Public pay-and-display car parks are available for guests staying at accommodation facilities. Please contact your hotel to find out if they offer any special rates, or whether there is an on-site car park or garage.
These are the main car parks in the city: Porta Catania multi-storey car park (south side, near the centre) Porta Pasquale car park (north side, cableway station area, near the town centre) Lumbi multi-storey car park (north side, with free shuttle buses to the city centre) Mazzarò car park, ideal for those staying on the coast, connected to the historic centre by cableway.
Shuttle buses and public transport services
Free or low-cost shuttle buses run regularly between the car parks and Corso Umberto and other central areas. Free shuttle buses run between the Lumbi and Porta Catania car parks and Porta Messina and the city centre, approximately every 15 minutes. Interbus runs coach services to Giardini Naxos, Letojanni, Castelmola and Catania Airport.
Taormina–Mazzarò Cableway
The cableway connects the Old Town with the beaches of Mazzarò and Isola Bella in just a few minutes.
Getting around on foot
Most of the Old Town is pedestrianised. The various side streets leading to Corso Umberto feature beautiful flights of steps.
What to see in Taormina
Taormina is a little gem that sparkles in Sicily’s crown, suspended between the sky and the sea. As you wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town, you can admire a perfect balance between art, nature and tradition. From the imposing Ancient Theatre overlooking Mount Etna to the elegant shopping streets, as well as the delightful gardens and idyllic beaches such as Isola Bella, every corner of Taormina has a story to tell and a unique experience to savour.
Don’t miss:
- Ancient Theatre: the famous Greco-Roman theatre, with views over Mount Etna and across the sea
- Corso Umberto I: the main street for shopping, restaurants and just strolling along
- Trevelyan Gardens: featuring tropical plants and scenic vistas
- Isola Bella: a nature reserve and a picture-postcard beach
- Odeon: a small theatre built in the 2nd century AD
- The Cathedral and the square:the Basilica of San Nicolò di Bari and the main square
- The Naumachiae: a monumental red-brick façade from the Roman period
- Taormina Castle: an Arab-Norman castle perched 400 metres above sea level
A day by the sea on Isola Bella
For a beach day to remember, head to Isola Bella, one of Taormina’s most iconic and frequently photographed spots. Isola Bella is a small rocky island in the bay of the same name, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand (which can disappear at high tide).
It forms part of a protected nature reserve managed by the Sicilian Regional Government and CUTGANA (University Centre for the Management and Protection of Natural Environments).
Your Taormina with AAT
Need help planning your stay?
Contact the Taormina Hoteliers Association (AAT) for advice, direct contact with hotels, and personalized services.
Contact the Taormina Hoteliers Association (AAT) for advice, direct contact with hotels, and personalized services.
