6 Iconic Things to Do in Taormina, Sicily

Taormina is probably one of the most well-known Sicilian city, right alongside Cefalù. And it was well-known wayyy before White Lotus put it on the map, for its old celeb glam, history, and quaint position on the North East end of the island right below Mount Etna. Here are 6 iconic things to do in Taormina.

The first thing my mother and I see as we drive out of the airport and onto the highway is the peak of the eerie yet beautiful Mount Etna. The source of life for its surrounding vegetation. We finally make it to a small town located above the Mediterranean Sea a couple of kilometers below the volcano. The drive getting there is winding, but the view at the top of Taormina and its neighboring towns is breathtaking. I couldn’t see much of our wine resort when we got there since it the sun was setting, but my mom and I did enjoy the wake up the next day. A breathtaking view on our private patio set the tone for the rest of our trip.

The next morning we decided to head to Taormina, the main town that was once rich, untouched and popular among stars. The Capri of Sicily, one could call it. Today, it has unfortunately turned into a bit of a tourist area and not because White Lotus has turned it into one. It’s always been a famous area in Italy among Italians. However, I don’t deny the town is beautiful and still a must-see and staple in Sicily. Just don’t go in expecting to see the heart of Sicily.

If you have your own car, you’ll know that parking in Italy is a free for all. If you find a spot in the middle of a road, feel free to park it on the curb of the road along with the other 20 cars that already have. Police are pretty scarce here, especially during the month of August when everyone is on vacation!

There are a few things to do in Taormina that are non-negotiable when there…

1. Corso Umberto I (The main street)

As you stroll down the main street, don’t forget to marvel at its architecture and its quirky elements. Although I was hoping to find a lot of artisanal shops, what I ended up seeing is a good amount of souvenir shops and beyond overpriced artisanal items. One thing I love was that you’ll notice they are huge into ceramics, or more specifically Maiolica pottery. It was a form of pottery brought to Sicily by the Arabics, the most popular design being the Moorish heads which you will see adorning houses, restaurants, flower pots and vases all over town.

Although the Moorish heads are beautiful, if you know the story behind the Moorish heads..you’ll think they are also quite creepy!! It is said that a Moor merchant who was passing by Kalsa, the Arabic district of Palermo, Sicily, saw a beautiful girl taking care of her plants and flowers. They instantly fell in love, only later did the girl discover that he already had a wife and children waiting for him in his native land. Filled with jealousy, the girl decided to cut off the guys head so he would stay with her forever and use his head as a vase to grow her beautiful basil plant. People who walked by her balcony were jealous of her flourish basil plant and decided to create colorful clay vases in the shape of heads in the hope of achieving the same beauty. Today they add a beautiful touch of character to the city! Some alleyways will be filled with flower pots rich in beautiful Moorish head decor and others with plenty of porcelain or pottery magnets and pins to take home.

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2. Piazza IX Aprile

The main square surrounded at all sides by cafés, water views, and churches. In Italian it is known as the “good living room” of Taormina – il Salotto buono. The Piazza is called “April 9th” because of the revolt or revolution Italians made in 1860 in Taormina against the Bourbons. The revolution began in the Duomo and the people made their way to the streets, marching up to the Mayor and demanding they reclaim the town. This movement ended in the trial of all the citizens and mayor, but one month later the winds changed as Garibaldi arrived and gave Italians their liberty from the Bourbons. In memory of the heroic movement the citizens began, the Piazza was called Piazza XI Aprile, April 9th.

3. Parco Colonna

Although many claim that Piazza IX Aprile offers one of the most breathtaking views of Taormina, I think Parco Colonna is up there as well. While walking around Taormina, we stumbled upon the public park, Parco Colonna, with its classical statues, enormous vases, various flora and fruit trees, as well as rustic pagodas. It was originally a private park created by Lady Florence Trevelyan Cacciola, they mayor’s wife and Scottish noblewoman who lived in Taormina in 1884. The pagodas and exotic buildings you’ll see where built for Lady Florence to enjoy her casual indulgence, bird watching. All these unique pieces culminated in a rare view of Taormina’s bay. Shaded by its various flora, this is the perfect spot to sip on your granita beverage, a cold Italian ice beverage available in various flavors, while watching the ocean and its boats from one of the parks many benches.

4. Teatro Antico di Taormina

The second largest Amphitheater in Sicily, the Teatro Antico di Taormina was built by the Greeks in third century BCE. The cost to get in is a bit pricey, so we chose not to go in. However the walk up to the Teatro is very quaint and offers some of the best granitas in Taormina! On a hot summers day, stop by and grab yourself watermelon granite. It will definitely quench your thirst and open your palate to a one-of-a-kind beverage! Sicily is home to the granita. It was first created when snow from Mount Etna was brought down to the villages below where nuns would flavor the ice with sugar cane and lemons. It was like a blast of internal air conditioning for these people to chew down on flavored ice in the midst of the treacherous summer heat. Thus the granita was born. But it’s now made with ice..not snow!

5. Explore the bottom half of Taormina

Take a stroll lower down the hill/mountain to the more inhabited area of Taormina where the locals live and the tourist spots are nowhere to be seen. Wondering through these streets gives you a sense of calm. The vias are quiet, rich in flora hanging from the balconies, little bars where locals are grabbing their espressos or granite and the moorish art is prominent.

 6. Isola Bella and it’s surrounding beaches

During the month of August, the beaches around Italy are packed since everyone is on vacation and looking to go to the beach. That being said, although my mother and I really wanted to see Isola Bella, we thought it would be best to just drive by the street Via Nazionale for a nice scenic view of the beaches and their islands – and thank god we did. Not to be confused with Isola Bella in Lago Maggiore, which is a completely different island! The beaches were packed worst than a New York City subway system at 8:40 in the morning. There was not one spot available on the beach, people were even starting to sun tan on the rocks! As beautiful as the beaches were, the bars and shores were so inundated we thought it best to go back to our quiet wine resort and enjoy the infinity pool with its breathtaking views.

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Overall, Taormina is a must-visit place for anyone in Sicily. Is it my favorite place in Sicily? I would say no. Is it the most genuine place in Sicily? Again, I would say no. But it was once upon a time known as the crème de la crème of towns, almost like a Portofino or Capri before it was discovered by tourists. Although it’s culture and distinctiveness no longer remains, it is still a sight for sore eyes and traditional Sicilian experience.

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