From Wikitravel

Taormina is a pretty hillside town on the East coast of Sicily, Italy and is one of it's main tourist resorts. It can be hot and busy during July and August, but more pleasant and (slightly) less busy during the rest of the year.

Many package tourists stay at the nearby beach resorts of Giardini-Naxos about 3km away to the south and Letojanni about 5km to the north..

Contents 1 Get in 1.1 By Train 1.2 By Bus 1.3 By Plane 2 Get around 3 See 4 Do 5 Buy 6 Eat 7 Drink 8 Sleep 8.1 Budget 8.2 Mid Range 8.3 Splurge 9 Get out

Get in

By Train

Regular trains to and from Messina and Catania. However the station (called Taormina-Giardini) is on the seafront 2km below the centre. There are some buses down, but it's often more convenient to take a long-distance bus from the centre straight to or from your destination.

By Bus

Regular buses to and from Messina and Catania.

By Plane

Look for flights to Catania. There you can rent a car to get to Taormina.

Get around

The main street is pedestrianised and Taormina is a nice place to wander around anyway.

However, there are regular shuttle buses down to Giardini-Naxos, the train station, Letojanni and up to Castelmola.

There is also a frequent Cable Car down to the beach at Mazarro.

See

• Teatro Greco - impressive open-air (mainly Roman(!)) theatre, with great views up and down the coast and across to Mount Etna.
• The Torre dell'Orogio clock tower.

Do

• Wander up and down the main street - Corso Umberto I taking in the sights

Buy

There are plenty of souvenir shops. The Limoncello - a sweet lemon alcoholic drink served chilled after a meal is refreshing and sold widely.

Eat

Taormina has plenty of restaurants. The Spada - Swordfish is recommended. Ristorante La Griglia, Corso Umberto I, 54, has a good selection of Sicilian cuisine.

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Lots of hotels of all prices (including the nearby resorts), although they can fill up during July & August. The small Youth Hostel is friendly and convenient, although difficult to find.

Mid Range

• Hotel Villa Gaia, Via Fazzello, 34, 98039 Taormina (MESSINA), Ph. +39 0942 23185, Fax +39 0942 23185[1]. The 2** Hotel Villa Gaia is situated in the historic center of Taormina, just 30 meters from the Duomo, a splendid example of sixteenth-century Gothic architecture, and the famous Corso Umberto I, the most elegant street in the city, with its high fashion boutiques and antique shops. Single room from 85€, double from 120€.
• Hotel Villa Caterina, Via Silipigni, 17, 98039 Taormina (MESSINA), Ph. +39 0942.24709, Fax +39 0942.24709 [2]. Among the sweet scents and colors of Sicily, a warm hospitality in a dream setting. A splendid villa immersed in greenery, just a few steps away from the sea and the old town center of Taormina. Twin room from 102€.

Splurge

• Hotel Villa Taormina, Via Tommaso Fazzello, 39, 98039 Taormina (MESSINA), Ph. +39 0942 620072, Fax +39 0942.623003 [3]. An antique residence in the heart of Taormina surrounded by a typical Sicilian garden full of perfumed essences hosts the Hotel Villa Taormina, a small luxurious residence with a truly Sicilian character. Antique furnishings, a panoramic terrace with a splendid view that encompasses the sea and hills, superior comforts and impeccable service, all wait to provide you with a one of a kind stay.

Get out

• Castelmola - a hilltop village 5km above Taormina with even better views. Several buses up (you can walk down if you have time).
• Plenty of agencies offer day-trips to Mount Etna. You are not allowed to walk right to the top, but the lava flows are impressive. It is over 3000m high, so wear warm clothes - it can be cold even in summer, and the top is often covered in cloud.

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