North of Catania, the ancient town of Taormina (or Taormina in Italian) is a must-see where to stay on a Sicilian road trip. Not far from Mount Etna, which dominates all its vistas, travelers will discover its ancient Greco-Roman theater, as well as its magnificent view of the Mediterranean, its beach and the charm of its medieval streets.
Where to stay in Taormina? What options are available for exploring the town or enjoying Isola Bella? These are important questions to ask. Indeed, the town is perched on a cliff, and its rugged relief is something to be taken into account when choosing where to stay.
This guide to accommodation in Taormina will give you all the information you need when choosing where to stay in Taormina. Here we present the different areas to target when selecting accommodation, with their advantages and disadvantages: price, accessibility, entertainment, proximity to restaurants and shops, and places of interest. We’ll then share with you a few recommendations of the hotels and vacation rentals we’ve selected.
Key information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Taormina, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. They should give you a better idea of the town and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Taormina:
- $ This accommodation offers bed and breakfast at very attractive rates.
- $$ This hotel, ideally located 2mn walk from the sea, offers affordable rooms.
- $$$ This luxury complex is certainly the most luxurious and charming in Taormina.
Map of different areas of Taormina to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Taormina, you’ll find on the map below all the Taormina accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Taormina
Where to stay in and around Taormina
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Taormina.
Stay in the center of Taormina
Overlooking the sea from its 200m-high terrace, Taormina's historic center is a magnificent place and a must-see on any visit to Sicily. In high season, many tourists stroll through during the day, but the late afternoon is often quieter. For its historical setting and lively atmosphere, the old town is probably the most charming place to stay.
In addition to choosing where to stay, the old town offers a number of places of interest, the main ones being
- the central axis, entirely pedestrian, is Corso Umberto. Lined with luxury boutiques, artisan shops and restaurants, this thoroughfare also boasts a number of pretty monuments and churches. The central Piazza IX Aprile (April 9th square) offers an exceptional panorama of the sea and Mount Etna
- the remarkably well-preservedGreco-Roman amphitheatre, still used today for concerts. The view of the volcano in the background is fabulous, and to enjoy a show in this setting is quite simply unique (and rare!)
- still in the center of town, the Villa Comunale municipal gardens also offer a lovely vantage point in a soothing, shady setting
- the chapel of the Madonna della Rocca, with its panoramic view of the coast and sea at your feet
You can visit everything on foot, and the sites are not far apart. If you have your own car, you'll need to leave it at your accommodation or in one of the public parking lots outside. It's very difficult to park in the center of town. This is one of the minor problems of staying in the heart of the Sicilian city, and you'll need to bear this in mind when choosing your accommodation.
As already mentioned, Corso Umberto is very lively both during the day and in the evening. Numerous shops, bars and restaurants are available, most of them very friendly. If you choose to stay in the center of Taormina, you'll have no trouble finding where to dine or have a drink within a 5-minute walk. Nights are calm and your sleep shouldn't be disturbed by party-goers.
As far as accommodation is concerned, there's something for everyone if you get in early enough. There are luxury hotels, but also more modest B&Bs, tourist rentals and hotels where to stay at relatively reasonable prices. Of course, during the summer months, demand drives up rates. However, if your budget allows, or if you plan ahead, don't hesitate to stay in this historic district: the setting is truly charming.
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Great rates for this bed and breakfast on a side street off the main thoroughfare. Family atmosphere, comfortable rooms, great location. A good option for staying in Taormina at a reasonable price.
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Ideally located on Corso Umberto, with quiet rooms, this hotel is a great choice for staying in the heart of the city. The typically Italian decor is a little busy, but everything is very well maintained and quite spacious.
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This historic 5-star hotel opened in the 19th century and has since welcomed numerous writers, artists and celebrities. Regularly renovated, this luxurious hotel is the ideal place to enjoy the unique atmosphere of this small Sicilian town. The most charming and luxurious hotel where to stay in Taormina. Prices accordingly.
By the sea: stay on the beach at Isola Bella
Taormina's beach, with Isola Bella right in the middle of it, enjoys a great reputation. It makes the area one of Sicily's most famous seaside resorts. To make the most of the sea, choose to stay right on the Mediterranean.
Most of the streets are on high ground, making access to the sea difficult. There's nothing prohibitive about this, but if you prefer to laze by the water, accommodation at the foot of the cliffs will be much more practical.
As well as swimming,Isola Bella can be visited in part. You can reach it via the sandbar that connects it to the mainland, and there's also a small museum that tells its history. The rest of the island is a nature reserve, off-limits to the public. You can't stay there!
There are several waysto visit Taormina itself. By car, you'll be there in just a few minutes. However, you'll need to find somewhere to park, which isn't easy, especially during the summer daytime. Then, if you're brave, and depending on the location of your accommodation, you can climb the 200m ascent along the road. The road, however, is narrow, steep and not very pleasant to walk on. Allow half an hour to reach the central square of IX Aprile. The easiest and most comfortable solution is therefore the last one: for a few euros, you can take a gondola that leaves from the north and goes directly to the heights.
A few small restaurants and bars are available, and most hotels of a certain standing have their own restaurant or bar. However, the area is not as lively as the historic part. This makes it a little more secluded, but bear this in mind if you choose to stay "downstairs".
Finally, as in other Italian seaside resorts, you'll find a wide range of accommodation, from very luxurious hotels reserved for the stars, to more modest establishments, sometimes even a little run-down.
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Overlooking the sea, this 3-star hotel offers an ideal location, just a 2-minute walk from the water and the cable car to the heights. The decor is not up to date, but prices are reasonable for the view and the location if you want to stay close to the sea.
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As its name suggests, the main attraction of this 4-star hotel is its view. From your comfortable room or the pool, the view is incredible. Close to the beach, prices are rather high in high season, but staying here offers a unique location.
Accommodation around Taormina
Beyond the heart of Taormina, there's of course plenty of accommodation to be found in the surrounding area. The Sicilian side of the island is indeed very touristy, and many travelers seek to stay there to find better rates. Especially when the best accommodations are no longer available.
However, as far as possible, we advise you not to stray too far from the center, for several reasons. Firstly, to make the most of the evening atmosphere. The atmosphere changes as the sun goes down, with the landscape taking on new facets and the vast majority of tourists leaving. The evening remains lively, and strolling through the old streets at dusk is a real pleasure. Of course, you can always move on to more distant accommodation afterwards, but if possible, save yourself the trouble!
Another good reason for staying in nearby accommodation is the difficulty of getting around by car. Particularly in high season, parking lots are "taken by storm", and it's nice to be able to park your car just once and never have to think about it again. Once again, there's nothing dramatic about this, as the municipality has made a great effort to enable travellers to find parking spaces and easily reach places of interest. However, between the practicality, the charm of the area and the possibility of finding accommodation within your budget if you plan ahead, we advise you to choose accommodation in Taormina itself, on the beach or in the center.
Summary
This concludes our guide to accommodation options in Taormina. To sum up, as you’ll have gathered by now, we’d recommend staying in the little streets off Corso Umberto, to take advantage of the unique, lively atmosphere. Of course, these accommodations are very popular, especially in summer. However, with a little advance planning, you should be able to find a place to stay that suits your needs and budget. Don’t miss your chance to discover one of Sicily’s gems!