Where history meets the volcano, and the sea becomes an infinite horizon

There are places in the world that seem suspended between sky and earth, between myth and reality. Taormina is one of them. Clinging to the rock of Monte Tauro, 200 metres above sea level, this small Sicilian town has enchanted travellers, poets and kings for over two thousand years. Coming to Taormina is not just visiting a place — it is stepping into a story that never stops surprising.

A Bit of History: From Tauromenion to Pearl of the Mediterranean

Taormina was founded as a Greek settlement in the 4th century BC, established by refugees from Naxos — the first Greek colony in Sicily — after their city was destroyed by Dionysius I of Syracuse. The original name, Tauromenion, references the Monte Tauro on which it stands.

Under the Romans, the city flourished as one of the most important centres in Sicily, as its still-visible monumental remains attest. In the Middle Ages it passed to the Arabs, then to the Normans, who left indelible marks on the architecture and character of the whole island. With the 18th and 19th century Grand Tour, Taormina became a mandatory stop for European intellectuals: Goethe, Guy de Maupassant and Oscar Wilde all fell in love with its alleys and its light.

In the 20th century came Hollywood stars. And even today, strolling along Corso Umberto, it is easy to feel that time here moves differently.

What to See in Taormina

The Ancient Theatre of Taormina This is the absolute symbol of the city. Built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC and expanded by the Romans, the Ancient Theatre is one of the best-preserved in the world. Its unique feature is the natural backdrop: from here you can see snow-capped Etna on one side and the bay of Naxos on the other. Today it hosts concerts and international festivals, but even on an ordinary day it is worth the entrance fee just to stand in silence for a few minutes.

Corso Umberto I The beating heart of Taormina is this long pedestrian street running through the entire historic centre. Shops, cafés, baroque churches and panoramic terraces all converge here. Not to be missed: Piazza IX Aprile with its sea-view terrace, and the Clock Tower that divides the corso into two distinct personalities.

Public Gardens (Villa Comunale) Conceived by Lady Florence Trevelyan in the late 19th century, these gardens are a small masterpiece of Victorian eccentricity carved into the rock. Exotic plants, quirky pavilions, and a sea view that takes your breath away.

Castelmola and the Saracen Castle Above Taormina, reachable on foot or by car, the village of Castelmola offers even wider panoramas. The Saracen Castle, perched on the summit of Monte Tauro, rewards a challenging hike with a 360° view of Etna, the Strait of Messina and the Calabrian coast.

Isola Bella A few minutes from town, this small island — now a nature reserve — is connected to the shore by a thin strip of sand. The surrounding sea is crystal clear, the vegetation dense and Mediterranean. It is one of the most photographed spots in Sicily, but experiencing it in person is something else entirely.

Explore Taormina with the Walk in Nature Map

To navigate the trails, viewpoints and must-see spots around Taormina, we have created an interactive map directly on our homepage.

🗺️ Visit the Walk in Nature custom map: walkinnature.it/map

You will find practical directions for reaching points of interest on foot, nature trails in the surrounding area, and the best panoramic viewpoints away from the crowds.

Taormina as Your Base: Tours on Etna

Taormina is the ideal starting point for exploring Etna, the highest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world. Just 50 km from the city, reachable in about an hour, Etna offers experiences unlike anything else.

Departing from Taormina, we organise guided excursions tailored to every kind of traveller: you can choose a trek to the summit craters at 3,300 metres, or a walk through solidified lava flows at lower altitudes, among vineyards and black birch forests that grow on the lava.

With our expert guides you will learn about the volcano’s geology, its most recent eruptions, and the deep bond that Sicilians have with this mountain that gives and takes away, that frightens and that nourishes.

Etna tours from Taormina with Walk in Nature include:

  • Certified guide
  • Equipment provided (poles, helmet for lava tubes)
  • Short stop at an Etna winery for tasting of traditional food & drinks
  • Pickup service as extra

The Right Time to Visit

Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the golden seasons: mild temperatures, smaller crowds, perfect light. In summer Taormina comes alive and the Ancient Theatre becomes a stage for international events, but the heat can be intense. In winter the town empties almost entirely — and takes on a solitary, melancholic charm all its own, with snow-capped Etna dominating the horizon.

Contact us to organise your tour:

We’ll be waiting for you beneath the volcano.