24 Hours in Taormina: The Perfect 1-Day Itinerary
Find out how to spend the perfect 24 hours in Sicily’s crown jewel, Taormina.
If you ever find yourself in the beautiful sun-drenched landscape of Sicily, there is simply one place you cannot miss: Taormina.
I say this from immediate experience, having just spent a week traversing the island, from the shores of Scopello to the bustling streets of Palermo. In the end, it was the sweet town of Taormina that completely stole my heart.
Taormina effortlessly captures the very essence of the dolce vita lifestyle. It’s a place where the breathtaking silhouette of Mount Etna perfectly balances the sweet relief of a morning granita; and where ancient Greek architecture meets the luxury designer boutiques of Corso Umberto.
To find out how to spend the perfect day in Taormina, look no further – here is your curated 24-hour guide to experiencing the absolute best of this cliffside haven.
Pre-Itinerary Essentials
A little background
Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily, and it has been a popular getaway for over a century. Originally drawing in European nobility and Hollywood icons, it has recently seen a massive surge of interest as the main filming location for season two of The White Lotus.
Geographically, Taormina is extraordinary. Suspended on the cliffs of Mount Tauro, the town acts as a front-row balcony over the deep blue Ionian Sea, offering stunning panoramic views of both the coastline and the smoking peak of Mount Etna.
To easily navigate Taormina, it helps to know that the town is split into two main levels:
The town center (above):The historic, pedestrian main town. It is a beautiful mix of lively squares, historic ruins, and chic designer shops.
The coast (below): The beach area at the bottom of the cliffs, featuring the beautiful bays of Mazzarò and the famous nature reserve island of Isola Bella.
Suspended on the cliffs of Mount Tauro, the town acts as a front-row balcony over the deep blue Ionian Sea,
How to get to Taormina
Since Taormina is tucked away on the east coast of Sicily, half the battle is actually getting there. Here’s how you can travel across the island:
Renting a car
We flew into Palermo Airport on the northern coast of Sicily, hired a rental car, and drove across the island. The journey took around three and a half hours, taking us along the coastal road that cuts through the mountainous landscape. If you are planning to drive this route, just keep in mind that you will hit a €10 road toll along the way.
Once you arrive, the next challenge is parking. Because Taormina’s town center is entirely pedestrian-only, you can’t exactly drive straight to your hotel. We ended up using Lumbi Parking, a multi-story parking facility located at the bottom of the town hill. From there, we walked up the public stairs to the next level of town.
I have to admit, the walk up these stairs was brutal, especially as we were hauling heavy suitcases underneath the red-hot sun. That being said, braving the stairs was worth it for us, as the parking was in a great location – right by the Splendid Hotel where we were staying.
We hired a rental car from Palermo Airport – here is our adorable little Fiat Panda.
Getting the train
If you don’t fancy driving, you can easily take the train from Palermo Centrale to Taormina-Giardini, with tickets starting around €16 to €20 each way. Since there aren't any direct lines, you need to make a transfer at either Catania or Messina. We did consider this option; however, the journey does take a little longer than driving, taking between 4 to 5 hours.
With all the logistics out of the way, let’s get into the perfect 24-hour itinerary. (You can find a complete map of every landmark mentioned below.)
Morning: Traditional Sicilian breakfast at Bam Bar
Our first stop of the morning was Bam Bar, and for anyone with a sweet tooth (guilty as charged), there is no better way to kickstart a day in Taormina.
Bam Bar is a colourful café bar, located just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the main strip, Corso Umberto. It’s known for its traditional granita, a Sicilian frozen dessert similar to a sorbet, which is served with a warm, fluffy brioche bun for dipping. While dipping bread into a frozen dessert sounds entirely criminal, the contrast between the warm bun and the sweet granita works beautifully. I loved it so much that it quickly became my go-to breakfast for the rest of the trip.
Bam Bar is a colourful cafe bar, located just steps away from Corso Umberto.
Unsurprisingly, Bam Bar is incredibly popular (partially due to its feature inThe White Lotus), so you should expect a queue. We arrived around 11:00 AM and waited for 15 to 20 minutes, though the line moved at a pretty steady pace. I’d highly recommend making the wait.
Once you're seated, the menu offers an overwhelming array of flavours, ranging from fresh strawberry to rich chocolate and classic almond. If you’re struck by decision paralysis, fear not: you can mix and match two flavors in one glass. I went solely for the traditional almond granita, paired with a caffè freddo, and it was delicious. Plus, it was fairly cheap, with a generous serving of granita, brioche, and coffee coming out to just €6–€7 each.
Top tip: When they ask if you want cream on your granita, say yes. You won’t regret it.
Bam Bar is world-renowned for serving some of the best Sicilian granita on the island.
A beautiful street nearby the cafe.
Midday: Greek Theatre and views of Mount Etna
Fueled by sugar and a well-earned brain freeze from Bam Bar, you’re officially ready for your next stop: the ancient Greek Theatre.
Just a short 5-minute walk from the cafe, you will find the Teatro Antico di Taormina, a remarkably preserved third-century BC amphitheatre. The theatre has lived quite a double life; originally built by the Greeks in the third century BC for dramatic plays and music, it was later completely remodeled by the Romans into a brutal arena for gladiator battles and wild animal fights. It is said to be one of the best preserved Greek theatres in the world, and it is still used today for live performances, concerts, and festivals.
Teatro Antico di Taormina is a remarkably preserved third-century BC amphitheatre.
Entry costs up to €16 each, and while this may seem a little steep, it is well worth it for the absolutely breathtaking views. As you step through the crumbling archways, you are greeted with a stunning panorama of the historic theatre, which is framed beautifully by the glittering Ionian Sea. The architecture is incredible, and if I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine the roar of an ancient crowd around me.
We happened to be visiting during the Taormina Film Festival, so the stage was set up with a huge screen and rows of modern seating. But even with the production gear in place, nothing could steal the spotlight from Mount Etna looming in the distance.
This had to be one of my favourite views from the whole trip; it hardly looked real, the way the smoke was pluming from the snow-capped summit. It was difficult to soak in that I was staring at Europe’s tallest active volcano which, with its mineral-rich soil, is the exact reason why Sicily’s local produce, citrus, and world-class wines taste so incredibly good. In my eyes, that was €16 well spent.
One of my favourite photos – what a view.
Afternoon: Isola Bella and Corso Umberto
Isola Bella
After soaking in the views from above, it was time to head down to the beautiful Mazzarò coastline below. To get there, you can either tackle a long flight of stairs, or do what we did, and hop on the funivia (the cable car) from the station on Via Luigi Pirandello. A single ticket costs €6, but we went for the round trip which costs €10 each. It’s a quick five-minute glide down the cliffside that rewards you with an incredible preview of the turquoise bays below.
We took the funivia down to the beach, just a 2-minute trip each way.
Once down, it’s just a short walk to the pebbled beach. We walked along the shoreline, past beach bars and resorts, to reach the famous Isola Bella. Often called the "Pearl of the Ionian Sea", this small island is connected to the mainland by a narrow sandbar that appears and disappears with the tide. Though it harbors a rich, aristocratic history, this beautiful islet now serves as a protected nature reserve.
While the scenery was stunning, it was extremely busy, so I would recommend coming early in the morning or later in the evening to enjoy the island without the heavy crowds. We didn’t have our swimsuits with us, so be sure to bring yours along to take full advantage of a swim in the crystal-clear water. There are so many beach clubs to choose from if you want to spend a full beach day here.
We dipped our feet into the crystal-clear water to cool off, and decided that a quick paddle was plenty before heading back up the mountain to explore Taormina’s main street, Corso Umberto.
The island serves as a protected nature reserve.
The crystal clear waters by Isola Bella.
Corso Umberto
Stepping off the cable car, we found ourselves right back in the vibrant heart of the town: Corso Umberto. This is a beautiful, polished stone avenue that stretches completely across the historic centre, bookended by two grand medieval stone gateways: Porta Messina and Porta Catania. The streets are lined with designer boutiques, from Dior and Louis Vuitton to Dolce & Gabbana, making it heaven for anyone who loves high-end fashion or, like me, loves a bit of daydreaming.
Beyond the designer boutiques, wandering down the street itself is a joy. The avenue is lined with a beautiful mix of historic Sicilian architecture, cosy cafes, and quaint shops filled with intricate, hand-painted Sicilian ceramics. Every few steps, charming, narrow side alleys branch off the main path, leading up steep stone staircases adorned with bright bougainvillea.
The streets are lined with designer boutiques, from Dior and Louis Vuitton to Dolce & Gabbana.
Exploring the beautiful alleyway by Dior, adorned with vibrant bougainvillea.
The avenue is lined with a beautiful mix of historic Sicilian architecture, cosy cafes, and quaint shops filled with intricate, hand-painted Sicilian ceramics.
The main square, Piazza IX Aprile, is hard to miss. It features a gorgeous black-and-white checkered pavement, historic churches, and a towering clock gate, with a breathtaking view of Mount Etna to top it all off.
Since the Taormina Film Festival was in full swing, the square was rolled out with a red carpet, and by the evening, we even managed to spot a few celebrities passing through. It added such a fun touch of Hollywood glamour to the historic setting.
The clock tower, Porta di Mezzo, looked beautiful at dusk with Mount Etna in the background.
The main square, Piazza IX April, was decked out with a red carpet for the Taormina Film Festival.
Evening: Villa Comunale and Fine Dining
Villa Comunale
As evening began to fall, we decided to slow down and take a relaxed evening stroll before dinner. That is how we stumbled upon what quickly became our favourite spot in town: the Villa Comunale Gardens.
This little gem is a peaceful oasis just a short walk away from the bustling crowds of Corso Umberto, with beautiful botanical gardens and whimsical Victorian follies that are reminiscent of theatrical Shakespearan sets. Built by its original English owner, Lady Florence Trevelyan, the eccentric brick pavilions and winding paths are surrounded by lush, exotic plants and pretty bougainvillea.
The gardens were undeniably beautiful – so much so, we even crossed paths with a bride having her wedding photographs taken there. From the edge of the terrace, the view opens up over the Ionian coastline and frames Mount Etna perfectly. I’d highly recommend grabbing an Aperol Spritz from the garden's pop-up bar and finding a spot right by the stone railing to take it all in; it’s a perfect escape from the frenzy of the town centre.
The sun setting on the gorgeous Villa Comuale gardens.
The gardens are home to some eye-catching Victorian follies.
The view opens up over the Ionian coastline and frames Mount Etna perfectly.
I’d highly recommend grabbing an Aperol Spritz from the garden's pop-up bar to sit back and enjoy the view. (Seriously, why does Aperol always taste so much better in Italy?)
Dinner at Nunziatina
Later, on our short walk over to the restaurant, we couldn't resist a quick detour to peek at the spectacular San Domenico Palace, the Four Seasons Hotel, located just opposite. Again, TV fans may recognize it as the main backdrop for The White Lotus S2, though I haven’t actually seen it (forgive me!). It’s worth a look just to see the incredible view and sheer scale of the place, and of course, to pretend you’re a Hollywood extra for just a moment.
San Domenico Palace, the Four Seasons Hotel.
We enjoyed the view as the sun began to dip, casting a lovely warm golden glow before dinner.
After successfully faking our way through high society, we headed right next door to Nunziatina for dinner. For context, this restaurant was actually built inside the historic building of an elderly local lady named Signora Nunziatina, who still lives right upstairs. The founders used her home as a muse to create a dining concept that combines the cozy nostalgia of a Sicilian grandmother's kitchen with the luxury of an exclusive house party.
The space was a gorgeous explosion of vibrant pinks and reds, blending art deco vibes with the traditional Sicilian home. We had a table outside on the terrace, though keep in mind if you're chasing a sunset view, the sun doesn’t set over the water here. Since Taormina faces east, the sun drops behind the mountains early, giving you a gorgeous, soft pastel dusk instead.
In terms of budget: this place is definitely on the higher end of the price scale, so expect a bit of a splurge. That said, the service was excellent and the menu itself a beautiful tribute to traditional local eating, celebrating fresh, seasonal ingredients. I started off with fresh oysters, followed by a light tuna crudo and a rich lobster pasta, before wrapping it all up with a chocolate bomb dessert.
It was the perfect, indulgent end to an incredible day in Taormina.
Nunziatina combines the cozy nostalgia of a Sicilian grandmother's kitchen with the luxury of an exclusive house party.
The space was a gorgeous explosion of vibrant pinks and reds.
I started off with fresh oysters, followed by a light tuna crudo. It was delicious.
The perfect end to an incredible day in Taormina.
Though our itinerary only allowed for two nights and a single full day in Taormina, we managed to check off everything on our bucket-list. Between chasing the incredible views, discovering hidden gems, and indulging in the rich tradition of Sicilian cuisine, there is so much to see and do in this gorgeous coastal oasis.
I left Taormina with one solitary regret: not staying longer. If you are planning your own getaway, I would highly recommend spending at least two full days here just to properly soak in the atmosphere and enjoy every last minute. The town entirely captured my heart, and I am already thinking about my return.
Until next time, Taormina. You were wonderful.
