A day trip to Taormina, Sicily

The Ancient Theatre, Isola Bella and the countless panoramic views.

In November 2023, just before my adventure in Malaysia, I went to Catania in Sicily with my girlfriend to celebrate her birthday. She wanted to travel to Italy for her birthday and on the way to find nice weather I decided to go to the south, I have friends in Catania, and I had never been there so I thought it could be a nice destination.

We spent 4 days there, on Friday and Monday we explored Catania, on Saturday we went to Taormina and on Sunday to Siracusa. I already talked about Catania here, now I will describe Saturday’s excursion in Taormina.

We reached Tormina from Catania by bus, which was a 2-hour ride, several companies do this route, the prices are similar and we bought the tickets online. The frequency of the buses was hourly, and our was around half an hour late, which for Italian standards was fine.

Just arrived in Taormina the first thing we did was stop at a cafe and have breakfast with arancini, cappuccino, and orange juice, not the typical Italian way to start the day, but arancini was my girlfriend’s favourite local food, I also love them so we ate them every time it was possible.

Taormina is a picturesque town perched on the cliffs of the eastern coast of Sicily, overlooking the Ionian Sea. This enchanting destination is renowned for its stunning panoramic views, historical charm, and cultural richness.

One of the most iconic landmarks in Taormina is the ancient Greek Theater, but the town is also home to the medieval Palazzo Corvaja, a historic building with various architectural styles, including Arab-Norman influences.

After breakfast, we just strolled around the small streets of the town enjoying the atmosphere and the beautiful buildings till we arrived at the main square, Piazza IX Aprile, and there we stopped for a while because the view was amazing.

Piazza IX Aprile is a charming square located in the heart of Taormina, named after the date of the liberation of Taormina from Nazi occupation in 1944, the square exudes a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Surrounded by historic buildings, cafes, and shops. The square offers stunning panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and the majestic Mount Etna.

At the centre of the square stands the Church of San Giuseppe, a Baroque masterpiece with an ornate facade and an interior rich in decorative details. One of the notable features of Piazza IX Aprile is the Torre dell'Orologio (Clock Tower), an iconic structure that offers a panoramic terrace with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

Like all the Italian squares, it is a popular gathering spot, providing a perfect setting for strolls, outdoor dining, and enjoying the vibrant street life, this square offered an opportunity to find some local life and get some nice pictures.

I have to be honest, I didn’t know much about Taormina before going there, the only thing I wanted to see was the ancient theatre. I discovered the city when in 2017 there was a G7 meeting and on Italian television I saw a lot of videos about it.

The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is a spectacular Greco-Roman amphitheatre perched on the cliffs of Taormina offering a panoramic view of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. Dating back to the 3rd century BC, during the Hellenistic period, the theatre was later modified by the Romans and has since become one of the most iconic archaeological sites in Italy.

This well-preserved ancient theatre could accommodate up to 5,000 spectators and was primarily used for theatrical performances and public gatherings. The auditorium, carved into the natural slope of the hillside, provides excellent acoustics, allowing even the smallest whisper to be heard from the stage. The theatre's setting against the backdrop of the Sicilian coast and Mount Etna creates a mesmerizing atmosphere, making it a popular venue for cultural events, concerts, and festivals in the present day.

The theatre was as impressive as I expected, the view from there was the best in the city, I can’t imagine how it would be to see a concert or a ballet there, I’m happy we were able to visit this place.

The weather was amazing, so we decided to go to a beach and, if possible, swim and bathe in the water. From near the theatre is possible to take the cable car that can take you to Mazzarò, and from there, the beach near Isola Bella is very close.

Isola Bella is a small and enchanting island named "The Pearl of the Ionian Sea". Connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand, Isola Bella is a nature reserve known for its stunning beauty and diverse flora and fauna.

The island's landscape is a harmonious blend of rocky outcrops, lush Mediterranean vegetation, and crystal-clear waters. Isola Bella is surrounded by pristine waters, making it a popular spot for swimming and snorkelling. The coastal area also features picturesque pebble beaches and hidden coves, providing a tranquil escape with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and the nearby mainland.

Today, the island is managed by the Italian state and serves as a natural reserve and a cultural attraction. It is possible to access Isola Bella by foot during low tide or take a short boat ride from Taormina's beaches.

Unfortunately, we arrived a bit late to the beach, we just spent an hour before the sunset and we didn’t manage to bathe, but the place was simply amazing, the juxtaposition of the island's natural beauty against the backdrop of the historic town of Taormina and the towering Mount Etna in the distance makes Isola Bella a captivating destination, and offering a quiet place were is possible to relax, enjoy the amazing landscape and the crystal clear water.

After the beach, we went back to Taormina to do the activity we love the most to do in Italy: the aperitif, and then we went back to Catania for dinner.

Together Taormina and Isola Bella are very beautiful places that deserve a visit, but walking in the city I had the same feeling that I had in Santorini, Taormina's medieval streets are adorned with charming boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, creating a fake atmosphere, everything there is for the tourists, there is no sign of local life, and this can give you the impression to not be in Italy. Anyway, I am very happy to be able to visit these beautiful places.

In the last post of this series, I will write about Siracusa, don’t miss it.

See you next week,

Flavio