Holidays in Taormina: the fashionable resort with wonderful self-catering villas in Sicily

Taormina high on the Monte Tauro and dominating two sweeping bays below is Sicily’s most popular and fashionable resort with famously stunning views and a picturesque Greek-Roman theatre. Taormina is the most important tourist resort in Sicily and a favourite of the Holiday Homes in Italy team.  If you are looking for a relaxing holiday in a lovely town, this could be the place for you.  Taormina is a town where you can wake up in the morning, have your breakfast and be just need 100 meters to reach the main street, groceries, bakery, shops, restaurants, bars and pubs to enjoy the night life. This is the place to sit and relax at an elegant open air coffee shop and watch the world go by.

At the end of the 18th century, Johann Wolfgang Goethe came to this place during his “Journeys through Italy” and was amazed and charmed by its beauty. After him also Guy de Maupassant passed by, and then many other intellectuals and artists, from Henry Faulkner to Paul Klee, from Truman Capote to Tennessee Williams and D.H Lawrence some of whom lived in Taormina for long periods, increasing the city’s prestige and filling it with legend. Hollywood was also enchanted by this “little piece of paradise”: Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Audrey Hepburn and Liz Taylor, who spent a stormy honeymoon here with Richard Burton. International stars still visit, especially due to the Taormina Film Festival.

Taormina still manages to retain most of its small-town charm despite the many tourists who visit each year and the town offers 15th – 19th century palazzi and small intimate piazza’s, a quaint castle and many monuments. At the end of Corso Umberto I, is Piazza IX April, home to the Church of Sant’Agostino, the Church of San Giuseppe and the Porta di Mezzo (Middle Gate) that includes the wonderful Clock Tower. This square, that provides a wonderful view over the Gulf of Messina and is surrounded by elegant open-air coffee shops. From the Teatro Greco, there are panoramic views encompassing southern Calabria, the Sicilian coastline and snow-capped Etna.

After an appetizer in the square, you will be spoilt for choice in the many trattorie, ristoranti and pizzerie many of which are dotted along quaint side streets and away from the hustle and bustle. The evening often continues in the nearby lounge bar La Giara, or in other clubs such as the Septimo, on the Salita San Pancrazio. Another very popular club, especially in the summer is the Panasia beach, and elegant and original seaside establishment where there are sofa beds available on the beach where you can relax and sip a cocktail.

Practicalities

Having a car is not necessary in Taormina as the town is very hilly and it is possible to reach the best attractions of Taormina like the Greek Theatre, the public garden, main street on foot and the beach by public transport.

It’s very important in Taormina to know that you cannot easy access or go around with cars because of the traffic limitations. At certain hours only residents are allowed. For This reason Taormina has 2 big parking located at the entrance of town itself called “Parcheggio Lumbi” and in the opposite area an easy parking to reach called “Porta Catania”, if you park at “Parcheggio Lumbi” you can take a small bus that every 5 minutes takes people to Taormina Piazza S. Pancrazio just 10 metres from Porta Messina, or if you take the other parking Porta Catania you can easy walk and arrive in the Corso Umberto I and Piazza del Duomo.

Taormina is not located on the beach but overlooking the sea and for this reason you can easily reach the beach by a cable that is located about 100 metres from the Porta Messina – taking you straight to Mazzaro beach and Via Nazionale. The coastline is unquestionably appealing with a mixture of grottoes and rocky groves and Italian lido’s, which are fully equipped to provide a perfect and comfortable day at the beach. Just a short distance south of Taormina, you will find the sands of Giardini-Naxos, which are more spacious and great for swimming.

Getting There

Taormina is Sicily's main tourist destination; it is well serviced by important roads as well as by train and is also conveniently reachable by plane.  The International Airport of Catania (CTA) is 50 km. away from Taormina. The airport offers connections with all the major Italian and European cities, including all the capitals. From the airport the Alibus shuttle service goes to Catania station every 20 minutes. There is a direct bus available from Etna Transport linking the Airport with Taormina.

Where to stay

Our properties in Taormina are located either in the heart of the town or along the beautiful coastline and offer a high standard of accommodation for that perfect holiday in Sicily:

Naxos Villa - a wonderful 5 bedroom villa with views of Mt Etna

Villa Goethe - a breathtaking villa just a few minutes from the centre by cablecar, offering sea views and a roof top jacuzzi

Tao apartment - a fabulous apartment right in the heart of the town

Villa Taormina - a beautiful villa with pool and views over the coast

To view all of our accommodation in Taormina and the surrounding areas, click here

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