Taormina is a beautiful cliff-side town with a ton of history, charm, and all the White Lotus vibes you can handle. My half day in Taormina was while I was on a 10-day Mediterranean cruise and docked in Messina. I looked into many excursions both with the cruise line and independently, and they were all unreasonably expensive! I’d recommend doing a DIY excursion- it’s not has hard as it may seem! Taormina has so much to offer and you can really pack a lot of adventure in a day in port. Here is how to spend a half day in Taormina, Sicily, Italy!
Getting to Taormina
Most visitors to Taormina will be coming from Messina, which is the closest city, and a major transportation hub between Sicily and mainland Italy. If you’re arriving on a cruise like me, you will simply walk from the cruise port (which is located here) to the Messina Centrale Train Station. It is a quick fifteen minute walk from the port and is along the main road. At the station, you’ll simply purchase a one-way ticket to Taormina-Giardini and board the train. The trains run pretty frequently and the ride to Taormina can take anywhere from 35 minutes to 1 hour.
After getting off the train in Taormina-Giardini, make your way through the terminal and wait by the sign (pictured above) for the bus up to Central Taormina. Once the bus arrives, pay your driver the €1,10 one-way fare per person and be on your way. The bus will take you up the hill to town, and will drop you off here. You’re then in the center of town and free to start exploring!
Read More: How to Get to Taormina from the Messina Cruise Port
Photos copyright of HBO. The White Lotus, Season 2.
The Four Seasons San Domenico Palace
“What’s so special about this random hotel” you may be asking. If you’re a fan of the HBO show The White Lotus, then you will recognize this instantly! The Four Seasons San Domenico Palace is where they shot season 2 of the hit show. The hotel is located just a short walk from the center of town and, if you wanted to pay a visit and soak in all the luxury, it’s easy to do.
Do keep in mind however that this is a working hotel and how much you’re able to explore the grounds may vary if you’re not a registered guest. The time of year, how busy the hotel is, and even just the mood of the staff may differ day-to-day. You may get to walk around and explore a lot of the property, or you may be asked to leave right away. As always, keeping to yourself, being quiet, and acting respectfully always goes a long way and will draw less attention to you!
Stroll Corso Umberto
Corso Umberto is the main street in Taormina and the heart of the city! The street is lined with tons of small shops, cafes, and restaurants. If you want it, you can find it on Corso Umberto! Since the city itself is not that large, it won’t take you long to walk from one end to the other. Therefore, take your time and enjoy a leisurely stroll down this charming Sicilian street!
Keep your eyes out and don’t miss peeking down the tight alleyways that jet off of the street as you stroll- they’re beautiful and such great photo ops! If you’re looking for an authentic souvenir to take back home with you, I’d recommend a pair of custom made sandals! Il Sandalo Caprese is a store right in town where you can design and get fitted for your own pair of custom sandals. They’ll be ready in about an hour while you explore the rest of the town!
Baked Goods at Pasticceria Etna
I didn’t have plans to stop at Pasticceria Etna, but while strolling Corso Umberto I caught the most delicious aroma. I followed my nose like a cartoon character and it led me right to Pasticceria Etna. The smells, the pastries, the vibes- it was the perfect little stop! I snagged a butter cookie sandwich stuffed with Nutella and drizzled with milk chocolate. My cousin grabbed a gelato brioche sandwich, which I definitely was envious of! The shop has limited outdoor seating but enough to take a quick pause, enjoy some tasty treats, and fuel up for the rest of your half day in Taormina!
Piazza IX Aprile and Belvedere di Taormina
The Piazza IX Aprile is the main square in town. The famous Chiesa di San Giuseppe church and the Torre dell’Orologio e Porta di mezzo archway line the square and make for great photo ops. You’ll find vendors set up selling homemade and local goods, and even some musicians playing authentic Sicilian music. The vibes are *chefs kiss*. The square is also home to the Belvedere di Taormina, a spectacular (and arguably the most famous) scenic viewpoint in Taormina! The checkered black and white tiled ground contrasting against the bright blue Ionian Sea is one of those pinch me moments that you will never forget!
Chocolates at Nino & Friends
Nino and Friends is another stop that we didn’t plan on making, but were drawn in my the intense aromas that were drifting out onto the street! After my Nutella cookie sandwich earlier in the day, I wasn’t even craving more sweets. However, the free samples that they gave out at the front of the store completely sold me. Their salted caramel clusters were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and I couldn’t resist grabbing a box to go! Everything here is made in Italy and looked absolutely delicious. Do yourself a favor and grab some treats, you won’t regret it.
Photo of the Teatro Antico di Taormina courtesy of TravelTaormina.com
Teatro Antico di Taormina & Odeon
I made one big mistake on my half day in Taormina, so learn from me! The Teatro Antico di Taormina and the Odeon are not the same thing! I had seen many photos of the Teatro Antico di Taormina during my planning and was so excited to visit it. However, once we were there, I couldn’t get my map to load so I googled “outdoor amphitheater Taormina.” That brought me to the Odeon.
Don’t get me wrong, the Odeon was interesting and definitely worth your visit (it’s sandwiched right int he center of town and was constructed in 21 BC!), but it doesn’t compare to the views I was expecting at the Teatro Antico di Taormina. Unfortunately by the time I realized my mistake we did not have enough time to visit the Teatro Antico di Taormina. The theatre looks spectacular, and it’s top of my list for my next trip to Taormina!
Terrazza Panoramica su Giardini Naxos
Another spectacular viewpoint on the far side of town is the Terrazza Panoramica su Giardini Naxos. This viewpoint was one of my favorite parts of the day! It’s a little removed from the “hustle-and-bustle” of the city so you can feel like you are escaping a bit. The gardens are small, but beautiful and really well kept. There is a short stone wall here to take a quick rest (or to take photos on!).
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