How to Easily Spend 1 Day in Taormina Itinerary

Taormina is a very special place in Sicily! It is somewhere you should visit, even if only for a day!

If you are like me, when you only have 24 hours in a destination, you want to arrive prepared with an outline of what to do!

After spending time in Taormina myself, I crafted a quick and easy-to-follow itinerary so you can hit the ground running!

Taormina Itinerary Highlights

• Breakfast at Caffe del Duomo
• Ancient Theatre of Taormina (Teatro Antico di Taormina)
• Corso Umberto I
• Villa Comunale (Public Gardens)
• Piazza IX Aprile
• Lunch at a Traditional Sicilian Restaurant
• Coffee & Sweets at Bam Bar
• Cable Car Ride
• Isola Bella
• Dinner on a terrace with a view

READ MORE: How Many Days is Enough in Taormina?

Detailed Taormina Itinerary

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Breakfast at Caffe del Duomo

Start your day with a traditional Italian breakfast of pastry and cappuccino. I stumbled upon this little cafe upon arrival in Taormina.

It is a nice, quiet spot to start your day in Taormina. I sat outside and enjoyed a view of the Duomo di Taormina while I sipped my coffee.

Ancient Theatre of Taormina (Teatro Antico di Taormina)

Next head over to the Teatro Antico di Taormina. You want to arrive at the theatre right when they open for several reasons.

If you are visiting in summer, it is better to see before the sun gets too strong in the sky.

Getting there early to beat the crowds is also a good idea! Aim to arrive at 9:00 when it opens!

Here, you can explore the well-preserved ruins and take in the incredible views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna!

It might seem like a touristy thing to do, but I thought it was worth the low price of admission, especially if the weather is nice.

Open daily, you can visit this old Roman amphitheater for 10 euros for adults, Reduced (EU citizens aged 18-25): €5.

If you find yourself running late in the morning, you can also enjoy coffee here at the theatre with views of the Ioanion Sea!

Explore Corso Umberto

After you explore the ancient theatre, some shops on the Corso Umberto (main shopping street) should have started to open.

Here, you will find a mix of crazy expensive designer shops mixed with a few more local brands. Check out Manebi, I found the best shoes here!

When you stroll through the streets of Sicily, you will see lots of shops displaying these ceramic heads, known as the Testa di Moro (Moorish Heads). And there is a story behind it!

Legend of Testa di Moro

So, the locals told me that the story is from Palermo. A beautiful Sicilian woman fell in love with a Moorish merchant.

They had a passionate affair, but she discovered he was married and had a family back home.

In a fit of jealousy and betrayal, she killed him in his sleep, cut off his head, and used it as a planter for basil.

The basil grew splendidly, attracting the neighbors’ admiration for the beautiful plant and its unique pot.

This is why you see these intricate ceramic heads all over Sicily today, symbolizing love, betrayal, and passion.

Visit the Public Gardens (Villa Comunale)

The Villa Comunale in Taormina is beautiful; Entry is free, allowing you to explore at your leisure.

It’s an excellent spot for taking photos and enjoying views of the sea and the surrounding area, no matter the weather.

I thought it was a very Instagram-worthy place, so get your camera ready!

Stop by Piazza IX Aprile

It is definitely one of the most picturesque places in Taormina! Here, you will find an incredible viewpoint overlooking the Ionian Sea.

Pizza IX Aprile is also where you can visit the Church of San Giuseppe. Have a look inside, it is free to visit.

Another really beautiful and iconic symbol of Taormina is the clock tower and middle gate entrance.

This is known as the Porta di Mezzo, also known as the Middle Gate.

Lunch at a Traditional Sicilian Restaurant

If you haven’t already been told, Taormina is expensive, especially when dining. Not researching where to eat in Taormina before arriving could leave you with fewer options.

These restaurants will be booked up in the peak season! I found a wonderful Sicilian restaurant that was very reasonably priced!

Make a reservation at Trattoria da Nino! I recommend the Pasta alla Norma! It is a classic Italian dish, native to Sicily, of tomato, eggplant, basil, and salted ricotta cheese!

Visit the Palazzo Corvaja

After lunch, head over to the Palazzo Corvaja. This historic palace dates back to the 10th century and showcases various architectural styles.

This place holds a lot of history and is named after one of the most famous families of Taormina.

Today, the tourist office and the Sicilian puppet museum, Museo di Arte e Tradizioni Popolari, are located here.

Mid-Day Coffee At Bam Bar

A great idea for a mid-day break is to visit the very popular Bam Bar for coffee and a traditional Sicilian sweet treat. Going mid-day is also better to beat the crowds, but expect it to be busy as it’s a very popular spot.

Enjoy a refreshing granita with a brioche, and soak in the atmosphere of Taormina!

Cable Car Ride to Mazzarò Beach

Next, it is time to head to the Mazzaro beach! And don’t worry, even if you are not a beach person, it is worth it!

You can visit by taking the Cable Car, also known as “Funivia”, or you can walk by taking the staircase called Scalinata per Taormina, which starts at Belvedere di Via Pirandello.

If you walk, it will take around 15 minutes. The cable takes under 5 minutes. I highly recommend walking down the stairs to experience the epic views and then taking the cable car back up to the top.

Tickets for the cable car cost 6€ each way or 10€ roundtrip. You can pay using a credit card.

Take a Walk to Isola Bella

The Isola Bella is a small island that used to belong to the late Lady Florence Trevelyan.

On the island is a historic villa transformed into an exotic garden that you can visit for 6€.

It is a unique place to explore in Taormina. Depending on the tide, you will likely have to take off your shoes to get to the island. By midday, the water typically covers the path, making it impossible to cross in shoes.

⏰ It is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9 am till 1 hour before sunset.

Beach Time

If you visit Taormina in the summer, you might want to take advantage of this crystal clear blue waters and swim.

A few places down on the beach serve food and rent sunbeds with umbrellas.

It is a great place to spend the rest of your afternoon in Taormina.

Dinner On A Terrace With A View

Since you only have one day in Taormina, make the experience special by dining at the famous La Capinera restaurant.

La Capinera is a One Michelin-starred restaurant in Taormina with a terrace view of the Ionian Sea.

While it is expensive, it is an experience! But if you feel like La Capinera is just too expensive for your budget, a more reasonably priced and still excellent restaurant is Villa Carlotta Restaurant.

Travel Tips for Taormina

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Getting Around

Taormina is best explored on foot because everything is so close! You should ensure you have comfortable walking shoes and are prepared for uneven surfaces and some inclines.

I recommend renting a car in Sicily if you want the freedom to explore the island fully.

Grab my FREE GOOGLE Map of Taormina of all my favorite places in Sicily!

Best Way To Get To Taormina

If you are visiting from Catania or Palermo, the best way to Taormina could vary. From Catania I recommend taking the bus as it is more direct. If you are visiting from Palermo, I would suggest the train.

Get your tickets via a travel app, such as Omio!

Crowds

You will notice that the city center gets very crowded in the morning and will drastically thin out by around 17:00.

While Taormina is generally a safe destination, it’s important to stay vigilant in crowded areas to avoid pickpockets. Always keep an eye on your belongings and secure your valuables to ensure a worry-free visit.

Local Customs

Italians typically have lunch between 1-2 PM and dinner after 7 PM. Plan your meals accordingly. But don’t worry, cocktails such as Aperol Spritzs are served all day ; )

Language

I didn’t have much trouble speaking English, though many locals will only have the basics. It is always good to learn some key Italian phrases.

I downloaded the app Babbel, it has fun games to help you learn!

Where to Next?

Are you contemplating where else to go in Italy after Taormiana? A great choice from Taormina is Siracusa!

You can take the train directly to Siracusa in just under 3 hours! Siracusa is another coastal town with a lot to see!

Alternatively, you could go up and around the coast and travel to Cefalu! There are no direct trains, but you can easily connect in Messina.

Trains operate daily several times a day. From Taormina, you can be in Cefalu in under 3 hours!

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