Taormina in 2 days

Two days in Taormina divide by height: the first stays up in the old town, the second goes down to the sea. Etna needs a whole day and does not fit this plan.

The day starts at the ancient theatre, which opens at nine; entry is €14, and the hours are daily 9–19.45 (last entry 19.00). No booking is needed. The theatre is Greek, reworked by the Romans, and from the upper rows you see Etna, so this is where to leave the most time.

Two free stops go with the theatre that most people skip. The Odeon is open 9.00 until one hour before sunset, and the Naumachie, a long Roman wall, can be seen at any hour.

Then the Corso Umberto, the pedestrian street that leads to Piazza IX Aprile, a terrace over the sea, free at any hour. For a break there is an arancino from a rosticceria, €3–3.50. The Duomo is open 9.00–20.00 and entry is free, so it fits into any gap.

When to goWhen the hours are longer and the town still bearable:The best time to visit Taormina →

The day ends in the Villa Comunale, a park; it is open summer 8.00–24.00, winter 8.00–20.00, entry free. In summer you can stay until midnight, in winter you need to arrive before 20.00.

In the morning the cable car goes down to Mazzarò: the ride takes 3 min, and one way costs €8. From Mazzarò Isola Bella is a short walk; the reserve is open summer 9–19.45 (ticket office until 19.00); closed to visitors in Nov–Dec, entry €6, and in November and December you cannot go in.

BeachesWhich of the three beaches to pick after the islet:Beaches in Taormina →

The afternoon offers two choices. One is the castle on Monte Tauro, €10, open daily 10.00–19.30 (May–Oct); shorter outside season; the other is Castelmola, by bus about 15 min, with a return ticket at €4. Both do not fit into one afternoon.

Day tripsCastelmola, Savoca and Etna, if you stay a third day:Day trips from Taormina →

GuideIf you arrive through Catania, with the airport and a city worth an afternoon:Catania →