Taormina Holidays 2024/2025
Dating back to the 4th century, Taormina is an up-market resort that demonstrates why holidays to Sicily have become synonymous with good times, great weather and a hearty dose of history to boot.
Found at the base of Mount Etna, this picturesque part of Sicily combines luxury with a friendly welcome to create the perfect holiday ambience, and while it can get busy in the hotter summer months, it never feels too overcrowded. Thanks to nearby islands and other small towns that are ripe for exploring, there is plenty to see and do during your holidays to Taormina.
Taormina Holiday Deals
Soak up some history
Steeped in ancient Greek architecture, Taormina has plenty to keep history buffs entertained, but few sites are as impressive or immersive as the Teatro Antico, a beautifully-preserved outdoor theatre. Found up in the cliffs and offering unfettered views out over the sea and up to Mount Etna, if you’re really lucky you might be able to watch a performance, as in summer, opera, music concerts and films are all shown here. The sheer scale of the site is guaranteed to impress, if you can take your eyes away from the views.
Scale new heights
Given the proximity of Mount Etna, it would be a wasted opportunity if you didn’t try to scale it at least once during your Taormina holidays. Still an active volcano, having last erupted in 2017, you will need to take advice from the locals as to whether tours are taking place, but there are a number of ways to get up close and personal with this beautiful giant. In winter, skiing on Etna is popular, but in the warmer months, cable cars, 4×4 tours and guided walks are the most popular ways to enjoy the volcano and its surroundings.
Get some sun
Taormina Sicily holidays are fantastic whatever your motivation for booking one, but the beaches are a serious draw for most people. Isola Bella is undoubtedly the most stunning stretch of pebble-dashed sands in the area, being a little island that is connected to the mainland by a small stretch of beach that is covered at high tide. When the tides allow, this is very popular although no loungers are available. Mazzarò beach is another great option, being almost opposite Isola Bella, but offering loungers and parasols. Getting here is half the fun, as you’ll need to ride on a cable car from Taormina.
Savour a sweet Sicilian pud
Any break will naturally involve getting acquainted with the local cuisine, but holidays to Taormina take things a step further, thanks to the amazing selection of local produce on offer. One dish you absolutely have to try is granita, the Sicilian dessert that is as synonymous with the country as gelato is to Italy.
Made from shaved ice, sugar and fruit, it is served in every café and is steeped in history, as it used to be made from huge blocks of snow that had been harvested from Mount Etna. The pistachio version is known to be particularly delicious.
Raise a glass to Sicily
Thanks to Mount Etna, Taormina enjoys a glut of volcanic soil that is incredible for growing fresh produce. The minerals and flavour of the soil becomes infused into whatever grows in it, with grapes being no exception. Not usually well known for its wine, Sicily wines have enjoyed something of a revival in recent years, as talented winemakers have returned to the area to restore the industry, with fantastic results.
If you like a glass or two of wine, then you definitely need to plan a visit to one of the friendly vineyards near Mount Etna, to sample some of the new blends.
Get back to nature
As well as having a fantastic beach, Isola Bella plays host to a nature reserve with a lot of history. Taormina Sicily holidays are notable for the varied activities on offer, but who would have thought that just a short walk from the mainland would lie an incredible UNESCO-protected reserve, filled with unusual plants?
For just a small entrance fee, you can walk around the reserve and visit the museum, which tells the story of Lady Florence Trevelyan, the woman who originally bought the island. Boat rides around the coastline are also available.
When it comes to finding a perfect blend of beautiful beaches, great food and fascinating heritage, Taormina holidays are all but impossible to beat. No two days will ever be the same while exploring this stunning region of Sicily, which is why holidaymakers the world over agree that one visit is simply not enough.