Taormina and the Isola Bella

We have very good memories of our last Sicily vacation. Taormina had pleased us particularly well. Clearly, we have to go there again. At that time we had unfortunately only 2 weeks time. Only two weeks for all of Sicily, is just a bit little. This time we can look at everything in peace and enjoy. Before loud pleasure I then often forget to photograph. 

If you want to visit Etna, a visit to the east coast of Sicily with the baroque cities of Catania, Taormina and Syracuse, as well as the Val de Noto and Ragusa is just perfect. About Syracuse we have already here already reported. About the beautiful Noto you read here.

Taormina is located on the east coast of Sicily between Messina and Catania. The picturesque old town is situated on Monte Tauro, about 200m above the sea. In good weather, you not only have a fantastic view of Mount Etna, but you can also see the coast of Calabria on the mainland.

Arrival to Taormina

We drive in blue sky and bright sunshine the coastal road SS114 north to Taormina. After the last bend before Taormina, we have a beautiful view of the bay of Mazzarò and Isola Bella. Unfortunately, it is difficult to park and take pictures here. If you want to have a nice photo or video, keep camera or goPro already ready.

The whole route is also good to drive with large camper, until the cable car Finuvia Mazzarò - Taormina.

Parking

We park at the Finuvia cable car in Mazzarò, there is a large parking lot here. You pay the parking fee at the kiosk. The friendly kiosk owner speaks very good English and is very helpful.

Isola Bella

Isola Bella is located in the 'Riserva Naturale Orientata Isola Bella'. We walk back on the road for about 500m until steps lead down to a sandy beach and Isola Bella. Be sure to pack swimming gear. Around the beach, information boards provide information about the flora and fauna of the nature reserve. Food is also provided, there are 2 beach bars, one of them since 1965.

Actually Isola Bella is not a real island, but a peninsula, because you can walk to it over a sandy tongue. A visit to Isola Bella is possible for € 4,-. The underwater world around Isola Bella is said to be very beautiful. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be rented at the Padi diving school on the beach

History of Isola Bella

The island owes its name to the German photographer Wilhelm von Gloeden.

In 1890 Florence Trevelyan bought the island for €15,000 lire. Signora Trevelyan was a cousin of Queen Victoria and wife of the mayor of Taormina, she built there a small picturesque villa and planted a garden with exotic plants.

Since 1990 the island has belonged to the Sicilian government and was declared a nature reserve in 1998. Since 2011 it is under the jurisdiction of the University of Catania.

From Mazzaro up to Taormina

Back at the cable car you have the agony of choice: Either 30 minutes of beautiful, but also strenuous walk steeply up the mountain or comfortably by cable car. The 4 gondolas of the cable car run every 15 minutes and take 2 minutes for the distance. The ride costs only € 3,-. Both take you directly into the really worth seeing old town of Taormina.

You can also drive up to Taormina by car. Right at the beginning there are parking garages, but they are only 1.90m high and quite expensive.

The traffic in Taormina itself is limited, only for residents. Also the road to the gas station is actually not allowed for us.

The old town of Taormina

From the cable car it is a few steps to the old city gate Porta Messina, where the promenade Corso Umberto begins. Everywhere there are information boards with city maps on which all the sights are listed. So you can hardly get lost.

We let ourselves drift through the ancient shopping street and enjoy the Mediterranean flair. As almost everywhere in Sicily, one finds here the different architectural styles with Arabic, Gothic, Catalan and Norman elements.

Passing Palazzo Corvaja we reach Piazza IX Aprile. From here you have a fantastic view over the Ionian Sea. This square is worth seeing on its own with its black and white checkerboard pattern and the adjacent churches. This square is framed by the baroque Chiesa di San Giuseppe, the former church Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, which now houses a library and the fortress-like clock tower.

Here you can recover from the exhausting climb or enjoy the fantastic sunset at Caffè Wunderbar, the oldest bar in Taormina since 1870. In the window you can see a remarkable gin selection. Ernest Hemingway already sipped his cocktails here. He just knew where it was good. 

We stroll further along Corso Umberto to Porta Catania.

The Teatro Greco

Taormina is also famous for its Teatro Greco, where performances still take place today. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for construction work. I imagine an opera in front of this backdrop of the sea and Mount Etna spectacular. Tickets are available from € 10.

The street leading to this theater is very beautiful with its old, picturesque houses, but unfortunately also very touristy with many souvenir stores offering, for example, the Trinacria, the triangular symbol of Sicily, and the traditional Moorish ceramic heads.

Gardini Villa Comunale

Gardini Villa Comunale was originally the English garden or rather park of the house of Lady Florence Trevelyan, where there are many species of rare, exotic plants. In the well-kept gardens there are bronze sculptures, small temples and fountains among flower beds, bushes and trees from all over the world.

Chiesa Madonna della Rocca

This 17th century rock church is built into the rock above Taormina. From there you have a wonderful view of Taormina with the Teatro Greco and the whole bay. You can either walk up the steps from Corso Umberto or go up by car and then continue to Castelmola.