Taormina works well without a car. If you only plan on visiting Taormina during your Sicily trip, we think it actually works better!
The town sits high above the coastline, the beaches are far below, and parking is both limited and expensive. Public transport fills in the gaps nicely, and if you plan your days in a sensible order, you avoid a lot of unnecessary walking and backtracking — which is a lifesaver considering the heat and the steepness of the town.
After spending time here ourselves, this is exactly how we’d structure a relaxed, practical, and enjoyable 3‑day stay in Taormina.
Day 1: Catania Airport to Taormina + Exploring the Town
Getting from Catania Airport to Taormina
If you’re flying in, you’ll land at Catania Airport (CTA). From there, the simplest option is the bus. You can buy tickets from kiosks inside the airport – just follow the signs once you exit baggage claim. It’s all very straightforward.
The bus is:
- The cheapest way to get to Taormina
- The most direct
- The least tiring on arrival day
Buses run regularly from the airport to Taormina and take about 1 hour 15 minutes. They drop you near the main bus terminal, close to the historic centre.
This matters because the train station is at sea level. If you take the train, you still need a bus or taxi uphill, or you’re facing a steep walk with luggage. The bus skips that step.
Once you arrive, check in and leave your bags.
It’s time to explore!
Exploring Taormina’s Historic Centre
Taormina’s historic centre is compact, walkable, and full of atmosphere. Everything revolves around Corso Umberto, the main pedestrian street lined with cafés, gelato shops, boutiques, and little side alleys that twist away into quieter corners.
Even if you’re not a big shopper, it’s fun to wander – there’s always something to look at, whether it’s a balcony overflowing with plants, a tiny ceramic shop, or a sudden viewpoint opening up over the coastline.
There’s also small side streets and ally ways that can be more peaceful to explore away from the crowds.
The Ancient Theatre (Yes, It’s Worth It!)
The Ancient Theatre isn’t actually Greek — at least, not in the form you see today. The original structure was built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, but the Romans later expanded it dramatically, turning it into the grand semicircular theatre you walk through now. They used it for plays, musical performances, and even gladiator shows once they added the larger arena area.
What makes it special is how well‑preserved it is, especially considering its age and the fact that it’s still used today for concerts and festivals. Standing there, it’s pretty wild to imagine thousands of people gathering in the exact same spot over 2,000 years ago.
Even for someone not particularly interested in history, for the price and the views it’s well worth a visit. From the top you can see:
- The Ionian Sea
- The coastline stretching toward Calabria
- Mount Etna, usually smoking faintly in the distance
Dinner in Taormina
Pick a restaurant slightly off Corso Umberto, where menus are shorter and tables feel less cramped and rushed. Our favourite restaurant that we went to was actually outside the town walls: Trattoria Da Nino. The food was great and has really nice views of the coast.
Day 2: Isola Bella, Beach Time, and a Boat Tour
Morning: Isola Bella Beach
For centuries Isola Bella was privately owned, and in the late 1800s it became the passion project of Lady Florence Trevelyan, an English aristocrat who bought the island and turned it into her own little retreat. She built a small stone house partly tucked into the rock and created terraces and paths around it, planting a mix of Mediterranean and exotic plants.
Today, when the tide is low, you can walk across the narrow strip of pebbles that connects the beach to the island and follow a marked path that winds up through the vegetation. It’s one of the most iconic places in Taormina and a must see whilst you’re there. To get there, either take the steps down from the town or take the cable car.
Isola Bella is not a soft, sandy beach. Expect pebbles, clear water, and people arriving steadily throughout the morning.
Afternoon: Boat Tour Along the Coast
A boat tour! One of our favourite things we did while we were there ( and actually really good value for money ). It’s a great opportunity to meet other people and our tour guide was great and super knowledgeable. You can find out more about the one we took including costs in our guide here.
Boat tours usually depart from the bays below town and last 2–3 hours. Most follow the same general route:
- Along the coastline
- Past caves and rock formations
- With swimming stops in quieter coves
After the tour, head back up to town via the cable car. By this point you’ll probably want a shower, a rest, and a low‑key evening. Taormina is lovely at night, so even a simple stroll and a gelato feels like enough.
Day 3: A Second Beach Day or a Trip to Mount Etna
Last day!
We had planned to visit Mount Etna and go wine tasting during our visit, but Etna erupted while we were in Taormina and tours were cancelled. Instead, we spent another day at the beach. It worked well enough that I’d keep the same structure if I went back.
If Etna tours are running during your visit, it’s a great option. If not, ( or if you prefer) a quieter beach day is a relaxing alternative.
Option 1: Spisone Beach
If you want another beach day but less of a crowd, Spisone Beach is a better choice than Isola Bella.
You reach it the same way:
- Take the cable car down to Mazzarò
- Walk along the coast toward Spisone
Spisone is longer and more spread out, so it feels less busy. There’s also some really nice restaurants along the beach that you can pop into, so you can easily spend a day there which makes up for the slightly longer journey.
Option 2: Mount Etna and Wine Tasting
Without a car, a guided tour is the most practical way to visit. Tours usually include transport from Taormina, time on Etna’s slopes, and a stop at a winery. We didn’t make it this time, but it’s what we’d plan for on a return visit.
Final thoughts
So, that’s how we’d spend 3 days in Taormina without a car! This itinerary covers most of the main attractions and part of the appeal of Taormina is also actually not doing too much. It’s a really nice place to just wander around and have beach days. If you’re planning a trip and wondering the best time to go, take a look at our guide to our visit in May.
The Authors: Peter and Emma
