Taormina ... 21 Excursions and Experiences

Taormina is Sicily's first true holiday resort and has been drawing visitors to the island for centuries, all of whom fall in love with its sparkling and colourful beauty. Taormina makes a fabulous holiday with glorious hotels, restaurants and shops as well as gorgeous beaches and beautiful gardens. It is a great base for exploring the rest of the island and boasts a micro-climate all year round.

One of the things I love most about writing my Blog is the amount of lovely emails I receive and it is such a pleasure and honour when people ask my advice on things to do and excursions to book whilst staying in Taormina.

Whether you join a guided group bus tour, book a private driver or hire a car there are many wonderful things to experience on the eastern side of Sicily from Taormina.

So by popular demand and in no particular order here are 21 recommendations for excursions and experiences you will love whilst staying in Taormina and its surrounding area.

1) Mount Etna
Dominating the eastern side of the island, Mount Etna is Europe's largest volcano, with several vast craters and a height of 3,330 metres, it remains one of the world's most active volcanos. For visitors it offers breathtaking views, great hiking and you might just see an eruption of bright red sparks and lava. Etna can be experienced in many ways. Tour companies or private drivers can take you up by coach or car where you can then purchase a ticket to explore the rest of the volcano by cable car and book an alpine guide. Another exciting adventure is to explore the volcano in a 4x4 Jeep with a trained guide where you will experience the volcano off road. Remember to bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes on your trip.
2) Syracuse
Founded in 733BC by Corinthian settlers, Syracuse became one of the first Greek colonies on the island. Visit the Archaeological Park where you will see its ancient Greek Theatre, Latomies (stone quarries), the Roman Amphitheatre and the Ear of Dionysius. Then continue to the charming island of Ortigia to visit the Spring of Arethua, the Temple of Apollo which is the the oldest Greek temple in Sicily dating around 565 BC and the Piazza Duomo with its beautiful cathedral with plenty of time for lunch.
3) The Aeolian Islands
With a mixture of history, small town atmosphere, superb cuisine and natural beauty, each of these islands has its own character. Guided group tours can be booked to visit Lipari and Vulcano or Panarea and Stromboli. Lipari is bright white, Vulcano still has sulphur emissions seeping out of its main crater, the island boasts mud baths and hot bubbles in the sea. Panarea is the most chic and exclusive and Stromboli has been active for more than two millennia, spewing sparks and red hot rocks into the air. Alternatively you can book a private boat tour which includes a captain, guide and lunch.
4) Agrigento and Piazza Armerina
The town of “Akrgas” was founded by the Greeks in 581 BC. It contains the remains of one of the richest colonies of Magna Graecia. You will visit the Valley of the Temples and will be fascinated by the beauty and grandeur of these temples because each has its own history and meaning. In Piazza Armerina visit the Villa Romana del Casale, the finest surviving Roman mosaics in the world which cover the floors of a once Roman official's hunting villa.
5) Palermo and Cefalu
A long day trip from Taormina, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. Settled by the Phoenicians in the 8th Century BC, Palermo fell first to the Romans, then the Arabs who chose Palermo for their capital, making the city one of the most magnificent and powerful in the world. This splendour was compounded during Norman reign. Palermo is full of stunning architecture displaying a mixture of east and west and its food markets boast some of the best street food in the world. Cefalu is a small fishing village on the northern coast, now a busy resort thanks to its great beaches and it boasts a beautiful cathedral with stunning Byzantine mosaics.
6) The Baroque South East
When visiting Sicily a trip to the South East corner is a must do, the landscape is very much different from the rest of the island yet this small corner is rich in sights. The towns of Ragusa, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Scicli and Modica have all been declared as UNESCO World Heritage sites on the merits of their Baroque architecture and town planning, the result of the rebuilding after the destruction of the 1693 earthquake. Chocolate tasting in Modica is highly recommended for chocoholics.
7) Catania with a Street Food Tour
Sicily's second largest city has had its share of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, although Catania is rich in monuments dating back to its Greek foundations the city seen today was built mostly after the earthquake of 1693. The city is lively and cosmopolitan and its fish market is well worth a visit and a Street Food tour is a must.
8) The Godfather Tour
Fans of The Godfather trilogy directed by Francis Ford Coppola are in for a real treat when visiting Taormina as many of the movie locations are within easy reach. Visit the towns of Forza d'Agro and Savoca. Stop to enjoy a typical Sicilian granite in the famous Bar Vitelli in Savoca which set the scene for the marriage proposal between Michael Corleone and Apollonia.
9) The Inspector Montalbano Filming Locations Tour
Inspector Montalbano is a fictional character created by the author Andrea Camillieri in a series of novels. The character was then adapted for TV and the main character Salvo Montalbano works in the fictional town of Vigata in the equally fictional district of Montelusa. On this tour you will visit Punta Secca the location of Inspector Montalbano's house in the series and the towns of Ragusa and Scicli which are depicted as Vigata in the series.
10) Sicilia Outlet Village
Sicilia Outlet Village offers an open air shopping experience boasting famous brands at reduced prices. Situated in the stunning mountainous region of Enna the outlet village has great modern architecture set as a real village with cobbled streets, designer boutiques, shops selling local produce and restaurants and cafes.
11) Boat Tours
With more than 1000 kilometres of stunning coastline Sicily is the perfect island for boat trips. Whether you want to experience Taormina's coastline in a small fishing vessel, a sailing boat or a private yacht, there are many coves and grottos to discover. Swimming and snorkelling in the marine reserve of Isola Bella is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.
12) Mountain Biking
Close to Taormina you will find the Alcantara Valley. The park of Alcantara covers a large region and is well known in particular for its gorges and ravines. The ravines reach over 25 metres high and give life to an exciting spectacular canyon named Gole Alcantara which is gushing with icy cold water. The valley boasts stunning paths and mountain roads that make it perfect for discovering on two wheels.
13) Etnaland
Etnaland is a trilling day out for all the family. The Themepark is amazing with exciting roller coasters, spectacular rides and magical areas for children. The Aquapark has thrilling rides, slides, pools and relaxation areas creating a splash of fun for all ages.
14) Cookery Classes
Sicily is where Europe ends and Africa begins. It began its history as part of ancient Greece and soon became part of the Roman Empire. Thereafter the island was invaded by the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Spanish and Bourbons before unifying with Italy. Each conquest left its mark on the island and its cuisine. A cookery class is the perfect experience to learn to make traditional Sicilian dishes.
15) Walking and Trekking
Sicily is Italy’s largest region and is also it’s most varied, there is endless coastlines, rugged mountains, fields, volcanos and towns with wonderful history and architecture influenced by the many powers who have invaded the island, making the perfect location for walking and trekking. Or why not stay close to home in Taormina and partake in a historical walking tour of the town or join a food and wine walking tour.
16) Horse Riding and Donkey Trekking
One of the most exciting ways to discover Sicily is on horseback, whether it is through its countryside, on Mount Etna or on a beach your four legged friend will help create an amazing experience. Alternatively why not join a donkey trekking tour.
17) Taormina Cult Trail
Taormina Cult is a trail through Taormina showing  "21 places where the muses found their home". It is a thematic route through and around the town which includes culture, history, literature, cinema and art and gives honour to Taormina’s glorious past. For the less energetic you can follow the trail with a guide in a Ape Calesse, a three wheel vehicle which is an icon of Italian style and design.
18) Wine Tasting
The wine industry in Sicily has been going through a period of rapid change over the past twenty years. The popularity and prestige of Sicilian wine is rapidly on the increase. One of the best experiences is wine tasting in a winery on the slopes of Mount Etna. There are many to choose from or why not take the 'Train of the Wines of Etna' which is a unique way to experience wine tasting travelling the slopes of Etna by the Ferrovia Circumetnea and taking the 'Wine Bus' you can visit the "Strade del Vino dell'Etna" (the roads of Etna's wines) and freely discover the most beautiful wineries of Mount Etna.
19) Hop on Hop off Bus
This hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Taormina allows you to see the highlights and landmarks of Letojanni, Castelmola, Giardini Naxos, and Taormina. Stay on the bus for the full 115-minute tour, or hop off to explore further at any stop. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours, and audio commentary is available in seven languages. You can even extend your ticket to Forza d'Agro and Savoca to visit the filming locations of The Godfather Trilogy.
20) Diving
The sea around Sicily is a precious museum under the surface. On the sea floor near Capo Taormina lie the remains of two ship wrecks, Roman columns dating over 2000 years and an underwater archaeological area all which live amongst varied colourful sea life, corals and sponges. The ultimate experience is exploring the Sicilian sea, choose from scuba diving tours or snorkelling or learn to dive with PADI certified instructors.
21) Helicopter Tour
For pure indulgence take a helicopter tour enjoying views from the top of Mount Etna's craters. During the tour you can also admire the Valle del Bove which extends along the eastern slopes of Etna. The tour continues in the direction of Taormina, where you can enjoy a breathless and beautiful view of Taormina and the ancient Greek Theatre and surroundings.

So these are JUST 21 Excursions and Experiences to love on your holiday to Taormina
but there are so many more .....................

Please feel free to contact me for my recommendations,
I only recommend the finest contacts with local inside knowledge.

This Blog post is dedicated to all my wonderful friends in the
Tourism Industry in Sicily who work so hard
and with so much passion to make visitors dream holidays
to the island a memory that will last forever




Villa Almond Taormina


A beautiful house close to Taormina
available for year round rental
Perfect for exploring
the eastern coast of Sicily
and dipping your toes in the Ionian Sea.

for the owners contact details

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