Taormina sits high up on a rocky terrace above the Ionian Sea with Mount Etna in the background, and it’s one of the most popular destinations in Sicily. This is where you’ll find the pedestrianised Corso Umberto, the Greek Theatre and small beaches at the foot of the mountain, so it pays to think carefully about where to stay in Taormina.
That’s why your choice of area matters more than you might think. In Taormina itself you’re right in the thick of town life but a long way from the beach, while Mazzarò and Isola Bella are down by the water. Here are my recommendations for six areas and hotels across several price ranges.
Contents
Where to Stay in Taormina: The Best Areas
- The centre around Corso Umberto - best area for first-time visitors
- Mazzarò - best area for beaches and luxury
- Isola Bella - best area for a beach holiday with a view
- Castelmola - best area for peace and quiet and views over the coast
- Giardini Naxos - best area for families with children
- Letojanni - best area for a cheaper beach holiday
Below, I go through the areas one by one with a map, practical facts and three hotels in each, from luxury through mid-range to budget, so you can find the base that best suits your holiday in Taormina.
1. The Centre around Corso Umberto - best area for first-time visitors 🏛️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re right in the middle of Taormina, with Corso Umberto, the Teatro Antico and most of the restaurants within walking distance.
- 🚌 Transport: The old centre is best explored on foot. Buses from the airport and the coastal towns stop at the bus terminal just outside the centre, and the cable car runs down to the beach at Mazzarò.
- ✈️ Time from Catania Airport: The direct bus to Taormina takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes, and by car or taxi you should allow about an hour.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £115 to £2,750 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Taormina is a very safe town. Corso Umberto is packed with people in the evenings during high season, so keep an eye on your bag in the crowds.
The centre is my first choice if you’re visiting Taormina for the first time and want to go out to eat without worrying about transport. According to the official Italian tourist board, the town sits on Monte Tauro, 206 metres above sea level, and from almost every street you can look out over the coast.
The main street, Corso Umberto, runs from Porta Messina to Porta Catania and is lined with shops, cafés and small workshops, according to Visit Sicily. Halfway along is the square Piazza IX Aprile, where you can look out over the coast and down towards Giardini Naxos, and in the evening everyone comes here for a stroll.
The Teatro Antico is a few minutes’ walk from the main street. The Greek Theatre dates from the 3rd century BC, and from the top rows you can see both the sea and Etna. Come early in the morning, before the day-trippers make it up to town.
See hotels in the centre of Taormina here.
Staying in the centre also makes day trips easy. Interbus buses run to Catania and the airport, and many Etna tours start from here. If you want to see more of the island, I’ve written a guide to where to stay in Sicily.
The downside is that there’s no beach in the town itself. You’ll need to take the cable car or the bus down to Mazzarò and Isola Bella, and the streets are steep with lots of steps. Prices for both hotels and restaurants are among the highest in Sicily, and in July and August the main street gets very crowded in the middle of the day.
Hotels in the centre of Taormina
San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel - best luxury hotel with an infinity pool
San Domenico Palace is a five-star Four Seasons hotel just below Corso Umberto, with an infinity pool, a spa and gardens overlooking the sea. It was the most expensive hotel in my entire search and is really only for a very special occasion. Guests mention that there are a lot of steps around the hotel and that the pool can get very busy in the middle of the day.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The staff looked after me and my elderly mother, and we can’t fault the place at all.”
See photos and book San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel here.
Hotel Continental - best mid-range hotel by Porta Catania
Hotel Continental is on Via Dionisio I, close to Porta Catania at the western end of Corso Umberto, and has a roof terrace with sea views. It’s a good fit for couples who want a central base at a sensible price. There’s no pool, breakfast costs extra, and some guests mention noise from the bar in the evenings.
One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “Clean, comfortable and fantastic staff.”
See photos and book Hotel Continental here.
Taormina Town - Guesthouse Sicily - cheapest option near the Teatro Antico
Taormina Town is a small guesthouse on a side street a couple of minutes’ walk from the Teatro Antico, and it was the cheapest of my three picks in the centre when I searched. It has a very high guest rating, and the host gets plenty of praise. There are lots of steps up to the rooms, and some of them are small without much daylight.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location, a beautiful and spacious apartment and a very helpful host.”
See photos and book Taormina Town - Guesthouse Sicily here.
2. Mazzarò - best area for the beach and luxury 🏖️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Mazzarò sits on the water just below Taormina, about 1.5 kilometres as the crow flies from Corso Umberto.
- 🚡 Transport: The cable car runs from Mazzarò up to Via Pirandello on the edge of the centre in just a few minutes, and buses also run along the coast road.
- ✈️ Time from Catania Airport: About an hour by car or taxi.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £95 to £1,810 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Mazzarò is a quiet beach resort. The beach is pebbly and the seabed can be rocky, so bring water shoes and keep an eye on children in the water.
Mazzarò is a small bay with clear water just below Taormina, and this is where you’ll find several of the most expensive beach hotels. I’d choose Mazzarò if the beach is the most important part of your holiday but you still want to be able to head up into town in the evening.
Along the beach there are beach clubs with sunloungers, parasols and restaurants, where you pay for a spot. It isn’t cheap in high season, but this is also where you’ll get the most comfortable beach holiday in Taormina.
From the beach you can hire a boat or take a short trip along the coast. The route usually passes the headland of Capo Sant’Andrea and continues to Isola Bella, and along the way there are little grottoes and coves you can only reach from the water.
A little further north is Spisone, where the beach is longer and quieter. Some of the cheaper seafront hotels are here, and it’s a good compromise if you want to stay by the beach without paying luxury prices. The train between Messina and Catania does run right behind the beach, though, so you’ll hear it now and then.
The cable car makes Mazzarò a practical place to stay. You can get up to town in a few minutes, and in the summer months it runs until late in the evening, so you can have dinner in Taormina and get back easily.
The downside is that Mazzarò is small, and there’s not much going on in the evening apart from the hotels’ own restaurants. The coast road, Via Nazionale, carries a fair bit of traffic, and the beach gets packed in July and August. If you have young children who want sand, Giardini Naxos is a better choice.
Hotels in Mazzarò
Mazzarò Sea Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World - best luxury hotel right on the beach
Mazzarò Sea Palace is a five-star hotel right on the beach in Mazzarò with a pool, private beach area, spa and restaurant. The cable car’s lower station is a couple of hundred metres away, so it’s easy to get up to town. It’s one of the most expensive hotels in this guide, and that’s also what guests most often mention as the drawback.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A wonderful location by the sea. A beautifully decorated hotel with warm and friendly staff.”
See photos and book Mazzarò Sea Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World here.
Bay Palace Mazzarò - best mid-range hotel with a pool near Spisone
Bay Palace is at the northern end near Spisone, about 140 metres from the beach, and has an outdoor pool with a view, a pool bar and a restaurant. It suits families and couples who want a pool and a beach for less than the hotels in the bay itself. Guests mention that the hotel is in need of renovation.
One guest highlights the view on Booking.com: “Fantastic view from our room over the bay.”
See photos and book Bay Palace Mazzarò here.
Taormina Garden Hotel - cheapest option close to the beach
Taormina Garden Hotel is a small hotel on Via Nazionale about 50 metres from the beach in Mazzarò, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. Breakfast is included and gets good feedback, and the guest rating is high for the price. There’s no pool, and some guests find the rooms worn and say you can hear the guests on the floor above.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The friendly staff gave us good information, the location was really good for us, it was clean and tidy, and there was easy access to the beach.”
See photos and book Taormina Garden Hotel here.
3. Isola Bella - best area for a beach holiday with a view 🏝️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: About 1.5 kilometres as the crow flies from Corso Umberto, and a stepped path leads from Via Pirandello down to the beach.
- 🚡 Transport: The cable car’s lower station in Mazzarò is a couple of hundred metres away, and the buses along the coast road stop close to the beach.
- ✈️ Time from Catania Airport: About an hour by car or taxi.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £95 to £600 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Isola Bella is a safe area. The beach and seabed are pebbly, so water shoes are a good idea, and watch the traffic when you cross the coast road.
Isola Bella is the little island you see in almost every photo of Taormina. Visit Sicily calls it the pearl of the Ionian Sea, and it’s joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand and pebbles, so you can walk across to it when the sea is calm.
The island is a nature reserve and is now run by Parco Archeologico Naxos Taormina, which also manages the Teatro Antico. There’s an old villa with a garden on the island, and there’s an entrance fee. Check the park’s website for opening times before you head over.
The water around the island is crystal clear, and it’s one of the best spots in the area for snorkelling. The beach on the mainland side has beach clubs with sunloungers, and small boats leave from the beach.
See hotels in Isola Bella here.
I’d choose Isola Bella for couples who want a view and a swim every day but still want to be able to walk up into town in the evening. The climb up the stepped path is steep, so most people take the cable car or the bus back again.
The accommodation lines the coast road above the beach, and many rooms have sea views. There are fewer hotels than in Mazzarò, so book well ahead for the summer holidays. The cheapest places are small guesthouses where you shouldn’t expect much in the way of service.
The downside is that the beach gets very crowded in the middle of the day in high season, when the day-trippers come down from town. The beach is pebbly and not very wide, so it suits short swims better than long days with small children.
Hotels near Isola Bella
La Plage Resort - best luxury hotel right by Isola Bella
La Plage Resort is a five-star hotel with direct beach access opposite Isola Bella, a private beach area and a spa. It was the most expensive of my three picks here, but far cheaper than the luxury hotels in Mazzarò and in town. Guests mention that some rooms are small, dark and a bit dated, and that there can be noise from the beach bar.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was fantastic, and the hotel had everything you could need.”
See photos and book La Plage Resort here.
Isola Bella - Rooms il Pescatore - best mid-range choice with sea views
Rooms il Pescatore is a small guesthouse on the coast road about 300 metres from the beach at Isola Bella. Guests praise the sea views and the large rooms. There’s no restaurant or pool, and several mention that getting up to the rooms can be awkward.
One guest describes the room on Booking.com: “The view over the sea was beautiful, and the room was large, clean and comfortable.”
See photos and book Isola Bella - Rooms il Pescatore here.
Hotel Isola Bella - cheapest choice with a pool
Hotel Isola Bella is on Via Nazionale about 300 metres from the beach and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. You get a simple hotel with an outdoor pool and views over the bay from many of the rooms. Guests mention that the rooms are very basic and that breakfast is average.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic view, lovely and helpful staff and a great location right by the beach.”
See photos and book Hotel Isola Bella here.
4. Castelmola - best area for peace and quiet and views over the coast 🏰
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Castelmola sits above Taormina, about 1 kilometre as the crow flies from Corso Umberto, but the road up there winds through lots of bends.
- 🚌 Transport: Local buses run from the bus terminal in Taormina, and a steep footpath links the village with the town. A car is handy, but parking is limited.
- ✈️ Time from Catania Airport: Allow about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€. The three places below cost around £75 to £150 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Castelmola is very peaceful. The road up is narrow with sharp bends, so drive carefully, especially after dark.
Castelmola is a small village on top of the mountain above Taormina, and according to italia.it it sits more than 500 metres above sea level. Its name comes from a Norman castle, of which only the ruins of the walls remain today.
The view is the main reason to stay here. From the village you can see Etna, the bay at Giardini Naxos and the coast to the south, and from the viewpoint at Piazza Sant’Antonino you can look down over Taormina and all the way across to Calabria on the mainland.
On the same square you’ll find Antico Caffè San Giorgio, where you can try the local almond wine, vino alla mandorla. The café was founded by monks in the 18th century. The village is also home to Bar Turrisi, which is known for its rather unusual decor.
See hotels in Castelmola here.
I’d choose Castelmola for couples who want peace, quiet and a view for their money. The hotels are small and family-run, and prices are much lower than in Taormina, even though you’re only a short trip from Corso Umberto.
In the evening it goes quiet once the day-trippers have headed back down, and that’s exactly the charm. You can sit on the square and watch the lights come on along the coast, and there are a couple of good restaurants in the village.
The downside is that there’s no beach, and you’ll need the bus, the car or your own two feet every time you want to go down to the town or the sea. Check when the last bus leaves if you want to eat in Taormina. If you have difficulty walking, Castelmola isn’t the right place, as the streets are steep with lots of steps.
Hotels in Castelmola
VILLA FLAVIO-Panoramic Boutique Rooms & Wellness - best boutique hotel with a sauna and views
Villa Flavio is a new, small guesthouse in Castelmola with a sauna and wellness area, and it has the highest guest rating of all the hotels in this guide. It was the most expensive of the three in Castelmola and suits couples well. There’s no lift, so you’ll have to take the stairs to the rooms.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A lovely small, new hotel with fantastic views and service.”
See photos and book VILLA FLAVIO-Panoramic Boutique Rooms & Wellness here.
Borgo Medievale - best mid-range choice with a spa in the heart of the village
Borgo Medievale is on Via Fortuna in the middle of the village and has a small spa with a sauna, steam room and hot tub. It has a high guest rating, and guests praise the views and the clean, simple decor. Parking can be tricky, so if you’re coming by car, ask the hotel about parking before you drive up.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was excellent! The place was spotless, very comfortable and perfectly located with amazing views.”
See photos and book Borgo Medievale here.
Hotel Panorama di Sicilia - cheapest choice with a view
Hotel Panorama di Sicilia is a small family-run hotel with a bar and terrace in Castelmola, and it was the cheapest of the three places when I searched. It has a high guest rating for the price, and the view lives up to the name. Breakfast is simple, and there’s no pool.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A breathtaking location, exactly as the name suggests. Very sweet, friendly and helpful hosts.”
See photos and book Hotel Panorama di Sicilia here.
5. Giardini Naxos - best area for families 👨👩👧
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Giardini Naxos sits on the coast south of Taormina, about 2.5 kilometres as the crow flies from Corso Umberto and roughly a quarter of an hour by car or bus.
- 🚆 Getting around: Taormina-Giardini railway station lies between the town and Taormina, and buses run up to Taormina and on to Catania and the airport.
- ✈️ Time from Catania Airport: About 50 minutes by car or taxi.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three places below cost around £80 to £275 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Giardini Naxos is a safe seaside town. There’s a lot of traffic on the road along the seafront in summer, so hold your children’s hands when you cross it.
Giardini Naxos is a proper seaside resort at the foot of the bay below Taormina, and it has a long history. According to Visit Sicily, Naxos was founded in 734 BC as the first Greek colony on Sicily, and you can see the excavations and the museum on the Capo Schisò peninsula.
Today the town is best known for its long seafront promenade, Lungomare Tysandros, lined with restaurants, ice cream parlours and beach clubs all the way along the water. The beaches are longer than those below Taormina, and in several places the sand is mixed with pebbles.
The view is another selling point. From the beach you can see Taormina and Castelmola up on the mountain, and on clear days Etna rises right behind the town. Many people head out from here on trips to the volcano, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2013.
See hotels in Giardini Naxos here.
I would choose Giardini Naxos for a family holiday with a beach and a pool. The hotels are bigger, several have a kids’ club and pool, and prices are lower than in Taormina. In the evening the promenade is full of families, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
The southern part of town is called Recanati, and this is where several of the large resorts with their own beach are found. The northern part towards the railway station is quieter and suits you if you want to be close to the train.
The downside is that Giardini Naxos is a modern seaside town without the atmosphere you get in Taormina. In several places the coast road runs right behind the beach, and in July and August parking is hard to find. If you want to go up to Taormina in the evening, you’ll need to take the bus or a taxi.
Hotels in Giardini Naxos
UNA Hotels Naxos Beach Sicilia - best resort for families
UNA Hotels Naxos Beach is a large four-star resort in Recanati, about 100 metres from the beach, with several pools, a kids’ club, tennis courts and a private beach area. It was the most expensive of my three picks in Giardini Naxos and suits families who want everything in one place. Guests mention that parts of the complex are worn and that the breakfast selection is limited.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “We loved the hotel and the location, and we’ll be back.”
See photos and book UNA Hotels Naxos Beach Sicilia here.
Nautilus Hotel - best mid-range hotel on the seafront
Nautilus Hotel is on Lungomare Tysandros, right on the beach, and has a very high guest rating. Breakfast is included and gets lots of praise, and several rooms have sea views. There’s no pool, parking can be tricky, and guests mention that there can be noise from the town in the evening.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A wonderful hotel and staff.”
See photos and book Nautilus Hotel here.
B&B My Sicily - cheapest option with free parking
B&B My Sicily is in a residential area in the western part of town and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The guest rating is very high, and there’s free parking. It’s just under 2 kilometres to the beach, so it’s best suited to you if you have a car.
One guest describes the room on Booking.com: “A very clean, modern and comfortable room.”
See photos and book B&B My Sicily here.
6. Letojanni - best area for a cheaper beach holiday 💶
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Letojanni sits on the coast north of Taormina, about 3.5 kilometres from Corso Umberto as the crow flies.
- 🚆 Transport: The town has its own railway station, and the train to Taormina-Giardini takes just a few minutes. There are also buses along the coast to Taormina.
- ✈️ Time from Catania Airport: Allow about 1 hour and 5 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€. The three hotels below cost around £80 to £175 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Letojanni is a quiet, safe seaside town. The beach is pebbly, so water shoes are a good idea, and keep an eye on the little ones in the water.
Letojanni is a small seaside town where lots of Italians go on holiday themselves, and it’s a good choice if you want to stay by the beach near Taormina without paying Taormina prices. The hotels and apartments are clustered around the seafront promenade and the town’s little squares.
The beach is long and pebbly, and the water is clear. Along the promenade you’ll find beach clubs, ice cream bars and restaurants, and in the evening families gather in the squares around the church.
The big advantage is the train. Letojanni is on the line between Messina and Catania, and with Trenitalia you can quickly get to Taormina-Giardini and on to Catania. If you’re getting around the island by train, I’ve written a guide to taking the train in Italy.
I’d choose Letojanni for a beach holiday on a budget or for a longer stay where you’d like a kitchen and some space. There are plenty of apartments and small hotels, and prices for both accommodation and food are lower than in Taormina.
If you stay in Letojanni, you can take the bus or train to Taormina during the day and enjoy the peace of the beach in the evening. From the beach you can also see the coastline stretching north towards Messina.
The downside is that there aren’t many sights in the town itself, and you’ll need transport every time you want to go up to Taormina. Fewer buses run in the evening, so you may need a taxi. In return, you get more space and peace for your money than up in the town.
Hotels in Letojanni
Albatros Beach Hotel - best hotel right on the beach
Albatros Beach Hotel is a modern four-star hotel right on the beach in Letojanni, with a private beach area, a restaurant and a hot tub. It was the most expensive of my three picks in the town and has a high guest rating. Guests mention that parking can be hard to find.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A really lovely, modern hotel right by the beach.”
See photos and book Albatros Beach Hotel here.
Hotel Antares - best mid-range hotel with a pool and kids’ club
Hotel Antares sits on the hillside at the southern end of Letojanni and has an outdoor pool, a kids’ club, a spa and its own beach area. It suits families who want a pool and activities at a low price. Guests mention noise from the motorway, and it’s a bit of a walk down to the beach.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “An exceptional stay with breathtaking views and perfect service.”
See photos and book Hotel Antares here.
Hotel Fernanda - cheapest option close to the beach
Hotel Fernanda is on Via Roma, about 80 metres from the beach, and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. It has a very high guest rating, and guests praise the staff and the breakfast. The rooms are small, and parking is limited.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were very friendly and helpful. Excellent location.”
See photos and book Hotel Fernanda here.
Where not to stay in Taormina
I wouldn’t stay in Villagonia by the railway station unless you only need a single night before or after a train journey. The area is on the busy coast road, and it’s a steep climb up to the centre, so you’ll end up taking the bus every day.
Also be wary of the cheap hotels inland by the motorway. On the map they look close to Taormina, but without a car you can’t get to either the beach or the town, and not many buses run in the evening.
Finally, I wouldn’t stay in Catania to see Taormina. The city is fascinating in its own right, but it’s over an hour each way by bus. If you want to combine Taormina with a big city, it’s better to split your trip and spend a couple of nights in each, for example with my guide to where to stay in Palermo.
If you’re visiting Taormina for the first time, I’d stay in the centre near Corso Umberto, where the restaurants and views are right on your doorstep. If you want the beach close by, Mazzarò is the best choice for luxury and Isola Bella for a beach holiday with a view. Castelmola suits couples looking for peace and quiet, Giardini Naxos is ideal for families with children, and Letojanni for a beach holiday on a budget.
Many people choose to split their stay, spending a couple of nights up in the town and the rest by the sea. If you want to see more of the island, you’ll find more areas in my guide to where to stay in Sicily, and if you’re dreaming of another Italian coastline with clifftop towns and views, you can read where to stay on the Amalfi Coast.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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