When people say Taormina is ancient, they mean it. This town was founded by the Greeks, with their first colony settled in Taormina in 734 BC, and it was once the most important archeological place in Italy. Yet, it only became famous in the 19th century when great artists and philosophers traveled far and wide to make Taormina their home for a short while.

Centuries later, Taormina is still often visited, especially for its beaches, delicious food, and the International Film, Music, Dance, and Theatre Festival of Taormina Arte. The town also features numerous historical monuments built by the many denominations that conquered Sicily. So, when you visit, be sure to look at the culturally significant parks and architecture that the Romans, Greeks, French, Normans, Byzantines, Arabs, Swedes, and Spanish have left behind.

Use private transportation like Daytrip

If you want to enjoy convenience and flexibility, booking private transportation is a good idea. Unlike booking a taxi, with Daytrip’s door-to-door service, you can explore Taormina and many wondrous sights along the way on your own schedule. Our private drivers will get you where you need to be safely, and you won't even need to learn Italian since they speak English!

Pack the essentials

A trip to Taormina is exciting but can become stressful if you don't pack the right things. That's why we recommend packing the essentials like sunscreen, a sunhat, bottled water, and comfortable shoes. All of these items will come in handy when you stop and sightsee and when you arrive in Taormina and begin exploring.

From Palermo to Taormina by bus

Many buses leave Palermo and travel to Taormina once a week. If you want to catch the bus, you must go to the Palermo Centrale and buy a ticket with the Trenitalia Intercity coachline. Ticket prices vary, but they will cost between $21 and $30, and you can expect the trip to take about three hours.

From Taormina by private car

Often, the easiest way to travel from Palermo to Taormina is by private car service. With Daytrip, you will get door-to-door service and a friendly English-speaking driver who can share travel tips and insights surrounding the places you want to visit. It’s a far more personal and memorable experience than a traditional taxi ride.

You can add sightseeing stops along the way and expect the trip to start at only €83 (approximately $90) per person. You'll likely also love that traveling by private car is the fastest way to travel, with your driver knowing how to navigate the narrow coastal roads and traffic expertly.

From Palermo to Taormina by train

Traveling by train will allow you to see some of the spectacular scenery along the way. Ticket prices vary, but you can expect them to cost between $18 and $32.

However, although the train is one of the cheapest ways to travel, it is also one of the most crowded and slowest travel options. With the train, you should expect the trip to take just under five hours, and depending on the train, you could encounter one to two transfers.

Corso Umberto I

Do you have the urge to wander the streets of a Sicilian town? If so, there's no better place in the world to indulge this desire than Taormina. When visiting this Sicilian town, you can walk down the main street, Corso Umberto I, and bask in the ambiance.

There's everything from the medieval Porto Messina city gate, which offers a stunning view over the water from Piazza IX Aprile, to the city's historic fountain and cathedral, which are found at the end of the street in Piazza Duomo. No matter where you find yourself, there's shopping and socializing to look forward to in this town.

Valley of the Temples

Sicily's Valley of the Temples, found in Taormina, is worth a visit even if you aren't too interested in Roman ruins. This ancient archeological site is unique, with some of the best preserved ancient Greek ruins on earth.

These ruins are even more special because they tell the story of the Greek city of Akragas, which used to reside in Taormina in a part of Magna Graecia in the 5th century BC.

Taormina Roman Odeon

It's indisputable that the biggest attraction in Taormina is the Greek Theater or Teatro Greco, but it isn't the only theater in the town worth visiting. If you're looking for a less-traveled slice of history, you might want to check out the Roman Odeon.

The Roman Odeon is a smaller version of the Teatro Greco that was built centuries before the other, more famous theater in the town. In fact, this impressive Greek-style amphitheater was built in the 2nd century and could seat 200 people!