By Giovanni Vallone (President of MammaSicily, writer, author)
Closest Market: 0,5 km - Closest restaurant: 0,5 km - Closest Piazza (or center): 0,5 km
The pearl of Sicily, one of the worldwide masterpieces of beauty: here it is Taormina (in the picture the Greek theatre, 10 km's away), an evergreen location that has attracted people since the ancient times. Archaeology, myth, a sort of Arab architecture style, amazing landscapes, a blu sea, and such a nobless atmosphere, gives Taormina a unique charm. A walk in Via del Corso is an unforgettable moment to do not miss among exclusive shops, delicious restaurants and coffe, stunning views of the sea, the Greek theatre, the terrifying sagoma of Etna volcano on the background … and those tireless “viveur” sat at the coffee, searching for a new love!
Few kilometers away from the downtown, here it is one of the most beautiful place in the world: Taormina mare (Mazzarò, Spisone, Isolabella), with so many lido (private beaches) where one can enjoy a meal by the sea.
Other two great locations (very good for fisheries and beaches), are Letojanni (5 kms) and Giardini Naxos (1 km), the latter with the ruins of Naxos, the first Greek settlement in Sicily (VIII b.C.).
Taormina is located in a sort of staircase, with the sea at the bottom, Taormina in the middle and the nice Castelmola (3 km’s) on the top. Upper Castelmola worth a visit Monte Venere, where once, maybe, there was a temple devoted to Aphrodite and from where, presently, one can enjoy a great panorama of the oriental coast of Sicily, mount Etna and the Italian mainland, just in front.
Facing Taormina here it is Forza d’Agrò (photo,10 km’s), another beautiful place (visit the old cemetery) and Savoca (20 km’s), both renowned to have been the main spot of the movie The Godfather.
Catania is almost 30 km’s away.
The giant of Sicily, Etna volcano, almost 40 km’s.
And we suggest you to wnjoy our Etna tour, the most requested in Sicily.
Syracuse, the powerful Sicilian town of the past (VI bb.C.) almost 90 km’s.
For nature lovers, I have two suggestions: Monte Scuderi (30 km’s) and, for birdwatchers, Dinnammare (50 km’s) a bottle-neck, I mean one of the few places all over the world where to observe the migration of birds of prey.