Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Continue west through the 12th-century clock tower,
Torre dell'Orologio
, into the Borgo
Medievale, Taormina's oldest quarter. A few blocks further along is
Piazza del Duomo
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
, home to an ornate baroque fountain depicting a two-legged
centaur with the bust of an angel, Taormina's town symbol. Here you'll find the 13th-cen-
tury cathedral, a survivor of the Renaissance-style remodelling undertaken elsewhere in
town by the 15th-century Spanish aristocracy. The Renaissance influence is better illus-
trated in various palaces along the Corso, including
Palazzo Duca di Santo Stefano
with its
Norman-Gothic windows,
Palazzo Corvaja
(the tourist office) and
Palazzo Ciampoli
, now
housing the Hotel El Jebel.
Villa Comunale
PARK
(Parco Duchi di Cesarò; Via Bagnoli Croce; 9am-midnight summer, 9am-sunset winter)
To escape
the crowds, wander down to these stunningly sited public gardens. Created by Englishwo-
man Florence Trevelyan, they're a lush paradise of tropical plants and delicate flowers.
There's also a children's play area.
Castelmola
For eye-popping views of the coastline, head 5km up Via Leonardo da Vinci to this hilltop
village crowned by a ruined castle. The walk will take you around an hour along a well-
paved route. Alternatively, Interbus runs an hourly service (one way/return €1.80/2.80) up
the hill.
HILLTOP VILLAGE
Activities
Lido Mazzarò
Many visitors to Taormina come only for the beach scene. To reach Lido Mazzarò, direc-
tly beneath Taormina, take the
cable car
(Cable Car; one way/return €3/3.50; 9am-8.15pm Oct-
Mar, 9am-1am Apr-Sep)
. This beach is well serviced with bars and restaurants; private oper-
ators charge a fee for umbrellas and deck chairs (discountable at some hotels).
BEACH
Isola Bella
Southwest of the beach is the minuscule Isola Bella, set in a stunning cove with fishing
boats. You can walk here in a few minutes but it's more fun to rent a small boat from
Mazzarò and paddle round Capo Sant'Andrea.
NATURE RESERVE
