Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Corso Umberto 59)
This is a fantastic place to stock up on local olive oil, capers, honey and
wine. Smash-proof bubble wrapping helps to get everything home in one piece.
Information
There are plenty of banks with ATMs along Corso Umberto.
Ospedale San Vincenzo
( 0942 57 92 97; Contrada Sirina)
Downhill and 2km southwest of the
centre. Call the same number for an ambulance.
Police station
(
094 261 02 01; Corso Umberto 219)
Tourist office
( 094 22 32 43;
www.gate2taormina.com
; Piazza Santa Caterina, off Corso Umberto I;
8.30am-2.30pm & 3.30-7pm Mon-Fri year-round, 9am-1pm & 4-6.30pm Sat Apr-Oct)
Has helpful multilingual
staff and plenty of practical information.
Getting There & Around
BUS
The bus is the easiest way to reach Taormina.
Interbus
( 094 262 53 01; Via Luigi Pirandello)
services leave daily for Messina (€4.10, 55
minutes to 1¾ hours, 10 daily Monday to Saturday, two on Sunday) and Catania (€4.90,
1¼ hours, seven to 11 daily), the latter continuing to Catania's Fontanarossa airport
(€7.90, 1½ hours).
CAR & SCOOTER
Taormina is on the A18 autostrada and the SS114 between Messina and Catania. Driving
near the historic centre is a complete nightmare and Corso Umberto is closed to traffic.
The most convenient places to leave your car are the
Porta Catania car park
(per 24hr €15)
, at the
western end of Corso Umberto, or the Lumbi car park north of the centre, connected to
Porta Messina (at Corso Umberto's eastern end) by a five-minute walk or a free yellow
shuttle bus. Both car parks charge the same rates.
California
( 094 22 37 69;
www.californiarentcar.com
;
Via Bagnoli Croce 86; Vespa per day/week €35/224, Fiat
Panda €64/300)
Rents out cars and scooters, just across from the Villa Comunale.
TRAIN
There are regular trains to and from Messina (€3.95 to €7.50, 40 to 75 minutes, hourly)
and Catania (€3.95 to €7.50, 40 to 55 minutes, hourly), but the awkward location of
