Where to stay in Taormina (2026)

Top tips for Taormina

The Quick Answer

• The best neighbourhoods for a city break: Taormina Centro, Corso Umberto
• The best neighbourhood for a resort escape: Mazzarò Bay, Taormina Centro, Corso Umberto

Table of Contents

Taormina has incredible views: across the glittering Ionian Sea to Mount Etna. One of the very best places to appreciate the view is from the ruins of the 3rd century Greek Theatre, cut into the top of the mountain. But you can also take it all in from a cafe converted from one of the palazzos on the stylish Corso Umberto, or from one of the beaches, which sit right up against the clearest of seas.  

A Visitor’s Guide to the Neighbourhoods of Taormina

Via Google Maps

Taormina is one of the most popular summer resort towns in Sicily, known for its old-fashioned glamour, sandy coves and shingle bays leading to pristine seas, and its impressive ruins. There’s plenty here to see, but also plenty of opportunities to relax too. If you like the idea of old-fashioned glamour, you might want to stay on the Corso Umberto, or elsewhere in the historic part of town, Taormina Centro. But if your main reason for choosing Taormina is its gorgeous coastline, you’ll probably want to stay in Mazzarò Bay. If you’re looking for a peaceful, affordable base, consider going up the hillside to Castelmola, where the views are even more incredible!

Taormina Centro

Taormina Centro is Taormina’s historic heart, between the Porta Messina and the Porta Catania. It’s small and pedestrianised, with lots of major sights, so a great place to stay if you want everything within a short walk. The Corso Umberto (see below) runs though this district, making itself one of the main sights, but it’s not the only one; there’s also the Piazza IX Aprile, a square with a terrace and incredible views, the ruins of the antique Greek Roman theatre (which is in the neighbourhoods north), the Naumachia, which is where the Romans used to stage their pretend naval battles, the fountain the the Piazza Duomo and the arab-influenced Palazzo Corvaia, which is now a museum and gallery.  

Corso Umberto

The Corso Umberto is like a lively artery running through the historic heart of Taormina, from the Porto Messina gateway to the Piazza Duomo. It’s not straight, but it is pedestrianised and extremely pretty, lined with some of Taormina’s most beautiful palazzos, converted into hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars, and boutiques. During the daytime Corso Umberto bustles: the boutiques, cafes and restaurants are lively, but nothing compares to the life of the street in the evening. This is where the locals enjoy their daily passeggiata, and most visitors join in, transforming the street into a glamorous parade.  The shops, bars, cafes and restaurants all come alive, and stay open until very late. If you’re interested in the local architecture, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see the inside as well as the outside while you’re in this area.

Mazzarò Bay

Mazzarò Beach and Bay are just across the sandbank from Isola Bella, and connected to the centre of Taormina via cable car (or a staircase!), so it’s beautiful and convenient. This is a pebbled beach and bay, with deep, super-clear water, and protective, surrounding cliffs. The water is so deep you can catch boats and ferries right off the beach, the most popular one travelling to and fro between the beach and the Grotta Azzurra. It’s also fantastic for snorkelling and diving. It’s not a large beach, so it does get busy in season. The rows of accommodation and food and drink options includes a number of excellent seafood restaurants and pizzerias, cocktail bars, and hotel bars, many with magical views. Beach clubs have taken up quite a lot of the beach, but there is a free section on the southern side. Of course, many of Mazzarò Bay’s hotels have their own beach clubs too, which is another reason this is a great neighbourhood to opt for.  

Castelmola

Castelmola is a small village positioned above Taormina. So by staying here you get the same spectacular views of Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea and coastline, but with Taormina in the foreground. Castelmola’s core is medieval; there are even ancient steps to reach it from the centre of Taormina; it’s about a mile and a half on foot, or it’s a short drive or bus ride.  Castelmola is a much more peaceful base; there are still places to stay, and places to eat and drink, but fewer, of course, and the atmosphere is very much that of a village. Expect narrow, cobbled streets, small, but very picturesque piazzas, a traditional Sicilian church, and surrounds as beautiful as any film set. Local sights include the ruins of a 10th century Norman castle fortress, which now forms part of the backbone of the town, opening out onto a terrace which offers one of the best views in all of Sicily. Try the locally invented almond wine, served in the Caffe Saint Giorgio, and shop for lace and embroidery. If you’re looking for a challenge, Monte Veneretta rises behind you, which is a great hiking opportunity, and a very popular spot for launching paragliders.