The island of Sicily has all that Mediterranean charm that has conquered us and that has turned this entire area into a very touristy place. Cities like Palermo, Catania or Syracuse are visited daily. But today we are going to talk about the beautiful city of Taormina on the Sicilian coast, a place that receives more and more visitors.
This the city is on Mount Tauros, and it has views of the sea and the Etna volcano, so that alone is worth a visit. But it is also said that it is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Sicily, so it will be worth checking. But in Taormina there are not only views, but also many historical monuments, beaches and pretty streets.
How to get to Taormina
The easiest way to get to Taormina is to get to the Catania airport, which is the closest. It is an airport to which there are usually international links, so you may find flights. If not, there are other airports on the island, such as Palermo or Trapani. When you arrive at the one in Catania, you have several possibilities. You can take a bus there that goes to Taormina, or else take a city bus that takes you to the Catania train station, and from there to Taormina. You can also choose the taxi, although it is undoubtedly the most expensive option. From Taormina train station you will have to take a taxi to take you to the city.
Accommodation in Taormina
El accommodation in Taormina It is something easy to find, since the city lives mainly from tourism, so we will have many options. From the most luxurious hotels to other more modest but equally welcoming. There are also apartments, if we go in a group, or hostels, which are cheaper. It is better to look for them in the most central area so that you do not have to depend on taxis to get around.
What to see in Taormina
One of the places that we should not miss is the old one Hellenistic theater of Taormina. It is a Greek theater, the second largest on the island, and has spectacular views of the Etna volcano. It is quite well preserved, and today some events such as concerts are held there.
El Covaja Palace It is a medieval palace from the XNUMXth century in which we can see a certain Arab influence. It was the seat of the first Parliament of Sicily. Today it is the tourist office and a museum, so the visit can be very practical to inform us about what there is to see in Taormina and also how to get to all the points of interest. It is located in the beautiful Plaza Vittorio Emanuelle II.
The Cathedral of San Nicolás de Taormina is on Corso Umberto, and it is a medieval-looking cathedral with a baroque portal. Since you are in the Corso UmbertoYou can take the opportunity to do some shopping, and it must be said that it is one of the areas that has more tourists. There are all kinds of shops and they are also old streets, with balconies full of flowers that make them more welcoming and special.
Near this area of the Corso is the April 9 Square, which has a nice viewpoint overlooking the sea. In this square we will see more religious buildings, such as the church of San Agostino and that of San Giussepe. And leaving this square we find ourselves in Porta di Mezzo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, where we can begin to enjoy the narrow streets. We will find the Duomo square and also the Ciampoli palace among other things.
Visit to Etna
In addition to walking around Taormina, people take the opportunity to take a small trip to visit Etna volcanobecause it is so close to the city. At the tourist office itself you can ask about organized trips and schedules to see this volcano. You have to go on organized excursions to climb Etna, or we can stay in the surrounding villages. Climbing to the top on your own is forbidden, and the craters are also usually closed to the public, since it is a volcano that is active and therefore we cannot walk freely through it.
Taste the food in Taormina
One of the things that is best done in Italy is eating, and that is why you should also take advantage of your stay in Taormina to eat their typical dishes. At breakfast we must try the brioche of the area, a very tasty sweet bread. As a good coastal area, dishes that include fish or shellfish are very typical there, seasoned with the capunata, which is a typical island stew. If you want to taste a delicious dessert, dare with the cannolis, which will surely sound familiar to you, and it is that they are tubes of fried dough filled with cream. And do not forget about pasta and pizza made in Italy.