The cast of White Lotus may have never left the hotel, but there's plenty to see - and eat - in the charming town of Taormina. Perched on the cliff overlooking the ocean, mountains and Mt Etna in the distance, this view cannot be challenged. Arab and Norman influences are obvious in the square tower, said to be built by the Arabs to mimic the Kasbah. The restaurant is located in the heart of the fresh market of Siracusa, a few steps from the ancient temple of Apollo, and the island of Ortigia (the city center of Siracusa). Sicily is known for its red coral, a material that jewelers have capitalized on. address in Taormina. No doubt Mount Etna is on any visitor to Sicilys list of things to do and if you are visiting Taormina you are perfectly positioned for an excursion to see the worlds most active stratovolcano. Similar places might fall into the category of tourist trap, but here you get the perfect combination of excellent food and superb location. Caseificcio Borderi is like a tapas bar of sorts and it used to be just a cheese and salami store (a caseificcio is a cheese shop). Meet the fruit and vegetable vendors to find out . Without a doubt the best hotel in Taormina, and also its first, is the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, located right in town next to the Ancient Greek Theater of Taormina. If you want the tour to run in the evening, this one stops at three places, one for starters, one for mains and one for desserts, with wine and liquors at all three. This former 15th-century monastery is more than a sanctuary of introspection. Its pretty hard to go wrong while eating in Sicily. Interested in more Sicily recs? Think of it as a bit of an adventure! Taormina, Italy 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor Its perfectly positioned opposite Isola Bella beach just a short cable car ride from Taormina centre. The tour starts at Giardini Naxos port. Mount Etna can be explored on your own, independently, using the cable car + 44 bus drive to 2,900m or on a tour. There are occasional temporary exhibitions in the rooms on the ground floor and several puppets on display inside the tourism office worth a look. Even so, not all Taormina restaurants are truly worthy of your The concept is modern Sicilian and it certainly achieves that. St. Pancras Church and Greek Sanctuary of Isis and Serapis. Where to stay in Barcelona Best areas What to do in Chuuk, the complete guide Travel to Tibet Everything you need to Travel in Albania: Best things to do & Travel guide and things to do in Somaliland. Picking the right place matters because the city is not very big and parking is really tough. What to do in Taormina: the best places to see, eat and stay in the The menu is, fittingly for the location, mostly fish. You can pick the ones you like and make your own tray. If you discover a little gem, please let us all know! Restaurants in Taormina: the best ones for the summer of 2020 Taormina Half-Day Sicilian Cooking Class & Market Tour Shorter (1.5h) group walking tour of Taormina for those who prefer the no-frills option. There are private and group options. The hotel is housed in a former private villa with incredible views of the coast below, and has expansive green grounds on several levels down to the Villa Comunale park. The food is classic Sicilian with some exotic touches. So, when you plan your nextvacation in the southern half of Italy,tack a White Lotus-inspired Taormina day onto your itinerary! One of the nicest and easiest things to do in Taormina is to take the short cable car down to the beach at Mazzaro. Trattoria Da Nino"Great seafood restaurant! It made me think of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table with the square top. While the cloisters once worked to the beat of puritanical footsteps, the hotel . Castelmola is a small picturesque town right above Taormina which has incredible views of the stunning cost below and the hills along this side of Sicily. You can pick the ones you like and make your own tray. Enjoying a local white wine from Marsala (try Grillo or Insolia) while the sun sets behind the salt pans is pure magic. Don't try to eat lunch after 2.30 pm or expect to have dinner before 8 pm. What you can rest assured of, though, is that no matter where youre visiting, the food here is some of the very best in Italy. The best place to enjoy sunset cocktails in Taormina is the terrace at the Belmond Grand Timeo, located right by the Theatre. For such a small town that cannot be called a city, the points of interest are many and there are a lot of things to do in Taormina. THE 10 BEST Restaurants in Taormina - Tripadvisor They also took me there on my last night and I can confirm, it was goooood! I put on three kilos in 12 days and found myself eating and drinking all day long, starting with a big breakfast and continuing with morning snacks, a big lunch with wine, afternoon snacks, aperitivo and then a big dinner with more wine. Book a 2-hour tour of the coast with a stop to swim and a visit to Isola Bella here. In Sicily, marzipan making has been turned into an art and the small pieces made with almond and sugar look exactly like real fruits. Volcanic Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea provide the cinema-worthy backdrop for Taormina, Sicily's legendary resort town. The church was built on the site of an ancient Greek sanctuary dedicated to two deities. Hes been helping visitors explore his island and discover her secrets for over 20 years. The house where she lived has been turned into a museum and can also be visited. The best places to eat in Taormina Vineria Mod Whenever we are in Taormina we always have to eat at Vineria Modi! Inside the Duomo, the decoration is a bit elaborate with the use of several colorful marbles and large columns. will take you to two places and will also provide you with snorkeling equipment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The best restaurants in Taormina - What Kirsty did next You get transport to 1,800m and then you can choose if you want to take the cable car and all to the top or not. The pizzaiolo (pizza maker) has won many awards in the last years both in Italy and abroad. If you are here longer than 3 days and need more inspiration for where to eat, I suggest you always ask a friendly local. By clicking or tapping 'Send', I agree with the Terms & Conditions and to receive calls and text messages. Where do the locals eat in Taormina? - Tripadvisor The decor is modern and new and the interior design very pleasant. Located smack in the famous salt pans stretching between Trapani and Marsala, it does not get better than this! There is a pool, a spa and two restaurants, small eight-table fine dining Otto Geleng, and the larger open air, and also refined Timeo Restaurant. Perfect for those hot months. Hidden in a tiny alley perchedon top of the cobbled steps, is Trattoria Tutti Cca possibly the prettiest restaurant I ate in. All guests have the opportunity to join one of three complimentary daily boat tours along the coast. The ruins are open and can be seen from around the perimeter. I live in Palermo, but Im from the interior of the island and went to university in the east. The town has a privileged location with direct line of sight to, While Taormina has always been desired by all the civilizations that stepped foot in Sicily, its. Eat Local in Taormina - TasteAtlas We set our sights to an expert with all the local recommendations: our friend Stefania Spampinato, Sicilian actor and director. All for around 12! Dont expect anything fancy, but the quality is fabulous. You order a drink and snacks come complimentary. The climb takes 20-30min up. With the Romans, Taormina remained an independent ally until it sided with the wrong Roman Emperor, was conquered by Augustus in 21 BC and had all its inhabitants expelled. The cheese shop 734 reviews Open Now Italian, Mediterranean $$ - $$$ 0.3 mi Sicily By continuing, I agree with the Terms & Conditions. Most of the sailing tours include Isola Bella, as almost every visitor to Sicily wants to sail around it. Service is great and the staff are really helpful. A recent review says that La Bougainville is closed? A positive of this type of relaxed service is that once you sit at a table, its yours for as long as you wish; no one will come to rush you out or bring the check unless you ask for it. . While many of the other eateries on this street lean toward rustic, Il Sale offers a fine dining experience. Where to eat in Taormina - Ristoranti a Taormina - TravelTaormina.com Thankfully, despite its high-end billing, it still manages to maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere, free of pretension. This little stall on the main street in Taormina old town serves ice lollies made with crushed fresh fruit and then dip it in your choice of milk or white chocolate or pistachios. Taormina to the right, the beach of Giardini Naxos below and Mount Etna right ahead. You may ask your hotel to help you buy tickets to the shows. While exploring this town's rich history, you can choose to eat anywhere from Michelin-starred restaurants to local trattorias. The streets are steep, and. In 1990, the island was acquired by the government and turned into a nature reserve. If you want to stay down to the beach, Belmond Villa SantAndrea is the best place to be. When youre out at a restaurant, bring some patience with you. There is an energy here that you wont find elsewhere and it can be seen in the food; chefs and restaurants here are always trying new experiments and adding modern twists to traditional cuisine. The restaurant is away from the tourist area and is mostly frequented by local people. The pizza was excellent quality with the freshest and tastiest of ingredients. I always prefer private tours because you can tailor them to what you like most and start/end when you like. If youve been in Sicily for a while and feel like trying something different, welcome! However, bear in mind that there is not much else to do in the area so you might spend a lot of time being idle, unless you want to chill around, take photos and hike around the area at 1,800m on your own. . No doubt Mount Etna is on any visitor to Sicilys list of things to do and if you are visiting Taormina you are perfectly positioned for an excursion to see the, Drive up Mount Etna to 1,800m above sea level by car (free if you go on your own), Reach 2,500m above sea level by cable car (35 euro), Hike around the 2 craters of Mount Etna at 2,900m above sea level by cable car + bus + guide (65 euros), Hike Mount Etna to the top to 3,300m above sea level on a guided tour (45 + 65 euro). Where was your favourite place to eat! One of my favourite dishes is their pasta with pistachio and almond pesto. Taormina lies on the east coast of Sicily, an ancient town whose origins predate even the arrival of the Greeks to southern Italy. With each bite, you'll find yourself guessing what's inside. It offers its customers fresh dishes of the best Sicilian tradition. All. If you want our list of top recommendations of restaurants and bars or help planning your trip, feel free to get in touch! Level Contributor 25,062 posts 1,720 reviews Supposedly, the producers of White Lotus visited 70 hotels before they set their hearts on the stunning Four Seasons in Taormina - and apparently, it was love at first sight. In this guide, Gaetano shares not just where to eat around the island, but also some must-try dishes at each restaurant! Book the 6-hour tour here. You can visit to take a break from the city, while being just a few minutes from Corso Umberto. CutLuDissi. Why not take it to the beach at sunset?! At A Cala you can either eat inside with the large windows offering a beautiful view of Mount Pellegrino and the docked sail boats or sit outside enjoying the evenings fresh breeze. But with a little bit of inside info, one can still find fabulous meals at decent prices. However, if you feel like treating yourself then I recommend a visit! And for a bit of a laugh, there is a bar entirely dedicated to penises called Turrisi. The Best Things to Do in Taormina Sicily (Including the Ancient Amphitheater!) What to do in Taormina: the best places to see, eat and stay in the scenic Sicilian town Find out why Sicily's town of Taormina is well worth a visit 04 Dec 2018, 16:19 GMT , while being just a few minutes from Corso Umberto. A Local's Guide to 10 of Sicily's best restaurants From here, you have a vantage point from where to enjoy Taorminas hillside location and the flatter coast of Giardini Naxos. Contact us!+1 860 341 5552info@goaskalocal.com, Europe: Albania, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, North & Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Asia: Dubai, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey. Originally erected for Saint Sebastian who is said to have liberated the city from the plague, it was then acquired by Augustinian friars and turned into a convent. Go on a market visit to shop for your ingredients (including a fishmonger) followed by a cooking class at a restaurant. German writer Goethe can be credited with putting it on the map for many in 1787, and in 1860. continued to spread the myth that such a place existed. Granduca Restaurant in Taormina Old Town. I DO actually eat 2 a day when in Sicily. However, they are on the small side so book a larger room. Talk to our Local Experts! If you are looking to snorkel, then. So these are the restaurants, bars and cafes in Taormina that I personally enjoyed I hope you, too, will love them! This is one forwhen you dont mind occasionally splashing the cash! Welcome to Sicily chocolatecookie71! Savor the aromas and colors of Sicily's produce, selecting ingredients to prepare your lunch. 1. And I say refreshing because the waters around Taormina are always pretty cold. The decor is made of various artifacts and carvings in phallic shapes and even the menu comes in a purple penish shape. Right and left, look for the narrow streets that go up or down hill and which hide pretty stores. Take the funicular from the centre down to Taormina's popular Mazzaro beach on a beautiful little bay. Gaetano is a local guide based in Palermo, Sicily. There are statues and memorials too, including a torpedo from WWII, as well as a small pond and a construction that seems to blend into nature. Without advice from locals, it would be difficult to find this place. It has an air of luxury but at a very reasonable price tag. A Stroll Along Corso Umberto. All. And its food is no exception! All Rights Reserved. For anyone looking for a more substantial meal, you have meat and fish platters which should of course be accompanied by a great Sicilian beer! I ate bruschetta with the perfect amount of crunch followed by Pasta AllaNorma pasta in a tomato and aubergine sauce, cooked al dente. Expect classic rooms most of which have verandas, balconies or terraces onto the Mazzaro bay and beach below. there are also shops specializing in local goods that you won't find anywhere else. There are signs and explanations around the theatre but the audio guide also provides background information and makes the visit more interesting, I highly recommend joining a group a walking tour of Taormina with a visit to the theatre which you can book, The best way to visit is on a private walking tour which you can book, . Look out for the Baroque fountain in front of the Duomo with mythological figures which has become the emblem of the city. Order an almond liqueur, typical of Castelmola, and you will be sipping it from a tiny penis shot glass. I know because I struggled. The Roman city thrived and, later on, became the capital of Bizantine Sicily after Syracuse fell to Arab control and it eventually regained importance under the Normans. Location: Via Ponte, 44, 47826 Ponte Verucchio, Rimini RN, Italy. Or opt for their 8-table Otto Geleng, which has its own private terrace with the same views. Answer 1 of 6: My family and I are coming to Taormina in July 2012, we like to get a feel for the real country/place that we are visiting not the tourist led restaurant hotspots, so could anyone point us in the direction where the local people eat? The items on menu are also almost all home-made, and there really are no bad choices. But if you look on a map it begins to make sense - we are so incredibly close to Northern Africa. The Norman castle looks like a fortification of the time and while it was renovated in the early 2000s it has not been open for years. They are only open for lunch, so dont make the mistake of trying to go for dinner. I ended up here every morning after breakfast at Bam Bar which is near. All. Determined to find the best restaurants in Taormina. . Castelmola. Full description. I almost had a heart attack when I found out a little glass of proseccocosts 15! 5 of the Best Restaurants in Taormina to tantalize your taste buds! The spa is full fledged and there is also a gym. Read on for the best spots to eat, stay, and enjoy. It is informal, but still beautiful. The tables are along a very quiet street and underneath the canopy of fragrant orange trees. DIY Sicily Travel Planning with Local Experts, Palermo - Typical Sicilian pasta at La Galleria, Marsala - Location and wine at Mamma Caura, Agrigento - Lunch overlooking Valley of the Temples at Re di Girgenti, Siracusa - Some of Sicilys best panini and salumi at Caseificcio Borderi, Catania - Modern twists on Sicilian classics at Canni e Pisci, Catania - Home-style cooking with locals at A Putia do Calabrisi, Catania - Refined dining at Catania mainstay Il Sale, Taormina - Pizza at renowned Villa Zuccaro pizzeria, Taormina - Seafood on the beach in Taormina at Re del Sole. Meet up point is the bus station at Taormina. For dessert, don't miss their "Greek" almond parfait. Larger than the Church of San Giuseppe, the Church of SanAgostino is a 15th century church presiding over Piazza 9 Aprile. It is very close to the entrance to the Eurostars Hotel. This is ideal for when youre planning a morning of swimming followed by a great seafood lunch. All the hipster, fun and cool things to do in New York, Original and fabulous gifts for travelers for any occasion, The worlds least visited countries Unknown and rare destinations, 300+ Instagram bio quotes and captions to rock your feed, Wine, Dine, Gamble: Top-3 Casino Destinations for a Girls Getaway, Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at, Never ever leave without travel insurance. Vine leaves grow over the old crumbling stonework, tables are dressed in red and white gingham tablecloths,thealley is lit up with ambient light and 1920s music plays quietly in the background. Connect with Gaetan, a Sicily Travel Expert and the author of Whilst its conveniently on the main street in the old town, it is hidden downstairs and you would walk past it without knowing it was there. Each of the items on display has been carved specifically for it and you wont find it elsewhere. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Spend a morning in Taormina learning how to cook delicious Sicilian food from a professional chef. The pebble beach is private and for the exclusive use of Belmonds guests. (and cancel up to 24h before the tour starts). Look no further! It is located up on a hill, not far from Corso Umberto, making it a really easy to get to tourist attraction, unlike most of the other ancient ruins in Sicily, most of which are outside of the cities and require your own transportation and a bit more planning. So, for this list Ive tried to give some of my favorite spots in a bunch of major cities that encompass the entire island. You will be able to see the many birds flying around the island. How To Eat Like A Local In Touristy Taormina With several different dining rooms, it is perfect for groups. You dont need experience. The Duomo is a 13th century fortress-like structure with the most sober and simple of brick facades split into three sections as was common of the time. - See 3,288 traveler reviews, 1,067 candid photos, and great deals for Taormina, Italy, at Tripadvisor. These Group Adventure Tour Leaders Need Medals Stories from Epic Group Trips. The public park that Florence Trevelyan built was Halington Siculo, now renamed Villa Comunale, or public gardens, and is located halfway down from Taorminas center to the beach, spanning lovely views of Giardini Naxos and the coast below. Wine is also used to give it its unique flavor. Pick one of the signature cocktails, we loved the Belmond Negroni, and expect a few canapes especially designed by the chef daily, local almonds and olives, chips, crackers and other snacks. Location, location, location! This wonderful sport serves fantastic meat and fish dishes and is perfect for those looking for all three of food, ambiance, and a view! Right in front of the ancient harbor of Palermo is a seafood spot you will not want to miss! you will get to sample the famous Sicilian dishes such as arancini (stuffed rice balls that make for the best snack ever), cannoli, volcanic wines, cheeses and salami, etc. Taormina is best enjoyed slowly. You can also click here to see further information related to this. Dine at Il Barcaiolo, run by a local family since 1981, with a small terrace overlooking the bay. Or enjoy a more casual drink at Wunderbar, an institution in town, despite its touristy look and prime location. Day Trip to Favignana, Sicilys Own Carribbean, Visiting Rome in Winter Insiders Tips You Need To Know. There are a lot of things to do in Taormina itself, but also plenty around it, making it the perfect base for all the activities in Sicilys north and east coast. So there we have it, my guide for the best restaurants and places to eat in Taormina. While you will find marzipans for sale in many bakeries, cake shops and the like, Pasticceria Minotauro makes a huge range of fruits in colorful shapes and with a glossy, shiny stroke. Don't miss the caciocavallo all'argentiera (fried cheese with garlic olive oil and vinegar) and definitely be sure to sample some of the many pasta courses - the tagliatelle with the boar ragout is a particular standout! If you prefer to make the most of the balmy afternoon light, join a walking tour of Taormina which ends with aperitivo on a rooftop terrace bar in town. There are statues and memorials too, including a torpedo from WWII, as well as a small pond and a construction that seems to blend into nature. The Garden is shaded and has lots of trees and flowers of Mediterranean and tropical origin, and a verandah that runs the edge of the park and has stunning views and benches to sit on. Copyright 2023 TravelTaormina - All rights reserved. You can ask the guide anything about life in Sicily, the Mafia today or the movie, Visit Castelmola and have a shot in a penis glass, Castelmola is a small picturesque town right above Taormina which has incredible views of the stunning cost below and the hills along this side of Sicily.