Taormina, the pearl of the Ionian Sea

TaorminaSummer is coming and it’s time to think about your next holiday. Sicily? Why not! If you are looking for a very special place where you can relax, have fun and enjoy natural and historical beauties, well…follow Sicilian Secrets to Taormina. Let’s discover more about the pearl of the Ionian Sea!

For the Greeks it was Tauromenion, nowadays it’s Taormina. We are talking about a town on the east coast of Sicily, one of the most famous tourist destinations as well. People from all over the world (many V.I.P.s included, actually!) come to visit this amazing place that thanks to its monuments and events can be considered the pearl of the Ionian Sea.

First thing that you have to know: Taormina is not right by the sea! It is not far of course, but the town is set exactly on the ancient site, so on a hill about 250 meters above the sea. If you have a walk around, you can still see the remains of the walls that used to protect the old city and a couple of fragments of ancient buildings.

Taormina
Taormina

Before coming here, a bucket list is strongly suggested…especially if you don’t want to miss the opportunity to take part in one of the events that take place in summer. Taormina is a wonderworld, do you need a few hints? Here is a short guide to live the city 100%.

Arts & History: The Ancient theatre

Roman or Greek? According to some experts, this theatre dates back to the 3rd century BCE and supposes to have been rebuilt in the Roman Age upon the foundations of an older Greek theater. Probably the truth will be a mystery forever, but we can surely say that it’s the second largest ancient theatre in Sicily and that whoever attends a concert, opera or any other performance there will be astonished!

Taormina
The Ancient Theatre

Don’t expect to find all the original seats! But don’t worry, you can admire the caves and the proscenium (they are both pretty well preserved), some parts of the architectural decorations in Corinthian order and also a few elements of a temple that today has been turned into the church of San Pancrazio.

Isola Bella: enjoy the wilderness

Do you want to plunge into the nature? Take a boat and easily reach Isola Bella, a small island very close to Taormina. Dock in a narrow bay and discover a gorgeous nature reserve: plants but also different types of colorful lizards and many species of birds.

Taormina
Isola Bella

This island was a present that in 1806 King Ferdinand I gifted to Taormina and through a path is connected to the mainland beach. But, if you love rocky beaches, don’t miss the opportunity to relax and suntan right there.

Taormina
Isola Bella

Giardini Naxos

Everybody likes the sea and if you are in Taormina, your destination is Giardini Naxos. It’s a little fishing port that is characterized by a beautiful landscape that tourists can enjoy thanks to the hotels, restaurants and many initiatives available in town.

Taormina
Giardini Naxos

Spend your day visiting also the churches and the archaeological park…and at the dusk, look at the hill of Taormina…it’s time to dream!

Taormina
Giardini Naxos

And if it’s not enough…

…There’s a lot to see in Taormina! From the municipal gardens to Palazzo Corvaja, from the churches to the Baroque fountains. And then the grottos and Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. Dimensione Sicilia brings you there, discover the tours and get ready to leave!

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