Introduction to the city of Taormina

I have been to the east coast of Sicily two times, once with my family over the Christmas holidays and again to see Adara, my best friend from college, while she was on her honeymoon. On both occasions I was lucky enough to visit Taormina.

With my family (brother, grandmother, and mom) at the Greek Theatre of Taormina

I visited Taormina, and although the reputation of this city preceded it, it exceeded my expectations on both visits. Taormina is home to one of the most impressive ancient theatres in all of Italy; in fact, the theatre is Greek in origin and was probably built around the 3rd Century BCE. The Romans expanded upon what the Greeks created (a common occurrence), and the glorious structure stands today, 24 centuries later, with panoramic, gorgeous views of sea and sky.

More views of the Taormina coast from the Greek theatre complex

When you visit Taormina, there will inevitably be a journey up. The town rests almost 700 feet above sea level, and some of the most beautiful views can be accessed on the journey up. When I visited by myself most recently, I took a bus from the Catania airport. This was a very economical and easy way to reach the city. We passed through Giardini Naxos which has now become a tourist destination in its own right. It was founded in 734 BCE as the first Greek colony in Sicily (you might more readily associate the name ‘Naxos’ with a Greek island). You take the twisting roads through this town up to the spectacular Taormina. I will discuss sites and restaurants to explore in the following posts, but walking around this town is continually a joy. I visited in June and December, not in August which is inevitably the time for a tourist rush. Still, views of the coast are enchanting at any time of the year.

Mt. Etna is also visible from the city of Taormina, and beautiful to observe at all times of day. Why Taormina? Here, you will experience all the beauty of a Sicilian city suspended above sea level in a paradiso meriting the oft awarded epithet “the jewel of Sicily.”