Easy360 minutes
Taormina by the Sea — Half Day at Mazzarò and Isola Bella
From Taormina town centre to the sea and back: cable car, pebbles, crystal-clear water, Isola Bella. All in a half day, no car needed.
Discover the routeTaormina · Sicilia
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Things to do
Pre-built routes for one day, two days, or specific interests.
Experiences
Curated, with what to expect and what to skip.
01Must see
The hilltop village above Taormina: 360° views, almond wine, fewer crowds.
Discover the place02Must see
The fastest way down to the sea, skipping the switchbacks.
Discover the place03Must see
Nature reserve and islet, linked to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand and pebbles. Pebble beach, crystal-clear water, entry fee for the reserve.
Discover the placePlan your stay
Parking, ZTL, beaches, cable car: the essentials in two minutes.
The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa (CTA), ~60 km / 1 hour by car. From there: a direct Etna Trasporti bus (€4–8, ~1h30, up to ~39 runs/day), a taxi (~€110–170 flat rate), a private transfer (€90–150) or train + bus (slower). From Messina, the train takes 50 min. Important notice: Taormina's railway station is on the seafront, NOT in the centre — it's ~5 km uphill from the station to the old town.
The cable car connects central Taormina (Via Pirandello) to Mazzarò beach in about 2 minutes. Single ride €6, return €10, day pass €20 (non-resident rates). Cabins every 15 minutes, continuous at peak times. Summer hours 8:00–1:30, winter 8:00–20:00. In high season, queues of 15–30 minutes.
Taormina's old town is inside a ZTL: the car has to be left outside. Lumbi is the most convenient (~€10–15/day, free shuttle included), Porta Catania is the most central but pricier, Mazzarò only makes sense if you're heading to the sea. Free parking in high season: practically non-existent.
Three main beaches near Taormina: Mazzarò (2 min by cable car, pebbles, mix of private lidos and free areas), Isola Bella (nature reserve with entry fee, small free beach at the foot of the sandbar), Letojanni (sandier, 25 min on foot or by bus). All reachable without a car.
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