Hotels in Taormina: Where to Stay in 2025
Updated 22 September 2026 · 399 real hotels
Taormina's historic centre suits travellers who want walkable streets, ancient ruins and sweeping sea views, while the Mazzarò and Isola Bella shoreline is the right base for beach-focused stays. Giardini Naxos offers a calmer, more affordable alternative a short drive south along the coast.
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| Hotel | Area | Rating | Price / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotiday Taormina Mazzeo | Plage Letojanni à 1 min à pied | ★ 3.8 | 53 €/nuit |
| Naxos Laguna Beach | Plage de Giardini Naxos à 7 min à pied | ★ 4.6 | 72 €/nuit |
| Palazzo Durante | Sur la plage | ★ 4.4 | 74 €/nuit |
| Main Palace Hotel ★★★★ | Sur la plage | ★ 3.8 | 76 €/nuit |
| Hotel Caesar Palace ★★★★ | Chianchitta-Pallio | ★ 4.2 | 80 €/nuit |
| apart hotel Kalaskiso' ★★★ | Plage de Giardini Naxos à 2 min à pied | ★ 4.1 | 85 €/nuit |
| EliHotel ★★★★ | Sur la plage | ★ 4.3 | 88 €/nuit |
| Hotel Baia Delle Sirene ★★★ | Plage de Spisone à 5 min à pied | ★ 4.2 | 95 €/nuit |
| Taochambre | Taormine | ★ 4.8 | 95 €/nuit |
Taormina sits on a rocky terrace above the Ionian Sea, roughly halfway up the eastern flank of Sicily, with Mount Etna as a permanent backdrop. The town has drawn visitors since antiquity, and the Greek-Roman theatre, still used for summer concerts and film festivals, remains its centrepiece. Streets are narrow, largely car-free and lined with bougainvillea, ceramic shops and trattorias. The elevation means the air is noticeably cooler than the coast below, and the panoramas from the public gardens or the theatre seats are genuinely difficult to rival anywhere in the Mediterranean.
What makes Taormina unusual is its vertical geography. The historic hilltop town, the cable-car station, the beach coves of Mazzarò and Isola Bella, and the flatter resort strip of Giardini Naxos all occupy the same small coastal stretch but feel like distinct places. Choosing where to sleep shapes the whole rhythm of a stay: the centre rewards evening strollers and culture lovers, the waterfront suits those who want sand and boats at their doorstep, and the valley floor offers more space and lower prices without being far from either.
Which area to stay in Taormine?
- Historic Centre (Taormina Alta): The pedestrianised core around Corso Umberto and Piazza IX Aprile. Best for first-time visitors, couples and anyone who wants immediate access to the Greek theatre, the Duomo and the best restaurant terraces. Hotels here tend to be built into hillside terraces with cliff-edge pool views.
- Mazzarò and Isola Bella: The cove directly below the town, reached by cable car in five minutes or by road. This is where the most prestigious beach hotels concentrate, with direct or near-direct access to the water. The atmosphere is quieter and more resort-oriented than the town above.
- Villagonia: A residential coastal hamlet between Mazzarò and Giardini Naxos, slightly removed from the tourist bustle. It suits travellers with a car who want a quieter base and good value without sacrificing proximity to the coast.
- Giardini Naxos: The flat seaside town at the foot of the Taormina headland. It has a long sandy beach, a lively promenade and a broader range of mid-range accommodation. It works well for families and for travellers arriving by rail, as Taormina-Giardini station sits here.
- Lido Conchiglie area: A quieter stretch of coastline north of the main cable-car cove, with a more local feel and less foot traffic. Good for travellers who want sea access without the summer crowds that gather at Isola Bella.
Good to know
- Get the cable car timing right: The funivia connects the historic centre to Mazzarò beach and runs frequently, but queues build quickly in July and August. Staying in the centre means a five-minute descent to the water, but plan beach days for the morning to avoid the midday crush at the cable car.
- Arrive by train if possible: Taormina-Giardini station sits in Giardini Naxos at sea level. From there, city buses (Interbus) run up to the historic centre regularly. Driving into the centro storico is restricted, and parking is limited and expensive in high season.
- Book early for summer: July and August are the peak months for both Italian and international visitors. The Greek Theatre festival runs through much of July, which pushes demand for central hotels very high. Shoulder season (May, June, September and early October) offers better availability, mild temperatures and lower prices.
- Pack for the gradient: Even if your hotel has a shuttle, the town itself involves constant climbing and descending on uneven stone steps and cobbles. Comfortable walking shoes matter more here than in most Italian destinations.
- Catania airport is the practical gateway: Catania Fontanarossa (CTA) is roughly 50 kilometres south and is served by direct flights from many European cities. Transfers to Taormina take around 45 to 60 minutes by taxi or shared shuttle, or slightly longer by regional train to Giardini Naxos.
What to know about hotels in Taormine?
What is the best area to stay in Taormina?+
The historic centre is the most convenient base for sightseeing, dining and the overall Taormina atmosphere, particularly for a first visit. If beach access is your priority, the Mazzarò cove directly below the town is where the leading waterfront hotels are located, including Atlantis Bay and Mazzarò Sea Palace, both rated 4.8 out of 5 in the available data.
When is the best time to visit Taormina?+
May, June, September and early October offer the most comfortable conditions: warm enough to swim, cool enough to walk and explore, and significantly less crowded than the July-August peak. July and August are lively but busy, with the Greek Theatre festival adding cultural appeal alongside the summer heat and higher prices.
What is the average hotel budget for Taormina?+
Based on the hotels currently available, the range is broad. The Hotel Continental in the town centre starts at 142 euros per night and holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating, while Hotel Villa Sirina in Villagonia comes in at 198 euros. At the luxury end, beachfront five-star properties like Atlantis Bay and Mazzarò Sea Palace are priced at over 1,100 euros per night. Mid-range options like La Plage Resort and Eurostars Monte Tauro sit in the 340 to 360 euro range.
How do you get from Catania airport to Taormina?+
The most direct option is a private taxi or pre-booked shuttle, which takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic and drops you as close to your hotel as the restricted access zones allow. Interbus also runs a scheduled coach service from Catania airport to Taormina that is reliable and affordable. The regional train connects Catania to Giardini Naxos, from which local buses continue up to the centro storico.
Is Taormina worth it for a beach holiday, or is it primarily a cultural destination?+
It works well for both, but the beach setup is more vertical than typical coastal resorts. The beaches at Mazzarò and Isola Bella are small, scenic and popular, and the cable car makes switching between the hilltop town and the water straightforward. Travellers who want long stretches of flat sandy beach may prefer basing themselves in Giardini Naxos, where the shoreline is wider and the pace more relaxed.
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