In this East Sicilian travel blog, I will give you tips, information and inspirations on the Eastern part of Sicily; Taormina, Catania and Mt Etna area. Most travelers arrive in Catania or Palomino by plane. From here you can both start your tour around the island. I started in Catania and headed southeast by rental car. But first I drove up to the famous volcano Mt. Etna. Both Taormina and Catania I visited at the end of my trip coming from the Northern part of Sicily.
Climb Volcano Mount Etna
I didn’t want to waste time to start my holiday. I arrived early in the morning and a whole day ahead. Picked up my car which I rented via Discover Cars at Catania airport. I typed in the parking place on the Etna. First, I drove through some small towns and nice landscapes with a lot of farmland around. Soon the landscape changes into steeper and rougher mountain scenery. The colors changed to red, brown and black and no trees in this part, the air was cooler too. I parked the car and put on my walking boots. First some coffee and an Italian croissant: cornetti. Ready to do some walking now. The first two craters are very close to the parking spot; the upper and lower Crateri Silvestri. You already have the feeling of walking and being on the top of the world. It was a beautiful clear day and the view was amazing. After some walking around on the edge of the crater I went to the Funivia dell’Etna. This is the cable car that will bring you to 2500m for 30€ return per person.
A rental car gives you the freedom to explore Sicily at your own pace. You can compare prices and rental car options with Discover Cars.
The surrounding on the 3326m high Etna looks more like landing on the moon!? The color palette, structure of the ground, the bouldering sound of the world’s most active volcano with smoke coming out of the crater constantly, makes this place unique. It is a real cool experience to walk here!
Talking about cool; bring some warm clothes with you, high on the top of the volcano it is windy and much colder than below!
You can book tours that will guide you through the whole area. For me it was already a long day and wanted to explore the volcano by myself. After getting out the cableway I walked up, not all the way up; it was exhausting to be honest. You can book a 4-wheel drive truck that will bring you more up the volcano. This is a great way to start the holiday, I was lucky with the weather all blue skies that day. After driving around Sicily I saw the Etna again, it was covered in clouds. So, pick your time to climb the Etna wisely!!
Where to Stay and Eat
I booked a last minute room at OttoMood Bed & Breakfast at the foot of the Etna in the town of Tremestieri. This place was perfect to stay, nice villa with view on the volcano I just climbed. A jump in the pool to cool off was chill and rested the afternoon at this very inviting and friendly place. The rooms are clean, stylish and comfortable and the breakfast is very good! You need a car to get to the restaurants and mall across the road. I went to have a drink and bite (tried my first arancini; fried risotto ball) with the owner at a Bar Pasticceria Pizzeria Ottagono in Mascalucia. I loved the area, with from every corner a nice view on the Etna!
Still looking for somewhere to stay in near the Etna? You can compare hotels, apartments and boutique stays on Booking.com.
Book an accommodation in the more countryside instead of the busy town of Catania, perfect to chill and start your holiday.
Things to do around Taormina
I think Taormina is the most visited place in East Sicily and maybe whole Sicily; at least I run into the most tourists here, even during the quiet Corona period. The main and spectacular highlight is the Teatro Greco; indeed, it is very stunning! But there are more places to visit in ancient Taormina, see below my tips, information and inspirations:
1. Visit Teatro Greco
I left early to be at the entrance when it opened at 9:00 and bought my entrance ticket. Arriving early was definitely worth it. I was one of the first people inside and could walk up through the ancient theatre while it was still quiet. The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is one of the most impressive sights in eastern Sicily. The theatre was originally built by the Greeks and later enlarged and adapted by the Romans. What makes it especially beautiful is the setting. From the upper rows, you look across the ruins towards the Mediterranean Sea, with Mount Etna rising in the distance.
For a few minutes, I simply sat down and enjoyed the view. Without the usual crowds, it was easy to imagine what this place must have felt like centuries ago. The combination of the old stone theatre, the sea and Etna in the background is probably one of the most memorable views in Taormina.
The theatre is still used for concerts and performances today. During my visit, they were already building a stage, which felt slightly strange at first but also showed how the site is still very much alive. Walk around the different levels and viewpoints rather than only looking at the theatre from the entrance. The views change with every few steps, and some of the best angles are from the higher sections.
Go as early as possible if you want to experience the theatre before the tour groups arrive. The quieter atmosphere makes a big difference here.
2. Go to the Beach
Taormina is located on a steep hill with perfect views over the sea. To go to the beach, you can take the cable car (funivia) in town (3 EUR one-way) down to the beach and back. I went to Lido Mazzarò beach with a lot of umbrellas and deck chairs for rent. I was not that impressed by the beach, but the weather was also not clear that didn’t help too. The next beach you must walk up the hill and it’s called Isola Bella; this is a small peninsula in the middle of the bay.
The beaches are not sand but stones and rocks, that is a bit of disappointment for me, but the water is super clear! The same for Spiaggia di Mazzeo, a little bit outside Taormina to the North. Black sand and stone beach with mega clear blue water, perfect to cool off on a hot day.
Bring sandals or water shoes if you go to these stone and rocky beaches, makes it more comfortable!
3. Shopping Time!
Taormina is perfect for shopping! The main street Corso Umberto is full of high-end stores, but also ceramic, antique and even local culinary deli and wine shops. Perfect for souvenir shopping on one of my last days here. I went to the side streets of this main street as well, here I found a unique handmade ceramic shop called Majolica at Via Bagnoli Croci, more original than the traditional ceramics.
Warning: Be aware that the prices are higher than other places in Sicily, due to the popularity in this touristic and beautiful place.
4. Watch the Sunset
At the Piazza IX Aprile with the church Chiesa di San Giuseppe you have a spectacular panoramic view over the Mediterranean Sea and volcano Etna. Perfect to stroll the streets before sunset to enjoy the entertainment and see the sun set behind the volcano. After that you stroll to find a nice restaurant to eat a perfect Italian pasta!
5. Walk the Botanical Garden
Another nice walk with an amazing view is the Villa Comunale Di Taormina. A park created by an English woman in the late 19th. The park is well maintained and full of exotic plants, trees, buildings and the views are picture perfect! Perfect to chill, eat you lunch or just walk; nature in the middle of the city.
Where to Stay and Eat in Taormina
I booked all my accommodation last minute in this Corona period, used Booking to explore but called directly which saved some money at the same time. Sorry Booking. In Taormina it is very hard to park your car in the center, I parked my rental car at Parcheggio Lumbi, just outside the historic center. I paid around €20 for 24 hours during my visit. Current rates vary by season, so check the latest parking fees before you go. Buses drive you to the center frequently for fee; perfect solution to be honest. My B& B was called Casa Turrisi in het middle of the city center.
The rooms are very nice, and my bathroom was gorgeous with nice Italian decorative ceramic tiles. The breakfast at the rooftop was a bonus a real recommendation! Below the B&B you have a popular bar and restaurant called Bam Bar. Go to Gustibus for a gnocchi dish at this lovely Sicilian Bistro full of delicacies and wines. The arancini from StritFUD are great too!! In Taormina you have plenty of choice for all meals of the day and in different price classes.
Still looking for somewhere to stay in Taormina? You can compare hotels, apartments and boutique stays on Booking.com.
Short Stop in Catania
I arrived in Catania in the afternoon, before flying home the next morning. After traveling around Sicily, I mainly wanted an accommodation close to the airport, but I still had a few hours left to explore the city center.Catania feels very different from smaller places like Taormina or Noto. It is Sicily’s second-largest city and immediately feels busier and more urban, with traffic, shopping streets and everyday city life mixed with impressive historic buildings.
I walked through the center towards Piazza del Duomo, the main square of Catania. Here you will find the Cathedral of Saint Agatha and the elegant Porta Uzeda, with the dark volcanic stone used throughout the city giving many of the buildings their distinctive appearance.From Piazza del Duomo, I continued along Via Etnea, Catania’s main shopping street. It is a good street for a final stroll through the city, with shops, cafés and historic buildings along the way. I even managed to squeeze in some clothes shopping before the end of my Sicily trip.
I only had a short afternoon in Catania, so I did not try to see everything. But even with just a few hours, you can get a good impression of the historic center and combine some sightseeing with coffee, shopping or an early dinner. If you are flying from Catania Airport the next morning, staying here for the final night is also a practical way to finish your road trip.
Where to Stay and Eat in Catania
My recommendation for staying in Catania and only 10 minutes from the airport is Le Dimore Degli Archi. This luxury Bed and Breakfast is close to the city center on Via Calì, perfect for me having only an afternoon. The B&B is brand new in the middle of a local neighborhood and part of a bigger building. I did not expect such a luxury room here! Very friendly staff, safe, parking around the corner and basic breakfast.
Still looking for somewhere to stay in Catania? You can compare hotels, apartments and boutique stays on Booking.com.
I had a late lunch on my way from Taormina to Catania at Acquapazza in the village of Santa Tecla. I saw the signs at the road for a while and it was on my way. Eventually it was a perfect stop to eat in what they say in one of the best restaurants of Sicily. The food was indeed perfect, and the style and service were top notch; a very unexpected coincidence! That is why I only had an ice cream at Cioccolato e Gelato in Catania.
Going to ride the Baroque Route like me or to Cefalù and Milazzo area?
