Taormina Things to Do

A walk to Castelmola is not long at all. Take stairs from Via Circonvallazione. It'll take about half hour. On the way up you'll have a wonderful view of Taormina with the Greek Theatre clearly seen from the top. And later you will see Castelmola on picturesque hills.
I did not have time to go and visit the village (had one day for the whole town) but the view of it totally worths the walk!

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The Piazza Duomo is probably the most quaintest in Taormina with the baroque fountain in its centre - the emblem of the city. It was built in 1635 in Taormina marble. The cathedral is though to be from around 1400. The square seemed to be a popular meeting place for locals

Te Greek Theater is located in the top of a hill, and from there you will have terrific views of the village. Don't miss it!!!
In summer there's a lot of shows (fashion, music, etc) hapening at night. When I was there I saw La Traviata.

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A lively square is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele with the taxi rank and cafes but also fine building s of the Santa Caterina Church and the Palazzo Corvaja which now is home to an independent tourist company - worth while to have a look inside its courtyard though. (see next tip)
On the left hand side of the square the road leads to the Greco Roman theatre or you can continue along the main street.

This is the Roman Odeon. It was built during the imperial age when the romans occupied Taormina. It is only small (compared with the huge teatro greco) you can't go in it but you can see it through the fence.

The Greeks knew how to build theatres, and no more so than here in Taormina, where the audience has a view of Etna and the sea as well as of the stage. I kept wondering how anyone could watch the plays!

"Theotokos" means "The Mother of God". If you want to see her you need to go inside the passagway of the old clock tower in Taormina. As you pass through, if you are coming from the old town center it is on the left.

By now you are wondering what the "Theotokos" is. It is a Byzantine mosaic icon which has been perfectly preserved. Absolutely breathtaking!

The Greek Theatre is the most obvious place you will head for in Taormina. If not for the ancient site ruins it will be for the superb panorama towards Mt Etna from here. It's the combination of the awesome mountain on the backdrop and the old remnants of the Greek theatre on the foreground that make each picture perfect. It must be the most photographed place on the entire island. Go here early or late in the afternoon (the place closes down at 19h00 in summer) for your best pictures.