In the previous article, I mentioned Catania, the first stop of my trip.. Now it’s Taormina, Sicily.
Taormina is one of the hidden corners of Italy. In my travel notes about this city, you can find places to visit in Taormina and details to guide your Sicily trip, it’s time to hit the road !
Catania Centrale Station / To Taormina
How to Get to Taormina ?
Monday, 23 June 2014. In Sicily, where I just set foot today, I completed a half-day tour of Catania and came to Catania Centrale station to go to Taormina.
There are trains to Taormina every half hour from the station.. So I turn to automatic machines to buy tickets. If you wish, you can buy tickets from the box office, but in Sicily, since the people do not speak English very well it can be a little difficult to communicate with the clerk at the counter.
Transport from Catania to Taormina
Ticket I’m queuing for the machine. At that time, I noticed a Turkish speaking group in front of me.. I think they were having a problem getting tickets. I said “Do you need help?” in Turkish. Afterwards, I learned that they were going to Siracusa and helped them buy tickets.. The group came with me from Istanbul today.
When it’s my turn, I see that the closest Catania – Taormina train is at 11.37 and I buy my ticket for 7.5 euros.. The train I’m on is going to Rome. If you wish, you can go by regional trains (regional) for 3.5 euros.. I agree with the difference so as not to waste time.
My Train Ticket to Catania – Taormina
Taormina Giardini Station
The journey will take approximately 1 hour. The total distance is around 50 km. I’m getting on my train. Along the way there is a wonderful sea view. After about 1 hour. Arriving at Taormina Giardini station. Giardini station is located on the beach. The center of the city is a little on the hill.. There are minibuses that go to the center in front of the station.. When you get off, you can see the stops and times.
After waiting for a while, I got on the minibus. The fare for this trip is 1 euro. We go up and down a very detour]. After about 15-20 minutes I arrive in Taormina.
Taormina Giardini Naxos Train Station
Where is Taormina?
First of all I want to talk a little bit about Taormina. Taormina is a town with a total population of 11,000.. It takes its name from Mount Tauro, where it is located.. It is located on the part of the island of Sicily that faces the Ionian Sea, about 50 km north of the city of Catania.
It has a history dating back to BC and contains ancient Roman ruins.. It has a rising popularity in Europe lately.. With its beautiful sea, unique Mediterranean cuisine and lively entertainment, it is a small but very cute place.
Taking the Bus from Taormina Station to the Center
According to my plan, I will stay in Taormina this evening. The reason for this is that this place is far from the city air and is a very lively place at night.. First, I start walking towards my hostel, which I booked before I arrive.
With the help of the offline map and GPS I have, I arrive at Hostel Taormina. After check-in, I left my stuff in my room.. First of all, I have to say I feel the warmth of the Sicilian People here too. The lady at the hostel reception gave me good information about Taormina and its surroundings and was very helpful in the first minutes.
Streets of Taormina / While Walking Towards the Hostel
Can you swim in Taormina?
It’s a little past noon. I head to the sea to relieve the tiredness of both the road and the day.. As I mentioned, Taormina has a pretty beautiful sea. As a result of my research on Taormina beaches, I chose Isola Bella for swimming..
You can walk from Taormina to get down to the beach. This takes about half an hour. My suggestion is that you land like this because the view it has is really amazing. I plan to use the Cable Car system for the return.
Isola Bella Taormina
Isola Bella Beach
I’m slowly moving towards Isola Bella. It is around 2-3 noon and the air temperature is quite high. Pedestrians do not follow the path used by the bus as it descends. It has stairs accompanied by a magnificent nature and sea view. I’m pretty tired and sweaty too, but it’s almost time to the sea.
Finally, I arrive at Isola Bella.. Isola Bella means beautiful island. This place is as famous as Taormina with its own name.. The beach is free as in all of Europe.. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas.. It also has a restaurant and a small cafe.. Only the sea is not sandy but stony. This adds a nice clarity to the sea, but can hurt our feet a little.. It will be very useful to have a water shoes with you here.
Ionian Sea / Isola Bella Taormina
I don’t need to comment on the sea.. Because it’s really cool and it has a nice cooling warmth in this heat.. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful seas I’ve ever been to.
I stay in the sea for two or three hours and sunbathe. I think this is the best option for lunch, especially if you are traveling in the summer and you can swim in the sea where you are.. Because walking in the heat can really turn into torture.
Ionian Sea / Isola Bella Taormina
Taormina Cable Car
After both getting rid of the tiredness of my Catania adventure in the morning and enjoying this beautiful sea, then back to my hostel with the view of Taormina. This time I used the cable car to go up. It costs 3 euros.
After taking a shower and getting ready without wasting any time, I head towards Castelmola, which is one of the must-see places in Taormina, a little above the town..
Cable Car Running Between Mazzaro – Taormina
Places to See in Taormina
Castelmola can be reached by bus, but I prefer walking to catch the view.
After I went up to a certain place. I came back because it was hot and tired. Anyway, when I got to the top, I wouldn’t be able to see much from a slightly better view.. As you can understand from its name, there are ruins of an ancient castle, but this castle has not survived to the present day in a very good condition.
On the way to Taormina / Castelmola from the hill
Ancient Greek Theatre
I go down to the center of Taormina, Here are more places to visit in Taormina. This placewith its narrow streets and baroque architecture is truly amazing. It has a very relaxing structure.. In my opinion, Taormina is one of the most important atmospheric cities in Europe.
There are two recommended places to visit in Taormina. Ancient Greek Theater (Teatro Antico di Taormina) and 9 April Square ( Piazza IX Aprile a Taormina ). Apart from that, the churches of San Giuseppe, Church of Saint Augustine and Duomo di Taormina are worth seeing.. First, I start with the famous theater.
Taormina Ancient Greek Theater / Etna Volcano in the Back
Umberto Street
Ancient Greek Theater (Teatro Antico di Taormina), as you can understand from its name, is one of the most important theaters from the Ancient Roman period. somebody. Etna rises in all its glory behind the stage. This is one of the most special places to watch Etna. The entrance fee is 5 euros.. I think it’s totally worth it.
After walking for a while, Corso Umberto appears before me.. This is Taormina’s most lively and worth visiting street.. It fascinates people with its magnificent atmosphere. There are cute shops, restaurants along the way.
Corso Umberto Taormina
The important churches I mentioned are along this street.. First, I come across Santa Caterina Church. 17. This church, built in the middle of the century, is very cute and very compatible with the atmosphere of Taormina.
Church of Santa Caterina / Taormina
April 9 Square and Churches
The weather is now getting close to dark. I keep walking on Corso Umberto. I arrive at the 9th of April Square ( Piazza IX Aprile ). In my opinion this is the most beautiful place in town. The churches of Saint Augustine and San Giuseppe are also located here.. Especially St. Augustine’s Church impresses with its splendor.
The side of the square facing the sea is open.. It has grab bars because it’s on the top.. This place is home to a great view. Ionian Sea on one side and Mount Etna on the other. In addition, various events are held here in the evening.. Not counting the performances of street artists !
9 April Square (Piazza IX Aprile ) / San Giuseppe Church / Taormina
Etna Volcano View
The sun is now replaced by Etna’s leaving it to the lights from its lava. I reach Piazza Duomo via Corso Umberto. This is the last place I plan to see in Taormina. Duomo di Taormina, the most important church of the city, which gives the square its name, is located here.. The church has a very different and pleasant appearance.
I am coming to the end of Corso Umberto.. Here you are now completely alone with Etna Volcano. I’ve mentioned it occasionally, but to recap, Etna is an active volcano and you can often see the smoke rising from the tip of the mountain.. At night it is possible to see the light of the lava inside through this smoke. This is an unusual scene and quite impressive !
Smoking Etna Volcano and Me / From Taormina
What to Eat in Taormina ?
I’m on my way to my hostel now. On the way back, I prefer to turn from the streets I did not enter. This is something I always do. Sometimes you can see unexpected places and witness moments from life.
I got a little hungry after this walk and of course an Italian restaurant is the right choice to relieve the tiredness of the day and taste beautiful Mediterranean flavors.. So what to eat in Taormina? My preference was a nice Napoli Pizza . Luckily, when I ate, Italy’s football match was being played.. The World Cup was being played when I was there.. I was distracted by the meal while watching the match.
Duomo di Taormina
The last thing I did before returning to the hostel was to check the bus times for the morning of the next day.. I will use this bus to get off at Taormina Giardini station. If I could get up I caught the 6:25 am bus in the morning.
After a long and tiring day, I arrive at my hostel.. Four more people stay with me in the room I stay.. I think I paid a decent fee of 15 euros for the hostel.. The room also has a nice terrace.. Even a small view of Taormina is visible. I also see that most people in the hostel are there and I agree with them.
Taormina Bus Times
Actually, I try to make good use of such times.. It is very enjoyable to chat and share things with tens of people from different cultures in hostels.
Although I am tired, I participate in the conversation a little bit.. There is a very nice atmosphere on the terrace.. One of the rest is playing the guitar every now and then.. I introduced myself the moment I went. In such environments Turks are more interested. In fact, we are a very curious society in the world.. People ask a lot of questions, this is something I like.
The Terrace of My Hostel
Sicilian Cities to Visit
It’s a little past 12 at night. It’s been a long day for me at last. As I always do, I dedicate my last half hour to plan the next day.. This is very important to use your time to the fullest.. I learned almost everything I shared with you here as a result of my research.. I’m not doing this and the rest of my travels under someone’s guidance. I suggest you discover it yourself, it is much more enjoyable this way!
My journey that I started from Istanbul today ended in Taormina, Italy, after Catania.. I’m wrapping up my Taormina travel guide here. I’m leaving early tomorrow morning for Messina and Palermo.. I will continue this section on the next page. Now a good sleep awaits me.
Continuation of the article: Sicily/2. Day Messina Previous Post : Sicily / 1. Day Catania
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