Should you stay in Taormina or Catania?

Should you stay in Taormina or Catania? Yes, it depends what you like, and what you'd like to do. If you prefer large, gritty, working cities, then stay in Catania. If you prefer a beautiful mediaeval resort hill town, then stay in Taormina. If you prefer a mix of the two, then stay in Siracusa, since Siracusa amicably blends everyday life and tourism.

Why is Catania famous?

Catania today is the industrial, logistical, and commercial center of Sicily. Its airport, the Catania–Fontanarossa Airport, is the largest in Southern Italy. The central old town of Catania features exuberant late-baroque architecture, prompted after the 1693 earthquake, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How many days do you need for Taormina?

After all, wandering the cobbled lanes, being amazed by the ancient theatre, and shopping for lemon-themed products are just a few of the many things to do in town. What is this? In order to truly enjoy all that Taormina has to offer, as well as take some side excursions, I would say that you need at least two days.

How many days in Catania is enough?

How Many Days Do You Need in Catania? We think either one or two nights is the perfect amount of time for exploring Catania itself, depending on how much time you have. If you want to use it as a day trip to either Taormina or Mount Etna, add a day for each one.

Which is nicer Palermo or Taormina?

It depends on your preference, Taormina is a small, chic and pricey tourist resort, Palermo is a big and chaotic city, two completely different environments/experiences. With only 4 days, you have to decide between the two.

Why is Taormina so expensive?

Taormina is considered as an expensive place by Sicilians. This because, thanks to the great influx of tourists, most of the restaurants/hotels adopt higher prices compared to other places in the island.

Where do celebrities stay in Taormina?

During the five centuries when San Domenico Palace was a convent, its residents were focused on a life of quiet contemplation. But when the convent was expanded to become a hotel in 1896, it quickly became a lively and glamorous destination for the world's rich and famous.

Is Taormina a good base for Sicily?

Its dramatic coastline, beautiful beaches, stunning views, endless entertainment and strategic position, make Taormina the ideal base for a wonderful Sicilian holiday. Taormina is located in an area with easy access to many other important and popular destinations around Sicily.

Is Taormina a walkable city?

It is in the center of town and a great place to eat, drink, listen to music and people watch. The ancient city of Taormina is completely walkable and attractive.

Where not to stay in Sicily?

Why is Taormina so popular?

Known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”, Taormina has been a sought-after vacation destination since Roman times. As probably the most perfect coastal resort town in Southern Italy, its popularity is entirely justified.

Which side of Sicily is most beautiful?

The east coast Ionian Riviera has some of Sicily's most picturesque pebbly and sandy beaches including those of Isola Bella, Mazzarò, Giardini Naxos and Letojanni (below Taormina).

Is it worth it to stay in Taormina?

With its beautiful hilltop location overlooking the Ionian Sea and the stunning views of Mount Etna, Taormina is known as the Pearl of the Meditteranean. It is one of the most popular towns in Sicily and we highly recommend that anyone visiting the island should spend at least one or two nights in Taormina.

Is it worth staying in Catania?

A quick answer is 1,000% YES – Catinia is definitely worth visiting! We visited Catania this year during the festival of Saint Agatha, and we can definitely say it was worth the visit. Catania is one of the most atmospheric cities in Sicily, with its beautiful Baroque architecture as well as its buzzing energy.

Is Taormina a tourist trap?

Returning to Sicily, we headed next to the famous town of Taormina, a mountaintop tourist trap high above the Mediterranean Sea. But tourist traps are popular for a reason and the site was indeed spectacular and the seasonal hordes were still at sufferable levels.

What to avoid in Catania?

Can you get around Taormina without a car?

Even if a schedule is posted online, I always like to physically go to the kiosk and check ahead of time. By Car: You won't need a car to get around Taormina itself, but if you've rented a car as part of a larger Sicilian road trip you'll find several parking lots and some hotels will offer private parking.