Il Piccolo Giardino GH ***Superior

May, June and September are the most pleasant months, with warm days, lower humidity and few rain days. July and August are the hottest, often above 30°C, but stay dry. March is the rainiest month. The Taormina Film Fest in late June and early July is a famous draw then, but summer heat peaks later. For sightseeing, late spring and early autumn are ideal.

Stay in Taormina City Center for the main sights, Corso Umberto, and easy access to Teatro Antico. It suits most visitors, with hotels like Hotel Villa Belvedere and San Domenico Palace. For sea access, Mazzarò offers beaches and a cable car to town, where Atlantis Bay and Mazzarò Sea Palace are. Isola Bella, around the nature reserve, suits a quieter stay with La Plage Resort.

Start at the Teatro Antico di Taormina, the ancient Greek-Roman theater with sweeping views of Mount Etna and the sea. Stroll through the Villa Comunale gardens for a quiet panorama. Walk the Corso Umberto past Porta Catania and Piazza IX Aprile, both great for soaking in the town's atmosphere. See the Duomo di Taormina, a medieval cathedral, and climb to the Chiesa della Madonna della Rocca for a hilltop perspective.

You can take full-day tours to Mount Etna, where you can walk on the volcano and explore its craters, and to Syracuse's Ortigia island and Noto, both known for their ancient ruins and baroque architecture. The Godfather tours visit the inland villages where the film was shot, like Savoca and Forza d'Agrò. If you prefer a day on the water, the boat trip around Isola Bella lets you swim and see the coastline from the sea.

Plan 2 to 3 days in Taormina. In two days, you can see the Teatro Antico, Villa Comunale, Duomo, and Piazza IX Aprile, plus stroll Corso Umberto. Add a third day for a trip to Mount Etna or Siracusa, which needs an extra day. If you want to relax at Isola Bella or Mazzaro, a fourth day helps.