Taormina's beaches at a glance
The old town is high above the water, so every beach trip starts with a descent. The Funivia (cable car) runs from the town down to Mazzarò. Isola Bella is the other famous beach, and Giardini Naxos is the resort town on the bay below Taormina. This guide is independent and not the official tourism site of Taormina.
Most of the sand and shingle is shared between public stretches and private clubs that rent sunbeds. Prices and hours below are the ones published for 2026. Clubs set their own seasons, so check before you travel in spring or autumn.
The beaches compared
Three main areas, each with a different way in.
| Beach | How to get there | What is on offer | Published 2026 prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazzarò | Cable car from town, or the Sea Line bus | Lido La Pigna with loungers, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, towels and food | – |
| Isola Bella | Sea Line bus | Shingle strip to the island, a beach club run with a hotel, a nature reserve and a museum | Museum €6, €3 reduced |
| Giardini Naxos | Train to Taormina-Giardini, then bus; or the Linea Gialla bus from town | Several clubs along the seafront | Umbrella and two loungers €35 per day at W Beach Club |
| Spisone and Letojanni | Sea Line bus | Further stops along the coast | – |
Boat trips and coast tours from Taormina
Swimming stops at Isola Bella, small-group boat trips and Etna excursions, with live prices and availability.
Mazzarò
Mazzarò is the bay at the foot of the cable car and the easiest beach for a day trip from town. Lido La Pigna (a lido is a beach club with sunbeds and facilities) lists its beach and snack bar as open from 09:00 to 18:00. Its restaurant and pizzeria open from 12:00 to 18:00. Loungers, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms and towel hire are on site.
Cars leave every 15 minutes. The operator's service overview gives 08:00 to 01:30 for the main season and 08:00 to 20:00 in winter. The switch date in autumn is not fixed, so check the timetable if you plan an evening swim. In 2026 the line was closed for maintenance from 12 January to 28 March, with a replacement bus between Mazzarò and Via Pirandello. See our cable car guide for fares and times.
Isola Bella
Isola Bella is a small island joined to the shore by a narrow shingle strip. The middle of that strip is covered by water at high tide, so wear shoes you can wet. The island is a nature reserve with a museum, and the regional archaeological park sells the ticket: €6, €3 reduced. Reserve and museum are separate from a day on the beach, so follow the signs on site.
The island closed in January 2026 after damage from Cyclone Harry and reopened on 20 June 2026 at 09:00. Work on the reserve paths and clean-ups of the shore went on over the summer, so ask on site which paths are open. Since 2021 the University of Catania's reserve office has managed the reserve. The earlier management leaflet asked visitors to stay on the paths, take no plants or animals, light no fires, camp nowhere and leave no litter.
The Mendolia hotel runs a beach club below a flight of stairs, with loungers, umbrellas, towels, changing rooms and showers. Its inclusive offer applies only in certain periods and to direct bookings on the hotel's own website. More about the island is on the Isola Bella page.
Giardini Naxos
The seafront of Giardini Naxos is the place for a full beach day with sunbeds. W Beach Club on Viale Jannuzzo published these day rates for 2026: umbrella and two loungers €35, cabana lounge €80, and an extra lounger €10 when available. Each spot takes a maximum of 4 people. Longer stays are priced by the week or month: €210 a week or €870 a month for a lounger set, and €490 a week or €2,100 a month for a cabana.
Lido di Naxos lists daily opening from 08:30 to 18:30. Part of the coast can be affected by temporary bathing bans, so look for signs on the beach before you swim. Giardini Naxos also has an archaeological museum, €6 or €3 reduced, which makes a good plan for a hot afternoon. Read more on the Giardini Naxos page.
To reach it from town, take the Linea Gialla bus via Giardini Naxos towards Gaggi, or go by train to Taormina-Giardini station. A bus called Taormina Link connects the station with the old town.
Beach clubs and what they cost
Clubs on Taormina's coast charge for a place, not for the sea.
Check who runs the stretch
Before you put down a towel, check whether the area belongs to a club. Clubs rent loungers and umbrellas.
Front rows cost more
Tao Beach Club lists daily rates for 2026 of roughly €70 to €180 for two loungers and an umbrella, depending on the row and the season. Entry to that club requires renting a lounger, an armchair or a cabana.
Bad weather changes hours
Clubs can change their hours in poor weather or for private events. Call or check the website on a windy day.
See the coast from the water
Isola Bella Boat Club runs a shared one-hour tour from Isola Bella Beach for up to 6 guests at €70 each, with a swim and snorkel stop of 5 to 10 minutes. It offers no free cancellation of a confirmed booking, and it rebooks or refunds if it cancels because of unsafe seas. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.
Getting to the coast
By bus, cable car or train.
The ASM Taormina Sea Line bus links the railway station, Isola Bella, Mazzarò, Spisone, Mazzeo and Letojanni. Detours happen on event days, so check the current schedule before you go. ASM sells 24-hour tickets at €3.50, 72-hour tickets at €7 and 7-day tickets at €15. The cable car has its own tickets, so plan to buy that fare separately.
If you arrive from Catania, the train stop is Taormina-Giardini, below the town. For the airport, see Catania Airport. Planning beach time in the other direction? Catania's beaches are covered in their own guide. For the timing of your trip, our best time to visit page has the monthly figures.
Taormina beaches: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Taormina to the beach?
The quickest way down is the cable car to Mazzarò. Since 1 August 2026 a ticket costs €8 one way or €15 return for visitors. The Sea Line bus also runs along the coast to Isola Bella, Mazzarò and Spisone.
Is Isola Bella free?
The regional park charges €6 for the museum on the island, €3 reduced. The shore and the reserve follow site rules, so read the signs at the entrance. A sunbed at a club is a separate cost.
How much does a sunbed cost?
It depends on the club and the row. At W Beach Club in Giardini Naxos, an umbrella with two loungers is €35 a day in 2026. Tao Beach Club lists roughly €70 to €180 for two loungers and an umbrella.
Can I swim everywhere?
Not always. Temporary bathing bans have applied to parts of the coast, and the nature reserve on Isola Bella has its own rules. Follow the signs and any lifeguard instructions on the day.
Does the cable car run in the evening?
The operator gives 08:00 to 01:30 for the main season and 08:00 to 20:00 in winter. Check the timetable before you plan a late return.