Isola Bella at a glance
Isola Bella (Italian for beautiful island) lies in the bay below Taormina. A narrow strip of shingle and gravel links it to the shore. At high water the middle of the strip is under water, so the walk across depends on the tide and the sea. The island is both a nature reserve and a site with a museum, and those are two different things when it comes to tickets.
This is an independent guide, not the official website of the park or the reserve.
What changed in 2026
The closure and the reopening.
Closed after Cyclone Harry
On 29 January 2026 the regional park closed Isola Bella because of storm damage, until safe conditions returned.
Reopened on 20 June
The park announced the reopening to visitors from 20 June 2026 at 9 am. The closure was not permanent.
New manager for the reserve
The University of Catania says its nature reserves office has managed the reserve since 2021, taking over from the former body CUTGANA. Older pages and signs may still use the old name.
Path and beach work
In August 2026 the university reported work on the Sentiero delle Acacee (the acacia trail, planned to finish on 10 August) and clean-ups of the beach and seabed after the cyclone. Do not assume every path is open. Follow the signs on the day.
Tickets and opening times
Museum entry is not a beach fee.
| Visitor | Price | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €6 | Museum ticket, regional park, 2026 |
| Reduced | €3 | Half price for EU citizens aged 18 to 25; non-EU citizens where there is reciprocity |
| Under 18 | Free | Proof of age required; under 12s must be accompanied by an adult |
| Visitors with disabilities | Free | One entitled companion also enters free |
Older guides may print €5 and €2.50. Those were the prices until the end of 2024. The €6 here is a museum ticket. The park does not state a general fee for walking on the beach or the strip.
Opening hours change with the season and the park's own pages show different times for Isola Bella. Check the current hours on the day, and note that last entry comes before closing.
Our picks: Isola Bella by boat
Two boat trips from Giardini Naxos along the coast.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Dolphin-watching boat trip with aperitif
Along the coast to sea caves and Isola Bella, with a swim stop, commentary and a Sicilian apericena with prosecco.
Check availability →
Boat trip with snorkelling and prosecco
A guide, prosecco, fruit, music and a snorkel mask are included. The boat leaves from Giardini Naxos, not from Taormina itself.
Check availability →Boat trips and tours from Taormina
Boat trips along the coast and guided tours from Taormina, with live prices and availability.
On the island and on the water
Beach, reserve and boats.
The beach and the reserve
The strip that links the island to the shore is gravel. Check the signs and the sea on the day, because swimming conditions and any restrictions can change.
The reserve's earlier code of conduct (2020) asks visitors to stay on the paths and not to cross barriers. Do not pick plants or disturb animals. No fires, no camping and no litter. In the most protected zone it bans parasols and recommends closed shoes. Signs on site take priority over any printed guidance.
Boat trips
The Isola Bella Boat Club offers a shared tour from Isola Bella beach. It lasts one hour, takes up to 6 guests and costs €70 per person. It includes a swim and snorkel stop of 5 to 10 minutes, with towel, water and snorkelling gear. Confirmed bookings cannot be cancelled free of charge. If the operator cancels because the sea is dangerous, you get a new date or a full refund. Dolphins are not guaranteed.
Beach clubs
The Mendolia hotel describes a beach club reached by a staircase, with sunbeds, parasols, towels, changing rooms and showers. The hotel includes it for some seasonal periods and only for direct bookings through its own website, so do not assume it is included at the price you see on a booking portal.
How to get to Isola Bella
By cable car, bus or car.
Cable car
The cable car runs between the town and Mazzarò, and its coastal station serves the Mazzarò and Isola Bella area. Since 1 August 2026 a non-resident pays €8 one way and €15 return. Details in the cable car guide.
Bus
The Taormina Sea Line bus connects the station, Isola Bella, Mazzarò, Spisone, Mazzeo and Letojanni. Check the current timetable before you go.
Car
The Mazzarò car parks charge by the hour in 2026. The covered car park costs €6 an hour in the high season between 8 am and 2 am, the open car park €4 an hour. Rates are lower overnight in the high season. See the cable car guide for the other car parks.
From the airport
The trip from Catania to Taormina is covered by Catania to Taormina.
Nearby on this site
More of the coast and the town.
Taormina beaches
Mazzarò, Isola Bella and Giardini Naxos compared.
Taormina cable car
2026 fares, hours and the options for getting down to the coast.
Greek Theatre
Tickets, discounts and summer evening openings.
Where to stay
Old town, coast or Giardini Naxos.
An Etna excursion from Taormina is a separate day. For the volcano itself, see Mount Etna.
Isola Bella: frequently asked questions
Is Isola Bella open in 2026?
Yes. It was closed after Cyclone Harry in January and reopened on 20 June 2026 at 9 am. Some trails may be affected by works, so follow the signs.
How much is the Isola Bella ticket?
The regional park charges €6 for adults and €3 for reduced tickets in 2026. Under-18s enter free with proof of age.
Can I walk to the island?
The island is joined to the shore by a narrow strip of gravel. The middle of it is flooded at high water, so the crossing depends on the tide and the sea.
Is the beach free?
The museum ticket is not described as a general beach fee. Beach clubs charge for sunbeds and parasols, and rules in the nature reserve apply.
Can I take a boat trip?
Yes. One operator runs a shared one-hour tour from Isola Bella beach for €70 per person with a short swim stop. Bookings cannot be cancelled free of charge.
Who manages the reserve?
The University of Catania's nature reserves office has done so since 2021, after the former body CUTGANA.