Where to stay in Taormina
The old town runs along the pedestrian Corso Umberto, high above the sea. The beaches of Mazzarò and Isola Bella are on the coast below, and Giardini Naxos is the seaside town on the bay to the south. Which base is best depends on whether you want streets and evenings, the water, or a simpler arrival by train. This guide is independent and does not sell rooms. We do not rank hotels.
Whatever you choose, the hill shapes your days: the old town has little car access, parking sits at the edge, and the sea is a cable car ride away. The sections below set out what each base means in practice.
The three bases compared
What changes depending on where you sleep.
| Base | Suits | Getting around | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old town | Walking, restaurants, the Greek theatre, evenings out | On foot along Corso Umberto; car parks at the town edge | Check whether your property has car access before you book |
| Coast: Mazzarò and Isola Bella | Swimming and early mornings at the sea | Cable car to town; Sea Line bus along the coast | Cable car hours and maintenance closures |
| Giardini Naxos | Arriving by train, a beach town with its own museum | Linea Gialla bus to Taormina; Taormina-Giardini station | A bus ride, not a walk, to the old town |
Tours and day trips from Taormina
Boat trips, Etna excursions, cooking classes and tours of the old town, with live prices and availability.
The old town
Staying in the old town puts you on Corso Umberto, the pedestrian shopping street between Porta Messina and Porta Catania. The theatre, the cathedral square and the viewpoint over the coast are all a walk away. See our guide to things to do in Taormina for the sights themselves.
The catch is the car. Taormina runs a limited traffic zone (ZTL), and the municipal pass portal serves residents, businesses and accommodation providers. A hotel booking is not in itself a permit to drive in. Ask the property in writing how to reach it and where to park. Most visitors use the car parks at the edge: Lumbi on Via Mario e Nicola Garipoli and Porta Catania on Via Crocefisso, both open 24 hours.
Car parks in Taormina, 2026
Prices for a car, low season and high season. High season runs 1 April to 31 October, plus 1 and 6 January, Easter and Easter Monday, 8 December and 25 to 26 December.
| Car park | 1 hour | 4 hours | 24 hours | 48 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumbi | €3 / €3 | €7 / €13 | €20 / €30 | €30 / €40 |
| Porta Catania | €3 / €5 | €9 / €18 | €25 / €34 | €45 / €52 |
A shuttle bus from Lumbi starts at 06:30 and runs at most 15 minutes apart. The last trip leaves at 00:55, and on Saturdays at 01:55. The operator ASM raised its car park and cable car fares on 1 August 2026, so older guides show lower numbers. Mazzarò has its own car parks, covered and open air.
The coast: Mazzarò and Isola Bella
A room near the sea trades the evening streets for morning swims. The cable car links Mazzarò with the town every 15 minutes. The operator's service overview gives 08:00 to 01:30 in the main season and 08:00 to 20:00 in winter, so do not count on a ride home at any hour. In 2026 the line was closed from 12 January to 28 March for maintenance, with a replacement bus. Our cable car page has fares and details.
The ASM Sea Line bus connects the station, Isola Bella, Mazzarò, Spisone, Mazzeo and Letojanni. The Mendolia hotel on Isola Bella offers beach club use only in certain periods and for direct bookings through its own website, so a price from a booking portal may not include it. Read our beaches guide before you choose a bay.
Giardini Naxos and Castelmola
Giardini Naxos is the practical choice if you arrive by train. The station is Taormina-Giardini, and the Taormina Link bus runs from there into the old town. The ASM Linea Gialla also connects Taormina with Giardini Naxos and Trappitello towards Gaggi, but it follows a timetable, so a late evening return is not assured. A transfer is not part of the connection, so ask your property whether it offers one. The town has an archaeological museum with entry at €6, €3 reduced.
Castelmola, the hill village above Taormina, is another option. The ASM Linea Verde links it with Taormina and the station. A ticket costs €2 per ride or €3 for two rides on the same day, and the timetable for 2026 differs between weekdays and Sundays or holidays. See our Castelmola and Giardini Naxos pages.
Taormina hotels: what to check before you book
Four questions that save problems on arrival.
How do I get there?
Ask whether the entrance is reachable on foot from a car park and whether the property can arrange car access. A booking does not by itself grant access to the ZTL.
What is included?
Beach access, transfers and parking are often extras. Compare what each rate includes, not just the nightly price.
What is the tourist tax?
Taormina charges a municipal tourist tax. Ask the property what applies to your stay and how it is paid.
How do I arrive?
Direct buses link Taormina with Catania Airport, and the trip is advertised every 30 minutes. See Catania to Taormina for the options and Catania Airport for the airport itself.
If your plans centre on the volcano, where to stay near Etna lists the villages on its slopes. For the rest of the island, see where to stay in Sicily. For the timing of your visit, read best time to visit Taormina.
Where to stay in Taormina: frequently asked questions
Is it better to stay in the old town or by the sea?
The old town suits sightseeing and evenings, because the theatre and Corso Umberto are on foot. The coast suits swimming. The cable car links the two for €8 one way or €15 return in 2026.
Can I drive to my hotel in Taormina?
Not necessarily. The old town sits inside a limited traffic zone, and a booking is not an automatic permit. Ask your property how to arrive and use the Lumbi or Porta Catania car park if it cannot help.
How much does parking cost?
For 24 hours in 2026, Lumbi costs €20 in low season and €30 in high season, and Porta Catania €25 and €34. High season runs from 1 April to 31 October and includes some holidays.
Is Giardini Naxos a good base for Taormina?
It works if you arrive by train, because the station is Taormina-Giardini. Buses link it with the old town, so plan around the timetable.
Does a hotel stay include beach access?
Rarely by default. The Mendolia hotel includes its Isola Bella beach club only in certain periods and for direct bookings, so ask before you book through a portal.