Taormina, Sicily

Set within the Grand Hotel Timeo, this fine-dining restaurant is named after the 19th-century painter who put Taormina on the map, and it absolutely lives up to that artistic legacy. Chef Roberto Toro crafts exquisite tasting menus built on Sicilian produce — think saffron-kissed seafood and hand-rolled pasta perfumed with wild fennel. The views of Etna glowing at dusk while you dine are simply incomparable.

A beloved institution on Via Luigi Pirandello, this no-frills trattoria has been feeding locals and savvy visitors for decades with unfussy, soul-satisfying Sicilian cooking. Order the swordfish involtini or the aubergine pasta and you will immediately understand why regulars keep coming back. The buzzy, slightly chaotic atmosphere and warm service make it feel like eating in someone's very talented grandmother's kitchen.

No morning in Taormina is complete without stopping at this beloved pasticceria on the Corso Umberto for a brioche col tuppo stuffed with pistachio granita. The cannoli are freshly filled to order, bursting with sweetened ricotta and dusted with crushed Bronte pistachios. It's a tiny, bustling, wonderfully authentic spot that captures the sweet soul of Sicilian street food culture perfectly.

Hidden on a quiet side street away from the tourist rush, this creative restaurant champions local Sicilian ingredients with real imagination and genuine passion. The intimate dining room feels genuinely special, with a menu that changes with the seasons and a natural Sicilian wine list that deserves serious attention. It's the kind of place where a two-hour dinner turns into three without you ever noticing.

Perched above ancient Greek theatre ruins with sweeping views of Mount Etna and the cobalt Ionian Sea, this legendary hotel is pure Sicilian magic. Rooms are dressed in warm terracotta and hand-painted tiles, oozing historic elegance. Waking up here to that panorama and a breakfast of local citrus and pastries feels genuinely life-changing.

This intimate family-run hillside retreat sits just above the main corso, wrapped in bougainvillea and dripping with authentic Sicilian charm. Each room is individually decorated with antiques and local ceramics, giving the whole place a warmly personal feel. The terrace breakfast with homemade jams, almond granita, and Etna views is worth every cent.

Named after the Arts and Crafts architect who adored Taormina, this boutique gem combines artistic heritage with a sleek modern sensibility. The rooftop pool hovering above the town's rooftops is honestly one of the most dramatic spots in all of Sicily. Staff are genuinely warm, breakfast is generous, and the garden terrace invites long, lazy afternoons.

Tucked right at the edge of the sea in Mazzarò bay, this relaxed hotel gives you direct access to the crystal-clear water without the hilltop crowds. Rooms are bright, clean, and modern with balconies that practically hang over the Ionian. It's the perfect base for snorkelers, beach lovers, and anyone who wants to fall asleep to the sound of gentle waves.

One of the most dramatically situated ancient theatres on earth, this 3rd-century BC Greek amphitheatre frames a perfect backdrop of smoking Etna and the shimmering sea beyond. Walking through its brick arches and onto the worn stone seating, you feel the full weight of millennia of human spectacle. Visit at golden hour when the light turns everything amber and the view becomes almost too beautiful to process.

This tiny jewel of an island, connected to the shore by a narrow pebble strip that appears and disappears with the tide, is one of Sicily's most photographed and beloved natural spots. The surrounding water is a dazzling spectrum of turquoise and deep blue, ideal for snorkelling among colourful fish and rocky coves. Pack a picnic, hire a kayak, and lose an entire blissful afternoon here without a single regret.

Clinging to a rocky summit above Taormina, this tiny medieval village rewards the steep climb or short drive with absolutely staggering 360-degree views over the coastline, Etna, and the Aeolian Islands on a clear day. Wander its narrow stone lanes, peek into the ruined Norman castle, and stop at Bar San Giorgio for the famous almond wine served in chilled ceramic cups. It feels worlds away from the bustle below and utterly, quietly magical.

Taormina's pedestrianised main street is a glorious, unhurried promenade flanked by medieval palaces, baroque churches, independent boutiques, and fragrant lemon-scented ceramics shops spilling onto the pavement. Strolling its length at a leisurely pace, pausing at the Porta Catania and Porta Messina gateways, reveals the town's layered history in the most pleasurable way imaginable. Come back after dark when the string lights glow and the passeggiata begins — there is simply nowhere lovelier on a warm Sicilian evening.