Taomina

While both are beautiful and I personally preferred Ragusa, I would select the one that best fits logistically/ geographically into your existing itinerary so you can maximize your time there.

Taormina is overcrowded for my tastes, so I found myself trying to get off the main tourist thoroughfare and ducking down to the public gardens. Ragusa was much less crowded. Taormina has the ruins and lots of tourist shops, plus a nice side trip up to Castelmola if you've got extra time. Ragusa felt much slower paced.

Judging from your other posts, you'll be in Siracusa/Ortigia, so geographically Ragusa may be a better fit. But the overall distances are small, so Taormina isn't far.

I had similar decisions for this October. Taormina doesn’t seem to be very popular on this forum.. with that said, I (and girl Friend) will be staying in Taormina for 6 nights ( after staying in Rome). I don’t like moving to multiple hotels. I prefer to go somewhere, enjoy, and explore surrounding area.

To each his/her own :-)

Glenn

From the advice from this group, I will go to Ragusa instead of Taomina. I am for small town atmosphere and get to see small markets instead. Thanks. I love making breads , any advice of Breads stores, what breads to eat????? Thanks.

For me, Ragusa was nice, but Taormina was magic - and even the crowds couldn't ruin it. I know you've made your decision, but I feel I had to defend Team Taromina!

With ya, Harold. Nine years ago, Taormina was our first glimpse of Sicily, and yes it was magic. October, somewhat busy but not overrun. Quaint, totally picturesque, in its own way similar to Carmel, CA or Ogunquit, ME. Very artist-driven, as it's been for 200 years.

Oh, No with 2 new comments, I am torn between the two again. I am a senior lady and not the party type young person, still Taomina, guys????

I'm in my 60's, can't guess Harold's age but I trust he ain't a twenty-something...:)

It's just a beautiful place, mostly flat walking on the main drag Corso Umberto, although once off there it's either up or down, but walkable. And the Teatro Greco (Greek Theater) is from the 3rd Century B.C. and is prehistoric-seeming--we walked down there every day, just to hang out and savor it. Awesome restaurants, and try a marocchino, a kind of cappuccino.

I'm sure Ragusa is cool too. This is my experience!