We are planning to spend 3 nights in Taormina during a 6-week stay in Sicily this summer (four weeks in Siracusa working remotely, a fifth week in Palermo, and a sixth week split between Ragusa and Taormina). We would like to experience Taormina, but we have misgivings since it is consistently described as very crowded. How crowded does it really get in July? As a point of comparison, we found Sam Gimignano kind of unbearable (a town too small for all the busloads of tourists, with not many places left for one to slow down and relax after seeing the tourist attractions). Is it like that?
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4139 posts
Taoramina is very crowded on cruise stop days. Did you check to see if one, or two, will be in port during your visit? We visited in April of 2021 and found it enjoyable and not overly crowded. No cruise ships that day.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks, Barbara. This is great tip. It would have not occurred to me to check the dates of cruise stops. A quick internet search brought up a website (cruisemapper) where one can get that info.
Posted by
NC
349 posts
We spent two nights in Taormina in September, 2022 and thoroughly enjoyed our time there (and nearby Mt. Etna wineries). Unlike our experience in Cefalu, we found the town lovely and uncrowded as well as the people both friendly and helpful. Enjoy!
Posted by
2674 posts
We spent three nights in Taormina in May. We had no cruise ships on the days we were there. There are day trippers who come and briefly it was crowded. My advice would to get out before they come which in our case was not until close to noon and enjoy the evenings after they leave. We went to Mt. Etna on a day trip and to Castelmola by bus (and walked down) for a few hours which was fun as well as seeing Taormina. The Greek theater is fabulous and there are gardens as well that are beautiful.
Try to get a place with a view.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7024 posts
Spent two days there in October 2018. The first day was extremely crowded along the main street through town and theater area because a cruise ship was in port. The following day was much nicer since no ship was in port. Two full days there is sufficient for what the town has to offer. Being summer, it will most likely be crowded whether a ship is in port or not.
Posted by
145 posts
Going to Mount Etna was a highlight of my trip. I recommend Aetna people tour company.
From Taormina they pick you up and it’s a small van so you have maximum eight people in your group. The price was very reasonable and included a wonderful lunch at a winery.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you all for your generous advise. We decided to spend 3 days in Taormina.