Car Rental Taormina

Taormina clings to a cliff above the coastal A18 freeway between Catania and Messina, and is only 34 miles north-east of Mount Etna. The A18 and A19 are only five minutes away from Catania Airport. From there, it takes about 50 minutes to get to the city. A car ferry runs from the Italian mainland to Messina in Sicily, and once you land on the island, you can take the A18 freeway along the coast for 30 minutes before arriving in Taormina.

For the most part, driving in Taormina is a relatively straightforward experience, thanks to the traffic levels, which are much lower than you might experience in larger cities. However, because of the historic nature of Taormina, there are many narrow roads, so it’s worth ensuring you take extra care until you’re used to them.

The landmark entrance into the town is through the archway of Porta Messina, found at the northern end of the historic center. The nearby Via Pirandello road is the main route down to the coast from Taormina. During the summer months, parking can be difficult as the city attracts lots of tourists, soon filling the town’s tight, medieval roads. However, there are two large parking lots on the outskirts of town, which are perfect for seeing the highlights in the center.

You’ll drive on the right on Sicily, where the speed limit is 50km/h (30mph) in towns, 90km/h (55mph) on rural roads, 110km/h (68mph) on divided highways, and 130km/h (80mph) on the highways. 

Taormina is a classic, sleepy Sicilian town located on a steep hillside overlooking the Mediterranean. The settlement was founded in the 4th century and is home to the second largest Greek theater in Sicily. The town is overlooked by Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, which erupted twice in March 2017. During the late 18th to mid-20th centuries, the town was on the Grand Tour circuit for English and American visitors, with Oscar Wilde, Elizabeth Taylor and Greta Garbo staying in Taormina on vacation.

Get your bearings

Piazza IX Aprile is the town’s main square, offering gorgeous views of the Ionian Sea and surrounding villages. From here, you can get a proper feel for the place. Visit its 17th-century churches to get a feel for the importance of religion in the town through the centuries, or swing by a little later to enjoy the town’s vibrant atmosphere at night, when visitors and locals alike come to dine.

Visit the ancient theater

Sicily is covered in Roman and Greek ruins, as well as boasting some of the best-preserved monuments to these bygone empires in the world. Its ancient theater, Teatro Antico, was built in the 3rd century and offers panoramic views across to Mount Etna. With its hilltop location, the theater is an iconic visitor attraction and one of the most spectacular in Sicily. Under Roman rule, the theater was a venue for bloody gladiatorial battles. Mull over the gruesome past of this fascinating setting as you sit back and enjoy the film screenings, opera and music that it hosts today.

Explore Mount Etna

Peaking at 3,329 meter tall, Mount Etna is one of Europe’s tallest and most active volcanoes. During the winter months, you can ski down the volcano, but most visitors go in spring or summer to learn more about the Parco dell’Etna. The volcano’s topography ranges from snowy mountains to black-lava deserts, and there are plenty of wooded fields and lush vineyards to visit on its slopes.

Depending on how much time you have, there’s a variety of tours available, from one hour to a few days. Visiting Mount Etna by public transport is difficult. You can reach it along the A18 freeway, a road that goes through the town of Nicolosi and twists its way up the mountain towards the Rifugio Sapienza snack bar. From there, you can park up and take a cable car to the mountain’s peak.

Relax by the beach

Take some time to chill out at Isola Bella, the most popular beach in Taormina – but get there early as space is at a premium during the summer months. Close by, you’ll find Mazzaro beach, which will give you more room to relax. Letojanni beach is about four miles away and has a beautiful sandy bay, where you’ll find plenty of lidos with sun beds and umbrellas.

Day trips from Taormina

Renting a car in Taormina is crucial if you want to see the real Sicily. From Taormina town center, Syracuse is no more than 50 minutes away via the A18 and E45. In the town, you’ll find Ancient Greek ruins complementing baroque piazzas and fountains. If you want to visit Catania, it's a quick 45-minute drive along the A18.

With a car rental, you can explore the entire island with ease and enjoy some of the most majestic landscapes in Italy. We have pick-up points across the island, making it easy to explore wherever you intend to drive.