When planning your trip to Taormina, know that there will be a lot more to the city than pretty bougainvillea lined streets, granite and beaches (as much as we love all three of those things). The city is rich in art and history and it’s location, close to Mount Etna, makes it the perfect base for experiencing the majestic volcano. Scroll through five things we recommend you do when visiting the city but above all, don’t forget to wake up at sunrise at least once to watch Mount Etna painted against a pastel pink sky.
1
Visit Casa Cuseni
In Taormina, visit Casa Cuseni, it is an incredible villa of the beginning of the 20th century, surrounded by a garden designed by the futurist artists Giacomo Balla and Fortunato Depero. The villa hosts a museum dedicated to Fine Arts & Grand Tour. Make sure to talk to the manager, who tells the full story about this villa that belonged to an English gentleman who was one of the first homosexual man to freely live with his mate at the beginning of 1900 and to adopt a young boy escaped from Messina’s earthquake in 1911. The Villa was a cenacle of artists and intellectuals who left their works. The eclectic collection is interesting, the decadent atmosphere is amazing. WEBSITE
2
Explore Etna and surroundings
To reach the top of Mount Etna, you can simply take the gondola or hop on a 4×4 to reach its 3,000-meter peak. If you wish to visit the little towns and wineries at the foot of the mountain, take the Circumetnea from Linguaglossa, a 30-minute drive from Taormina. You can stop in Randazzo to explore the village and enjoy a granita at Pasticceria Santo Musumeci. Additionally, you can organize a visit and tasting at one of the many exceptional wineries, such as Sciaranuova, Tenuta Tascante, Graci, and Cottanera, to name a few.
3
Stroll through the Alcantara river park
Spend at least half day in the Parco Fluviale dell’Alcantara, a natural park with many opportunities for hiking, rafting and different kind of adventures. Located just a few kilometers from Taormina, this spectacle of nature tells us how strong and rich Etna’s understanding is with the surrounding landscapes. The lava flows from the volcano’s secondary cones were cooled very quickly by the flow of the Alcantara River, resulting in these scenic basaltic gorges, up to 25 meters deep. Body rafting, trekking and hiking are just some of the activities through which you can learn about this area. WEBSITE
4
Visit the Radicepura Horticultural Park
Under 30 minutes drive takes you to the biggest horticultural park in Sicily. Over more than 5 hectares, the Faro family has curated over 3,000 plant species, totaling 7,000 varieties, including shrubs, flowers, trees, rare palms, medicinal and aromatic plants. This collection forms a living archive for experimentation and education, serving as a centre of excellence for researchers, landscape architects, horticultural professionals, and nature enthusiasts. Since 2017, the park has hosted the Radicepura Garden Festival, a biennial event dedicated to the Mediterranean landscape. This festival gathers architects, landscape architects, artists, intellectuals, gardeners, and enthusiasts to create gardens around the annual theme, inspiring reflections and actions for landscape and environmental protection. The park boasts projects by illustrious names such as James Basson, Michel Péna, Paolo Pajrone, Antonio Perazzi, and Andy Sturgeon, alongside installations by François Abélanet, Giò Forma, and Studio Coloco. It also features artistic interventions from residencies by Emilio Isgrò, Alfio Bonanno, Federico Baronello, and Adrian Paci. WEBSITE
5
Visit a Lemon farm
In Pozzillo, near Mount Etna, you can head out on a Lemon Tour and Cooking Class with a local. You’ll begin with a guided tour of the farm, exploring both the flower and vegetable gardens, as well as the lemon groves. Later, the cooking class begins, preparing traditional Sicilian dishes using fresh vegetables, flowers, and recipes passed down through generations. Of course, after the work comes the fun, and you’ll be able to sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labour with a glass of Etna wine. This tour is organised by Walking Eolie. WEBSITE
