Where to Stay in Taormina: Best Areas, Villages and Types of Stays

Taormina sits in Sicily, in the province of Messina, and the choice of area comes down to the bus map. For the coast, look at Mazzarò and Isola Bella. For a hilltop base, Castelmola has its own stop. Several municipal bus lines and the TAO-LINK shuttle tie these areas together, so the place you sleep decides which line you ride and from where.

At a glance

• Airport: Catania Airport, the largest in southern Italy
• Station to the coast: TAO-LINK from Taormina railway station to Isola Bella and Mazzarò
• Coast by bus: Beach Bus (blue line) from Taormina Terminal Bus, Via L. Pirandello, to Spisone, Mazzarò and Letojanni
• Hilltop village: green line (Linea Verde) to Castelmola, Piazza S. Antonio
• Lodging on record: a 1-star room rental (5 rooms), a 3-star B&B (5 rooms) and a 4-star hotel (16 rooms)

The best areas to stay in Taormina

Taormina centro: for bus connections in every direction

The yellow line (Linea Gialla) leaves from Porta Messina for Giardini Naxos and Trappitello. The red circular line (Linea Rossa) serves the center from Porta Catania and from the Lumbi car park. The Teatro Greco is on Via del Teatro Greco and the Castello on Via Madonna della Rocca, so both are easy to place on a map from here. This is the area for a first visit without a car.

Via Nazionale and the Funivia: for a room near the cable car

Via Nazionale holds two small places to sleep. One is a 1-star room rental at Piazza della Funivia with 5 rooms and 8 beds. The other is a 3-star B&B at Via Nazionale 4 with 5 rooms and 9 beds, and its classification runs until December 31, 2026. The regional natural history museum of Isolabella and Villa Caronia is also on this street, at number 109.

Via Crocifisso: for a larger hotel

A 4-star hotel on Via Crocifisso has 16 double rooms and 32 beds. Guests who like a hotel with a full set of rooms rather than a handful will find it here.

Mazzarò and Isola Bella: for the coast

The green line stops at Mazzarò Baia and Isola Bella. TAO-LINK also runs from Taormina railway station to both. Anyone who wants to spend the day by the water can sleep here and skip the climb back to the center. The Beach Bus calls at Mazzarò too, so there are three ways in.

Castelmola: for a village above the town

The green line connects Castelmola with Taormina, and its stop at Castelmola Piazza S. Antonio is the one to look for. The same line continues to Sirina and Ospedale San Vincenzo. Staying up here means planning around the bus timetable, which has been in force since July 9, 2025.

Spisone and Letojanni: for the Beach Bus

The blue Beach Bus links Taormina, Spisone, Mazzarò and Letojanni. It departs from Taormina Terminal Bus in Via L. Pirandello. The first three runs to and from Taormina pass through via Mario e Nicolò Garipoli, which matters if your lodging is on that street. The timetable has been in force since August 5, 2025.

Giardini Naxos: for the train

Giardini Naxos is on the yellow line from Porta Messina, and TAO-LINK runs from the center to the Taormina-Giardini FS station. It suits travelers who arrive by rail and want to settle close to the station.

Where to stay in Taormina with kids, as a couple or on a budget

• Coast first: Mazzarò or Isola Bella · rooms near the stops · green line and TAO-LINK
• Hilltop: Castelmola · rooms near Piazza S. Antonio · green line
• Larger hotel: Via Crocifisso · 4-star, 16 rooms · green line
• Station arrival: Giardini Naxos · rooms near the station · TAO-LINK and yellow line

What is the best area to stay in Taormina?

The center near Porta Messina and the Pirandello Terminal Bus is the practical base. TAO-LINK to the station and the Beach Bus to the coast both leave from there. The bus company’s administrative office is at 0942683800, and the Lumbi car park cash desk is at 0942683801.