When study abroad students are planning their spring breaks, they tend to look at the common beach cities such as Barcelona and Lisbon. After spending a week in Taormina Sicily, though, I would encourage students to open up their minds to this quieter but beautiful beach city. Located on the east coast of Sicily, Taormina Sicily is a city on top of a hill overlooking the beautiful sea. The people of Taormina are excited to have students in town and a week there spent like a break from the real world. It was, in terms of food and views, paradise. So why not even think about vacation rentals Taormina Sicily for your next term, we’ll try to convince you in the meantime, withTaormina Sicily what to do, Taormina Sicily restaurants.

Before we go any further here is a Travel Tip

Now remember that Sicily can’t be reached by train, so if you’re on the mainland you’re going to need to get yourself on a boat or a plane, lucky for you there are thousands of different connections that will get you there, let’s say you’re in Rome, you can hop on a train to Naples and from there you’ll find a commercial boat that will bring you to Sicily. But, if you’re in for a journey why not visit Calabria as well, it’ll probably take you longer but you can hop on a ferry from Reggio and be in Taormina in no time. Pack light, have fun and don’t say we didn’t warn you on how beautiful the Taormina Sicily weather is.

While you’re at it you can also check out the best places to visit in Southern Italy.

The Food
Sicily is general is known for its fresh, extremely local food options. Taormina takes these foods to a new level with its restaurants and cafes.

Arancini


Step into any cafè in Taormina to try this delicious treat. Arancini is basically a fried ball of risotto wrapped around different insides such as eggplant (Norma) and ragu. Served warm, filling, and extremely cost-effective, arancini are the perfect lunch option on a day of site seeing.

Pasta alla Norma


I was in Taormina for seven nights and ate pasta alla Norma three of those nights. This simple pasta dish features fresh pasta, eggplant, and the freshest ricotta cheese you can find in Italy. Most restaurants in Sicily serve it and it goes perfectly with a glass of red wine.

Granita

While Italy is known for its gelato, I would encourage you to take a break from this treat while in Sicily and swap it out for granita. This half slushie/half gelato iced drink is the perfect refreshment on a hot Taormina day and can be found in flavors such as raspberry, chocolate, and almond. Pro tip: order a brioche bun to get with your granite and pair the two together.

Cannoli

If you think you’ve had cannoli before, think again before trying Sicilian cannoli. Made with the freshest pistacchio, Taormina and Sicily are known for their cannoli. There is no shame in having one a day.

The Sites
Taormina’s rich history has roots in Greek, Roman, Spanish and Norman culture. The city is a vibrant mix of its past conquerors.

Greco-Roman Theater

In the heart of Taormina lies what used to be a Greek theater turned Roman amphitheater. This site used to host plays attended by the whole city as well as gladiator fights. The theater has a beautiful backdrop of the Naxos bay. It is a cheap ticket to see the astonishing site.

Giardini della Villa Comunale


After traveling around Europe for the semester, I have seen a lot of public gardens. None compare to the public gardens of Taormina. Scattered with bizarre, treehouse-looking structures, and intertwining paths, you could wander the gardens for hours. I encourage taking some time to sit and enjoy.

Mount Etna


While not technically in Taormina, the hour-long drive to hike Mount Etna is definitely worth it. The volcano is technically active currently but there are many areas still open for hiking. The views are Mars-like and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. This is a can’t miss opportunity, and no doubt one of the best time to visit Taormina.

Article written by Grace Kramer – Minnesota University in Florence

I’m a student from the University of Minnesota studying in Florence for the semester. I’m a junior studying Strategic Communications and Cinema and Media Culture.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-kramer-9b9967129?trk=hp-identity-photo

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