Isola Bella

You can walk out to Isola Bella when the strip of beach connecting it to the mainland is not covered by water, but it’s best to visit this "beautiful island" by sea. Boat tours exploring the coastline of Taormina typically include a sail along Capo Taormina and a stop at the Grotta Azzurra sea cave. The craggy coast is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving tours, and full-day tours sometimes include lunch at a seaside restaurant featuring fresh fish and local wine. Other popular day trips or shore excursions that can be combined with a boat trip include a walk through the hilltop village of Castelmola above Taormina; a hike on Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Italy; or a trip to the popular resort town of Giardini Naxos.

• Bring your swimsuit if taking a boat tour or simply exploring the island by foot, as the beaches are prime for sunbathing and taking a dip.

• Don't forget a hat, sunblock, and plenty of water to stave off the heat if hiking on the island.

• Passengers must be agile enough to board and disembark on boat tours, so travelers with limited mobility should confirm accessibility before booking.

Isola Bella is located along the Taormina coast halfway between the cities of Messina and Catania, and can be reached on foot from the mainland at certain times of day, or by boat from any city along the Sicilian coast.

Sicily is most crowded in summer, when Italians flock to its beaches to escape the heat. Late spring and early fall have days that are warm enough to take a swim in the crystalline waters off Isola Bella without the hassle of the summer crowds.

Most excursions to Isola Bella depart from Taormina, so be sure to see some of this beautiful city's most remarkable monuments, including the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, the Cattedrale di Taormina, the Villa Comunale gardens, Corso Umberto, and Piazza IX Aprile.

Yes, Isola Bella is worth a visit during a trip to Taormina in Sicily. The beaches surrounding Isola Bella offer scenic ocean views and a relaxed place to sunbathe and swim. This small island is also a popular backdrop for photographs. You can see Isola Bella quickly or relax here for the day.

To reach Isola Bella from Taormina town, take the cable car. Connecting the charming village of Taormina up on the hill to the beaches at the seaside below, this cable car offers a scenic journey worthy of a ride whether or not you want to spend time at the beach.

Isola Bella is surrounded by beaches where locals and tourists go to relax. This is a scenic place to soak up the sun, go for a swim, or read a book. Other things to do include grabbing an ice cream, taking photographs of the scenic landscapes, and riding the cable car to Taormina.

The cable car that connects Taormina and Isola Bella costs €3 for an adult one-way ticket. Day and weekly tickets are also available for visitors who may be using the cable car service several times per day or over a week. It runs about every 15 minutes.

Each visitor will have their own favorite time of day at Isola Bella. Some people prefer the quiet morning hours for its peaceful atmosphere and gentle sun, while others love the intense sun and buzzing atmosphere of the afternoon hours. It’s possible to spend an entire day at the beaches of Isola Bella.

Yes, the beaches at Isola Bella near Taormina have bathrooms. The beaches here are free and open to the public for sunbathing and swimming and offer the convenience of bathrooms. After a day on the beach at Isola Bella, many people ride the scenic cable car back up to Taormina.