10 Things to Do in Taormina at Night

As you pass through Taormina you will be amazed by the medieval charm of this city, built on a mountain right on the Mediterranean Sea on the Sicilian coast. You will get privileged panoramic views from any point of this town, due to its terraced formation. You will be amazed by the picturesque cobbled streets, surrounded by handicrafts, flowers, galleries, monuments, restaurants, bars and shops.

Among the best things to do in Taormina at nightfall, you can walk along the pedestrian street Corso Umberto, discover the history and architecture of the place by visiting the Cathedral, the ancient Greek theatre, among others. You will also have the option to get away from the hustle and bustle to connect with nature in the famous Public Gardens, spend a day at the Spisone or Mazzarò beach and much more.

If you are a foodie and don't know what to see and do in Taormina at night, then taking part in a local cooking class or embarking on a tour of the city's restaurants will be a good option for you. You will learn how to cook and taste delicious dishes, while enjoying a beautiful night view of the Mediterranean from the terraces of the restaurants visited.

Cooking classes

In the best cooking classes in Taormina, a professional chef in his restaurant will teach you step by step some traditional Sicilian dishes. For example, fresh pasta, caponata (aubergine, tomato, celery and olive stew) and a delicious cannoli for dessert.

Afterwards, you will sit on the terrace to taste the preparations, accompanied by a glass of wine and the privileged night view of the city.

• Price: The average price for these cooking classes starts at €85 per person.
• Duration: this type of experience usually lasts between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the type of preparations you make.

Gastronomic tour

The gastronomic tour of Taormina by night is an activity that you can do on your own. All you have to do is select a few restaurants and visit them one by one. You will discover the Sicilian cuisine and learn about the cultural importance of each preparation.

Although the variety of restaurants is very wide, here are a few to consider:

• Bodega Modì on Corso Umberto. There, from the terrace of the place you will taste Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. It also has an extensive wine list.
• La Scala on Via d'Orville, specialising in pasta, Mediterranean food, desserts and wine list.
• TreQuarti, on Corso Umberto. You'll find a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes, Mediterranean food and Sicilian specialities.

During your stay you will not only be able to enjoy the best tours of Taormina to discover its architecture, landscapes and history. Also, when the sun goes down, you will have the opportunity to discover the lively nightlife of the city through its pubs and nightclubs.

You will have no problem having fun at night, whether you want to dance until dawn or relax in a quiet atmosphere. All this while enjoying an aperitif and a drink. Whichever option you prefer, you should know that you will find it in Taormina.

For example, among the most popular pubs and discotheques, frequented daily by locals and tourists, the following stand out:

• Septimo: this is a discotheque located in Via San Pancrazio (city centre). You will enjoy theme nights and disco groove music until 5:00 am.
• Morgana, in Scesa Morgana. This is a lounge bar with an extensive cocktail menu, VIP areas, live DJs every night and themed parties until 3am.
• The Pub, on Corso Umberto. This is a quiet and elegant place that closes its doors at midnight. You'll find delicious cocktails, a wine list, snacks and music.

Among the things to see and do in the city at night you can incorporate a walk along Mazzarò beach and Spisone beach. In this way, you will enjoy a different perspective of these natural spaces. You can watch the sunset and then contemplate how the stars and the moon gradually appear in the sky.

Mazzarò Beach

This free-access beach, also known as Isola Bella, is a nine-minute drive from the centre of Taormina. You can also reach it via the town's cable car.

Once on the beach you will walk calmly on the small pebbles and gravels that make it up. Meanwhile, you can watch how the sea and the sky embrace under the moonlight, creating a magical and romantic setting.

Spisone Beach

This is another beach with free access areas, considered among the most visited in Taormina. It can be reached from the city centre by Interbus, a route of about 30 minutes from Piazza San Pancrazio.

At Spisone beach you will be surrounded by rock formations, see the crystal clear waters and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. You can also climb up to one of the surrounding terraces for a privileged panoramic view of the entire beach at night.

A visit to both beaches is definitely an activity you can incorporate into your itinerary and do it in the evening, right after you have taken a day trip from Taormina or wander the streets of the city visiting monuments and shopping.

Taking a night tour during your stay of at least 1 day in Taormina is a must for any tourist. You can enjoy a real atmosphere of celebration in the pedestrian street Corso Umberto I.

You will feel that Taormina has been splashed with colour, thanks to the lights on the facades of the buildings and monuments. This way, you will get a more dazzling perspective of the city, ideal for taking some pictures.

During the tour you will walk along Corso Umberto I, considered the main artery of the whole city and visited annually by thousands of tourists. There, you will be surrounded by the shops, terraces with restaurants, bars and cafes that line the street.

You will also be able to see several tourist attractions. Some of them are:

• The Porta Catania or arched entrance to the south of the city. It is a fortification erected by the Arabs around 1440.
• The Clock Tower or Porta di Mezzo, which dates back to the 12th century and leads to the historic centre of the city.
• The Porta Messina: this is the historic entrance to the city, located to the north and built in 1808.

If you want to have an encounter with Italian culture, you will have to dedicate an evening of your itinerary in Taormina to enjoy some world-renowned Italian operas. All of them performed by talented local singers.

This opera night usually takes place several times a week in the halls of the Teatro Nazarena. So, no matter what time of the year you visit the city, you will be able to attend a recital.

Throughout this experience of about 2 hours, you will witness amazing arias and duets from Italian operas. Some of them are:

• La Traviata, (1853): a three-act opera by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi.
• La Bohème (1895): a four-act opera by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini.
• La Tosca (1900): this is another work by Giacomo Puccini. It is a three-part opera premiered in Rome.

Useful information

• Price: the average price for this type of activity usually starts at €30 per person. Children under the age of 10 get free admission to the recital.
• Time: the activity usually starts at 21:00.
• Where: Nazarena Theatre. Via Fontana Vecchia, 3, 98039 Taormina.

Taormina Cathedral is a monument of great historical and architectural value in the city, which you can visit at any time of the day. However, during the evening hours, the structure and its surroundings are illuminated, acquiring a particular charm that will make you feel like you have travelled back in time.

Admission to the medieval Cathedral is free and it is open until 20:00. You can enjoy its stone façade and imposing bell tower. You will also see:

• The central nave: the structure is supported by six columns, some in pink marble and others monolithic. Four arches stand out above them.
• Its chapels: located next to the central apse. One of them is representative of 17th century baroque and dedicated to the Sacrament, while the second is in honour of the Virgin of the Graces.
• The wooden ceilings: these are above the transept and the naves. You will notice the detailed workmanship through the Arabic motifs carved into the corbels that finish off the imposing beams.

Also, right in front of the cathedral you will notice a baroque fountain with a crowned centaur, standing out in its centre with a globe and a sceptre in his hands. This is one of the most representative symbols of the city, whose construction dates back to the 17th century.

Visiting the Trevelyan Park or Villa Comunale is another of the things to see and do in Taormina at night. This beautiful Italian park is open to the public until 20:00 hours in winter and 24:00 hours in summer and is a very popular tourist attraction.

This historic garden of approximately 22.400 m² has become the main natural lung of the city centre. There, you will find a pleasant natural space to walk and relax, while enjoying picturesque landscapes and panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

During the tour you will be surrounded by quite heterogeneous vegetation: a variety of trees, exotic flowers and Mediterranean plants. You will also walk through the main emblematic areas of the garden.

Some of them are: - Northern region: this is an area made up of two levels and connected by a ramp. There, a central square stands out, used in ancient times for rest and leisure.

• Central region: you will see a Monument dedicated to the Fallen of the War from 1915 to 1918, a cannon from 1915, an imposing tower, among others.
• Southern region: this part of the garden pays homage to the war dead through a row of olive trees.

Taormina by night offers an amazing medieval scene. You will see a different perspective of the city, thanks to the illumination on the facades and monuments, making it ideal for you to live a photographic experience on your own or on a guided tour with a professional photographer.

Self-guided tour

Taormina is a city with a fantastic location to be photographed: night landscape scenes and historical monuments. Just walk through its streets and, little by little, you will discover amazing places.

You can walk along Corso Umberto, enter the terraces of some restaurants and cafes to enjoy the panoramic views, pass by Palazzo Corvaja, Porta Catania, the historical centre of Taormina, among other places.

Photographic tour

If you opt for a photographic tour of Taormina by night, you will be accompanied by a professional guide, who will teach you some tips and tricks to take professional quality pictures. You will be able to create, together with him, a route through the city according to your tastes and needs. Afterwards, you will set off on foot in search of the most photogenic spots.

• Price: the average cost of this photographic tour of Taormina by night usually starts at €399 per person.
• Duration: this photographic experience with a professional guide usually lasts about 2 hours.

The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is another tourist destination that opens its doors until 19:00, allowing you to take a night-time look at these important archaeological ruins from the 3rd century BC.

You can walk around the site at your own pace, while observing the different samples of predominant Greco-Roman architecture. For example:

• The imposing amphitheatre with a capacity of 10,000 people.
• The arena area, which in ancient times was the stage for gladiatorial fights.

Also, if your trip coincides with one of the monthly concerts or musical performances, you can extend your cultural experience.

The entrance fee to this monument is approximately 10€ per person. However, you will find a reduced price of 5€ (18 to 25 years old) and free for children under 18 years old.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Rocca is a must-see destination, and even more so after sunset, because you can enjoy an incredible panoramic view from the highest point of Taormina at night.

You will have to climb a kilometre-long flight of stairs along via Salita Castello, which will take you directly to the sanctuary, whose doors are open every day until 19:00.

Upon arrival you will be amazed by the beauty and simplicity of this church, built inside a grotto. There, you will be able to see:

• The rustic stone façade has a door with an engraved lintel and two symmetrical windows.
• A side building used as a sacristy.
• A small chapel at the back.
• The reinforced concrete cross, whose history dates back to 1930 and which is illuminated every night from the east side of the cliff.

In addition, you will find some food shops with stunning views of the coastline. Here you can eat, drink and relax before heading back to the city centre, either to catch your transfer service to Taormina airport or to continue enjoying this medieval town.