The best hotels in Taormina

Hotel Condor sits on Via Dietro Cappuccini, a short walk from Corso Umberto and the main piazza. Rooms are basic but clean, with some offering partial sea views that are genuinely impressive for this price. The breakfast is simple but does the job. Staff are helpful and speak enough English to get you sorted. A solid base for exploring Taormina without breaking the bank.

Hotel Elios is a small family-run property on Via Bagnoli Croci, a quieter street above the town bustle. The rooms are modest but tidy, and several have terraces with open views toward the sea and Etna. The owner is friendly and full of local tips about where to eat and which beaches to visit. It lacks a pool and restaurant, but the location is convenient for the cable car to the beach. Good honest value in one of Sicily's most expensive towns.

Villa Schuler has been run by the same family for over 100 years and sits on Via Roma with views stretching down to the Ionian Sea. The garden is one of the best features, full of citrus trees and bougainvillea, perfect for a quiet morning coffee. Rooms are elegant without being fussy, mixing antique furniture with comfortable beds. The staff genuinely care about your stay and will arrange excursions without any pressure. One of the most charming mid-range options in Taormina.

Hotel Isabella sits right on Corso Umberto, the main pedestrian street in Taormina, putting you at the heart of everything. The rooms facing the corso have balconies with direct views over the street activity and surrounding hills. Interiors are classic Sicilian in style with tiled floors and warm tones. It can get noisy on weekend evenings given the location, so ask for a rear room if you are a light sleeper. The rooftop terrace is a highlight, especially at sunset.

Hotel Metropole occupies a historic building just steps from the Greek Theatre on Via del Teatro Greco. The building itself has real character with stone archways and a terrace garden that overlooks the valley and sea. Rooms vary in size, so it is worth requesting one of the larger superior rooms with a view. Breakfast is served outside when the weather allows, which makes it an especially pleasant way to start the day. The proximity to the theatre makes it ideal if you are attending a summer festival performance.

This small boutique property on Salita Ciampoli in the historic center has just a handful of rooms, each decorated with locally sourced Sicilian tiles and carefully chosen furnishings. The attention to detail throughout is noticeable, from the handmade soaps in the bathrooms to the curated breakfast spread each morning. Corridors are narrow and stairs are steep, so it is not suited to guests with mobility issues. The rooftop terrace is private and uncrowded, with some of the best views in town. A genuinely romantic choice for couples.

Hotel Bel Soggiorno is a long-established property near Piazza Badia with a loyal returning clientele that speaks for itself. The terrace restaurant serves reliably good Sicilian food with views across the rooftops and coastline below. Rooms are comfortable and well-maintained, leaning toward a traditional style that suits the building. The pool is small but welcome in the Sicilian summer heat. Service is attentive and the staff remember your preferences by the second day, which is a rare quality.

Villa Ducale sits on the hillside road leading up toward Castelmola, slightly above the main town center, giving it exceptional panoramic views over the bay and Mount Etna. The building is a restored 19th-century villa filled with antiques and local artwork collected by the owner family. Each room is individually decorated and the suites have private terraces that are hard to leave. The shuttle service into town is useful since the uphill walk back is tiring in summer. This is a genuinely special place that earns its strong reputation.

Grand Hotel Timeo is Taormina's most historic luxury hotel, opened in 1873 directly adjacent to the Greek Theatre on Via Teatro Greco. The views from the pool and restaurant terrace across the bay to Etna are genuinely as dramatic as the photographs suggest. Rooms are spacious, beautifully furnished and equipped to the highest standard. The restaurant, Otto Geleng, holds a Michelin star and delivers food that matches the setting perfectly. Service here is polished and thorough without ever feeling stiff or impersonal.

The Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea sits directly on the beach at Mazzaro bay, connected to the main Timeo property above by the hotel's private cable car. The setting is extraordinary, with private beach access in one of the clearest stretches of water on this coast. Rooms in the main villa are large and light-filled, with interiors that balance elegance and comfort without feeling like a museum. The seafood served at the beach restaurant is excellent and sourced locally. This is among the finest hotel experiences in all of Sicily and priced accordingly.