Associazione Culturale by Fragranza di Sicilia
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Via Tommaso Fazzello 6B-C
Taormina ME 98039, Italy
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Where to go and what to see outside of Taormina
In case you are wondering what else is there to do in Taormina and the surrounding area, take a peek at some of the cities and towns in the vicinity. With a short distance from Taormina and easily accessible by public transportation (seasonal schedules apply) many of the towns are a marvel to explore. Follow the Godfather trail by visiting Forza D'Agro and Savoca or go on an adventurous hike to Monte Venere where the panoramic views are breathtaking. Take a look at our photo gallery below and explore!
Castelmola
A nice hike to 529 meters above the sea level...
Castelmola is connected to Taormina through a panoramic path, which offers a gorgeous view of the North slope of Mont Etna. This path, called “Sentiero dei Saraceni” (Path of the Saracens), is mainly made of stone steps and it takes around 60 minutes to climb up to Castelmola. In the map below you find the route to the beginning of this path. After reaching the upper part of the town named Chiusa (there are stairs leading to the area), go on and follow the main street up in the direction of Castelmola. The Second option to reach Castelmola is to take Salita Castelo which will also lead to a beautiful church of Madonna della Rocca. Both hikes are similar in time and offer amazing views.
In Castelmola you will enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes of the area, extending from Mount Etna to the Southeast part of Italy, Calabria. In town you can explore the narrow streets, where at Christmas time live Nativity scenes are performed, you can visit the ruins of the castle, where hunting with falcon was practiced in the past, you should visit the Cathedral, and in the typical Bar Turrisi, with a panoramic terrace and a wonderful view. At the Bar Turrisi you should taste the traditional almond wine, a sweet white wine with almond flavor.
Monte Venere
A bit of nature...
For those who love hiking, the challenging walk to Monte Venere offers a stunning landscape of hills extending westward towards Palermo. The view is especially charming at sunset. Monte Venere is the highest hill in the area, and you can see it right behind the hill of Castelmola. It's better to do this hike when the weather is cooler, so it's best to go in Autumn, Winter, or Spring, as summer days can get incredibly hot. The walk from Taormina may take a couple of hours or more if you walk at a slow pace or if you stop along the way, so make sure you bring enough water. The path is equipped with wooden rails and was designed by the Scottish Lady Florence Trevelyan. You will hear or read a lot about her in Taormina. The walk starts from the cemetery of Castelmola as you climb up a very steep street. Along the way, you will always see Monte Venere’s hill, and you'll easily find your way. There is more than one way that leads to the top of Monte Venere, but since you always see the top of the hill going up, and the cross of Castel Taormina going down, you won't get lost.
Forza D'Agro & Savoca
Savoca is, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful towns in the area: its old stone houses are arranged in a particular way extending along the hill, which makes this town look different from the historical center of a typical Sicilian village arranged around the main square. A few scenes of the movie “The Godfather” were shot here: the most famous is the bar scene. You will find Bar Vitelli just at the entrance of the town. However, Savoca offers a pleasant panoramic walk along the settlement on the hill, where you can visit several monuments such as churches and the Capuchin monks’ monastery (open to visits in the morning). Guided tours (“Godfather tour”) start from the Bus Terminal in Taormina. At the box office at the Bus Terminal, you can get information on how to reach the city and what stops along the way are offered. Similar to Savoca, Forza D’Agro can easily be reached by bus (Interbus). It offers a nice walk in the historical center and amazing views, and you can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner at Trattoria Anni 60. Some scenes of the “The Godfather” movie were filmed here as well. This historical town offers many glimpses of the local architecture.
