Isola Bella

The Basics

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.

Things to Know Before You Go

• 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.

How to Get to There

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.

When to Get There

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.

Taormina's Famous Sights

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.

Is Isola Bella worth it?

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.

How do you get to Isola Bella from Taormina?

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.

What is there to do on Isola Bella?

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.

How much is the Taormina Isola Bella cable car?

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.

What is the best time of day to visit Isola Bella?

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.

Are there bathrooms at Isola Bella Taormina?

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.

Ways to explore

Now a nature reserve, Isola Bella is easily explored in an hour or two. Stroll across the spit at low tide to reach the pebbly beach, then go swimming or snorkeling along the shore and walk up to the hilltop villa (admission fees apply), now a museum that tells the history of the island and affords magnificent views across Taormina.

Boat tours exploring the coastline of Taormina typically cruise along Capo Taormina and stop at the Grotta Azzurra sea cave, as well as passing Isola Bella. The craggy coast is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving tours, and full-day tours sometimes include lunch at a seaside restaurant.

Accessibility

Some boat cruises are accessible to travelers using wheelchairs or and with limited mobility; however, there is no step-free access to the mainland beach or the island.

Age limits

The waters are calm enough for children, but walking to the island could be a challenge for younger kids.

What to pack

Swimsuit, towel, reusable water bottle, camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat, snorkel

What to wear

Beachwear and water shoes—the beach is pebbly, and the walk to the island can be rocky underfoot.

Not allowed

There’s a fee to enter the island’s nature reserve and villa, but you can still cross over to the island’s tiny beach for free

Amenities

There are no amenities on the island itself, but the mainland beach features beach bars, restaurants, and a beach club with a lido and sun loungers for rent.

Address 

Isola Bella is located in Mazzaro Bay along the coast of Taormina, less than a mile (1.4 kilometers) east of the hilltop town. The offshore island is only reachable on foot (a few minutes’ walk) or by boat from the mainland beach; to reach the beach, you can walk, drive, or take the cable car down from Taormina, then follow the stairs down to the beach.

Driving

To reach Isola Bella from Taormina, it’s a winding 15-minute drive downhill. Parking can be tricky to find, and the few parking lots are expensive with limited spots, so it’s usually best to travel via public transport. If you do snag a parking spot, expect to walk at least 10 minutes downhill to the beach.

Public transportation

The easiest way to reach Isola Bella beach from Taormina is to take the Taormina-Mazzarò cable car. From the base station, it’s a short walk down the stairs to the beach.

Best times to visit

The island is open daily from early morning (about 9am) through to about an hour before sunset. It’s worth arriving early, as it can get busy with tourists. It’s easiest to walk over at low tide; at high tide, it’s sometimes inaccessible.

Best days to visit

Weekends often bring increased traffic to Isola Bella and Taormina, so a midweek tour is the best bet to beat the crowds.

Best months to visit

Isola Bella is hugely popular in summer, so avoid visiting in July and August (if you can). It’s still warm enough to swim on sunny days in May and early October, and it will be much less crowded.