At the foot of Mount Etna - hotel with pool near Taormina

Taormina is located on the east coast of Sicily, in the foothills of Mount Etna and about 50 km north of Catania. The town counts roundabout 11,000 inhabitants.

The town's origins date far back. The first settlement was most probably founded by the Sicels; Greek colonization, incorporation into the Roman Empire and Arab rule followed. The Arabs destroyed the ancient town, so hardly anything is left from those times. Present-day Taormina dates from the Middle Ages, when it was, so to speak, newly founded.

Some consider Taormina to be one of the balconies of Sicily: Clinging to the mountain slopes, it overlooks the Ionian Sea and offers a striking view of Mount Etna.

Lush Mediterranean vegetation, benefiting from fertile volcanic soil, and the sparkling blue sea top off a spectacle, which never fails to amaze you.

Taormina is not only an enchanting panorama terrace above the Ionian Sea, but also a charming town with well preserved façades, flower-bedecked squares and winding terraced alleys.

There is so much to see: Corso Umberto with its shops and boutiques; central Piazza IX Aprile, from where you have got a gorgeous view of the sea; 13th century Cathedral San Nicolo, which looks more like a fortress than a church; the municipal gardens Villa Comunale with its rich variety of plants and view of the sea and Mount Etna; Palazzo Corvajo, which is a striking mix of styles...

An absolute must-see is of course Taormina's world-famous Teatro Antico. The site of the ancient theater is unique, the panoramic view of Mount Etna and the Gulf of Giardini-Naxos from there is breathtaking and, as Goethe already found it, awe-inspiring.

Isola Bella, a small island off the coast at Taormina, is also quite well-known, not only for its beauty. It's a nature reserve and home to some rare species of animals and plants.