Is Taormina Safe for Travelers? A Comprehensive Guide

Over the years, I heard rumors about Sicily being “dangerous” and unsafe for solo travelers. There were even whispers about needing to watch out for the mafia. These were just stories, not from anyone I knew personally, but they did make me hesitant to book a trip to the island.

This year, however, I decided to do my own research and finally visit Sicily. When I was planning my trip, I researched, “Is Taormina safe?“

Reassured by the statistics I found, I traveled there as a solo female and now want to share my experiences.

Let me assure you Taormina is a safe destination to visit! I traveled alone, using public transit most of the time.

In this comprehensive guide, I will address all the concerns regarding the safety aspects of visiting Taormina.

Where is Taormina Located?

Taormina is perched on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, with stunning views of the Ionian Sea.

It’s nestled between the busy and somewhat gritty city of Catania and the charming town of Messina.

With direct buses from Catania Airport, Taormina is easy to visit!

Famous Attractions & Things to Do in Taormina

• Visit the Ancient Theatre of Taormina (Teatro Antico di Taormina): (€10)
• Explore Corso Umberto (Main Street): (Free)
• Cable Car Ride to Mazzarò Beach: (€6 round trip)
• Relax at Isola Bella Beach: (Free entry, sunbed rentals around €15)
• Visit the Public Gardens (Giardini della Villa Comunale): (Free)
• Day Trip to Mount Etna: (€50-€100 depending on tour)
• Wine Tasting Tour: (€30-€50)
• Visit the Palazzo Corvaja: (€4)
• Take a Cooking Class: (€80-€100)

General Safety in Taormina

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Current Safety Status

Regarding safety, Taormina is generally considered a safe place for travelers. I had read recent reports that all showed crime rates in Taormina are quite low, especially compared to larger cities, like Catania.

And I can confirm, I felt very safe walking all around Taormina by myself whether it was early morning or after dark.

Of course, I wouldn’t leave my belongings just out in the open as petty theft and pickpocketing can happen anywhere. But I didn’t worry about my personal safety as violent crime is very rare.

In fact, Taormina’s safety record is better than many other popular tourist destinations.

Compared to other cities like Milan or Bari, Taormina feels much safer, with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals.

Another city in Sicily I would recommend in addition to Taormina is Siracusa.

I would still take basic precautions, but Taormina is a welcoming and secure place for solo travelers.

Local Attitudes Toward Tourists

Not all locals love tourists, which can become particularly uncomfortable, especially if you travel alone.

Here in Taormina, I felt welcomed by the hotel staff and by my interactions with shopkeepers and restaurant staff.

I would say everyone was much nicer and more relaxed than in bigger cities like Rome.

Common Safety Concerns

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Petty Theft and Pickpocketing

If there’s any threat you may face as a traveler in Taormina, it could be dealing with pickpocketing and petty theft. While I had no issues during my trip, it’s still something to be cautious of.

During the day, the streets can get quite crowded with tourists from tour groups. When there are lots of crowds, you should be most vigilant, as that’s when thieves typically strike.

Additionally, if you’re renting a car in Sicily, never leave anything in the car, even if it’s in a secure car park. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Basic Tips to Avoid Being a Victim

1. Get all the Safety Gear. I am talking about crossbody bags and digital safety wallets. I highly recommend getting a cross-body phone case like this one. Now that there is Apple Pay, I don’t even bring my physical cards with me for the day.
2. Leave the Designer Bags at Home. This one is kind of a bummer if you love fashion and want to dress the part. I just find that I worry less about being a target if I am carrying a simple bag and not wearing anything expensive.
3. Don’t Drink too Much. If you drink more than a couple of drinks, your guard is likely to come down, or you could simply forget where you left things.

Why You Need Travel Insurance

Having travel insurance is really a no-brainer.

It doesn’t matter how safe the destination is that you are traveling to, you need travel insurance.

Airlines lose bags, people get sick, or god forbid you are in an accident. You want to be insured.

Travel insurance is pretty affordable, considering the piece of mind it provides. Don’t skimp on this important travel essential!

Transportation Safety in Taormina

If you plan to take public transport to and from Taormina, you can rest assured that it is safe, even for solo female travelers.

The trains to Taormina are clean and efficient, and I felt safe to take them alone.

I brought my luggage on the train and had no issues putting the small suitcase on my head on the rack.

If you have a lot of baggage, you may need to stand with them separately in the loading area if the train is full.

When the train isn’t that busy, you can likely just have the bags in the empty seats near you.

If you are taking the bus to Taormina, you will be required to put your bags under the bus. I had no issues with this option either.

When you are in Taormina, you can transit from the old town down to the beach by bus or cable car (Funivia).

The cost to ride is 6€ each way or 10€ for a round-trip ticket.

There is also a bus that runs from the old town to the train station. Here is the schedule.

PRO TIP: Download the Omio App for Train and Bus tickets in Sicily

Driving in Taormina

Driving in Taormina can be an adventure. The roads are narrow, winding, and often crowded, especially during peak tourist season.

Local drivers can be aggressive, so stay alert and be prepared for sudden stops and tight squeezes.

If you decide to rent a car, make sure to get one that’s compact and easy to maneuver.

Parking can be challenging; look for designated parking lots or garages rather than street parking.

Always park in well-lit areas and never leave valuables in the car.

READ NEXT: Everything you need to know to rent a car in Europe.

Nightlife Safety

When I visited Taormina, I didn’t find much “nightlife.” For that, you really want to visit Catania or Palermo.

There are cocktail bars playing good music and serving food. Things appeared to be under control in Taormina. I never encountered any loud and wild clubs.

Most establishments close around 23:30, but I found a couple of places that stayed open late, such as Chapeau! It stays open til 3:00!

Safety Precautions & Tips for Solo Travelers

I have been traveling alone around Europe since 2009 and have a few tips for any newbie solo travelers.

1. Don’t announce to strangers that you are solo. It is better to tell people you have just met that you will meet your friend later.
2. Keep all your important documents in a safe place in the hotel, have photos of them on your phone, and email a copy to yourself.
3. Get a good data plan. I never want to be out of data when I am on my own. It will be a great comfort to be connected.
4. Stay in a central hotel that has good reviews from other travelers. Sometimes, you can even filter the review results from other solo travelers.
5. Avoid walking in back alleys at night, and in Taormina, you want to be careful when walking on the road when there are no street lights. Cars drive fast in Taormina.
6. Bring battery backups for your phone. Google Maps will drain your phone; in summer, it drains faster in the heat. Download my pre-pinned Google Maps here.

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Final Thoughts on Safety in Taormina

I found Taormina to be a safe and welcoming place for tourists. The town is small and easy to navigate.

I did not encounter any homeless people in Taormina, nor did I come across any situations that made me feel unsafe.

If you have more questions about Taormina, please get in touch with me!