Is Taormina Expensive? (Yes) What You Can Expect!

If you are planning a trip to Sicily, and I hope you are, you might be interested in visiting Taormina. While I answer the question, “Is Taormina expensive?” with a resounding YES, you shouldn’t write it off just yet.

Taormina is known for its stunning beaches and historical sites, but these come at a price.

However, there are some creative ways to visit that will help you keep your costs down.

Taormina was so high on my travel bucket list that I finally checked it off this year, and I learned a lot of money-saving tips!

In this post, I will highlight everything you need to know about managing the high costs of visiting Taormina.

Is Taormina Even Worth Visiting?

YES! Even though Taorima is considered “expensive,” I do believe it is worth visiting.

Typically, I shy away from expensive cities, like Paris. But Taormina is not as expensive as Paris or even places on the Amalfi Coast.

Not to set your expectations too high, but Taormina is my favorite place in Sicily and should not be missed!

One of the best reasons to visit Taormina is to visit epic beaches and incredible historical sites. It is also really safe for travelers!

You have the stunning Isola Bella, the ancient Greek Theatre, and the beautiful Piazza IX Aprile, just to name a few.

READ NEXT: How to Spend 1 Day in Taormina

How Expensive is Taormina?

Generally speaking, I found prices for food, drinks, accommodations, rental cars, and sunbeds to be double the prices in Catania. Making it the most expensive place I’ve in Sicily. Compared to Cefalu, Taormina is a bit higher overall, especially when it comes to accommodation.

The best way to break this down is by sharing the average prices I encountered for food, transit, and hotels.

Food & Drink Prices

• Food: If you would like to eat in a nice sit-down restaurant, you can expect to pay around 14€ to 18€ for a pasta dish and 20€+ for fish dishes.

Below are pictures of my meal at Ristorante Pirandello 2.0. It is one of the best-rated and most affordable restaurants in Taormina.

• Drinks: As you might know from my other posts, my go-to drink is Aperol Spritz or white wine. Here is Taormina. I was paying around 11€ for an Aperol and 6€-9€ for a glass of white wine.

Prices for drinks will increase if you enjoy them on the beaches!

Some of the most affordable food choices in Taormina are all considered “street foods” which include:

• Arancini (or Arancine): These deep-fried rice balls are typically filled with ragu (meat sauce), mozzarella, and peas. Average price: €2-3 each.
• Panelle: Chickpea fritters often served in a sesame sandwich, sometimes accompanied by crocche (potato croquettes). Average price: €1.50-2.50 per sandwich.
• Sfincione: A thick, spongy pizza topped with rich tomato sauce, onions, anchovies, and breadcrumbs, popular in Palermo. Average price: €2-3 per slice.
• Cannoli: Sweet, tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough filled with a creamy ricotta mixture, available at most street markets. Average price: €2-3 each.
• Granita: A refreshing semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water, and various flavorings like lemon, almond, or coffee, often served with a brioche bun. Average price: €2-3 per serving.

Hotel Prices

In my experience, the hotel prices in Taormina really can get you! This is if you want to stay in the old town vicinity.

If you’re willing to stay in a hotel farther from the heart of Taormina, you’ll find better prices.

However, you might need a rental car, which could offset the savings.

I value the quality of a hotel for its price. I am not willing to stay in a hotel with a rating lower than 8 on Booking.com.

Assuming you are traveling peak season (June through August)

• Budget: Typically, you can find smaller places like guest houses for around 150€ per night.
• Mid-Range: If you are looking for a little bit larger hotel with amenities such as room services, you can expect to pay between 300€-350€ per night.
• Boutique/Luxury: If money is no object, you can spend anywhere from 500€ to 1500€ per night.

Tricks to find better hotel prices: Use a VPN like this one and change it to your booking country.

I stayed at the Villa Astoria in Taormina for one night. I paid a total of 140.45€ in early June.

I found the hotel to be an excellent value for the money, and the staff was very friendly!

My room featured a balcony with a stunning sea view. See the receipt below.

Transportation

Getting around the city center of Taormina is only really possible on foot. Cars are not allowed in the core.

Let’s say you want to get down to the beach from the old town of Taormina.

Due to the significant elevation difference, this can be a bit of a trek. The old town is perched on a hill, making the beach quite a distance below.

Taxis are available but can be quite expensive, costing around €15-€20 for a short ride.

A more affordable option is the cable car, which costs approximately €6 round trip and runs regularly from the city center to Mazzarò, the main beach area.

The ride is quick and a great way to see some incredible views.

Alternatively, buses provide a budget-friendly way to reach the beach, with tickets costing around €1-€2 each way.

Rental Cars (and my tip to save money)

If you are considering renting a car in Taormina, you can save a considerable amount of money if you rent the car in Catania instead!

READ NEXT: Should I Rent A Car in Sicily?

See below my screenshots of the same period of time. The first screenshot shows what you will pay if you pick up the car in Catania, and the other shows what you will pay if you pick up the car in Taormina!

Get A Rental Car Quote From Discover Cars!

Activities in Taormina Cost:

• 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)

These prices are approximate and can vary based on season and availability.

On average, you can expect 4 days in Taormina to cost around $1400, including meals, drinks, a rental car, and a hotel for $175 per night.

That works out to a budget of approximately $350 per day.

Here’s a breakdown:

• Accommodation: $175 per night for a mid-range hotel ($700 for 4 nights).
• Meals: $12 for a meal in a cheap restaurant or $50 for a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant, averaging about $100 per day ($400 for 4 days).
• Drinks: Coffee at €1.80 and local beer at €5, estimating about $15 per day ($60 for 4 days).
• Transportation: Rental car around $40 per day ($160 for 4 days) or using taxis and buses.

I know budgeting isn’t exactly fun, but you could always use programs like YNAB (You Need a Budget) to help you stay on track.

This way, you can enjoy your vacation without worrying about overspending.

Travel Tips For Saving Money In Taorimia

Over the years, I’ve become adept at saving money while solo traveling, largely thanks to travel credit cards and points.

Most people use credit card points to get discounts on flights or hotels. If you’re interested in learning more, check out my comparison guide.

1. The best way to save money in Taorimia is to make it a day trip from Catania! This way, you can save on accommodations, a big part of the budget.
2. Eat street food like Arancini, Panelle, and Sfincione. By keeping food simple, you can save a lot of money.
3. Use public transit instead of taxis. Obvious, but worth pointing out.
4. Visit during the shoulder season, such as May or October, to avoid the summer crowds in Taormina. This strategy will help you find lower hotel prices.
5. Skip the sunbeds and sit on the beach with a towel, and bring your own food and drinks!

Summary

To sum it up, prices in Taormina can add up quickly, but with some planning, you can save money.

First, decide if your budget allows you to stay overnight in Taormina or if it’s better to stay elsewhere, like Catania or Palermo, and make day trips.

Plan your day to manage food expenses and use public transit.

As I mentioned, Taormina was one of my favorite places in Sicily, so I hope you get to experience it!