Taormina Old Town (Centro Storico) Tours and Activities

The town that we know today as Taormina is in an area in which there has been a settlement of some kind since the 8th century B.C.E. - but in the town itself one of the oldest neighborhoods is the old town, or centro storico.

Taormina’s historic core centers on the centro storico, with its picturesque cobblestone streets. The buildings themselves have been beautifully preserved, giving the whole quarter a postcard look. The main street in Taormina, Corso Umberto I, runs through the center of the old town from the Piazza IX Aprile to the Piazza del Duomo.

You can begin your tour of the old town from the Piazza IX Aprile and going through the arch in the 12th century clock tower. The tower was actually almost completely destroyed in the 17th century, and when it was rebuilt the clock was added. The tower serves as something of a gateway to the historic center, most of which dates from the 15th century.

Today, Taormina’s old town is a great place to wander aimlessly to explore the pretty streets and buildings, shop in the souvenir stores and boutiques, and stop for a bite to eat in one of the cafes or restaurants.