From luxury to tradition, summer tourism in Taormina

Luxury tourism remains a key pillar for Taormina. This time, it’s not just the data that confirms this, but also esteemed international guides. Among the properties included in the World’s Best Hotels 2026 selection by La Liste, a respected international guide based in Paris that annually identifies the world’s best hotels, are those located in the Pearl of the Ionian Sea.

La Liste adopts a rating method based on the analysis of thousands of authoritative sources, including travel guides, specialized publications, and verified guest reviews, offering a ranking that examines over 7,000 hotels worldwide. The 2026 edition, announced in July, rewards the hotels that are capable of offering authentic, customized, sustainable experiences that are deeply rooted in the local area.

The hotel industry is driving Taormina’s popularity as a destination and pushing it ever higher. The city has become a showcase of excellence and quality. From Isola Bella to the Ancient Theater, to the Cathedral: Taormina elevates Sicily to the world for its beauty and traditions, not only its gastronomical ones, which attract and captivate tourists, who flock to the city to discover new and fascinating stories. It is precisely within this context that the Castle fits.

The Arab-Norman Castle, Saracen Castle, or Monte Tauro Castle, stands majestically at 397 meters above sea level, offering a unique 360-degree panorama. From here, the gaze encompasses the Strait of Messina, the Ionian coast, the Alcantara Valley, the slopes of Mount Etna, and, to the west, the city of Catania and the Peloritani Mountains. Due to its privileged location, it is also nicknamed “the Castle of Four Views.”

It is reached by climbing a picturesque panoramic staircase carved into the rock that begins from the little church of the Madonna della Rocca. The structure, with its characteristic trapezoidal shape, still retains its high perimeter walls, a lookout tower, a rainwater cistern, an underground corridor used for supplies, and two visitable caves. A spectacular fan-shaped staircase leads to the keep, the highest part of the castle.

The tour allows you to explore these fascinating spaces and discover the history and architecture of the site thanks to innovative tools. Visitors will receive:

• A digital audio guide, accessible directly from their smartphone, linked to the panels along the route.
• An interactive digital map, available in multiple languages, with 21 points of interest.

The castle is open every day from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Hours may vary in other periods of the year.

Tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket office or online at the following link: www.castelloditaormina.it/biglietto-online/

Furthermore, Taormina Castle is available year-round as a unique location for private events, weddings, corporate events, photo shoots, and institutional ceremonies.

Visit www.castelloditaormina.it or email info@castelloditaormina.it for more information.