Spectacularly perched on the side of a mountain, Taormina is Sicily's most popular summer destination, a chic resort town beloved of holidaying high-rollers and visiting celebs. And while it is unashamedly touristy and has a main street lined with high-end designer shops, the town remains an achingly beautiful spot with gorgeous medieval churches, a stunning Greek theatre and sweeping views over the Gulf of Naxos and Mt Etna.
Founded in the 4th century BC, it enjoyed great prosperity under the Greek ruler Gelon II and later under the Romans, but fell into quiet obscurity after being conquered by the Normans in 1087. Its modern reincarnation as a tourist destination dates to the 18th century, when it was discovered by northern Europeans on the Grand Tour. Goethe was an early fan, as was DH Lawrence, who lived here between 1920 and 1923, and over the years it has seduced a whole army of writers, artists, aristocrats and royals.
The San Domenico Palace Hotel sits in a truly magnificent setting that has attracted people from ancient times. A luxury 5-star hotel in an ancient Dominican monastery, it has views over Mount Etna and Taormina Bay on the east coast of Sicily not far from Messina. Countless famous writers, artists and composers, came here to savour this unique spot at the very tip of Italy.
Visit the Hotel Website
The EDRS hotel block is currently sold out. Please contact the hotel directly if you would like to book a room outside of the block. There are nearby hotels listed below.
*Distances below are the walking distances from the San Domenico Palace Hotel.
Hotel Continental Taormina
Via Dionisio I, 2/A
Taormina, ME, 98039
450 m
|
Hotel Villa Riis
Via Pietro Rizzo, 13
Taormina ME, 98039
170 m
|
Hotel Vello d'Oro
Via Fazzello, 2
Taormina ME, 98039
850 m
|
Hotel Villa Schuler
Via Roma
98039 Taormina ME
800 m
|
Excelsior Palace Viale
Pietro Toselli, 8
Taormina ME, 98039
300 m
|
Hotel Taodomus
Corso Umberto, 224
Taormina, ME, 98039
350 m
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Hotel Isabella
Corso Umberto, 58
98039 Taormina ME
900 m
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Hotel Imperiale - Taormina
Via Circonvallazione, 11
Taormina, ME
1.1 km
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Taxi Service
If you plan on taking a taxi from the airport to Taormina, we recommend using Taxi Taormina.
€80 for a car- Maximum two passengers
€120 for a mini-van- 3-7 passengers.
Please mention you are attending the EDRS meeting so they know to give you the appropriate rate.
Follow this link to book your car - http://www.taxitaormina.it/en/index.asp
Catania Fontanarossa “Vincenzo Bellini” International airport is the nearest and most convenient airport at some 55 km from Taormina. It features several flights from the major Italian cities such as Milan, Rome, Naples and Venice (Alitalia, Windjet, Meridiana, etc.) and many international direct flights from important European cities such as London (British Airways), Paris (EasyJet), Berlin, Stuttgart, Zurich (Air Berlin), Munich (Lufthansa), Dubai (Neos), Malta (Air Malta) and many more. Lots of charter flights from all over the world land to Catania too.
From Catania airport you can reach Taormina in one hour drive by very convenient direct highway A18 (direction Messina, exit TAORMINA).
Taxis cost approximately € 80/90,00 one way and it takes about one hour. For more convenient fares, we suggest you to contact your hotel in Taormina.
Direct buses from the airport to Taormina town centre are available every day. Check the timetable on www.interbus.it.it. It takes about one hour and a half.
The airport of Palermo Punta Raisi “Falcone e Borsellino” is located on the west side of Sicily.
If you come from Palermo by car, take highway A20 to Messina, then highway A18 direction Catania and take exit TAORMINA. It takes about three hours. If you come by train, check www.trenitalia.com for frequency and train schedules from Palermo’s airport (enter Punta Raisi) to Taormina. You will see there are several trip every day. Expect connections in Palermo, Catania or Messina. Depending on the connection, the trip will take 5-7 hours.