DRUSCKHA
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Travel · 25 September 2026

Taormina, Sicily a chic town with Italian charm

Taormina is one of the most chic and lively little towns in Sicily, with picturesque streets, elegant restaurants and stunning views over the Mediterranean. I

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If I had to pick the place in Sicily I loved most, Taormina would definitely be at the top of the list.

It's that kind of chic, lively, buzzing little Italian town, with narrow streets, gorgeous buildings, restaurants, terraces and lovely little shops. It has that elegant Mediterranean feel you're after when you picture a holiday in Sicily, and the views over the sea and coastline turn every stroll through town into an experience in itself.

We stayed in Taormina long enough to have time to discover not just the town, but a good chunk of Sicily too. One of the biggest perks of the location is how easy it is to reach Etna from here, one of the places I think you absolutely have to see when you visit Sicily.

Taormina the perfect base for discovering Sicily

I loved the idea of having Taormina as a starting point for exploring the area. You get an elegant, lively town where you can stroll in the evening, have dinner or sip an Aperol on a terrace, while also having fairly easy access to some of Sicily's most famous attractions.

For me, Etna was one of the highlights of this holiday. The experience is completely different from what you find in Taormina, and it's exactly that contrast I found so fascinating: from the chic, Mediterranean vibe of the town to the volcanic landscape of Mount Etna.

I've talked more about Taormina, Etna and our experiences in Sicily in my YouTube vlog, where I've captured the atmosphere of these places and the whole experience much better.

Taormina Vlog

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Sicily beautiful, but not quite my favourite destination

Although I had plenty of lovely experiences in Sicily, I have to say the destination as a whole didn't quite win me over enough to call it one of my favourites, or to say I'd definitely want to go back.

One of the things that disappointed me was the value for money, especially when it came to accommodation. I found quite a few options that felt overpriced, without the experience or the conditions on offer really matching what the price led you to expect.

My first impression, actually, was a pretty strong one. When we landed in Catania, I was surprised at how dirty and, in places, unkempt the city felt. Throughout the holiday I had that same feeling in certain parts of Sicily: it's a destination with huge potential and gorgeous spots, but one that, in my view, could do with a bit more care and upkeep.

Sicily is beautiful, but I think its beauty could really shine if certain areas were better looked after.

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One of the holiday's highlights: the Four Seasons

One of the places that stuck with me the most was the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, where I visited one of the restaurants twice.

The setting is stunning and has that spectacular feel you associate with a Sicilian holiday. For fans of The White Lotus, the place is even more special, since scenes from the series were filmed here.

It's the kind of experience well worth having even if you're not staying at the hotel, and for me it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

If you'd like to see more of Taormina, Etna, the Four Seasons and all the places I discovered in Sicily, I've documented the whole trip in my YouTube vlog:

Drusckha Vlog – Taormina, Sicily

Taormina remains, for me, my favourite part of this trip. It's elegant, lively, spectacular and has that Italian charm that makes you want to wander without any particular destination in mind. And if you do make it to Sicily, I think it's worth giving it a few days and using it as a base for discovering the surrounding area too.

Good light. Better tables. Even better company.

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