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Ancient Theatre of Taormina

Ancient Theatre of Taormina

Ancient Theatre of Taormina
4.5
Ancient RuinsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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The view of Mount Etna and the sea beyond is absolutely superb at Taormina's 10,000-seat ancient Greek amphitheater, which was erected in the third century BC and expanded by the Romans.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Sually
    31 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One night only
    We stayed in a little B&B in the Jewish quarter, very near the piazza but quite. We could see Etna from the bedroom window, which was amazing. We went to the Teatro Greco to see Andrea Bocelli in concert. It was a special birthday treat but oh, such an amazing night.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 October 2023
  • Charles_and_Susan
    Nottingham, United Kingdom7,622 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Greek and Roman ruined theatre
    This was a highlight of our visit to Taormina. It's quite well preserved and you can get an idea of how it might have looked in Greek times looking at the stage and then with the sea view as a background. The Romans modified it and you can see the changes. It is still used as a theatre for opera performances and the like and there was sound equipment being set up when we were there. To some extent that and the modern seating that is now there spoiled the atmosphere of this ancient place.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 October 2023
  • S E
    Burgess Hill, United Kingdom169 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful place with a wonderful view.
    This was an amazing place to visit, the size, the location, the views are all amazing. We spent a good couple of hours slowly exploring and wandering around (you could spend less time there but it was hot!) There are toilets and a small cafe on site, the cafe has lovely views over the bay which is lovely. There are also plenty of shady spots of sit around the theatre and enjoy the views of Etna, Taormina, and the theatre itself. Visiting involves a bit of walking and if you want to get the to top of the theatre then there was lots of steps.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 October 2023
  • On the road again
    New Smyrna Beach, Florida332 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The best theatre with a view
    You've seen the rest now see the best. After touring Rome and Pompeii you'd think we couldnt top it.... however, the walk to these ruins is clean, safe and shady... then when you get there, the view overlooking the Med is absolutely stunning. The history, both old and recent, is a great story. I hope to come back some day to see and hear a concert or live performance. go, go go.. : )
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 October 2023
  • Mnel
    Estoril, Portugal153 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing piece of history... but the awful online ticket system
    Very well preserved. The route is well indicated and the views amazing. The only problem was with the tickets; We decided to buy them online to spare the queue but the whole process is so complex and cumbersome that everyone that was in the long queue to buy the tickets the traditional method entered before us. You have to look through a series of emails, find the correct QR code, download a special app, wait for the pack of organised tours to pass...
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 31 October 2023
  • Travelwithliz
    Singapore1,764 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well preserved Greek amphitheater
    The Greek amphitheater is well preserved and it is still used as a opera performance venue. It is located in the middle of the town center of Taormina. There’s a little uphill walk to reach the entrance. The views of the coastline and Mt Etna is amazing.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 8 November 2023
  • GlobeTrotting580081
    Maynardville, Tennessee6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Taormina, another view of Sicily
    We visited 2 hilltop towns with the second one being the larger Taormina and the Ancient Theatre of Taormina. At the end of the formal tour we had about an hour to explore the town on our own. In addition to the Roman/Greek ruin there are churches, shops and plenty of gelato opportunities. Our guide gave us some good tips on local foods to try. Seeing the smoking Mt. Edna in the distance was a bonus.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 November 2023
  • rhbphoto
    Danville, Pennsylvania212 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Your Stay in Taormina Will Be Ruined If You Don't Go
    The site has an interesting history over the centuries and ancient ruins never get old (so to speak). Great views. Go early as it gets crowded and you do have to walk up a bit of a hill and line up to buy entrance tickets.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 November 2023
  • Angelo Z
    Crawford, Texas333 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Remarkable
    Remarkable experience visiting the theater. The history so rich from the Greeks to the Romans to present day use would love to take in a concert there. The views are incredabl also with Edna and the sea as backdrops. Worth a visit to Taormina on its own.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 29 December 2023
  • AMsays
    Thornhill, Canada4,905 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impressive, Imposing Site
    A Greek Hellenistic theatre from around the 3rd Century BC was rebuilt under Roman rule around 3rd Century AD. It’s an impressive, imposing site built above Taormina. With some imagination you can envision what the place would have looked like back then. As it is, you see this site in a natural setting with great views of both the Calabrian and Sicilian coasts and the jutting cone of Mt Etna. It’s being restored so some parts are off-limit. As you gaze around be wary of what’s at your feet
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 February 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles14,291 reviews
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1,158
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348
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ChrisBelinda
Bury, UK407 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
I visited Taormina back in 2002 and I am sure there was either no admission fee or it was a couple of Euros (this was the first year since the Italian Lire), either way, it's now 10 Euros each to get in which I think is steeper than the steps in the amphitheatre. On our 5th visit to Taormina we thought we may as well go in as my other half had never been to Sicily before. It turned out that every first Sunday of the month it's actually free to enter so that was a pleasant surprise. Of course it hasn't changed in 18 years and the views each way up the coast to Letojanni and back down to Catania are stunning. Easy to find in the wonderful town of Taormina, follow Corso Umberto down to Shaker Café and turn right, up the hill, it's at the top, past various shops selling trinkets of various quality. Of course you have to wear a mask to walk in an open space then can take it off within seconds in exactly the same space but don't get me started on masks and Italian rules as nobody here took any notice of them (yet some still insisted on wearing them on the beach and even in the sea - bizarre). There's a few ancient bits of columns dotted about in various chambers, surfaces have been covered with wooden sheets since last time I was here, easier to navigate your way around and no insurance claims for falling over I suppose. At the top there is a bookshop and a small stall selling drinks and fruit etc.. it's a must-see if you visit Taormina, even once, to soak up a bit of Greek (yes, Greek) history. As I said, if you can time it to visit on the first Sunday in the month, it's free and not steep at all....
Written 10 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David B
Leeds, UK57 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
As an ancient monument, it is fantastic it is still in use for it's original function. We were staying in Taormina and bought tickets on line and got there around 10:30am, just before all the coach tours and groups from the cruise ship arrived. We were not bothered about the stage being set for a performance and think it just goes as a testiment to the Greeks and Romans for such a long lasting structure.

We took it slow going round and it took us two hours. Definitely take water as it is hot while wandering around. We started at the top and worked out way down to the stage.

We would recommend wearing proper trainers as the surface underfoot can be a bit loose and bumpy as you would expect from a 2000 year old building.

This should be on everyone's list when visiting Taormina.
Written 2 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Antonella N
Gold Coast, Australia209 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
With wonderful panoramic location, you can see the Etna volcano and The Ionian Sea.
We also saw this place from the top of the mountain When we went to Chiesa Madonna della roca, it blow your mind to see how impressive and beautiful the Ancient Greek historical theatre is and how it was built 3rd B.C centuries ago.
Worth the short trek up the hill (and then up the stairs to the top to get the best view)
The tickets is 10 euros.
Written 21 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ellen A
Copenhagen Region, Denmark172 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Do not miss this impressive gem from times long gone by.
We were so fortunate to enjoy a free gospel concert and thereby experience the ancient theater in action and with the beautiful Etna backdrop to the stage.
Do not miss the brief animation (3-4 minutes) located in the stage entrance way. It gives a great rendition of how the found elements fitted into the theater back then and of the colourful splendour.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gurmail D
Greater London, UK46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
This has to be one of the highlights of our trip to Sicily. The views are absolutely stunning and there are so many places to take great photos.

The entry is 10 euros per adult, don't know if it's cheaper to prebook or not. Be careful of the opening times as we missed it one day and had to return, so glad we did.

You can wander around at your own pace or get a guided tour if you want more information. The highlight like I said is the views and if you want the best be prepared to tackle the steps to the top.

A highly, highly recommended place to visit.
Written 17 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

magdalenakasprzyszyn
Prudnik, Poland22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Family
We visited the Acient Theatre in February so there weren't crowds of people. My daughter, aged 16 and my son, aged 2 didn't have to pay for tickets. Only me and my husband paid 10 euro each for the tickets. You can pay by cash or credit card. In the ticket office staff speak English well so there is no problem understanding. The Theatre is amazing. You have beautiful Etna views. You can watch the history of the theatre on special screen. It's worth visiting if you enjoy history and fantastic views.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VinnyP1
London, UK604 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Couples
This is an amazing ancient site and a must see. However in keeping with much of what we have seen it is being commercialised to it's detriment. We arrived at opening time in late May and it wasn't busy and I would highly recommend getting there early. Access is very good but there is very little in the way of maps or guides as to what you are seeing or what has been restored and where.
It has fabulous views of Etna and over Taormina.
It should be easy to take a seat and drift into the past. However instead it is a building site being converted into a stage and scaffolded seating. So a good proportion is covered by planking and the rooms are boarded into dressing rooms and toilets. Any visit is punctuated by the work and the workers arguing and swearing which does demonstrate the acoustics very well. The only respite was when one of the workers noticed they could see up a woman's dress so work stopped for a few minutes.
Doing this to a Unesco site would never be tolerated anywhere else and they should be ashamed. Otherwise it's a solid 5 stars.
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ivor M M
Greater London, UK69 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2023 • Couples
Well worth going for the views alone. We were also lucky enough to get tickets for the David Garrett concert on 18th June. We sat in the cheap seats in the upper tiers and although furthest from the stage these offered the best views of mount Etna and the coastline. Listening to the concert as dusk descended in such a fabulous setting was truly magical. It was also sobering to reflect on how such a magnificent space has been used in the past to entertain audiences.
Written 25 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ryszard L
Sydney, Australia329 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2019
It's often said that the finest examples of Roman architecture are in North Africa and the finest examples of Classical Greek architecture are in southern Italy. The Greek Theatre of Taormina has to be one of the most spectacular. Perched up above the sparkling blue Ionian Sea the views afforded the traveller are some of the most stupendous I've ever seen. The coastline stretches south towards Catania and the whole town is viewed clearly. The centrepiece is Mount Etna, snow-capped and smoking, dominating the perspective to the west. The Theatre dates back to the 3rd century BC when it was begun by the Ionian Greeks who settled this part of Sicily in 734 BC, displacing the original inhabitants, the Siculi. The magnificence of this theatre reflects the importance of the city of Taormina in its heyday. The remains of the odeon and naumachia are clearly identifiable but one should take time to sit and try to imagine the scene as the Greeks (and later the Romans) sat here and watched plays, attended musical performances or watched mock sea-battles. This is not to be rushed.
Written 2 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ianx17489
Inverurie, UK997 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Couples
The amphitheatre was interesting to visit and it has stunning views. You could easily walk around it in under one hour, including reading the storyboards. The toilets were few and poor, for such a tourist attraction that charges €13:50 per adult to visit.
We were in no rush, so managed sit and soak up the historic architecture.
I can only imagine in peak season it's overwhelmed with visitors...... !!!
Written 8 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Ancient Theatre of Taormina

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