What It Is

The cable car connects central Taormina (upper station on Via Pirandello) with the coastal hamlet of Mazzarò, below Capo Sant'Andrea. It's the only urban cable car in eastern Sicily.

The cabins are small, capacity ~12 people. The descent takes about 2 minutes and covers a drop of ~165 metres. During the ride you see the whole bay of Mazzarò and Isola Bella from above.

For up-to-date times, prices and ticketing, see the dedicated cable car page.

Why It's Worth Visiting

• The quickest way to reach the beaches of Mazzarò and Isola Bella
• The view on the way down: an aerial panorama of the bay, perfect for video
• Saves your legs: the alternative on foot is a stairway of 300+ steps
• Air-conditioned and covered: useful in August at 38°C or in the rain
• It's an experience in itself, not just transport: worth the 2 minutes as a scenic ride alone

Practical Info

• Upper station: Via Luigi Pirandello (near Porta Messina)
• Lower station: Mazzarò, near the beach access
• Official ASM hours: summer (from 16 April) 8:00 — 1:30; winter (16 Oct — 15 May) 8:00 — 20:00 (opening delayed by 1h on Mondays)
• Non-resident ticket: single ride €6.00 / return €10.00 / day pass €20.00. Residents: single €2.00 / return €3.50. Weekly and monthly passes available.
• Frequency: roughly every 15 minutes
• Descent time: ~2 minutes
• Total visit time: transport only, depends on your destination
• Accessibility: the cabin is accessible, but the stations have some steps. Wheelchairs: ask for assistance at the ticket office.

When to Go

• Early morning (8–10): less queue, before the groups arrive
• Evening for the sunset: a view over the bay in warm light
• To avoid: 11–13 in high season. The queue at the upper station can reach 30–45 min, especially July–August.

Honest Assessment

• Long queue in high season: tour groups all arrive together. In August it can take longer to queue than to go down and back up.
• The price isn't cheap relative to the short ride. If you're fit and have time, the pedestrian stairway is free and gets you to the beach in 15–20 min.
• It doesn't run 24/7: the last evening run finishes relatively early. If you linger on the beach you risk going back on foot or by taxi.
• The cabins are small: those who suffer from claustrophobia may feel unwell, especially when they're full.

How to Get There

• Upper station (Taormina): from Corso Umberto, take Via Pirandello after Porta Messina. 5 min on foot from Piazza IX Aprile.
• Lower station (Mazzarò): arriving by car, the Mazzarò car park is very close. See the parking page.

As an alternative to the cable car: local Interbus bus (Taormina–Mazzarò line) or the "Salita Branco" pedestrian stairway (~300 steps).

Itineraries That Include This Stop

• Taormina Essentials — 1 day

Nearby POIs

• Isola Bella — 5 min on foot from the lower station

Dedicated Practical Info

• Taormina-Mazzarò Cable Car: hours, prices, alternatives

Last verified: 2026-05-31. Official source: ASM Taormina — Mazzarò Cable Car.