What It Is

Isola Bella is a ~1-hectare island in the bay of Mazzarò, below Taormina town centre. It has been a nature reserve since 1998, managed by CUTGANA (University of Catania). The islet is linked to the mainland by a pebble isthmus a few metres wide, walkable on foot when sea level is low.

Access to the reserve (the path across the island) is paid. The beach in front of the island is public and free, but small and very crowded in high season.

Why It's Worth Visiting

• Clear water: one of the best spots in the Taormina area for snorkelling
• Nature reserve: Mediterranean vegetation, endemic lizards, views from the top of the island
• Iconic photo: the aerial shot (from the cable car or the belvedere on via Pirandello) is one of Sicily's signature images
• Decent snorkelling on the island's sides: rocks, sea urchins, small fish

Practical Info

• Address: Via Lungomare Tysandros, Taormina (Mazzarò)
• Naturalistic Museum / Reserve hours: every day except Monday, 9:00 until one hour before sunset. Winter hours may vary with weather.
• Reserve ticket (Parco Archeologico Naxos-Taormina):
  • Full: €4.00
  • Reduced: €2.00
  • Residents: €1.00
  • Free on the first Sunday of the month
  • Visits in groups of 15: booking advised in high season
• Public beach: free, always accessible
• Adjacent lidos (Mazzarò): €15–30 sunbed+parasol in mid-season, €25–40 in high season (ranges confirmed by price lists published by lidos)
• Recommended visit time: 2–4 hours (including a swim)
• Accessibility: coarse pebble beach, uncomfortable even for able-bodied walkers. Wheelchair: practically impossible without dedicated assistance. Water shoes strongly recommended.
• Website: cutgana.unict.it (Isola Bella section)

How to Get There

• Taormina-Mazzarò Cable Car: the most convenient option. 2-minute ride, €6 one way / €10 return / €20 day ticket (non-residents). See cable car page.
• On foot from the centre: 30–40 min downhill along via Pirandello + coastal path (tiring on the way back uphill, especially in summer)
• Interbus: local lines from Taormina centre to Mazzarò, ~10 min
• Car: Mazzarò car park is limited and expensive in summer. Not recommended.

When to Go

• Early morning (reserve opening): calm water, fewer people, better light for photos
• May–June and September: good temperature, less crowded
• Avoid: Sundays in July–August. The public beach is saturated, the isthmus becomes a procession.

Honest Assessment

• The isthmus is only crossable at low tide or in calm sea. In rough conditions it can be submerged or dangerous. There is no official schedule: ask on the spot.
• The public beach is coarse pebbles and uncomfortable. No sand, no comfort. Bring water shoes and a thick beach towel.
• Private lidos nearby are expensive in high season (€20–30 per sunbed) and in July–August are booked days in advance.
• The reserve is small: the main path takes 20–30 minutes. If you're expecting an extensive park, you'll be disappointed.
• Promotional photos are misleading: the "deserted" images you see online are taken at dawn or off-season. In August at midday it's a completely different story.
• Swimming from the island is not permitted everywhere: some areas are protected. Read the signs.

Itineraries That Include This Stop

• Taormina Essentials — 1 day
• Taormina by the Sea — Half Day at the Beach

Nearby POIs

• Taormina-Mazzarò Cable Car — lower station 5 min on foot

Related Practical Info

• Taormina-Mazzarò Cable Car
• Taormina beaches and access
• How to get to Taormina

Last verified: 2026-05-31. Sources: Parco Archeologico Naxos-Taormina — Isola Bella · ASM Taormina — Mazzarò Cable Car.