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 Kingdom7,315 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 Kingdom148 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, Florida330 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, Pennsylvania186 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, Canada4,909 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
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles14,267 reviews
Excellent
9,103
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3,424
Average
1,158
Poor
348
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237

Blue J
Havre de Grace, MD765 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
The Greeks chose theater sites with dramatic backdrops, and this location follows suit. You have an amazing view of Mt. Etna framed dead center in the opening of the back wall of the theater. A very picturesque and dramatic scene.

If you have been to Segesta, you can see what an amphitheater restoration looks like when the history of the site registers higher than the commercial value. Here as in Syracuse they have sought to create a modern concert venue at the expense of the historical value of the place. The stage platform and the associated lighting pods were in stark contrast to the ancient brick and stone work. If you are into antiquities, the contrast is sickening.

We walked to the ticketing office to purchase tickets during Covid protocols. The wait in line in July 2021 was over an hour in full sun and fully masked. This was the only historical site in Sicily that did not give us any type of student discount. We paid full price for the 5 of us even though 2 of us are seniors and 2 of us are enrolled students. Taormina is a tourist trap so we were not surprised. I believe the cost for the 5 of us was 80 euros.

You can easily see the theater and take your pictures in approximately 30 minutes. That said we spent about an hour inside the theater to drink in the views and try to get a few pictures without the ubiquitous "one" person who has to stand in the middle of the place and enact some insane pose.

This is another attraction in Sicily where I have no idea where the restrooms are located. I cannot reinforce enough the point that if you require frequent restroom access, make sure you find such locations prior to entering the queue for the attraction.

There is some signage around the theater to provide the historical context but like most antiquities in Sicily, we found the best approach was to learn about the site prior to visitation because the best information was on line versus the actual venue.

Give yourself about 2 hrs to fully see the site, take your pictures, and acquire tickets. During peak periods (non Covid) times, it may be best to purchase on line tickets and schedule a time to avoid the cruise ship crowds. Keep in mind there is little shade so book early or late afternoon and bring water.
Written 10 August 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.

Ally.x Wright
Dorchester, UK217 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
Wow! A stunning piece of history! We visited early in the morning to avoid the main heat of the day and entered just as the gates opened. There are many steps so only go if you are fit enough to to climb them! The climb is worth it as the view from the top of the amphitheater is stunning, of the theatre itself and of Mt Etna and the surrounding coast. Take water to rehydrate and comfy shoes. I would highly recommend for the reasonable price of €10
Written 26 July 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.

Josh Formentera
Copenhagen, Denmark567 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
I only read this Teatro in Taormina before my visit in the second week in July 2020 and it was described as a wonderful panoramic location where you can see the volcano Etna and the The Ionian Sea. When I saw this place from the top of the mountain I was amazed to see how impressive and beautiful the Ancient Greek historical theatre is and how it was built 3rd B.C centuries ago. AMAZING EXPERIENCED! The place has a fantastic view all over the sea and surrounded by the mountains and has a great photographic view. Highly recommend to see this historical landmark both the old Teatro and the old town of Taormina. The place is very popular for tourists sightseer and to buy a ticket to enter it might take a long while to get inside as there is always a long line of visitors.
Written 11 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.

ChrisBelinda
Bury, UK391 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, Denmark168 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, UK605 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.

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