Isola Bella Taormina: The Complete Guide to the Pearl of the Ionian
There are beautiful beaches all over Sicily, and then there is Isola Bella. A tiny wooded island joined to the shore by a thread of pebbles, ringed by water so clear it looks lit from below, it is the image that made Taormina famous around the world — and the one most visitors come to see with their own eyes. The Sicilians call it la perla dello Ionio, the pearl of the Ionian.
This is our complete guide to Isola Bella in Taormina: its remarkable history, how to visit the island and the beach, the best time to go, how to get there without a car, and where to stay with Isola Bella outside your window.
What is Isola Bella?
Isola Bella is a rocky islet of only a few thousand square metres, covered in Mediterranean scrub and exotic plants, sitting in a sheltered bay between Capo Sant’Andrea and Capo Taormina. Depending on the tide and the sea, a narrow strip of pebbles links it to the mainland, so you can sometimes walk across with your feet barely wet. Around it, the water shifts from emerald to deep blue, with sea grottoes cut into the cliffs on either side.
Since 1998 the island has been a protected nature reserve, and today it is managed as part of the Parco Archeologico Naxos Taormina, which oversees visits to the island and its house.
A short history of the island
- 1806: Ferdinand I of Bourbon, King of the Two Sicilies, gives the islet to the town of Taormina.
- 1890: the English noblewoman Lady Florence Trevelyan, who made Taormina her home, buys the island. She plants rare and exotic species and builds a small house among the rocks — the same Florence Trevelyan who created the gardens of Taormina’s Villa Comunale.
- 20th century: after her death the island changes hands several times and goes through periods of neglect.
- 1990: the island returns to public ownership.
- 1998: Isola Bella is declared a nature reserve, protecting its plants, its rocks and the sea around it.
How to visit Isola Bella
The island
Visits to the island itself — its paths, gardens and the house built by Florence Trevelyan — are ticketed and follow set opening hours that change through the year. Check the official Parco Archeologico Naxos Taormina website for current hours and tickets before you go. Because it is a reserve, visitor numbers can be limited at busy times.
The beach
The beach around Isola Bella is public and made of smooth pebbles. On either side of the sandbar you will find stretches of free beach and lidos (beach clubs) renting sunbeds and umbrellas. The water is shallow and calm close to the shore, which makes it popular with families, and wonderful for snorkelling along the rocks.
- Wear water shoes: the pebbles are hot in summer and slippery in the sea.
- Arrive before 10am in July and August, or come in the late afternoon when the day visitors leave.
- Respect the reserve: do not take stones, shells or plants, and keep off fenced areas.
By boat
The most beautiful way to see Isola Bella is from the water. Boats leave from Mazzarò beach for trips around the island and along the coast to the sea caves, including the Grotta Azzurra, with stops for swimming. Private boats and small-group tours run throughout the season.
Isola Bella by boat
Grottoes · Swimming · SunsetPowered by GetYourGuide. See all Taormina experiences
How to get to Isola Bella
- From Taormina’s historic centre: take the cable car (funivia) down to Mazzarò, then walk along the coast road for a few minutes to the steps that lead down to Isola Bella. Alternatively, local buses run along Via Nazionale.
- On foot from Mazzarò: Mazzarò and Isola Bella sit side by side; it is a short, scenic walk between the two bays.
- By car: parking along the coast road is limited and fills quickly in summer. If you can, leave the car at your accommodation.
- From Catania airport: about an hour by road; arrange a transfer to Taormina or Mazzarò.
See Isola Bella once at midday and you will understand the postcards. See it at seven in the morning, alone, and you will understand why people never stop coming back.
When is the best time to visit?
The sea is warm enough for swimming from late May to October, warmest in August and September. June and September offer the best balance of warm water and fewer crowds. In winter, the island and the bay are quiet and beautifully photogenic, though some services close.
Where to stay facing Isola Bella
Accommodation directly overlooking Isola Bella is limited, and it is the most sought-after on the coast. Staying here means watching the island change colour from your terrace at sunrise and sunset, and having the beach to yourself before the crowds arrive.
Cohen House Taormina
Three private residences on the Taormina seafront, each with its own terrace looking straight onto Isola Bella, with the beaches of Isola Bella and Mazzarò steps away. Ideal for families and groups of up to ten, with a full kitchen, self check-in and a 24/7 concierge for boat days and Etna tours. See the apartments facing Isola Bella and book direct for the best rate.
Wake up to Isola Bella
Taormina · Isola Bella
Prefer a hotel? See our guides to the best beach hotels in Taormina and where to stay in Taormina.
Photographing Isola Bella
The classic view is from the road and terraces above the bay, looking down on the island and sandbar — best in the soft light of early morning. For something more personal, a professional shoot on the beach or the cliffs above makes an unforgettable memory of a proposal, honeymoon or family holiday. VanSky Studio photographs couples and families at Isola Bella year-round.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk to Isola Bella?
Yes. A narrow strip of pebbles usually connects the island to the beach, so you can walk across, sometimes through a little shallow water. Visits to the island itself are ticketed.
Do you have to pay to visit Isola Bella?
The beach around Isola Bella is public and free, although lidos charge for sunbeds. Entry to the island, which is a nature reserve and museum, requires a ticket; check the Parco Archeologico Naxos Taormina for current prices and hours.
How do you get to Isola Bella from Taormina?
Take the cable car from the historic centre down to Mazzarò, then walk a few minutes along the coast to the steps down to Isola Bella. Local buses also stop nearby.
Is Isola Bella good for children?
Yes. The water near the sandbar is shallow and usually calm, making it one of the best family beaches in Taormina. Bring water shoes for the pebbles.
Is Isola Bella sandy?
No, the beach and sandbar are made of pebbles. For sandy beaches, head south to Giardini Naxos.
Disclosure: Cohen House is a partner of this guide. Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Opening hours, tickets and regulations at the reserve change; please check the official park website before visiting. Photography by VanSky Studio, Taormina; residence photographs courtesy of Cohen House.