Sicily Adventure
Don't just visit, live it
Discover the Mediterranean Pearl
In a bay of the Ionian Sea, there's a small oasis that shines with green amidst the crystal-clear waters. Separated by a strip of beach that appears depending on tides, Isola Bella in Taormina has been described by many as the Pearl of the Mediterranean. The dense Mediterranean vegetation makes it both mysterious and captivating at the same time.
The beauty of this islet at the foot of Taormina can be appreciated from above, from every point in the bay, but also from below, from the pebble beach that keeps it company and watches over it.
Today, Isola Bella belongs to the Department of Cultural Heritage, but over the years, it has had many owners. Given to Pancrazio Ciprioti by the King of the Two Sicilies, Ferdinand I of Bourbon, Lady Florence Trevelyan purchased the islet in the midst of the sea and transformed it into a one-of-a-kind oasis.
In the late 19th century, the philanthropic husband Salvatore Cacciola, to please his wife, had a small house built on the island and planted rare and valuable tropical plants. In 1954, the Bosurgi brothers from Messina became the owners and constructed a magnificent residence with 12 separate rooms.
These rooms, interconnected by stairs and terraces, were cleverly camouflaged among the island's plants and rocks. It was only in 1984 that the Sicilian Regional Government finally declared Isola Bella a site of artistic, naturalistic, historical, and cultural interest. In 1998, the Natural Reserve was established, initially managed by the WWF and later by the Province of Messina.
Photo Credit: naturamediterraneo.
The islet is so small that it doesn't host any inhabitants. What remains of the rooms and terraces that Lady Florence and the Bosurgi family built is part of the Museum's trail. The islet serves as a resting point for seabirds, such as the cormorant and various species of seagulls.
The sole inhabitant of Isola Bella is the Podarcis sicula medemi, an extremely rare endemic lizard with a red chest that prefers to live in the shade of the island's dry stone walls. It's precisely for the protection and preservation of this species that the island is not illuminated at night.
The access to the stairway leading to Isola Bella is located on SS 114, between Giardini Naxos and Letojanni. From the A18/E45 highway, take the Taormina exit and head in the direction of Catania.
You can reach Isola Bella from Taormina Via Pirandello, passing through the Belvedere terrace. There is a path with steps that leads directly to the entrance of Isola Bella.
Also, from Via Pirandello, you can find the starting station of the Taormina-Mazzarò cable car. The arrival station is located 200 meters from the entrance of the stairway. Shuttles depart every 15 minutes, every day from 8 AM to 10 PM.
Taormina to Isola Bella Cable Car
TICKET: €6 one-way - €10 round trip - €20 all day ticket.
SCHEDULE: One ride every 15 minutes. In winter, it operates from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, except on Mondays when the opening is delayed until 9:00 AM. During the summer months, the cable car is open until 1:00 AM.
Questions and answers
The beach of Isola Bella in Taormina is located in a relatively small bay, and for this reason, it becomes very crowded in the summer. If you want to enjoy a day in complete relaxation, there is a beach club where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as savor a great seaside lunch and enjoy a drink while taking in the natural beauty.
If you want to fully experience its beauty, you absolutely must go snorkeling to discover the wonders of the seabed around the Reserve. The Marine Park it is a part of is rich in various fish, marine vegetation and corals. In addition to enjoying the sea and the sun, you can experience Isola Bella with a boat tour.
During the excursion, you will travel along the entire coast of the bay of Taormina and can also admire spectacular caves. One of these is the Blue Grotto, where the blue color of the sea is tinged with the bright red reflections of the corals.
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