Ancient Theatre of Taormina

For those travelling along Sicily’s east coast, a stop in Taormina is essential. And once you’ve arrived here, you simply cannot miss the magnificent Ancient Theatre, also known as the Greek Theatre, the town’s most important monument.

Built in the 3rd century BC by the Greeks and later enlarged by the Romans, today the Ancient Theatre of Taormina is Sicily’s second largest theatre after that of Syracuse, but it is certainly the most iconic, particularly thanks to the magnificent views across the Schisò gulf, with the majestic silhouette of Mount Etna in the background.

Originally an important stage for dramatic performances and later an arena for gladiators, today Taormina’s Ancient Theatre hosts shows of all kinds – theatrical, operatic and musical – as well as ceremonies such as the David di Donatello awards. With a capacity of 4,500 seated spectators, which rises to around 10,000 including the orchestra pit, the theatre attracts large audiences to these events, whilst its spectacular setting makes it one of the most sought-after venues for Italian and international artists.

When to visit Taormina’s Ancient Theatre

Taormina is a town worth visiting 365 days a year, though summer is obviously the busiest season. Like any seaside resort, this season brings both advantages and drawbacks: extremely long days but often very hot, restaurants and bars all open but often very crowded. The best time of year to visit Taormina and its Ancient Theatre is therefore spring, from mid-April to early June, when the climate is splendid and mild, there are no great crowds and the surrounding countryside is at its most spectacular.

Of course, there’s nothing to stop you visiting Taormina’s Ancient Theatre in winter or during the low season, and in fact before the Belice earthquake of 1968 the town was a destination for winter tourism, with hotels opening in October and closing in June. Things have obviously changed now, but a winter visit to Taormina could see you encountering rain or low clouds, meaning you won’t be able to enjoy the spectacular panorama of the Ancient Theatre with views over the gulf and Mount Etna.

Things to do at Taormina’s Ancient Theatre

The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is divided into 4 sections, all worth visiting:

• Scene: the most important part of the theatre, it forms its backbone, retaining at least some of its original form. Much of the Ancient Theatre’s scene was removed during the Middle Ages, when the material was used to construct palaces and the Cathedral.
• Cavea: carved from the rock, it originally held 5,400 spectators seated on tiered steps. The front rows were reserved for officials.
• Porticoes: Two large brick porticoes were built to increase the theatre’s capacity. The vaults supported two terraces, the first with wooden seats reserved for women, the other, higher up, had no fixed seats and was for the poorer spectators.
• Stairs: access to Taormina’s Ancient Theatre was via stepped stairs, which became increasingly narrow as you climbed. On the way up, three doors led to the cavea.

Tickets and practical information for visiting Taormina’s Ancient Theatre

The opening hours of Taormina’s Ancient Theatre vary depending on the season: opening is usually at 09:00, with closing times varying based on daylight hours. The ticket office closes 45 minutes before the Theatre closes.

Tickets can be purchased directly online or at the ticket offices on site; the first Sunday of the month entrance to the Theatre is free, otherwise the price is €10 for a full ticket, €5 for a concession ticket for young people from Italy and the European Union aged 18 to 25, whilst entry is always free for under-18s, disabled visitors, groups of students accompanied by teachers, journalists and lecturers. To manage site access, there are 200 places available every 15 minutes.

Ticket + guided tour of Taormina’s Ancient Theatre

It’s possible to take part in a guided tour of Taormina or its surroundings, which includes a visit to the Ancient Theatre.

How to reach Taormina’s Ancient Theatre

Taormina’s Ancient Theatre is easily reached on foot once you’ve arrived in town. The question then becomes how to get to Taormina: the main bus stop is the terminal along via Luigi Pirandello, from which buses depart to and arrive from numerous towns across Sicily (Messina, Catania, Syracuse) and surrounding areas.

To reach the town by car, simply take the southern section of the A18 motorway and exit at Taormina: from the junction it’s just over 4 kilometres to the town centre.

Where to stay near Taormina’s Ancient Theatre

Taormina is a town of around 10,000 inhabitants with a long tradition of international tourism. Therefore, in town, along the coast and in the immediate surrounding areas, it’s very easy to find somewhere to stay. There are options for all tastes: from luxurious hotels to small family-run bed & breakfasts, plus numerous apartments managed by private owners and rented out to tourists for short stays.

Photos of Taormina’s Ancient Theatre