Walking in Taormina

Taormina is a good place to walk.  The main Corso Umberto is closed to traffic (which in practice means only police cars and delivery vans drive along it) and is the place to fare una passeggiata or take a pleasant walk in the early evening.  Walking in Taormina also inevitably means walking up and down steps.  Whilst the Corso Umberto itself is flat, there are lots of stepped alleyways and streets off it which are fun to explore. 

If you want a bit of a challenge, it's worth walking to CastelloTaormina.  This is up above the town and can be approached either by walking up towards Castlemola on the main road or by taking the signposted steps (around 500 in total) beside the petrol station on the Via Circonvallazione.  The steps lead to the Madonna della Rocca shrine and church and have stations of the cross on the way up.  You may well find local people on their way to or from a service, particularly in early September when there is a Madonna della Rocca festival.  In summertime, this is best attempted in early morning since there is very little shade on the way up.  There is a water fountain at the top but it's probably worth bringing some along as well.  Views of course are stunning on the way up!  If you're still feeling fresh at the top, you can walk on up to the Castello itself, about another 100 steps or so.  Or take the roadway and walk to Castlemola.  You will have earned a gelato when you make your way back down!

For the ambitious it is also possible to take the steps all the way to Castlemola village.  If you go to the Porta Catania and start following the road upwards, you'll come to steps with signposts for Castlemola.  It is a steep climb but the steps are relatively well kept (although there is one short part in the middle where they disappear).  Worth it for the stunning views.