Sicily in spring: Etna, Taormina and capers without the summer crowds

Snow still lies on Etna, while the gardens in Taormina are already in bloom. The volcano and the flowering town are less than an hour apart by road.

Spring changes the cost of the trip. The lines at Taormina's ancient theater are shorter than in July, and a ticket costs 14 € (as of 09/2026, official archaeological park website). It is already warm during the day; in the evening you will need a jacket.

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When to go to Sicily

Spring arrives earlier in eastern Sicily than in the rest of Europe. In March it is warm during the day, in April the sea suits brave swimmers, and in May the coast fills with people. If you are visiting for the first time, plan your trip for late April: the heat has not arrived yet, and the terraces on Corso Umberto are already open.

💡 In short:

• See Etna in the morning: before noon the summit is more often fully visible.
• Book a hotel in the old town, near the cable car.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official archaeological park website.

Etna: snow, lava, and the cable car

The cable car from Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza takes you from 1,920 m up to 2,500 m (Funivia dell'Etna). From there you ride with a guide in a 4x4 bus in summer and in a tracked vehicle in winter up to 2,800 m, then walk to 3,000 m. The volcano's summit rises above 3,300 m, and only long treks with a volcanologist lead up there.

The Silvestri Craters (Crateri Silvestri) lie by the lower station, visible right from the parking lot. In winter, surface lifts and two small ski areas operate on the slopes. From December to April, ice warning signs stand on every hairpin turn, and they are no joke. Lava flows on Etna sometimes stretch for several kilometers. Only licensed guides show the craters up close: Guided Etna ascents on GetYourGuide.

Taormina: a town above the sea

The old town sits high above the water, and you descend to the beach by cable car. The ride takes about 5 minutes; a ticket costs 8 € one way and 15 € round trip (as of 09/2026, ASM Taormina). Cabins depart every 15 minutes.

The pedestrian Corso Umberto runs through the entire center. Here you will find boutiques, cafes, and a sea view from the square by the cathedral. In the past, women with hand embroidery sat by the doors and waited for carts carrying vegetables from the mountain villages. Today the town has several thousand hotel beds, and almost all of them are tucked away in old buildings.

The ancient theater of Taormina

The ancient theater (Teatro Antico) is carved into the rock above the town. The Greeks built it more than two thousand years ago, and the Romans rebuilt the arena for their own spectacles. The acoustics still work: from the back rows you can hear both the actors and the music. Behind the stage the sea opens up, and to the left Etna smokes.

© Muzzudan · CC BY-SAPhoto: Muzzudan, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Tickets and opening hours

A full ticket costs 14 €, a reduced ticket 7 € (as of 09/2026, official archaeological park website). The park is open daily from 9:00 to 19:45, with last entry at 19:00. In summer there are evening openings with extended hours until midnight.

Villa Schuler: Sicily's oldest family-run hotel

Eugen Schuler came here in 1886 to recover in the warm climate and stayed. He became an antiques dealer and built a house with a shop on the ground floor. After his death in 1905, his widow Anna opened a guesthouse in the building, Villa Schuler (hotel history). Even then, famous guests were coming to the town, from Brahms and Thomas Mann to Marlene Dietrich.

© John Menard from Phoenix, USA · CC BY-SAPhoto: John Menard from Phoenix, USA, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The building was badly damaged during World War II, and the first rooms were only restored in the 1950s. Today the hotel is run by Gerhard Schuler, a third-generation family member, and it is the oldest family-run hotel on the island. You can walk to the ancient theater in eight minutes (see map).

Capers and Sicilian cuisine

Capers grow wild in Sicily: in wall cracks, on ledges, and along roads. The buds are picked by hand, then salted or pickled in vinegar and oil. Capers also go into Messina's fish dishes.

The island's cuisine blends Arab, Greek, and Spanish influences. Waiters bring fish to the table in a basket and show it to guests. It is best enjoyed with local wine. Sardines here are stuffed with pine nuts and baked. Around Messina they make pesce stocco, a dish of dried cod, served with potatoes and celery.

Its history is unusual. After the earthquake and tsunami of the early 20th century, Russian warships were the first to enter the port of Messina and handed out cod. From that, along with tomatoes, capers, and olives, came a dish that is still cooked today.

What else to see in Sicily

Sicily does not end with Taormina and Etna. In Ragusa you can climb the long staircase to the church of Santa Maria delle Scale and see the baroque town from above. In Syracuse the old town occupies the small island of Ortigia: narrow streets, a fish market, and a waterfront. Noto is built entirely in Sicilian baroque style and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Set aside a separate day for excavations and ancient ruins.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Sicily?

Plan your trip for late April. It is already warm during the day, you will want a jacket in the evening, and there are almost no lines at the ancient theater. In winter Taormina is quiet, but Etna has snow and some trails are closed. July and August are hot and crowded, and hotel prices are higher.

Does the Etna cable car run in winter?

Yes, the lift operates year-round. In winter, instead of a bus on the upper section, a tracked all-terrain vehicle runs. The upper trails are sometimes closed due to wind or eruptions. Before your trip, check the status on the Funivia dell'Etna website and bring warm clothing: it is always colder at altitude than in Taormina.

How much is a ticket to the ancient theater of Taormina?

A full ticket costs 14 €, a reduced ticket 7 € (as of 09/2026, official park website). On weekends, buy your ticket in advance: in May the entrance line can take half an hour.

Where should I stay in Taormina?

Choose a hotel in the old town, near Corso Umberto. Then cafes, the theater, and the cable car to the beach will all be within walking distance. A second option is the Mazzarò area by the sea: quieter and closer to the water, but you go up to the center by cable car. In summer, book ahead, as there are few rooms.

Do I need a car in Sicily?

For Taormina and Etna a car is not necessary: buses run to the volcano, and the town is easy to cover on foot. A rental car is useful for Ragusa, Noto, and Syracuse, as public transport between them is inconvenient. Leave the car on the outskirts; access to the historic center is restricted.

In short: what to book

If you are short on time, go with Taormina and the ancient theater. If you want nature, add Etna with the cable car ride. If you are driving, plan a night in Ragusa or Syracuse. Hotels in Taormina on Trip.com.