Vila Comunale park in Taormina, Sicily island, Italy. Old ruins in the park.
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villa comunale

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Villa Comunale

Taormina


Created by Englishwoman Florence Trevelyan in the late 19th century, these stunningly sited public gardens offer breathtaking views of the coast and Mt Etna. They're a wonderful place to escape the crowds, with tropical plants and delicate flowers punctuated by whimsical follies. You'll also find a children's play area.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Taormina attractions

1. Corso Umberto I

0.17 MILES

Taormina's chief delight is wandering this pedestrian-friendly, boutique-lined thoroughfare. Start at the tourist office in Palazzo Corvaja, which dates…

2. Teatro Greco

0.18 MILES

Taormina's premier sight is this perfect horseshoe-shaped theatre, suspended between sea and sky, with Mt Etna looming on the southern horizon. Built in…

3. Palazzo Corvaja

0.19 MILES

Dating back to the 10th century, the crenellated, Arab-influenced Palazzo Corvaja houses the tourist office and occasional exhibitions.

4. Chiesa di San Giuseppe

0.22 MILES

Overlooking Piazza IX Aprile, this jewel-box church was completed in the early 18th century. The central portal is made of local marble while the portals…

5. Torre dell’Orologio

0.23 MILES

Located just west of the main square, Piazza IX Aprile, this 12th-century clock tower marks the entrance to Borgo Medievale, Taormina's oldest quarter.

6. Porta Messina

0.24 MILES

Porta Messina was originally named Porta Ferdinanda when opened by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon in 1808. The occasion is commemorated in the plaque above the…

7. Palazzo Ciampoli

0.34 MILES

The 14th-century Palazzo Ciampoli stands adjacent to the Hotel El Jebel.

8. Saracen Castle

0.35 MILES

Perched atop Monte Tauro are the (inaccessible) ruins of this castle, built between the 11th and 12th centuries. The castle sits on the former site of…