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Taormina Ancient Theatre

The Taormina Ancient Theatre is a magnificent Greek theatre in Taormina, Sicily, Italy and is also renowned world over. The theatre was originally built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, and it was later expanded and renovated by the Romans. Avail tickets to this UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy audioguided tours.
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Taormina Ancient Theatre
Tourist enjoying view at Taormina Ancient Theatre, Sicily, with ruins and landscape in background.
Taormina Ancient Theatre ruins with stone columns and archways, Sicily.
Person viewing Mount Etna through Taormina Ancient Theatre archway, Sicily.
Panoramic view of ancient theatre of Taormina with coastline in background, Sicily.
Aerial view of the ancient theatre of Taormina, surrounded by greenery and buildings, Sicily, Italy.
Taormina Ancient Theatre ruins with stone arches and columns under a clear blue sky.
Taormina Ancient Theatre ruins with stone arches and brick walls, Sicily.
Taormina Ancient Theatre with visitors seated, surrounded by scenic hills.

Taormina Ancient Theatre Tickets with Audio Guide

1 hr
Audio guide

  • Bypass hour long ticket queues to explore Taormina’s over-2,000-year-old Greco-Roman theatre with a multilingual audio guide at your own pace.

  • Step onto the stage framed by Roman Corinthian columns, and test the theatre’s ancient acoustics as your voice carries through the space.

  • Hear stories of gladiator combats from the 2nd century AD, ancient Greek festivals, and medieval Roman gatherings through rich audio commentary.

  • Take in sweeping views of Mount Etna to the Bay of Naxos beyond the stage as you wrap up your experience.

  • Add a guided tour in English or Italian for an expert-led exploration of the site, perfect for an immersive and interactive experience.

More details

  • Bypass hour long ticket queues to explore Taormina’s over-2,000-year-old Greco-Roman theatre with a multilingual audio guide at your own pace.

  • Step onto the stage framed by Roman Corinthian columns, and test the theatre’s ancient acoustics as your voice carries through the space.

  • Hear stories of gladiator combats from the 2nd century AD, ancient Greek festivals, and medieval Roman gatherings through rich audio commentary.

  • Take in sweeping views of Mount Etna to the Bay of Naxos beyond the stage as you wrap up your experience.

  • Add a guided tour in English or Italian for an expert-led exploration of the site, perfect for an immersive and interactive experience.

from
€21
Taormina Ancient Theatre with coastal view and red shuttle bus on tree-lined street.
Tourist enjoying view at Taormina Ancient Theatre, Sicily, with ruins and landscape in background.
Taormina Ancient Theatre ruins with stone arches and columns under a clear blue sky.
Open-top sightseeing bus on Messina to Taormina transfer route.
Passengers enjoying City Sightseeing Turin hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Taormina Ancient Theatre with visitors seated, surrounded by scenic hills.
Aerial view of the ancient theatre of Taormina, surrounded by greenery and buildings, Sicily, Italy.
Sightseeing tourists on an open-top bus in Italy enjoying the city views.
Bus staff assisting passenger during Messina to Taormina transfer.
Group enjoying open-top bus ride from Messina to Taormina.

Combo (Save 5%): Taormina Ancient Theatre + Messina to Taormina Shuttle Bus Tickets

1 hr
Audio guide

  • Discover the remarkably well-preserved Greek Theater of Taormina and soak in panoramic views of Sicily's Calabrian and Ionian coasts.

  • Learn about the evolution of this theater, transitioning from musicals to gladiator battles, with an audio guide in 5 languages.

  • Enjoy a comfortable round-trip shuttle bus ride from Messina to Taormina, taking 1 hour and 15 minutes each way.

  • Go along the coastline of the Ionian Sea, treating your eyes to visually stunning landscapes, and then explore the town of Taormina at leisure.

  • Fun fact: The Taormina Ancient Theatre has attracted numerous notable visitors such as Oscar Wilde, Richard Wagner, and Truman Capote.

More details

  • Discover the remarkably well-preserved Greek Theater of Taormina and soak in panoramic views of Sicily's Calabrian and Ionian coasts.

  • Learn about the evolution of this theater, transitioning from musicals to gladiator battles, with an audio guide in 5 languages.

  • Enjoy a comfortable round-trip shuttle bus ride from Messina to Taormina, taking 1 hour and 15 minutes each way.

  • Go along the coastline of the Ionian Sea, treating your eyes to visually stunning landscapes, and then explore the town of Taormina at leisure.

  • Fun fact: The Taormina Ancient Theatre has attracted numerous notable visitors such as Oscar Wilde, Richard Wagner, and Truman Capote.

from €59
€56.05

5% off

Bus staff assisting passenger during Messina to Taormina transfer.
Open-top sightseeing bus on Messina to Taormina transfer route.
Group enjoying open-top bus ride from Messina to Taormina.
Ancient Greek Theater of Taormina overlooking the sea in Province of Messina, Sicily.
Ancient Greek Theatre in Taormina with Mount Etna in the background, Sicily.
Piazza IX Aprile in Taormina with people, historic buildings, and mountain backdrop.
Taormina's Piazza IX Aprile with historic church and mountain backdrop.
Taormina street with art shops and outdoor café, part of Messina to Taormina transfer experience.
Taormina townscape with sea view, seen from Messina to Taormina transfer route.

Messina to Taormina Same Day Shuttle Bus Tickets

Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
5 hr

  • See the most famous city in Sicily, Taormina, on this round-trip shuttle bus service from Messina for a different experience.

  • This shuttle takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get to Taormina and functions on the days the day cruise operates, leaving the marina on Via Battisti at 10:30pm.

  • Enjoy the spectacular view of the coastline of the Ionian Sea as you travel from Messina to Taormina and spot fine monuments.

  • Get a good 3 hours to explore the pretty town of Taormina which is best known for its ancient Greek theatre.

  • Fun fact: The Greek theatre in Taormina appears in a scene from Godfather where Al Pacino meets with his Sicilian counterpart.

More details

  • See the most famous city in Sicily, Taormina, on this round-trip shuttle bus service from Messina for a different experience.

  • This shuttle takes 1 hour 15 minutes to get to Taormina and functions on the days the day cruise operates, leaving the marina on Via Battisti at 10:30pm.

  • Enjoy the spectacular view of the coastline of the Ionian Sea as you travel from Messina to Taormina and spot fine monuments.

  • Get a good 3 hours to explore the pretty town of Taormina which is best known for its ancient Greek theatre.

  • Fun fact: The Greek theatre in Taormina appears in a scene from Godfather where Al Pacino meets with his Sicilian counterpart.

from
€38

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Check your calendar: Make sure you’re in the know of what events and performances are happening in the theater. As a result of this, it could close early.

Dress appropriately: The ancient theater of Taormina is outdoors and there is a significant amount of walking, so make sure you wear light, loose clothes. Bring your hat, coolers, and sunscreen.

Visit at the sunset: It is advisable to visit two hours before sunset so you can catch the views of the city and everything around it.

On the first Sunday of the month, visitors get free entry to the Ancient Theatre of Taormina. This also means you can expect heavy crowds though!

The theater also offers free entry for EU members under the age of 18 years, Italian teachers and on your birthday.

Be sure to watch the brief 2-minute video being showcased at the venue for a glimpse into the theater's former grandeur.

Prepare for a slight incline on your way to the entrance; there's a brief uphill walk involved.

About Taormina Ancient Theatre

The ancient theater of Taormina, dating back to the 3rd century B.C., is one of the most remarkable remnants of Greek and Roman influence in Sicily. Carved into the slopes of Mount Taurus, it offers breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. With its well-preserved structure and excellent acoustics, the theater continues to host various cultural events and performances, attracting visitors from around the world.

AddressVia Teatro Greco, 1, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Visitors per year244264
Expected wait time - Standard0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Did you know?

The Ancient Theater of Taormina was originally built by the ancient Greeks in the 3rd century BC.

The theater, initially Greek, was heavily modified by the Romans, blending Greek and Roman styles to create its current form.

The theater's design has excellent acoustics which allow performers to project their voices naturally, without modern amplification.

Why visit Taormina Ancient Theatre?

Strong historical connection

As a cultural hotspot, Taormina’s theater has hosted performances that vividly brought some of the most compelling Greek and Roman stories, myths and legends to life.

Epic views

Enjoy the beautiful sight of the Ionian Sea’s blue tones blending seamlessly with the grandeur of Mount Etna.

Graeco-Roman influences

Originally built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BCE, it underwent significant renovations under Roman rule, becoming a venue for various performances and events.

Exceptional acoustics

Due to its design and construction on the natural slope, the theater creates exceptional natural acoustics. Actors' voices and sounds travel clearly throughout the seating area, even without amplification.

Architectural brilliance

The iconic amphitheater is an ancient architectural masterpiece in many ways: Corinthian columns, semicircular orchestra and the well-preserved design add to its allure.

Pop culture significance

In Woody Allen’s 1995 film Mighty Aphrodite, the Ancient Theatre of Taormina is a prominent backdrop. It also features in seasons 2 and 3 of the HBO show White Lotus.

Present-day arts and culture

Until recently, the Ancient Theatre of Taormina was the venue for hosting the prestigious David di Donatello award for cinema. Even today, it is the chosen venue for several art and culture shows.

Taormina town

Visiting the amphitheater also provides a great opportunity to stroll down to Taormina town. Cobblestone streets, gelato shops, and stunning cafes await with the promise of the perfect Italian escape.

Highlights

The Antiquarium

Adjacent to the theater lies the Antiquarium, a small archeological museum where you can see valuable artifacts, including a dedicated statue of Caius Claudius Marcellus and a finely carved oval marble sarcophagus.

The Naumachia

Built during the Roman era, the Naumachia or the naval battle, stands as an important monumental fountain. Its impressive design includes a red brick wall that spans over one hundred meters and stands at a height of five meters.

The Cavea (Seating Area)

The tiered seating area, known as the cavea, is perhaps the most iconic feature of the Ancient Theatre of Taormina. Carved into the natural rock of the hillside, the cavea offers spectacular views of the stage and the surrounding landscape.

The Scene (stage)

Although now a faint shadow of its former self, the scene is where the actors performed. However, it is now in ruins and many of its original columns are lost.

The Orchestra

This space was dedicated to the singers/musicians and performers during the Greek times. When the Romans took over, it was repurposed as the arena for gladiatorial combat.

Plan your visit

Address

Via Teatro Greco, 1, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy

Nearest Bus stop

AMS Bus Stop Piazza S. Pancrazio

Nearest Train station

Taormina-Giardini Naxos Railway Station

Nearest Parking

Parcheggio Lumbi

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