Hotel Villa Schuler

Taormina Restaurant Recommendations

Our restaurant suggestions and recommendations are exclusively based on the quality of food and services and our unbiased restaurant ranking list is also based on our guest’s feedback.

Taormina has nearly 100+ restaurants in various sizes, settings, categories, and price levels.

When talking with a guest asking for a recommendation we first listen carefully trying to understand his expectations and only then do we make our suggestions.
And next day we try to get that important feedback to understand better.

Our Hotel Villa Schuler has a central location so that you can reach most of the recommended restaurants within 5 to 10 minutes.

 

Our recommendations:

 

PIZZERIA

VILLA ZUCCARO

 

RESTAURANTS

CASUAL

AL GIARDINO

TISCHI-TOSCHI

DON CAMILLO

MALVASIA

SHELTER

SAN MICHELE

TRATTORIA DA NINO

 

SEAFRONT

IL BARCAIOLO (Mazzarò Bay)

 

PANORAMIC

AL SARACENO (near Madonna della Rocca)

 

GOURMET & FINE DINING

ANDREAS

KISTÉ

OSTERIA SANTA DOMENICA

BISTROT DU MONDE

ROSSO DIVINO

ARCO DEI CAPPUCCINI

 

MICHELIN STAR CHEFS & RESTAURANTS

** ST. GEORGE by HEINZ BECK, chef of the 2star restaurant inside the 5* Hotel ASHBEE

* LA CAPINERA (Spisone Beach) by PIETRO D’AGOSTINO, who is not only a great chef but also actively socially engaged in the community e.g. cooking classes for children and for people in jail.

* PRINCIPE CERAMI by MASSIMO MANTARRO, chef of the restaurant inside our neighboring 5*L Four Seasons Hotel SAN DOMENICO (the “White Lotus Hotel”)

* OTTO GELENG by ROBERTO TORO, chef of the restaurant inside the 5* GRAND HOTEL TIMEO, a Belmond Hotel

* VINERIA MODÌ by DANILA GRILLO, chef of the small restaurant close to Hotel Villa Schuler

 

Last Updated: January 12, 2025

Taormina Castle

Taormina Castle – Madonna della Rocca, Taormina
The remains of the medieval arab-norman castle surround a large area on top of Monte Tauro, which watches from a height of 397 meters over the town of Taormina. The imposing, well-preserved walls give a vivid impression of the old castle. The views from up here are breathtaking, 360 degrees over the sea, as far as Mount Etna, the coastlines across to mainland Italy or in direction Catania, and the mountainous hinterland.

The castle can be reached by walking along a panoramic staircase carved into the rock that starts from the little church of Madonna della Rocca. From Villa Schuler to the Castle it is a walk of approx. 45 minutes.
Entrance fee: 10 Euros including a digital audio guide, usable directly from one’s smartphone, linked to the panels along the route, an interactive digital map, available in multiple languages, with 21 points of interest and at the end of the tour a personalized parchment with one’s name.

Opening hours during the summer period: daily from 10:00 to 20:00, in other periods of the year accordingly shorter.

More info: castelloditaormina.it

Transfers en excursies vanaf Taormina

Excursies op maat en private transfers vanaf Taormina

Villa Schuler heeft een lange en positieve ervaring en samenwerking met het locale bedrijf “Sicily Life”, dewelke transfers en excursies organiseert rondom Taormina en naar alle belangrijke sites en bezienswaardigheden in Sicilië.

Of U nu alleen reist, per koppel of met een groep tot 20 personen, indien U een transfer van/naar de luchthaven Catania, Comiso, Palermo of Trapani wenst of een uitstap wil maken naar de Etna, “The Godfather” dorpjes, een wijntour of eender welke bezienswaardigheid, eventueel ook op maat gemaakt:
De 12 vriendelijke, ervaren en meertalige chauffeurs en gidsen van “Sicily Life” bieden dit alles aan tegen redelijke prijzen. Bovendien zijn ze absoluut 100% betrouwbaar en stipt.

U kan uw transfer het beste boeken samen met uw kamerreservatie.
De luchthaventransfer van Catania CTA naar Taormina kost 105 Euro (een traject) in een Mercedes limousine tot 3 personen (nachtelijk tarief: 125 Euro).
Voor 4 of meer personen worden onze transfers georganiseerd met Mercedes minibusjes zoals de Mercedes Viano of de Mercedes Vito (tariefen op aanvraag).

De lokale uitstappen kunnen ook op korte termijn gereserveerd worden, eens U hier in Taormina bent.

Enkele van de populairste dagtrips zijn:

  • Classic Etna Experience Tour, halve dag ca. 4 uur, 240 euro.
  • Etna “Grand Tour”, hele dag ca. 7 uur, 320 euro
  • Etna “Grand Tour”, hele dag ca. 7 uur, incl. wijnproeverij en lunch, 380 euro (1 persoon) – 420 euro (2 pers.) – 460 ( 3 pers.)
  • Namiddag panoramische Etna ervaring, hele dag ca. 6/7 uur, inclusief wijn- en spijsproeverij, 380 euro (1 persoon) – 420 euro (2 pers.) – 460 ( 3 pers.)
  • Oeno-gastronomische tour rond de Etna, volledige dag ca. 7 uur, 410 euro (1 persoon), 490 euro (2 pers.) 560 euro (3 pers.), twee wijn- en spijsproeverijen inbegrepen
  • Originele Siciliaanse dorpen, in de voetsporen van de “Godfather”, halve dag ca. 4 uur, 240 euro
  • Originele Siciliaanse dorpen, in de voetsporen van de “Godfather”, hele dag ca. 7 uur, 320 euro
  • De prachtige stad Siracusa, dagtrip ca. 7 uur, 320 euro
  • Siracusa en Noto, dagtrip ca. 9 uur, 420 euro
  • Agrigento, dagtrip ca. 8 uur, 420 euro
  • Agrigento en Villa Romana del Casale (Piazza Armerina), lange dagtrip ca. 11 uur, 570 euro
  • Catania en de dorpjes langs de kust van de Cyclopen, dagtrip ca. 7 uur, 320 euro
  • Catania (of Caltagirone) en de Villa Romana del Casale bij Piazza Armerina, dagtrip ca. 8 uur, 420 euro
  • De Siciliaanse baroksteden Noto, Modica en Ragusa Ibla, dagtrip ca. 8 uur, 420 euro
  • Cefalù en Castelbuono, hele dag ca. 8 uur, 420 euro
  • Palermo en Monreale, lange dagtrip, ca. 9/10 uur, 490 euro, als je een wandeltour met een lokale gids toevoegt: plus 200 euro
  • De Commissaris Montalbano Tour, lange dagtrip, ca. 9 uur, 420 Euro
  • Reggio Calabria en Scilla tour (Riace Bronzes en het beroemde vissersdorp Scilla), volledige dag ca. 8 uur, 490 Euro, veerboot inbegrepen

De bovenvermelde prijzen zijn geldig voor Mercedes limousines tot maximaal 3 personen.

Voor 4 of meer personen zullen onze excursies georganiseerd worden met Mercedes minibusjes zoals de Mercedes Viano of de Mercedes Vito. (tariefen of aanfraag)

laatste update: 07.01.2024

Iconic Taormina Cult Tour in vintage Ape Calessino

ICONIC TAORMINA CULT TOUR IN VINTAGE APE CALESSINO

in partnership with Sicily Art Experience for Hotel Villa Schuler guests

Daily tours for 2 or 3 persons on each Ape Calessino.

A unique and exclusive tour through Taormina’s art, literature and cinema. Visit the places where muses and celebrities found their home here in Taormina. Sicily Art Experience reveals a treasure chest of secret stories of Taormina, evoking glamour, emotions and authentic La Dolce Vita flavors.

The iconic Grand Tour comes back to life in the old-fashioned and fascinating „Taormina Cult“ project, which provides cultural thematic itineraries coniugating literature, art and cinema.

D.H.Lawrence, Robert Kitson, Oscar Wilde, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Wilhelm Von Gloeden, Bertrand Russel,  Henry Faulkner, Roald Dahl, Pablo Picasso, Daphne Phelps, Coco Chanel, Luigi Pirandello and Greta Garbo, are just a few of the poets, artists and celebrities brought back to life on our tours in the very places where they used to live and to meet and where their memories are still alive.

Taormina Cult is the first permanent cultural itinerary in Taormina, 21 places equipped with a series of local information boards, endowed with ‘QR’ code to download more info in 4 languages: Italian, English, Russian and German The tour is now available to be enjoyed aboard our Ape Calesse, the old-fashioned iconic italian 3 wheeler.

Ape Calesse Tours can be organized daily though us in English and Italian.

Participants: minimum 2, maximum 6 (reserving two Ape Calessino).

Audio guides available during the tour in Italian, English, German and Russian.

You can choose between:

1 hour panoramic round-trip and a

2 hours full tour that also includes the visit of Casa Cuseni (everyday at 11.30 am in English and at 5.30 pm in Italian) and the gardens of Villa Caronia (from Monday to Friday, 9 am – 1 pm)

Some of the iconic places you will visit on our Taormina Cult itineraries are: the Greek Theatre, the historical park of Villa Caronia, Casa Cuseni and Villa Mon Repos, the former casino of Taormina.

Info and Reservations for Hotel Villa Schuler guests only
write us an email to info@hotelvillaschuler.com

E-bike verhuur Hotel Villa Schuler Taormina

Hotel Villa Schuler biedt E-bike verhuur alleen voor hotelgasten.

Snelheid: Max. 25 km/u
Motor: Oli Sport-Mid Motor
Batterij: ingebouwd – 14A*36V
Display: Oli Kleur
Frame: Trekking 28” – AI 6061
Vork: Geveerde 28” – veerweg 80 – Airfly
Voorderailleur: Shimano RD-U3020 Cues 9V
Remmen: Shimano MT200 Hydraulisch
Max. bereik: Afhankelijk van gewicht rijder, rijstijl en route

Euro 30,00 Volwassene per gast/dag

Volledige Kasko Verzekering inbegrepen

Info en reserveringen alleen voor gasten van Hotel Villa Schuler
schrijf ons een e-mail naar info@hotelvillaschuler.com

Trekking en jeeptours op de Etna

Voor een speciale belevenis kan u kiezen voor een jeeptour of trekking met de Zwitser Eddy Tronchet. Met zijn agentschap Legendary Sicily biedt hij excursies in de Etna regio aan in kleine groepen.

Mr. Tronchet is een doorwinterde gids en een echte kenner van de Etna, de archeologie, geologie en geschiedenis van Sicilië. Hij spreekt vloeiend Italiaans, Frans, Engels en Duits. Zijn tochten zijn gericht op natuurliefhebbers die houden van wandelen en avontuur.

Op aanvraag verhuurt hij ook wandelschoenen en warme jassen voor de koude temperaturen op 2000 – 3000 meter hoogte. De uitvoering van deze excursies is onderhevig aan weercondities en de samenstelling van de groepen en kunnen ter plaatse, ca. 1 tot 2 dagen van tevoren, aan de receptie geboekt worden.

Wandelen en hiken in de omgeving van Taormina

Vanaf Taormina (204m boven de zeespiegel) kan U enkele wandelingen op verschillende moeilijkheidsniveaus ondernemen.

Een mooie wandeling bv. is de klim van ca. 5km van Taormina naar het naburige dorpje Castelmola (529m boven de zeespiegel). Het eerste deel van het pad gaat over de Via Crucis naar de kleine kapel Madonna della Rocca, dan loopt u ongeveer 500m langs de straat om vervolgens terug een paadje te nemen tot in Castelmola. Op de terugweg kan u voor het historische
“Saracenenpad” kiezen.

Men wandelt circa 1 uur. In Castelmola zijn er een paar cafés, restaurantjes en souvenir winkels. Vanaf het centrale plein heeft u een fantastisch uitzicht over de kustlijn en de heuvels rondom de Etna.

Ervaren hikers kunnen van Castelmola de Monte Veneretta beklimmen tot op 885m boven de zeespiegel.

Voor informatie over andere wandelmogelijkheiden rondom Taormina kan u terecht aan onze receptie.

Shuttle service van Hotel Villa Schuler naar Taormina´s stranden

De stranden van Taormina zijn beroemd omwille van hun imposante kliffen, romantische baaien met rotsen, kiezelstranden en mineraalzand.

Sommige zijn ideaal om te snorkelen en te duiken, andere voor watersporten zoals wind- en kitesurfen, boottochten, beachvolleybal en natuurlijk ook om te relaxen.

Tussen mei en oktober kunnen al onze gasten gebruik maken van een shuttle service om de verschillende stranden te bereiken in 10 tot 15 minuten.

U kan kiezen uit 5 stranden waar we mee samen werken en die elk hun eigen shuttlebus hebben. U wordt direct aan het hotel opgehaald en u kan kiezen uit verschillende vertrekuren, telkens ´s morgens tussen 9.15h en 12.45h. De shuttles van het strand terug naar het hotel rijden tussen 14.00h en 17.30h.

Na 12.45h kan u nog steeds gebruik maken van de kabelbaan (op 10 min. wandelafstand van het hotel). Elke 15 minuten vertrekt er een naar Mazzarò en Isola Bella (enkeltje 3 Euro), reisschemas’s daagelijk van 8.00h tot 22.00h, in augustus tot 24.00 h.

Al onze partner stranden zijn volledig uitgerust met omkleedcabines, ligstoelen en parasols, douches, solariums, lounge bars en restaurants.

De complete strandservice is op aanvraag en omvat de shuttleservice, ligstoel en parasol. De prijs varieert tussen 15 en 35 Euro per dag, afhankelijk welk strand U kiest.

Le Soste di Ulisse – the best way to savor Sicily

There are many ways to discover Sicily. One is to follow the SOSTE DI ULISSE (the stop-overs of Ulysses). No better way to taste, savor and fully experience the great cuisine of some of the best and Michelin-starred chefs, the finest wines of the best Sicilian wineries and the proverbial hospitality of some of the best and most charming hotels on the Island, all associated under the name of “Le Soste di Ulisse”.

It’s a guarantee for GOURMET ENJOYMENT, this is what we can say regarding the fabolous partners we got to know during the last years of our own personal travels (mostly during the 3 winter months December, January and February, when we close our own HOTEL VILLA SCHULER for refurbishments).

TAORMINA AND SURROUNDINGS

Lets start with our “Le Soste di Ulisse” co-member which we are happy to have here in TAORMINA:

PIETRO D’AGOSTINO, Michelin star chef of LA CAPINERA, who is not only a great chef but also actively socially engaged in the community with e.g. cooking lessons for children and for prisoners,

A truly wonderful neighbourhood, which we enjoy ourselves and can only recommend to our Hotel guests!

Our HOTEL VILLA SCHULER, open since 1905 and now the oldest owner run hotel of the whole island of Sicily, has been a member of “Le Soste di Ulisse” since many years now.

Just a 30 minutes‘ drive from Taormina, we have another wonderful hideaway, our co-member, the SHALAI RESORT, situated in the middle of the small charming Mt. ETNA town of LINGUAGLOSSA in a beautifully restored baroque Palazzo, owned and managed by the young and enthusiastic LUCIANO PENNISI, who is also one of the vice presidents of “Le Soste di Ulisse”. The Shalai offers not only stylish rooms, but also a SPA and a restaurant headed by the Michelin star chef GIOVANNI SANTORO, who puts strong emphasis on local products and a modern interpretation of traditional Sicilian cuisine.

Talking about the Mt. Etna region, which is indeed the nearest wine making region to Taormina, we must also mention the Soste di Ulisse partner wineries: BARONE DI VILLAGRANDE, BENANTI, NICOSIA,  PALMENTO COSTANZO, PIETRADOLCE, TENUTE DI FESSINA, TERRAZZE DELL’ETNA, most of them we know personally, all of them by having tasted their wonderful prestigeous wines.

During a meeting of the “Le Soste diUlisse” we got to know the country HOTEL DONNA CARMELA, a skilfully restored historic manor, located inside a mediterranean and sub-tropical nursery garden between Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea, in CARRUBA DI RIPOSTO. The fine cuisine of their restaurant is managed by the two young chefs ROSARIO PARISI and PIERGIORGIO ALECCI.

SALINA

Whenever we find 2 days off during the summer months we personally try to allow us a brief escape to our favorite island SALINA and to the HOTEL SIGNUM, visiting our friends the Caruso family. MICHELE CARUSO, CLARA RAMETTA and their children LUCA CARUSO and MARTINA CARUSO who are the souls of the most enchanting place to stay we know on the Aeolian Islands. And we love the innovative and imaginative kitchen of the youngest Michelin starred female chef in Italy MARTINA CARUSO.

SIRACUSA and NOTO

On the occasion of another meeting we were happy to savor the sophisticated cuisine of GIOVANNI GUARNERI, which he offers at his restaurant DON CAMILLO, located in ORTIGIA, the beautiful historic center of SIRACUSA. Lately we passed a wonderful evening there with all our staff during our works outing end of November 2019. We where 23 persons and had a great menu based on fresh fish, served by a perfectly synchronized staff. Chapeau!

In December, during one of our romantic getaways as a couple, we enjoyed a wonderful  evening at the member restaurant CROCIFISSO in NOTO, where chef MARCO BAGLIERI offers his refined version of Sicilian cuisine.

MODICA AND RAGUSA IBLA

Every year, after having closed the HOTEL VILLA SCHULER for the winter break, we do a works outing with our staff, a short 2 to 3 days journey through Sicily. We want them to get to enjoy their Island and to know the SOSTE DI ULISSE and that‘s why we plan our stays, wine tastings and dinners whenever possible at co-member hotels, wineries and restaurants.

That’s how we for example stayed at PALAZZO FAILLA at MODICA, the romantic Hotel, situated in the charming Palazzo owned and managed by the noble Failla family. In Modica we also tasted the great creations of the ANTICA DOLCERIA BONAIUTO producing the best Sicilian chocolates, try their chilly-chocs!

In RAGUSA IBLA, during another of our romantic tours as a couple, we stayed at the LOCANDA DON SERAFINO owned by the LA ROSA family and enjoyed very much the friendly service and the historic building partly located in caves, dug out of the tufa.

On this occasion, travelling during the winter period, we missed the member restaurant in Ragusa Ibla, the restaurant of LOCANDA DON SERAFINO with its chef VINCENZO CANDIANO. On our next visit to Ragusa Ibla we’ll have to catch up on that.

PALERMO and CASTELBUONO

On another works outing with all our staff we devinely dined at the OSTERIA DEI VESPRI in PALERMO, managed by chef ALBERTO RIZZO and his brother ANDREA. They have a very interesting concept, offering “Gourmet” kitchen from April 1 to October 31, and “Old Osteria” style from November 1 to March 31.

The charming AGRIRELAIS BAGLIO DI PIANETTO in the countryside of Palermo in Santa Cristina di Gela was a real home for us during our 2016 works outings. We enjoyed their outstandingly welcoming staff, an impressive tour of their modern winery, the good kitchen, and the elegance of the large historic noble villa.

Whenever we get in the Cefalù area we love to stop at the charming mountain village CASTELBUONO at the restaurant NANGALARRUNI. The Chefs GIUSEPPE CAROLLO and his daughter FRANCESCA offer a wonderful and affectionately prepared local cuisine, sometimes with mushrooms from the surrounding mountains, which GIUSEPPE collects himself…just overwhelming!

TRAPANI REGION

In November 2017 we headed for the city of TRAPANI with our works outing and we had two outstanding dinners at SERISSO 47. Chef GAETANO BASIRICÒ created two wonderful dinners for our group, one based on fish, the second based on meat, vegetarian dishes of course included. Both were EXCELLENT! and we love the gentle, low profile personality of Gaetano Basiricò.

AGRIGENTO REGION

Another great experience was our works outing, which we spent at LA FORESTERIA PLANETA ESTATE, a luxurious country hotel and restaurant, located amidst of the Planeta MENFI region wineries. Planeta is one of the most prestigious Sicilian wineries with wine-growing districts spread all over Sicily and offers this elegant retreat, enriched by the exquisit and surprising cuisine of their chef ANGELO PUMILIA, who combines his Japanese experiences with Sicilian traditions.

AND MUCH MORE TO DISCOVER …

The members of SOSTE DI ULISSE are many more and we still have to discover many of them and will of course also return to those we already know!

Christine and Gerhard Schuler

More info: Le Soste di Ulisse, president PINO CUTTAIA, vice presidents: TONY LO COCO and LUCIANO PENNISI;   lesostediulisse.it

 

Italian Opera in Taormina

Just 5 Minutes walk from Hotel Villa Schuler, at the Cineteatro San Giorgio, you can enjoy Italian Opera Arias and Duetts from operas such as Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, Madame Butterfly, Tosca, and La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini, Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini and Elisir d’Amore by Gaetano Donizetti, interpreted – with piano accompaniment – by singers who have performed at important Italian and international opera houses.

Every performance the program will be different, sometimes the company adds also traditional songs from Naples and Sicily, sometimes Jazz or Tango classics.

So if you stay longer in Taormina you can also enjoy two or more of these charming evenings. During a short break the company offers a drink on the panoramic terrace of the theatre. Artistic director is the Sicilian soprano Silvia Di Falco.

More Information, weekly program, reservations and tickets at our Hotel Villa Schuler reception desk.