The Taormina Cable Car is a gondola lift that transports passengers between the beaches of Mazzarò and the town’s historic center on the Monte Tauro hill. Its windowed compartments offer scenic views of the Ionian Sea and the green mountainside. Have your camera ready to take photos of the beaches and the town’s historic buildings from the white carriages of this impressive cable car system.

Sunbathe, go for a swim in the Ionian Sea by the beaches of Mazzarò and visit the Isola Bella island. Consider going scuba diving or snorkeling with the nearby Nike Diving Center school.

Surrounding the sandy bay are rocky bluffs and grassy promontories, where you’ll find the picturesque cave of the Azzurra Grotto. Dry off and head to the base station of the cable car to purchase a ticket.

Tinted windows wrap around the white, rounded pods that hang from black wires running up Monte Tauro. Enjoy the views on all sides, as you ascend the mountain. The journey takes about 2 minutes.

Upon arrival at the top, exit the cable car and walk west toward the Old Town quarter of Taormina. Pass through the Porta Messina gateway that was once part of the medieval ramparts surrounding the town. Among the first sights you’ll encounter are the Palazzo Corvaja, the Taormina Castle and the Teatro Romano.

Note that the gondola lift departs every 15 minutes from early morning until after midnight in peak season. In winter, it closes in the early evening. Purchase one-way or day tickets or choose from weekly and monthly deals.

The Taormina Cable Car takes passengers between the beach area of Mazzarò and the historic center of Taormina. Walk inland for a couple minutes from La Pigna Lido to find the base station and ride up to the top station, a little east of the Porta Messina. Here, you’ll find the San Pancrazio Church, the Terma di Piazza San Pancrazio and the Teatro Antico di Taormina.