If you have an opportunity, I think this little village (built on the ruins of a Norman castle) is worth the visit. Take a 45 minute walk from the town or grab a bus to take you up here. If you walk you'll want to plop down at the little café as you enter the village and enjoy some of their biscotti with almond wine/liqueur. From there, wander around the village and ... well, simply enjoy. Check out the well maintained (and active) Chiesa (Church) di San Nicolo di Bari. And um, if you're tired of churches there's a bar in the same square that's full of ... well ... how should I put this? There are several spires, but not religious ones. If you're not the stuffy type, you'll get a kick out of it. read more

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Beautiful villiage with amazing vistas each way you walk. Top of the mountain over Taomarina. Views of the Mediterranean, and Mount Etna as well as surrounding textured mountains. Lots of cute shops and restaurants in town. You can walk a trail from Taormina, it will be uphill and takes about 40 minutes. There is also a bus for 10 Euro a day that will take you back and forth. This is the furthest a cab will take you up the mountain. From here you take a walkway to a castle that sits high on top for even more magnificent views! read more

Castelmola - Very nice ladies attending bar and cafe - Castelmola, Maine

Teeny tiny village, and the only place that produces Vino di Mandorla, a sweet almond wine. Castelmola offers a breathtaking view of Taormina and the bay of Giardini Naxos, and is encompassed by Mount Etna. The narrow winding streets of the village are quite charming. If you a prone to motion sickness, the bus ride up to the village is not for the faint of heart... read more

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Absolutely charming little village above Taormina. If you want to walk up, finding the short-cut can be tricky, but once you're up there (alternatively you can take a local bus), you'll be in awe! Much less touristic than Taormina, the place is known for almond wine (which apparently was first made there). The local nonnas will let you try and then there's no way of not buying a bottle, it's delicious! There's not much to see apart from the castle ruins, which are not worth the hike, but the whole village is just a hidden little gem filled up with nice bars and decent restaurants and the view is breathtaking. read more

Great views of Taormina and he ocean. Kind of a tourist trap but a really nice place to visit.