Everything is within walking distance in Taormina, though you might encounter a steep climb now and then being that this is a hilltop town.

The more distant parts of Taormina are linked by minibus, which leaves from the terminal at Via Luigi Pirandello in town and costs about €1 for a one-way ticket. Most visitors use the minibus that goes from the terminal to Madonna della Rocca, since it passes most of the major hotels.

There`s a bus ticket booth at the bus station just outside the Port Messina town gate on Piazza Luigi Pirandello along Via Pirandello (tel. +39-0942-625-301).

If you`re venturing off on day excursions, a network of buses goes to such places as Giardini-Naxos and Mount Etna. The tourist office has a complete list of brochures and timetables.

If coming in by car, you may enter the town center only to go to a hotel or a rented house: local police may require to see proof of booking. An alternative is to park the car at one of the 2 large public parking lots (Parcheggio Lumbi or Parcheggio Porta Catania) that you encounter on the outskirts of the city coming in. From there, either walk to the city center (just 2 min from Parcheggio Porta Catania and around 10 min but uphill from Parcheggio Lumbi) or catch the shuttle buses running continuously to the center.

Taormina is a ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone). Traffic cameras take pictures of your license plate if you enter the ZTL (in this case, the historic center). If you are not a resident who has paid for a registered pass, you will be hit with a huge fine.

Note that if you are driving here on the A18 Autostrada you have to get off at an exit before or after town and onto the coastal SS 114 as the A18 highway itself actually tunnels beneath Taormina.

Parking garages at the edges of town:

-Parcheggio Lumbi garage (northeast end of town) costs about €2 for 1 hr. 15 min. (increases to about €4 in August), or around €12.50 for 24 hours (increases to about €14.50 in Aug). There`s a free shuttle from the lot to Porta Messina.

-Parcheggio Mazzarò has both a garage and a cheap open lot (on Via Luigi Pirandello at the northeast entrance to town). The garage costs around €5 for 2 hr. 30 min. (increases to about €7 in Aug), or around €12.50 for 24 hours (increases to about €14.50 in Aug). The lot costs around €3.50 for 3 hr. (increases to around €4 in July and Aug) or around €6 per day (increases to about €9 in July and Aug). Nov to Mar the lot charges around €2.50 no matter how long you park.

-Parcheggio Porta Catania garage (southwest end of town) is around €1 per hour (increases to around €3 in Aug), or around €14 for 24 hours (increases to around €16 in Aug).

Taxi ranks are found at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and at Piazza San Pancrazio. These are used primarily if you`re leaving the heart of Taormina and venturing into its hinterlands.

There is a train, but the station is at the bottom of the licff and a steep climb up the steps with your luggage to reach Taormina city center. Depending on the season, it can be quite hot and exhausting as the stairs are narrow.

From the station, a local bus, Interbus (www.interbus.it), runs a service daily from 9am to midnight and makes the 15-minute trip up to Taormina itself three times an hour up the switchbacked Via Pirandello road to a stop near Porta Messina, the north gate into town. A ticket cost about €1.30, which you can buy from the driver. Buses stop in Taormina.

A great way to explore the region around Taormina is by scooter. For a smaller scooter, you don`t need a license and only have to be 18. All scooters come with a helmet. Rental for one week is around €175 to €225.