Attractions – Isola Bella – Taormina

Isola Bella, a small island located near Taormina on the eastern coast of Sicily, is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand. Often referred to as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” Isola Bella is a natural oasis surrounded by the blue waters of the Ionian Sea. It boasts lush vegetation and beautiful beaches with emerald-colored waters.

The history of Isola Bella begins in the 19th century when it was donated to the municipality of Taormina by Ferdinando I of Bourbon, the king of the Two Sicilies, in 1806. Around 1890, it was purchased by an English noblewoman named Florence Trevelyan for 14,000 lire. Lady Florence Trevelyan, who was exiled to Sicily by Queen Victoria of England due to her affair with her cousin and future King Edward VII, married a surgeon named Salvatore Cacciola in Taormina. She loved spending her time on Isola Bella in a small house she had built amidst the greenery. Lady Florence Trevelyan, who had a passion for botany, planted tropical plants on the islet, creating a unique blend with the Mediterranean vegetation that still exists today.

After Lady Florence’s time, Isola Bella was inherited by her nephew, Cesare Acrosso, an attorney, who sold it to the Lo Turco family for 30,000 lire. It later passed into the hands of the Bosurgi family from Messina, who owned the Sanderson, a prominent citrus processing company. Despite the prohibition on construction on the island imposed by the municipality, the Bosurgi family managed to build a house nestled among the rocks and covered by dense vegetation.

In 1982, the bankruptcy of the Sanderson led to the auction of the Bosurgi family’s assets, including Isola Bella. During this time, the island was abandoned and fell victim to vandals who destroyed much of its beauty. It wasn’t until 1984 that measures were taken to preserve the island’s heritage by declaring it a property of historical and artistic interest, subsequently becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 1990, Isola Bella was purchased by the Department of Cultural Heritage for approximately ten billion lire.

In 1998, the island was declared a nature reserve and came under the management of WWF and later CUTGANA, organizations that still contribute to its preservation. In 2010, the Naxos Archaeological Park was established, encompassing Isola Bella, the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, the Naxos and Francavilla Gardens Museums. In 2011, the islet became the Regional Naturalistic Museum of Isola Bella.

When you arrive at Isola Bella, you’ll be greeted by lush vegetation. Take note of the rare tropical plants, which have seamlessly integrated into the Mediterranean shrubland thanks to Lady Florence Trevelyan’s efforts. As you make your way back to the center of Taormina, you’ll encounter the Public Gardens, once part of Florence Trevelyan Cacciola’s extensive estate. Here, she created her “Hallington Siculo,” an English-style garden filled with peacocks, parrots, canaries, rare plants, and Victorian follies. These follies were open buildings made of stone, brick, tiles, and wood, with arches and mullioned windows that Florence Trevelyan called “beehives” and used for birdwatching or hosting tea parties. From the belvedere, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Taormina Bay and Mount Etna.

Make sure to visit the Regional Naturalistic Museum of Isola Bella, which is open every day except Mondays, from 9 am until one hour before sunset. During the winter season, the opening hours may vary based on the weather. It’s advisable to plan your visit in advance, as the museum tours are conducted in groups of 15 people. The entrance fee is 4 euros for a full-price ticket, 2 euros for a reduced-price ticket, and 1 euro for residents of the Messina province.

Across from Isola Bella, you can also visit Villa Caronia, a small villa surrounded by a marvelous garden that blends harmoniously with Capo Taormina below it. Terraces adorned with flowers, various plant species, and shady olive trees line the pathways and belvederes from which you can admire the coast of Taormina and the bay of Giardini Naxos. Due to the variety and quality of the planted species, the park was recognized as a botanical garden by the De Agostini Geographic Institute in 1970.

Lastly, relax on the pebble beach of Isola Bella, a picturesque bay with turquoise waters. On the northern side of the marine park, you’ll find three beach resorts: Lido Mendolia, Lido Pizzichella, and Lido La Plage. Alternatively, there is a public beach nearby.

Consider taking a boat tour to admire Isola Bella and the Taormina coast from the sea. Excursions to the Blue Grotto, Conch Shell Grotto, and Naxos Bay depart from the eastern side of the islet, typically priced between 10 and 15 euros per person.