Isola Bella of Taormina, the Sicilian pearl that transforms with the tides

The most incredible island in Italy is uninhabited and connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand and pebbles that appears only at low tide. It is called Isola Bella , it rises in the bay of Taormina, in the heart of eastern Sicily , and can be visited.

It is nicknamed the “ Pearl of the Mediterranean ”, but calling it just an island is almost reductive: Isola Bella, lapped by the Ionian Sea, is much more. It is an open-air naturalistic museum where Mediterranean and exotic flora and fauna reign supreme, a historical and cultural site of rare beauty, and a place that preserves one of the most enchanting seabeds in which to snorkel. Discover everything this unusual island has to offer, for a memorable experience along one of the most fascinating coasts in Italy.

Where is Isola Bella located?

Isola Bella is located a short distance from the historic center of Taormina (from which it can be reached by a convenient cable car , on foot or by bus), in the province of Messina , and more precisely in the locality of Mazzarò, halfway between Capo Sant'Andrea and Capo Taormina.

It is a scenic islet of limestone rock enriched by lush vegetation, and it rises a few meters from the mainland . But it is not an island like all the others, because at certain times of the day, thanks to the low tide, a strip of sand appears that connects it to the bay, transforming it into a small peninsula easy to reach on foot.

What to see and do on Isola Bella

Isola Bella (or Isolabella) in Taormina has a curious history. It was donated to the municipality of the same name around 1806 by Ferdinand I of Bourbon and in 1890 it was purchased by an English noblewoman, Florence Trevelyan, who chose it to spend her exile in Sicily. It was she who transformed it into a one-of-a-kind botanical garden. In 1990 it became the property of the Department of Cultural Heritage of Taormina and in 1998 it was declared a nature reserve , managed by the WWF and subsequently by CUTGANA, the University Centre for the Protection and Management of Natural Environments and Agro-ecosystems of Catania.

But its story does not end here: in 2005 the island was included among the Sites of Community Interest (SIC) and in 2010 it was included in the Archaeological Park of Naxos , which also includes the Ancient Theatre of Taormina and the Museum of Giardini-Naxos and Francavilla.

Here's everything you can see and do on Isola Bella in Taormina, a must-see for a relaxing day immersed in one of the most authentic natural and cultural settings in Italy .

The Naturalistic Museum and Villa Caronia

Since 1998, Isola Bella has been included in the protected Natural Reserve, together with Capo Sant'Andrea and Capo Taormina: a true paradise for nature lovers. Here, in what has been called the Regional Naturalistic Museum of Isolabella , among the cliffs you can admire many exotic plants alternating with Mediterranean scrub , rare birds and... even cats! Yes, because when there is low tide many kittens, who are not afraid of the water, go there, enriching the already rich variety of fauna, which includes for example the small endemic red-bellied lizard ( Podarcis Sicula Medemi ) and birds. Among the flora of notable scientific and landscape interest we find the Ionian sea lavender and the Taormina cornflower.

All this was made possible by the English aristocrat Florence Trevelyan , the “flower lady” who bought the island in the 19th century and transformed it into a unique botanical garden of over a hectare.

In the heart of Isula Bedda (in Sicilian) stands out Villa Caronia , red in color, which belonged to Florence Trevelyan. In addition to the visitable interiors, with an exhibition enriched by multimedia elements, it is worth walking slowly along the beautiful external terraces connected by paths, stairways and walls surrounded by greenery , from which you can enjoy breathtaking views. The museum is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00 in summer. The ticket costs 6 euros.

Boat trips and snorkeling among the depths of the Marine Reserve

Isola Bella is not only special out of the water, but also on its seabed , which features wonderful meadows of Posidonia oceanica . The islet is full of caves that invite exploration and is home to spectacular marine fauna, to be admired while snorkeling .

If you prefer to stay on the surface, you can take part in boat trips through the crystal clear waters of the bay and around the island, as well as to the nearby Naxos Bay, Blue Grotto and Shell Grotto.

The Blue Grotto

Among the places not to be missed for diving enthusiasts, a short distance from Isola Bella is the Blue Grotto , another symbol of the Isola Bella Marine Park: a small cave about 30 meters deep that rises near Capo Sant'Andrea, populated by a great variety of marine flora and fauna. Here, among the changing colors between turquoise and cobalt blue of the water , from which the sun's rays filter, there is no shortage of coral, starfish, octopuses and moray eels.

Isola Bella Beach

The beach that takes the name of Isola Bella is the one from which the strip of land extends that allows you to reach it on foot. Composed of sand and pebbles (for this reason it is advisable to wear suitable footwear), it is lapped by an absolutely crystalline sea and is mainly equipped , with the possibility of renting sunbeds and umbrellas. There is also a short stretch of free beach , but be careful on high summer season days, as it is often crowded. It is best to arrive early in the morning, avoiding the most chaotic holidays when possible, to fully enjoy those moments of tranquility and connection with the natural landscape that only such special places as Isola Bella can guarantee.