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Italy
Sicily
Province of Messina
Taormina
Things to Do in Taormina
Corso Umberto
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Corso Umberto

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Corso Umberto
4.5
3,644 reviews
#6 of 67 things to do in Taormina
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
451 within 3 miles
The cheese shop
791
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Deli
Wood House
121
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Japanese • Bar
Teatro44
102
0.2 mi$$$$ • Italian • International • Southern-Italian
La Pignolata Guinness Cannoli
835
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • Italian • Sicilian
Novè
299
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • Italian • Sicilian
Ristorante Le Naumachie
1,373
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean
Timoleone Café Taormina Wine Cocktail Bar & Vegetarian Restaurant
883
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Sicilian • Gluten Free Options
3/4uarti Antipasteria Siciliana
580
288 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Healthy
Vineria Modí
1,431
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Mediterranean
Pasticceria d'Amore
651
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • Italian • Sicilian
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Attractions
115 within 6 miles
Piazza Duomo
81
11 ftHistoric Walking Areas
Ex Chiesa del Carmine di Taormina
7
11 ftHistoric Sites
Biblioteca Comunale Sant' Agostino
28
61 ftLibraries
Church Of St. Augustine
2
79 ftHistoric Sites
Torre dell'Orologio
147
88 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Chiesa di San Giuseppe
307
112 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Chiesa del Varò
23
112 ftReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Piazza IX Aprile
1,878
137 ftScenic Walking Areas
L’Agorà di Lorino Consoli
1
144 ftArt Galleries • Antique Shops
Pavone Francesco
47
171 ftSpeciality Museums
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See what other travelers are saying
  • 798michaelc
    Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom60 contributions
    Bustling vibrant Main Street
    Carson Umberto is a riot of quirky, fashionable, traditional, and very Sicilian shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants. During our stay in Taormina we walked the length of it at least a couple of times a day as there are many side streets leading off it to explore. During these COVID times we were quite comfortable even though there were still many people on the move here - I would recommend wearing your face mask in the narrower areas to be on the safe side. The architecture is wonderful and the buildings impressive. Make sure you walk the full length from Porta Messina to Porta Catania the appreciate everything and experience the wonderful view over Gardini Naxos.
    Visited September 2020
    Written September 10, 2020
  • Sally62
    Northampton, United Kingdom5,218 contributions
    Main street through the town - very lively!
    Running from Porta Messina to Porta Catania, this lively street is the main thoroughfare through the town - it is pedestrianised so it's a lovely place to wander along. It can get quite busy in the middle of the day but early on and later in the day it's much quieter. Lined with shops, restaurants, cafes and churches and with lots of little streets leading from it it is really picturesque.
    Visited September 2019
    Written August 27, 2020
  • Antonella N
    Gold Coast, Australia216 contributions
    Crowded in summer
    We went in summer 2020 So at the north you will find Porta Messina and at the south Porta Catania. You will be walking through the Corso and see many restaurant, bars, shops and buildings from different eras, like gothic, Arabic, Norman, and Baroque. From there you can get to the ancient Teatro and the Roman terms, also you will see palaces and churches along the Corso, if you walk to porta Messina you will get to the duomo, with a nice fountain, if you keep walking in piazza Aprile you will get a panoramic views It gets really crowded every day as it visited by travellers from all over the world.
    Visited August 2020
    Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,644 reviews
Excellent
2,041
Very good
1,174
Average
332
Poor
56
Terrible
42
traveltheglobe
Singapore, Singapore723 contributions
Absolutely Instagram worthy
Dec 2019 • Friends
We were here during Christmas and the Corso Umberto was especially magical with all the Christmas light-up. Street busking added to the Christmas cheer. We stayed at a bnb right by the edge of Porta Messina and this became our main hangout during our three days stay. We explored every nook and cranny, found lovely cafes to enjoy a cuppa, charming restaurants with stunning views and back alleys that are absolutely instagram worthy. The street can be covered in 10mins without stopping from Porta Messina to Porta Catania. But take the time to check out the intimate cafes, the duomo, the back streets and don’t miss the sunset at the main square.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blue J
Havre de Grace, MD791 contributions
Typical tour trap avenue
Jul 2021
If you disregard the Sicilian flavor of this main artery, you could be anywhere in the world where the objective is to lighten the pocket book of the tourist. We lost count of the knicknacks made in China that were painted with the logo of Sicily. Other than the artist shops, we did not find a single merchant selling authentic Sicilian merchandise. If you love shopping, this will be your cup of tea.

It reminded us of walking down main street in Disney. An avenue crafted solely for the tourist crowd. There is a charm about the place but the vibe just isn't there when you consider walks through the historic districts of Palermo, Ragusa, Ortigia, etc. In fact, Taormina was the most touristy destination we visited in Sicily.

We did walk the Corso during the day as well as the evening. If you have the opportunity to do so, it is worth the effort. I personally feel the evenings are much better. Our hotel was up slope of the Corso so in the evening we walked the Corso, exited the old gate near the cable car access, and paid 15 euros for a taxi to take the 5 of us back up slope to our hotel. There is no way my old knees could have made it.

Make sure you see the plaza at night and check the views of the fishing boats lit up against the Ionian Sea. Although the Corso is not huge, we found ourselves here about 2 hours each during the day and night.
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon H
Las Vegas, NV2,082 contributions
The medieval main drag
May 2019
Corso Umberto is the cobbled stoned main street of the enchanting medieval village of Taormina. With shops, restaurants, and shops on both sides, and beautiful balconies with flowers in colorful ceramic pots above, it is a pleasant place to stroll. Artists and street performers add to the atmosphere and all of the main attractions—churches, a small Roman theatre, and a large Greek theatre—are all easily accessed from this street.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaybeeFL
Palm Harbor, FL3,265 contributions
Have to "Just Do It"
Apr 2023 • Friends
Walked from one end to the other--from the Messina gate to the Catania gate weaving and bobbing to avoid the masses of shoppers, diners and oglers. The street is lined with high end shops, cafes, pasticcerias, souvenir joints and restaurants. Though it is a "must do" when in Taormina, it would be better early in the day or in the off season when not overrun by tourists (which includes folks like us)!!!! What differentiates this street from others like it around the world are the many palaces along its length. Definitely don't miss it!
Written May 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William Brady
Greater London, UK7 contributions
Perfect passagiata
Aug 2020 • Couples
If there’s a better street in Italy for an evening passagiata then I’ve yet to find it. Full of life, colour and gelato topped off with a stunning view of Mount Etna. Walk it both ways every evening.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magdalena M
Rotherham, UK97 contributions
Charming town
Sep 2020 • Couples
Spent a week in Taormina and just couldn't get enough of it. The main street (Corso Umberto) is lovely and full of restaurants, bars and shops but don't stop there. I recommend exploring the smaller streets off the main one as you can find some real gems there too.
Written September 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA13,437 contributions
The main street of Taormina
Jun 2021
This is the main street of Taormina. When we visited in 2013 is was packed during the day with cruise ship tourists but mostly quiet after 5:00. This time it was never crowded.

Great shopping, lots of café’s, beautiful buildings and flowers.
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laczkozsu
Debrecen, Hungary1,538 contributions
Connects the two gates of the city
Feb 2023
The main street is between the two gates of the city: Porta Messina and Porta Catania. It’s a must-see-attraction with lots of medieval palaces, churches and monasteries. There are lots of popular bars, shops and gelaterie. It’s pedestrianised and ideal for strolling and window-shopping. Picturesque lanes above and below the Corso are interesting to explore.
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swtraveler15
Springfield, MA1,552 contributions
The main drag
Jan 2020
The Corso Umberto is the main drag going through the charming town of Taormina. As such, you will find tourists checking everything out, locals on their passeggiata, virtually everyone makes their way down this street while in Taormina. It is full of restaurants, inviting alleyways and shops so it is a must see while in town.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mercia211
World248 contributions
Busy little street
Aug 2022
One of the busiest little streets I have encountered. Best time to stroll is around 10am as it gets very very busy from midday to midnight. Great place to stop and have a beer and just watch the people go by. Lots of little side streets off it, dont be afraid to venture down them, there is a maze of fab shops, bars and eateries running parallel to it. Like any busy tourist spot, keep your hand on your handbag, just in case.
Written August 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Corso Umberto - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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