It is one of the most prominent international tourist centers in the Sicilian region, known for its natural landscape, marine beauty, and historical monuments and has been an important Grand Tour destination.
The city is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theater still in operation today. Near the theater, cliffs descending to the sea form inlets with sandy beaches. A narrow strip of sand connects to tiny Isola Bella, which is a nature reserve.