If you’re planning a trip to southern Italy, you may be wondering whether to add Taormina or Positano to your Italy itinerary.

While these two Italian hot spots are in different geographical regions, they offer a surprisingly similar experience for the luxury-seeking traveler. In fact, when I first visited Taormina, I was struck by how much it reminded me of Positano. It’s no wonder that it’s referred to as the “Positano of Sicily” by many!

So whether you’re booking a stay at one of the dreamiest boutique hotels in Taormina or luxuriating yourself at one of the top boutique properties in Positano, you can expect a quality experience.

Let’s decipher which Italian bucket-list destination – Taormina or Positano – is right for you!

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First things first, let’s sort out where both of these destinations are actually located in Italy. While both Positano and Taormina are perched on a cliffside and offer stunning seaside views, they’re in vastly different locales.

It’s also helpful to note that Positano is arranged vertically; you can walk from hilltop down to the sea.

Taormina, on the other hand, is also perched on a hilltop, but you can’t simply take the hill down to the beach. For that, you’d need to rely on a shuttle/bus or the cable car.

Positano is one of the most popular towns located along Italy’s breathtaking Amalfi Coast and an unsurprising favorite amongst celebrities. That said, traveling to Positano is no easy feat, as the town doesn’t have an airport nor a train station.

The cliffside town is situated just over an hour from Naples by car. In fact, Naples is considered the main gateway for traveling to Positano, as it’s home to the closest major airport. I’ve covered the key transportation details in a separate guide on how to get to Positano, so be sure to check that out before making the trip.

Taormina, on the other hand, is located south of Positano. This stunning seaside resort town sits along the eastern coast of Sicily.

While easier to reach than Positano, it’s not the world’s most convenient location to travel to, either. The closest major international airport to Taormina is Catania Fontanarossa, a.k.a Vincenzo Bellini. From here, Taormina is an hour away by car.

Whether you’re visiting Positano or Taormina, be prepared to fork out a substantial sum of cash on the trip, as neither of these locations is known for being particularly budget-friendly.

In Positano, you can expect to pay anywhere from about 15EUR to 40EUR for a sit down dinner and around $355 per night for accommodations, on average (more on that in the next point).

You’ll also want to factor in the costs of actually getting to Positano, which can cost upwards of 100EUR if you’re hiring a private driver and traveling from Naples.

In Taormina, you can expect to pay anywhere from 15EUR (for a starter) all the way up to over 200EUR for a sit-down dinner at a fine dining restaurant. Accommodations can range a fair bit, which I cover in the next section.

Accommodations in Positano and Taormina are pretty similar in terms of their luxury options, but different in terms of their range of options.

In Positano, for instance, accommodation costs tend to be higher than in other Italian destinations.

Unsurprisingly, Positano has become increasingly popular over the past few years, which has greatly driven up hotel prices. This is largely because of the limited accommodation options (due to the town’s intimate size) coupled with a high tourist demand.

Plus, considering the even smaller pool of budget-friendly options within town, the majority of travelers will end up splurging on a more luxurious experience in Positano. Generally, the cheapest accommodations you’ll find (such as family-run bed and breakfasts) will average around $250 per night.

Popular boutique hotels in Positano, on the other hand, average around $355 per night, with the most luxurious options exceeding a nightly rate of $800.

Alternatively, Taormina has a greater variety of accommodations to offer, considering that’s it’s the larger of the two villages. This wider range means that there are more budget-friendly options available, with the average hotel cost hovering around $140 per night.

That said, there are still plenty of luxurious boutique hotels in Taormina if you’re looking for a higher-end experience.

I personally found Taormina and Positano to be pretty similar in terms of vibe. Both are seaside locations geared toward tourists, generally pretty crowded (during peak summer season), and loaded with boutique shops in their central towns.

That said, they obviously have their differences. Here’s a better idea of what you can expect in each and which to prioritize based on your preferences.

Prioritize Taormina if you prefer:

• More accommodation options (to meet a greater range of budgets)
• A larger selection of restaurants
• More active nightlife
• Traveling with a car (for nearby attractions and visiting neighboring towns)
• A closer proximity to major sites (Teatro Greco, Mount Etna, etc)
• Interesting architecture

Prioritize Positano if you prefer:

• A smaller village feel
• Traveling without a car (It’s much easier to get around on foot without this unnecessary expense)
• Smaller, pebbly beaches
• The full “Instagrammable” experience

As Positano is much smaller than Taormina, the Sicilian city arguably has more going for it in terms of activities.

First off, Taormina itself is home to the major historical monument Teatro Greco, the famous Greek Theatre of Taormina. It dates back to the third century BC and is the second largest theater of its kind, trailing just behind the Greek Theatre of Siracusa.

Beyond this famous landmark, Taormina has tons of shopping and is a wonderful jumping off point for other points of interest in Eastern Sicily such as Mount Etna, Ortigia/Syracuse, and Ragusa.

Positano, on the other hand, is less known for its monuments and architecture and more as the hub of la dolce vita. It’s no wonder this stunning slice of the Amalfi Coast has essentially become the Instagrammable capital of Italy.

I’ve covered all of the best things to do in Positano previously, but in short, the main points of interest are the boutique shops and the beaches of Positano. There are also some popular hiking spots for the more adventurous travelers.

After visiting both Positano and Taormina, I found them to be more similar than different in many ways. (Positano pictured left, Taormina pictured right)

Here are some of the pros these two Italian hot spots share:

• Cliffside locations overlooking the sea
• Small central towns that are easily explored in a single day
• Plentiful shopping opportunities
• Honeymoon-centric luxury accommodations 

Alternatively, here are some of the cons of both Taormina and Positano:

• Intense crowds during peak season
• Over-emphasis on tourism and commercialism
• A distinct lack of culture and sense of “soullessness” as compared to major Italian cities like Florence

Taormina and Positano are far from neighbors geographically – they’re approximately 300 miles apart, to be exact – so buckle up for a long journey between the two. The quickest option is to take the train from Positano to Napoli P. Garibaldi, then fly from Naples Airport to Catania Airport, and then take a final train to Taormina-Giardini. The total journey time takes about 4 hours.

However, if a flight is not in the budget, you can choose from a variety of other transportation combinations, including a car, train, ferry, and/or bus.

You can check out the different routes and transportation options here.

So, which should you choose: Taormina or Positano? Here are a few scenarios to consider:

Scenario 1: You only have time/money/resources for Taormina or Positano

If your schedule and/or budget means your options are more limited and you need to choose one destination, I’d ultimately choose Taormina.

While the town didn’t fully live up to my expectations, Taormina is the perfect jumping off point for visiting Mount Etna. Plus, my stay at Villa Angela was one of the best hotel views I’ve had to date.

Scenario 2: You want to see Taormina and Positano but you have limited time

I’d dedicate a bit more time to Taormina than Positano (say a 3-day minimum) so that you can take some fun day trips. Other than Mount Etna, some popular places to visit from Taormina include the Aeolian islands, Ortigia/Syracuse, Noto, and Catania.

You’d be more limited with additional time in Positano, unless you’re planning to hit a bunch of other places along the Amalfi Coast.

Scenario 3: You can afford to give equal attention to both destinations

If you’re able to swing at least 3 nights in each, this would be ideal for doing day trips from both Taormina and Positano. As far as day trips from Positano go, I’d suggest hitting some other spots along the Amalfi Coast such as Amalfi and Ravello and/or take a trip up to Sorrento.

Now that we’ve covered the pros and cons of both of these Italian bucket-list destinations, are you leaning more toward Taormina or Positano? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking for more resources to inspire your trip to the Amalfi Coast or Sicily? Check out my other guides:

• How to Get to Positano: An Essential Guide for a Seamless Journey
• 20 Dreamy Boutique Hotels in Positano with Amazing Views
• 25 Fun Things to Do in Positano on Your First Visit
• Best Views in Positano (& Exactly Where to Find Them)
• 10 Best Restaurants in Positano with Killer Views
• Best Beaches in Positano & Beyond
• 15 Dreamy Boutique Hotels in Taormina with Breathtaking Views
• Where to Stay in Ragusa, Sicily: Essential Neighborhood Guide (Plus Accommodations)
• 15 Fun Things to do in Ragusa, Sicily (Including Free Activities & Day Trip Ideas)
• 20+ Tips for Hiking Mount Etna (from Self-Guided Exploration to a Guided Summit Expedition)