excursion to Taormina

[1965]

We're⁸ considering the Princess Mt. Etna/Taormina excursion out of Messina. The information says there's an elevator to Taormina city center, but it might also require a walk up 140 steps to city center. Has anyone done this or a similar excursion & had to use those steps? How strenuous was it? Walking to the top of Mt. St. Michel almost did us in. How would you compare the 2? Any info & input is greatly appreciated. 😊

[PurpleTraveller]

When I did a Princess excursion to Taormina the bus parked in an underground parking lot on the edge of the town. We had to get an elevator up to street level. Maybe if the elevators are busy when you return, you may have to go down the stairs in the parking lot and that may be what they refer to in the description. I wouldn't think you would have to walk up the stairs in the parking lot as they would try to stop in the street to let you off before parking the bus in the parking lot if the elevators were out of order. The walk from the parking lot into town is flat and easy but the paving stones can be slippery particularly when wet.

 

Edited April 25, 2023 by PurpleTraveller

[ijscheer]

Yes, that is exactly the case. Large tour buses must park in the underground lot, which is just outside the town proper.  We also once did a small-group van excursion, where the van parked at street level at the opposite end of town, and we simply walked into the town street (Corso Umberto). If you use Google Maps, you can see good view of the entire town.

[cruisequeen4ever]

I ditto what the others said. You can certainly take the elevator if needed. There just may be a wait.Taormina is beautiful and worth it.

Edited April 30, 2023 by cruisequeen4ever

[RedEarth]

We did this excursion a couple years ago and took the lift up and down, the town was busy but I don't remember there being any queue, or more than a couple minutes wait for the lift. Probably spent longer waiting for the lifts on the ship!