In short: Taormina’s old town around the Corso Umberto is a ZTL and effectively car-free for non-residents. If you arrive by car, leave it in one of the municipal car parks on the edge of town and walk in or take the shuttle. The best combination of price and convenience is usually Parcheggio Lumbi (right at the A18 motorway exit, with a free shuttle into the centre) or the more central Parcheggio Porta Catania (200 m from the Corso Umberto). For beach days at Isola Bella, the car park down in Mazzarò with the cable car up is the best choice.
- Old town: ZTL/car-free for non-residents — do not drive in.
- Car parks: Lumbi (north, approx. 965 spaces, free shuttle), Porta Catania (central, approx. 650), Porta Pasquale (near the cable car), Mazzarò (by the sea/Isola Bella).
- Prices (indicative, 2026): first 2 hours approx. €3–10, 24 hours approx. €25–30, 48 hours approx. €45–50.
- Lumbi shuttle: free, Sun–Fri approx. 7am–12:50am, Sat until approx. 1:50am.
- Isola Bella beach: park in Mazzarò, then take the cable car (Funivia) up into town.
How Do I Park Best? — Quick Decision Guide
| Your Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Day visit, central and straightforward | Parcheggio Porta Catania — 200 m to the Corso Umberto, no shuttle needed. Arrive early, as it’s popular. |
| Cheap parking / high season | Parcheggio Lumbi at the A18 motorway exit + free shuttle into the centre. Usually less crowded than Porta Catania. |
| Beach day at Isola Bella / Mazzarò | Park down in Mazzarò; take the cable car up to Taormina or stay at the beach. |
| Hotel in the old town (ZTL) | Entry only with authorisation; many hotels register your licence plate or offer a parking service. Clarify in advance. |
| With a motorhome | Use Lumbi or designated outer areas; there’s no space in the old town. |
The Main Car Parks
Parcheggio Lumbi
Parcheggio Porta Catania
Parcheggio Porta Pasquale
Mazzarò Car Park
The ZTL Zone in Taormina
The historic core around the Corso Umberto is a Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL) closed to non-residents and monitored by camera. Anyone entering without authorisation risks a substantial fine, which for rental cars is passed on via the rental company. In practice, this means: leave the car on the edge of town at Lumbi or Porta Catania and walk or take the Lumbi shuttle into the centre.
Hotel guests within the ZTL need an entry permit — it’s best to clarify this with the hotel in advance and provide your licence plate. Many properties handle the registration themselves or offer a parking service.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you drive into Taormina’s old town by car?
- No, the Corso Umberto and the historic core are a ZTL/pedestrian zone. Park at Lumbi or Porta Catania and walk.
- Where’s the best place to park in Taormina?
- Centrally: Parcheggio Porta Catania (200 m to the Corso Umberto). Cheaper/larger: Parcheggio Lumbi at the A18 motorway exit with a free shuttle.
- What does parking cost in Taormina?
- As a guide, the first 2 hours cost approx. €3–10, 24 hours approx. €25–30, 48 hours approx. €45–50. Check exact rates on site.
- How do I get from the Lumbi car park into the centre?
- With the free Lumbi shuttle bus, which runs during the day until after midnight (Sun–Fri approx. 7am–12:50am, Sat until approx. 1:50am).
- Where do I park for Isola Bella beach?
- Down in Mazzarò at the cable car’s lower station; from there head to the beach or take the Funivia up to Taormina.
Last checked and updated: ZTL and parking information checked (June 2026). Prices and space numbers are indicative and may change — the information provided locally is binding. Further reading: Taormina – Travel Info, Parking & ZTL in Sicily, Car Rental in Sicily.
