Isola Bella (Beautiful Island), Taormina

The Beautiful Island so-called "Pearl of the Ionian Sea" is a stunningly beautiful islet just off the coast of Taormina. It gracefully emerges as a pebble beach and rocky outcrop cloaked in Mediterranean greenery. At low tide, a slender sandbar links it to the shore, transforming the islet into a natural peninsula, while at high tide the path disappears beneath the sparkling waves.

This enchanting spot is not just a coastal gem-it’s a thriving Nature Reserve, protected since 1998 by the Regione Siciliana and managed today by environmental agencies including the World Wide Fund for Nature and the University of Catania. The reserve supports a rich fusion of native Mediterranean flora-like lentisk and caper shrubs-and exotic plant species introduced in the 19th century by English noblewoman Florence Trevelyan, including cycas and giant strelitzia.

Beyond its botanical allure, the Beautiful Island plays host to a diverse ecosystem. Sea grottos frame its coast, while the pebble beach invites sunbathers and swimmers to enjoy the crystalline waters. Lizard species and seabirds find refuge within its sheltered terrain, contributing to its reputation as a wildlife haven.

The island’s layered history enriches its charm: gifted to Taormina by King Ferdinand I in 1806, later nurtured by Trevelyan and her gardens, and ultimately transitioning into public stewardship and conservation in the 1990s. Visitors today can still explore traces of its villa and gardens.