Giardini Naxos is a seaside resort town in the Messina Province of Sicily.
Getting there
By car
Sicily is traversed by a number of main motorways that run between major cities. From Palermo, take the Palermo - Catania motorway, then the Catania - Messina motorway, exit at "Giardini-Naxos". The main street (runs north-south) is SS 114.
By train
Giardini-Naxos has a railway station that appears as "Taormina - Giardini - Naxos".
By air
The nearest airport is Catania airport, "Catania-Fontano-Rossa", 40 km away. Upon arrival, take a bus toward Giardini-Naxos, arrive at the Recanati bus station.
Traveling around
The city is small enough to explore on foot, but those who need to get somewhere quick should phone a taxi or rent a car.
See
Dal Pirata Beach, 338 5880373, Near the archaelogical area of Naxos, Dal Pirata Beach is contained by two partitions of lava stone from the nearby Mt. Etna. Popular with tourists in the summer, the beach has a number of restaurants nearby with typical Sicilian dishes, and a snack bar. There are boat rentals, or you can simply relax on a sunbed.
Things to do
La Bicicletta, 338 7745892, Via Consolare Valeria, 118, Rent a bike for a few days from this shop right on the main street of Giardini-Naxos and enjoy relaxing rides along the coast, through the center of town, and in and out of the lemon groves that are scattered on the periphery. It is also possible to bike to the nearby Taormina, although novice bikers beware--it's a steep climb! CLOSED
NOT WORKING ANY MORE
Eat
Al Fagiano, 0942 51880, Via Consolare Valeria n. 126, From the motorway, head south on SS 114. On the left.
Pasticceria Casablanca Massimo, 0942550062, Via Consolare Valeria, 84, A typical Sicilian sweet shop. Stop in for a tasty gelato, or go for cannoli or the trademark pasta di mandorle, a small almond sweet. Also available are wonderfully crafted marzipan fruits and impressive Sicilian cakes.
Sleep
Gianni House, 0039 3382 383 732, Via Pergusa, 47, just off the main street, on the left, Conveniently close to the main bus and train station, Gianni House is a startup hostel that offers a wide range of accommodation for backpackers, families, or couples seeking a holiday stay. The owner, Gianni, personally greets each guest and offers information on Giardini-Naxos and the surrounding area. Pasta parties are a regular occurrence in the summer, held on the fifth floor terrace, which offers a spectacular view of the sea (just five minutes' walk from the hostel).
La Terra dei Sogni, Via Catania-Messina, 14 Fiumefreddo around Giardini Naxos Tel: +39 095 641725 - Fax: +39 095 7765692, . Budget Hotel with restaurant and swimming pool 8 km far from Giardini Naxos
Hotel Villa De Nobilis Resort & Spa, +39 346 7985003 , +39 346 7985003 , Via Sileno 9
Get out
Taormina is the obvious destination for those staying in Giardini-Naxos, tantalizingly placed on the side of a hill to the north. It is in walking distance, but those unsuited for climbing many sets of stairs would do better to take the bus (€1.00, €2.50 return) which departs from the Recanati bus station. Another bus runs from Taormina further up the hill to Castelmola, which is also worth a visit. Down the hill is the beautiful Isolabella, a small island which juts out from the coast and is usually bridged by a strip of beach, depending on the tide.
In the other direction, Mount Etna dominates the skyline on clear days. An active volcano, Mount Etna has a summit that glows red in the night from magma eruption. Excursions depart from the Recanati bus station with the company SAT. Guides are necessary to get right up to the lava flow, but those who want to explore on their own can take a line that circumvents the mountain.
To the north is the beautiful Alcantara Gorge, a canyon formed by lava flow that houses a river with freezing water (even in the summer). Wading boots are available for €5.00.
Also nearby, in the harbor town of Riposto, there is a fish market where Sicilian caricatures hawk seafood freshly caught just off the shore. Check the prices, the seafront stands tend to be more expensive than the vendors who are hidden along the sides. The market is close to the main square, faced by a large church.
Contact & location
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Giardini Naxos is a seaside resort town in the Messina Province of Sicily.
Getting there
By car Sicily is traversed by a number of main motorways that run between major cities. From Palermo, take the Palermo - Catania motorway, then the Catania - Messina motorway, exit at "Giardini-Naxos". The main street (runs north-south) is SS 114.
By train Giardini-Naxos has a railway station that appears as "Taormina - Giardini - Naxos".
By air The nearest airport is Catania airport, "Catania-Fontano-Rossa", 40 km away. Upon arrival, take a bus toward Giardini-Naxos, arrive at the Recanati bus station.
Traveling around
The city is small enough to explore on foot, but those who need to get somewhere quick should phone a taxi or rent a car.
See
Things to do
Eat
Al Fagiano, 0942 51880, Via Consolare Valeria n. 126, From the motorway, head south on SS 114. On the left.
Pianeta Pizza, 0942 52044, 17 00 - 23 00, Via Vittorio Emanuele, 184
Pasticceria Casablanca Massimo, 0942550062, Via Consolare Valeria, 84, A typical Sicilian sweet shop. Stop in for a tasty gelato, or go for cannoli or the trademark pasta di mandorle, a small almond sweet. Also available are wonderfully crafted marzipan fruits and impressive Sicilian cakes.
Sleep
Gianni House , 0039 3382 383 732, Via Pergusa, 47, just off the main street, on the left, Conveniently close to the main bus and train station, Gianni House is a startup hostel that offers a wide range of accommodation for backpackers, families, or couples seeking a holiday stay. The owner, Gianni, personally greets each guest and offers information on Giardini-Naxos and the surrounding area. Pasta parties are a regular occurrence in the summer, held on the fifth floor terrace, which offers a spectacular view of the sea (just five minutes' walk from the hostel).
La Terra dei Sogni, Via Catania-Messina, 14 Fiumefreddo around Giardini Naxos Tel: +39 095 641725 - Fax: +39 095 7765692, . Budget Hotel with restaurant and swimming pool 8 km far from Giardini Naxos
Hotel Villa De Nobilis Resort & Spa , +39 346 7985003 , +39 346 7985003 , Via Sileno 9
Get out
Taormina is the obvious destination for those staying in Giardini-Naxos, tantalizingly placed on the side of a hill to the north. It is in walking distance, but those unsuited for climbing many sets of stairs would do better to take the bus (€1.00, €2.50 return) which departs from the Recanati bus station. Another bus runs from Taormina further up the hill to Castelmola, which is also worth a visit. Down the hill is the beautiful Isolabella, a small island which juts out from the coast and is usually bridged by a strip of beach, depending on the tide.
In the other direction, Mount Etna dominates the skyline on clear days. An active volcano, Mount Etna has a summit that glows red in the night from magma eruption. Excursions depart from the Recanati bus station with the company SAT. Guides are necessary to get right up to the lava flow, but those who want to explore on their own can take a line that circumvents the mountain.
To the north is the beautiful Alcantara Gorge, a canyon formed by lava flow that houses a river with freezing water (even in the summer). Wading boots are available for €5.00.
Also nearby, in the harbor town of Riposto, there is a fish market where Sicilian caricatures hawk seafood freshly caught just off the shore. Check the prices, the seafront stands tend to be more expensive than the vendors who are hidden along the sides. The market is close to the main square, faced by a large church.
Contact & location
Be the first one to add a review
The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:
Francesco Sgroi, gnuckx cc0
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This travel guide also includes text from Wikitravel articles, all available at
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Peter Fitzgerald, Travelbubble
This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at
View full credits