If what you are looking for is a blue sea, good food and a thousand-year history, Giardini Naxos is a destination that must absolutely be taken into consideration when deciding the destination for a weekend, perhaps a long one. First Greek colony in Sicily , an ally of Athens during the Peloponnesian War, it was razed to the ground in 413 BC to favor the birth of Taormina.
It has an important archaeological area and a beautiful annexed museum that attract cultural tourism , a sea that impresses with the beauty of the colors and the beach for those seeking relaxationfor the whole family and clubs for young people who want to have fun and stay up late at night. All categories of travelers will find what they are looking for here
What to see in Giardini Naxos
1 – Santa Maria della Recommended
Its name derives from the habit of sailors and fishermen to entrust their souls to the Madonna before starting a journey asking for protection. The church, from 1719, has a portal of fine workmanship and inside a wooden statue of the Madonna, a marble baptismal font from 1700 and an altarpiece from 1573. From here the procession also starts during the “Festa di Santa Maria Recommended “in September, to celebrate the patron saint of the city.
- How to get there: it is located on Corso Umberto I, the parallel of the Regina Margherita seafront, in the center. From the train station it takes about 7 minutes by bus. From the town you can reach it by taking Corso Umberto I northwards in three minutes on foot. Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
2 – Castello di Schiso
The Castle stands on a hill called “schiso” in dialect where once intense commercial activities were carried out. The late medieval structure had the strategic function of supporting the negotiations and protection of goods. Over time the uses changed as well as the style, which passed from Norman to Baroque to become the noble palace it is today.
- How to get there: close to the Archaeological Park of Naxos, easily reachable in via Schiso, about a five-minute walk from the port. Get directions
- Hours: not accessible
3 – Altar of Apollo & Archaeological Museum
It was the starting point of the ambassadors of the Greek cities of Sicily headed to the motherland and Theocles raised it in honor of Apollo Archegete . I become the religious reference point for those who resided on the island, but also for the delegates who, before going to Greece, stopped here to make propitiatory sacrifices on the altar of Apollo. The altar is inserted in the archaeological park and can be visited together with the rich museum located in the area.
- How to get there: on via Schiso, with the entrance just before the port. You arrive from the center in a few minutes on foot. Get directions
- Hours: from 9:00 to 19:00 every day
- Ticket price: full € 4.00 – reduced € 2.00
4 – Porticciolo Saja
Characteristic beach due to the bays that follow one another and the lava rocks that come out of the water. The seabed is beautiful and the gently sloping beach makes it suitable for children as well. There are services and bars but there is also a stretch of free beach.
- How to get there: easily reachable on foot or by bus from the town center. Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
5 – Church of San
Pancrazio Pancrazio was a native of a city in Syria and came here to Giardini Naxos, in 40 AD, to spread the Christian faith. The church dedicated to him is in a modern style, large and bright with beautiful low reliefs and marble statues. If you walk downtown, it deserves a stop to learn more about the history of the spread of Christianity on this island.
- How to get there: in via Pietragioliti, on the homonymous square and facing the sea. Reachable in a few minutes on foot from all over the country. Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
6 – Naxos Gate
It was erected in 2000 on the occasion of the twinning with the Greek islands of the Cyclades and represents the gateway to the city and the symbol of the opening towards exchange between peoples. Located in front of the Nike statue, in Capo Schiso, its position also offers a beautiful panorama.
- How to get there: in the extreme tip of Capo Schiso, it is reached after a short walk from the historic center. Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
7 – Statue of Nike
It was commissioned and built in 1965 to commemorate the twinning with the Greek city of Chalcis . This sculpture is inspired by the most famous Nike of Samothrace and is turned with the gaze towards the sea to emphasize the deep relationship with the founders of the city. An identical copy is also present in Chalcis.
- How to get there: in the extreme tip of Capo Schiso, it is reached after a short walk from the historic center. Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
8 – Recanati beach
A favorite with tourists, but never too crowded, this beach offers establishments and all the services. Suitable for families with children, it has a gravelly beach and shallow waters, with crystal clear waters and a landscape that becomes truly suggestive.
- How to get there: to the south of the Schiso promontory, you can get there by bus from the town center in about 10 minutes. Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
9 – Schiso
beach Another splendid beach in Giardini Naxos, very targeted by tourists, especially in the high season. It is framed by lush vegetation that contrasts the blue of the sea, the coast is of fine golden sand and there are services, bars and restaurants, but also stretches of free beach.
- How to get there: located just before the tourist port and easily reachable on foot from the town center. Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
10 – Taormina
If the days available allow it, Taormina deserves at least a half day visit. Only 9 km away from Giardini Naxos, it offers tourists a medieval heart full of beautiful buildings, churches and squares. Don’t miss the famous Hellenistic Theater from the 3rd century BC . and the inevitable walk on Corso Umberto I, where the beautiful boutiques are on display. For a swim in the sea, you can take the cable car to Mazzaro beach.
- How to get there: by car or bus you can arrive in about 20 minutes from Giardini Naxos heading north along the SS114.Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Taormina, Savoca and Castelmola: guided transfers
One day itinerary in Giardini Naxos
Photo by gnuckx. A nice long weekend in Giardini Naxos will be able to restore anyone who needs it, thanks to the many activities that can be done in the area. Obviously, the splendid waters of the sea are the main attraction of this village and, as soon as you arrive, a dip in the water at Schiso beach is mandatory. After spending a couple of hours relaxing, you can start visiting the archaeological area . From the beach go up towards the castle, and then continue towards the Nike, the Altar of Apollo and the Archaeological Museum.
After lunch, in the early afternoon, you can stroll through the shopsof the streets of the center up to the tourist port, where in the summer, gastronomic events and acrobats cheer the passage of time. A visit to Taormina in the evening can be a good diversion if you don’t want to go back to the beach and prefer an ice cream or an aperitif in the square.
For dinner, Giardini Naxos offers the possibility to choose any type of cuisine , but obviously the fish is king here. There are many renowned restaurants where you can book and bars where you can end the evening with music and DJ sets . For the youngest, the fun can continue in one of the many discos, until late at night.
One day itinerary at a glance
- Breakfast at Caffe Cavallaro, a nice place that offers typical Sicilian pastries (Get directions)
- Schiso beach – always accessible – free
- Archaeological Area – opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 19:00 – ticket price: full € 4.00 reduced € 2.00
- Lunch at the A Putia restaurant, in Via Umberto I, for an excellent first course of fish (Get directions)
- Giardini Naxos seafront, always accessible – to stroll among shops and stalls.
- Tourist port – always accessible – local events are occasionally held
- Relax on the beach or visit nearby Taormina (about 10 km – Get directions)
- Dinner at the Spizzicanno restaurant, also here for fresh fish and Sicilian friendliness. The desserts are also excellent. (Get directions)
Where to eat in Giardini Naxos
- A Putia : historic restaurant offering fresh fish and a good wine list. Friendly and friendly service.
Average price per person: € 35.00
Address and contacts: via Umberto I, 456 Get directions tel: (0039) 094252755 - Spizzicanno : trattoria-pizzeria in the center, with a simple proposal linked to the territory. Famous for its seafood risotto.
Average price per person: € 25.00
Address and contacts: via Consolare Valeria, 16 Get directions tel: (0039) 094252167 - La Pescheria : Spartan restaurant, with tables also outside and the possibility of ordering takeaway. Excellent oysters and fried.
Average price per person: € 15.00
Address and contacts: via Consolare Valeria, 22 Get directions tel: (0039) 094251466
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
In Giardini Naxos you can find many places to spend pleasant evenings outdoors . The nightlife in summer is almost entirely touristy and it is also possible to find parties on the beach and clubs that offer live music. It starts with the classic walk along the promenade, continues with a few bars on the beach, where sometimes to get even just a beer you have to queue up, and you can go on until the morning in the disco.
- Tropicana : nice club, very large and with three dance floors where themed evenings and music are offered for all tastes. Address: via Tevere, 11 Get directions
- Marabu : beautiful disco, very well maintained and frequented by lovers of House and Techno music. Now an icon of local entertainment. Address: viale Jannuzzo, 31 Get directions / Facebook page
- La Locura : it is a disco pub that is also very popular with famous people, VIPs and local entrepreneurs. Glam and trendy, offers music, DJ sets and theme nights / Address: Lungomare Tysandros, 68 Get directions / Facebook page
Plan your stay in Giardini Naxos: info and useful tips
- How to get there: Halfway between Messina and Catania (both are just over 40 minutes by car), Giardini Naxos can be reached in just under an hour from Fontanarossa airport (served by companies such as Volotea and Alitalia), by bus starting from € 7.50. The village is also quite close to Syracuse (1 hour and 20 minutes by car), and very close to Taormina (20 minutes by car).
- How to get around: we recommend renting a vehicle: a scooter is fine if you only intend to get around the village. Otherwise, if you want to go as far as Taormina, it is preferable to rent a car. The two cities are connected by bus (Interbus line, fare € 1.90).
- Where to park : the Lemon car park is located between Giardini Naxos and Taormina and is particularly convenient for its position and for the shuttle service for customers (Get directions). Near the train station, in via Nazionale 62, there is a very convenient public car park offering rates from € 1.00 per hour (Get directions).
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 35.00 per room – see the offers
- What to see in the surrounding area : Surely Taormina (just over 10 km). Then the Isola Bella, a nature reserve just south of Taormina itself. It can be reached in about 25 minutes by car from Giardini Naxos and opens up to the visitor with its terraces, stairways and the dense Mediterranean vegetation that covers it. Mount Etna is only an hour away by car and there are many local agencies that organize day trips. A trekking on the volcano is always very suggestive.
