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Municipality in Sicily, Italy
Photo: José Luiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Giardini Naxos is a town in the Messina Province of Sicily. It lies on the east coast midway between Messina to the north and Catania to the south. Just above it is the mountain town of Taormina.
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Ruins and artefacts of the Greek settlement here.
Up the hill is a must-see for its historic centre. As well as the Interbus, Taormina town buses circle as far as Giardini Naxos railway station. Don't attempt the path, which remains unsafe and unrepaired after a landslide, and the main road Via Pirandello is too narrow and busy with traffic to walk.
A small museum near the foot of Via Pirandello.
The valley running inland has the spectacular Alcantara Gorge, a canyon formed by lava flow. The river water here flows off the snows of Etna and is always icy cold, even in summer - hence the name of the nearby village "Fiumefreddo".
Near the archaeological 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.
Classic car hire & tours
A vintage self-drive excursion or a themed tour on a classic Fiat 500, starting from Taormina and Giardini Naxos area. The most popular excursions are themed on the Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather movie and on the Etna Wines Road. You can reach amazing villages like Savoca, Forza D’Agrò and Taormina.
The Pheasant
Pizzeria and seafood restaurant at western edge of town.
Pizza chain, also sandwiches, salads and calzones.
Sicilian sweet shop with gelato, cannoli or the trademark pasta di mandorle, a small almond sweet. Also available are wonderfully crafted marzipan fruits and impressive Sicilian cakes.
2-star hostel with dorms for backpackers, rooms for families & couples. Regular pasta parties in summer on the fifth floor terrace, which offers a spectacular view of the sea .
Land of Dreams
3-star budget hotel with restaurant and swimming pool.
Hotel Kassiopea
3-star, central in Recanati.
By car
The Catania - Messina motorway A18 passes town, exit at "Giardini-Naxos" onto the main street SS 114.
By train
Taormina-Giardini railway station is at the north-east end of the town's seafront. There are trains roughly hourly from Messina to the north and Catania to the south, both taking just under an hour.
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. You need the bus to get up to Taormina.
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