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Giardini Naxos Resort near Taormina

Giardini Naxos is one of the best-known resorts in Sicily. It is located on the east coast, by the Ionian Sea, at almost equal distances (about 50km) between Catania and Messina, and very close to Taormina.

Giardini Naxos is sought after especially for its beaches (most of which are sandy) and for its clean, crystal-clear sea. It has another advantage: it is a cheaper accommodation alternative compared to the more famous Taormina, which you can still reach quickly and easily (see also the article Where to Stay in Taormina).

How to Get from Catania to Giardini Naxos?

If you choose to spend a holiday in Giardini Naxos, you will most likely land at Catania Airport. The distance from there to the resort is about 59km, which you can cover by rental car, train, bus, or private transfer.

Rental Car

A rental car will give you the freedom to move around if you want to take trips to the surrounding areas. However, if you plan to spend most of your time at the beach, you're better off choosing the train or bus and perhaps booking a tour online or on-site.

The drive from Catania airport to Giardini Naxos takes about 45 minutes. You can also find useful tips in the article about renting a car in Sicily.

If you want to park in Giardini Naxos, look for spaces marked with blue lines (paid parking). The ones marked with white are for residents only.

Bus

Buses from Etna Trasporti and Interbus, which offer transport services from Catania to Taormina, stop at several locations in Giardini Naxos.

The bus station is located to the right after exiting the airport terminal (it's best to ask for directions once you're there). The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, and the fare is €6 per person, each way.

Train

Taking the train isn't necessarily the most convenient option, but there might be cases where the departure schedule suits you better. Keep in mind, however, that the station (Taormina-Giardini) is located at the northern end of the resort, and the town itself is quite spread out. If your accommodation is in the southern part, you'll either have to walk over 2km or catch a bus.

To travel by train to Giardini Naxos, first take the 524S shuttle from the airport to Fontanarossa train station. It runs every 10 minutes and costs €1.4. From Fontanarossa station, you can take a direct train to Taormina-Giardini. The journey takes between 1 hour and 1 hour 15 minutes, with prices starting from €6.5.

In total, including the shuttle and the train, the trip takes about 1.5 hours. The total price starts at €7.9.

To purchase combined train and shuttle bus tickets (either via Trenitalia or at the automated machines), you must select Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa Bus as your starting point. If you only select Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa, you will only be buying the train ticket, not the shuttle bus fare to the station.

Private Transfer

Private transfers are not the cheapest option, but they are the most comfortable and can be advantageous for groups. A private transfer from Catania Airport to Giardini Naxos costs €115-€160, depending on the car and the number of people.

What to See in Giardini Naxos?

Giardini Naxos is a settlement with a millennial history, being the first colony founded by Greeks in Sicily in 734 BC. The name Naxos recalls the settlers' island of origin in the Cyclades archipelago. Until recently, Giardini was just a fishing village, transforming into a popular tourist resort only in the 1970s.

Naxos Archaeological Park

The Naxos Archaeological Park is the most important tourist attraction in Giardini Naxos. Inside, you will also find the Archaeological Museum. Entrance to the park is from Via Lungomare Schisò (near the port). Tickets can be bought on-site or online (but you will rarely find a queue at the entrance).

The archaeological site preserves the remains of 13 dwellings from the end of the 8th century BC, part of the fortifications built in the 6th century BC along the banks of the Venera River, the sanctuary of the goddess Hera or Aphrodite, and the walls of the sacred enclosure inside which the altar for processions is located.

Also located within the archaeological park is Torre Vignazza, a tower built in 1544 to monitor Cape Schisò and the coastline south of the port. Whenever a threat was identified (usually in the form of pirate ships), the guard stationed in the tower would send smoke signals to warn the locals and the other neighboring watchtowers.

Porta Naxos

The Porta di Naxos ("Gate of Naxos"), located on Cape Schisò near the port, is a modern sculpture created in 2000 on the occasion of the town's twinning with the island of Naxos in the Cyclades. It symbolizes the gateway to the city and openness to cultural exchange.

Statue of the Goddess Nike

In the same place, on the seafront, is the statue of the goddess Nike, created in 1965 by Carmelo Mendola and inspired by the famous Nike of Samothrace sculpture, currently in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The work was created to celebrate the twinning between Giardini Naxos and Chalkida, the capital of Evia Island in Greece, where a copy of the statue was placed in 1980.

Schisò Castle

Schisò Castle, situated on a hill, was built during the medieval period and served to control access to the Bay of Naxos. In the 16th century, the castle was expanded, and the sugar cane produced in the area began to be processed within its walls.

San Pancrazio Church

The Church of San Pancrazio, located on a street parallel to the sea and right across from the beach of the same name, is the most important church in Giardini Naxos. Built in 1719, it has long been a place of sanctuary where local fishermen and sailors would go to pray before setting out to sea.

Statue of Theocles

In the northern part of the resort is the statue of Theocles, who led the expedition that resulted in the founding of the town of Giardini Naxos.

The Beaches of Giardini Naxos

The beaches of Giardini Naxos are both beautiful and diverse. The coastline stretches almost continuously for over 3 kilometers, from the Schisò Harbor (extending south into the Recanati district) all the way to the northern end of the resort, all set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Etna. A lively promenade runs along the shore, lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, and gelaterias.

Most of the beaches are sandy, with only a few sections featuring pebbles or rocks. You will find several free public areas, as well as organized beach clubs (known as lidi), where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas.

To the south lies the beach of the Recanati neighborhood - a wide, sandy stretch that blends into pebbles as you approach the shoreline. The water entry here is gradual. One of the most beloved spots in Recanati is Spiaggia del Pirata ("Pirate's Beach"), which offers both free public sections and organized areas. It is accessible only by foot via a small path, making it significantly less crowded than other spots.

Further south, you'll find the mouth of the Alcantara River (many excursions are organized to its famous canyon), which serves as the border between the province of Messina - where Giardini Naxos is located - and the province of Catania. In this area lies Rocce Nere ("Black Rocks") beach; it boasts the largest stretch of free public beach, though the waters are cooler and the sand is mixed with small pebbles.

Schisò Beach (also known as Naxos Beach) is located near the port, on the very site where the Greeks founded their colony. It is a wide beach with fine golden sand (the seabed is sandy as well) making it a favorite among tourists and typically quite crowded. The free public sections are situated at the far ends, while the rest of the area is occupied by organized, paid beach clubs.

Heading north toward the historic center, you'll find San Giovanni Beach, which takes its name from the nearby Church of San Giovanni. This stretch consists of several narrower sections featuring a mix of fine and coarse sand, offering beautiful coastal views. It is a favorite among locals and offers plenty of free public areas. The southern portion of this stretch, closer to the harbor, is known as San Pancrazio Beach (named after the church located nearby).

Near the Town Hall, you will find Piazza Municipio Beach, which is mostly pebbly and stretches between the statue of Theocles and Lido Sirina. The majority of this area is undeveloped. From here, specifically near the statue, various kayak and canoe excursions are organized. Further along, the Porticciolo Saia beach offers a wilder landscape, featuring small coves and volcanic rocks rising out of the sea.

Finally, roughly across from the train station, there is another rocky stretch of beach known as Cantone del Faro. The most scenic part of this area is toward the south.

Tours from Giardini Naxos

Many tours to the surroundings are organized from Giardini Naxos (see also our article about things to do in Taormina).

The most popular are the boat trips to visit Isola Bella and Grotta Azzurra ("The Blue Grotto"), located near Taormina. These boats cruise through the bays of Naxos and Taormina, taking you past several sea caves and making stops for swimming or snorkeling.

A truly unique experience is the semi-submarine, where you can stay below deck to observe the beautiful marine flora and fauna or head up to the deck to enjoy the view.

Other tours include transport and guide to Mount Etna or wine tastings in the villages on the slopes of the volcano.

How to Get from Giardini Naxos to Taormina?

The distance between Giardini Naxos and Taormina is only 8 km, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of this and visit the the sights in Taormina as well.

The buses connecting Giardini Naxos and Taormina are operated by Etna Trasporti and Interbus. The journey takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on which stop you board in Giardini Naxos. A single ticket costs €1.90.