Where to Base
Hotels are primarily concentrated along the seafront promenade, offering easy access to the port and beach. As a major cruise ship stop, the area is vibrant and convenient for travelers prioritizing accessibility and scenic views.

Giardini Naxos is a coastal municipality in the Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, situated on the Ionian Sea between Cape Taormina and Cape Schisò. Evolving into a seaside resort since the 1970s, it serves as a popular tourist destination and cruise ship stop. The town offers a blend of ancient Greek heritage and modern resort amenities, making it an ideal base for travelers seeking convenient access to Sicily's eastern coast.
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Hotels are primarily concentrated along the seafront promenade, offering easy access to the port and beach. As a major cruise ship stop, the area is vibrant and convenient for travelers prioritizing accessibility and scenic views.
Transport relies mainly on buses and taxis to reach neighboring towns. For connections from Catania or Messina airports, plan transfers in advance to explore the wider Sicilian region effectively.
Summer is the peak season due to cruise traffic and warm weather, ideal for beach activities but crowded. Spring and autumn offer quieter experiences for travelers seeking relaxation away from the peak tourist rush.

human settlement in Italy

Castle in Giardini Naxos, Italy
ancient Greek theatre

church building in Taormina, Italy
church building in Taormina, Italy

church building in Taormina, Italy

castle in Taormina, Italy
ancient city and polis
One of the most desirable and exclusive locations in Taormina, the St. George is situated in The Ashbee Hotel, an early-20C villa on the edge of Taormina’s historic centre which has retained all the charm of a private house with its elegant lounge and breathtaking terrace adorned with palm trees that frame the Straits of Messina. The cuisine comes courtesy of a partnership between Heinz Beck and resident chef Salvatore Iuliano. The three-starred Michelin chef’s instinctive elegance and gastronomic intuition combine with Calabrian-born Salvatore’s passionate and colourful take on Mediterranean
WebsiteThe elegant atmosphere at this restaurant is typical of Taormina and of Sicily’s old villas, with just eight tables laid out on a terrace adorned with bougainvillea and overlooking Taormina, the Bay of Naxos and Etna. The decor here shows real attention to detail, with an emphasis on the splendour of a grand old residence, while chef Roberto Toro creates typical Sicilian dishes reinterpreted with his own personal twist. His cuisine is showcased on various tasting menus, including a vegetarian option, from which dishes can be chosen à la carte style. We particularly enjoyed the chef’s signature
WebsiteThis restaurant began life in 1946 as a grocery store (the name is the Sicilian word for shop) which, forty years later, was transformed into a very simple yet attractive trattoria-cum-wine bar (don’t be shocked by the paper tablecloths!). The cuisine focuses mainly on fish, seafood and fresh market produce, while the wines come from Sicily and further afield. Booking ahead is essential here, partly because there are only a few tables but also because the opening hours vary depending on the season. You may find it difficult to find somewhere to park between the main street and the seafront in
Housed in the 15C Casa Cipolla, with a romantic terrace for summer dining, Kistè is a treasure trove of gourmet Sicilian cuisine prepared in contemporary style.
WebsiteA magnificent location directly in a gazebo where you can count the waves breaking on the beach, but in case of bad weather, there’s also an equally intimate and elegant indoor dining room available. Pampered by attentive and exceptionally kind service, follow the chef’s creations along tasting journeys, including vegetarian options, or à la carte dishes from both land and sea, always served with great aesthetic taste, often built on local products crafted with contemporary and colorful sensibility. In short, enjoy the complete experience that two hours in this exclusive corner of Sicily will
WebsiteItalian
Seafood
Italian
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See all guide-listed restaurants in Giardini Naxos (Michelin / Black Pearl) →
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