Giardini Naxos

Travel Guide
Giardini Naxos showing a coastal town and a sandy beach as well as a large group of people
Giardini Naxos showing a small town or village and mountains
Giardini Naxos showing a coastal town
Giardini Naxos featuring street scenes
Giardini Naxos featuring a house
Ancient Greek history combined with beautiful beaches and a relaxed coastal vibe make this town on Sicily’s eastern coast a fascinating vacation destination.

Giardini Naxos is a picturesque coastal resort town with an ancient heritage and a lively promenade full of restaurants, bars and boutiques. Relax on a sandy expanse, go on a diving or snorkeling expedition and browse works of art that are more than 2,000 years old.

Up until the 1970s, Giardini Naxos was a sleepy fishing village. Today, it is a hugely popular holiday spot where the undoubted star attractions are the beaches. Rent a sunbed and umbrella then cruise through the water on a paddle boat. Venture under the waves on a snorkeling or diving trip, booked with one of the local diving schools.

Take some time away from the beach to explore the fascinating history of Giardini Naxos. The area was the site of the first Greek colony in Sicily, founded during the eighth century BC. 

Learn about these ancient origins at the Naxos Archeological Museum. Examine pottery artifacts, terracotta figurines and objects excavated from sacred sites. The museum's collections also include prehistoric relics and shipwreck items. For more history, drive to the town of Taormina, about 10 minutes away. There you can tour the ruins of an ancient Greek amphitheatre.

When you are back in Giardini Naxos, enjoy the Mediterranean custom of an early evening promenade. Walk along the seafront and select your pizzeria or restaurant for your evening meal. Night owls can choose from a number of clubs and cocktail lounges. You can also do a spot of late-night shopping, because many of the stores have extended hours.

A great time to be in Giardini Naxos is on August 15 for Ferragosto, an Italian public holiday. Party on the beach and go for a midnight swim while fireworks illuminate the night sky.

To get to the resort town, fly into Catania Airport and drive, catch a bus or take a taxi to cover the remaining 35 miles (56 kilometres). Once in the town, you can easily get to the beaches, bars, restaurants and historical attractions on foot. If you want to travel further afield take taxis or rent a car.

Nautilus Hotel
Nautilus Hotel
4 out of 5
Lungomare Tysandros 18, Giardini Naxos, ME
Stay at this 4-star beach inn in Giardini Naxos. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (137 reviews)
Fabulous!
"The hotel was wonderful. It is family owned & run. They we're all so kind and helpful. The location is perfect. Walkable to everything. The beachfront view we had off our patio was fabulous. We would go back in a heartbeat."

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2025

Nautilus Hotel
Hotel Caesar Palace
Hotel Caesar Palace
4 out of 5
Via Consolare Valeria, S/N, Giardini Naxos, ME
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Giardini Naxos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Greek Ruins and Recanati Beach are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (324 reviews)
"Beautiful setting"

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024

Hotel Caesar Palace
Delta Hotels by Marriott Giardini Naxos
Delta Hotels by Marriott Giardini Naxos
4 out of 5
Viale Jannuzzo 47, Giardini Naxos, ME
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Giardini Naxos. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (654 reviews)
"Great relaxing hotel, lovely garden & pool area. Delicious breakfast & very helpful staff."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

Delta Hotels by Marriott Giardini Naxos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sicilia's Residence Hotel Art & Spa
Sicilia's Residence Hotel Art & Spa
Via Dei Tigli, 1 Collina di Acitrezza, Aci Catena, CT
Book a stay at this beach residence in Aci Catena. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Seafront and Casa del Nespolo Museum ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (125 reviews)
Good budget option in the autumn.
"Great location, comfortable bed. They provide valet parking for your car if you call ahead. Good breakfast."

Reviewed on 25 Nov 2024

Sicilia's Residence Hotel Art & Spa
Isola Bella Infinity Suites
Isola Bella Infinity Suites
Via Luigi Pirandello, 72, Taormina, ME
Stay at this property in Taormina. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Lido Conchiglie and Parco Duca di Cesaro are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (61 reviews)
Beautiful Taormina!
"Great communication, beautiful, well equipped property with an amazing view. Ideal location between the beach and the town so long as you don’t mind lots of stairs !"

Reviewed on 6 Jan 2025

Isola Bella Infinity Suites
Residence Terra Rossa
Residence Terra Rossa
Via Bongiovanni 12, Taormina, ME
Stay at this residence in Taormina. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Lido Mazzaro and Isola Bella are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (38 reviews)
"This property is ideal for a quiet break. the gardens and views are really remarkable. The area is so quiet. Its probably not so great with children as there are 200 steps to town or same to beach otherwise its taxis which cost a bit. Breakfast was great for the view, pehaps a little pricey for the ..."

Reviewed on 25 Oct 2024

Residence Terra Rossa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Giardini Naxos

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
9
" "5 - Excellent 53%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 6%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We loved the villa and the owner, Paola, could not have been more helpful. Ideal location for visiting Taormina, Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna.

4/5 - Good

Jeangenie

Nice for a week's break with plenty of history. Don't miss Agrigento & the wonderfully preserved mosaics at the roman villa near Armerina.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Typical Med local resort.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Close to Taormina- can get a bus there -approx 20 mins.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Great as a base to go to Taormiba and Castermola... but Giardini Naxos roo much of a noisy brach resort for us