Guide to Giardini Naxos

'Just down the hill from Taormina, Giardini Naxos is a classic beach resort with a good range of facilities.'

Giardini Naxos is actually four places rolled into one. There's the charming old town. The lively seafront. The Cape Schiso harbour area. And last but not least, the gorgeous Garden Resort of Recanati. It doesn't have the lip-smacking beauty of Taormina. Or the heaps of history you'll find in many other Sicilian towns. But it most certainly makes up for in facilities, with good beaches that you can easily walk to, fun for the kids and plenty of bars and restaurants. That's not to say that the resort doesn't have its fair share of historical credentials. Naxos was the first ever Greek colony on the island, and there are some remains to visit, set against the stunning backdrop of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. However, life in Giardini Naxos is mostly about relaxing, enjoying the Sicilian sun and having a go at the odd watersport or two. Mind you, if you're into walking and glorious scenery, there's the Alcantara Gorge just a few miles inland. As for the kids, there's a little funfair in Recanati, where they can bounce off some energy on the trampolines or test their putting skills on the mini-golf. In the evening, the prom is the place to stroll and take the evening air, before settling down in one of the many open air trattorie for a plate of pasta and a glass of sensationally fruity Etna wine made with grapes grown on the volcano. Nightlife in Giardini Naxos doesn't make the earth move, but there are several places where you can strut your stuff, including a few open-air discos in Recanati.

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Recommended Giardini Naxos hotels and apartments

Hotel Arathena Rocks

Hotel Hellenia Yachting

Naxos Beach Resort

Giardini Naxos hotels and apartments

Our hotels and apartments in Giardini Naxos include Hotel Arathena Rocks, Hotel Caesar Palace, Hotel Hellenia Yachting, Naxos Beach Resort, Nike Hotel and Villa Linda.

More Sicily holiday destinations

Looking for holidays in Sicily? Our Sicily holiday destinations include Adrano, Agrigento, Alia, Calatabiano, Castelbuono, Cefalu, Floridia, Fontane Bianche, Giardini Naxos, Lentini, Letojanni, Marina D'agro, Milazzo, Motta Camastra, Noto, Palazzolo, Palermo, Santa Venerina, Siracusa, Taormina and Taormina Mare.

Beaches

There are various beaches in and around Giardini Naxos. The main, long crescent-shaped beach comprises sand and pebbles with several lidos. The lidos have changing and showering amenities plus bars and restaurants. Pedalos, parasols and sun loungers can be hired. There is another man-made beach of coarse grey sand at Recanti, and another rocky lava strip behind the hotels past the harbour. Numerous watersports are on offer.

Eating out

There are many restaurants and cafes to chose from, ranging from intimate family-owned trattorias and garden restaurants to fast food bars. While in Sicily, why not sample some of the fantastic delicacies on offer such as 'maccheroncini con le sarde' - a classic dish comprising flaky sardines on a bed of macaroni mixed with pine nuts, saffron, raisins and fresh fennel?

Nightlife

As the Sicilian way of life dictates, evening entertainment is traditionally based around the evening meal. Enjoy sitting outside a restaurant with a glass of wine and then take a stroll along the promenade. There are plenty of open-air bars and a few open-air clubs to choose from.

Shopping

Giardini Naxos boasts a wide selection of boutiques, shops and bazaars, mainly clustered along the seafront and in the old town. Every week, there is a large local market in Recanti selling clothing, accessories, fruit and vegetables.

Local information

As Naxos was the first Greek colony on Sicily, there are archaeological excavations to explore and a small archaeological museum to visit. For a day trip, experience the magnitude of volcanic Mount Etna, the historic town of Syracuse or Enna, the highest town in Sicily.