Giardini Naxos, Sicily: Beaches, Things to Do and Where to Stay
Look down from the terraces of Taormina and the long, gentle curve of sand to the south is Giardini Naxos. It is where Greek Sicily began, where Taormina goes for a proper sandy beach, and where a seafront dinner costs noticeably less than on the hill above. For many travellers it is the perfect base: flat, easy, family-friendly, and just a few kilometres from one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean.
This guide covers the beaches of Giardini Naxos, the best things to do, how to get between Giardini Naxos and Taormina, and whether you should stay here or up in town. If you are still deciding on a base, read our guide to where to stay in Taormina first.
A little history: the first Greek city in Sicily
In the 8th century BC, Greek colonists from Chalcis landed on the lava headland of Capo Schisò and founded Naxos, traditionally considered the first Greek colony in Sicily. The city was destroyed in 403 BC by Dionysius of Syracuse, and its survivors are said to have helped found Tauromenion — today’s Taormina — on the hill above. The bond between the two towns is almost three thousand years old.
The ruins of ancient Naxos — city walls, the remains of sanctuaries and the street grid — are preserved in the Archaeological Park of Naxos, with a small museum set among lemon groves and palms beside the sea. It is one of the quietest and most atmospheric sites on the coast, and rarely crowded.
The beaches of Giardini Naxos
The great appeal of Giardini Naxos is space. Where the coves of Taormina are small and pebbly, the bay of Naxos stretches for several kilometres, with sand and fine shingle, gently shelving water and a long line of beach clubs (lidi) alternating with free public stretches.
01 The main seafront (Lungomare)
The heart of the resort: a broad promenade with restaurants, gelaterie and bars, and the beach right below it. Sun loungers and umbrellas are rented by the day at the lidi; the free beach sections fill up early in August.
02 Recanati
The southern end of the bay, towards the mouth of the Alcantara river, is wider and calmer, with sandier stretches and a more relaxed feel — a favourite with families and with locals at the weekend.
03 Capo Schisò
The black lava headland at the northern end of the bay, where the Greeks first landed. The rocks here are good for snorkelling, and the little harbour is where many boat trips to Taormina and Isola Bella depart.
Sand at Naxos, crystal-clear coves at Mazzarò and Isola Bella: the beauty of this coast is that you can have both in the same day.
For the clearest water and the most photographed views, combine Naxos with the coves just north: our guide to the best beaches in and around Taormina covers Isola Bella, Mazzarò and Spisone in detail, and our Isola Bella guide tells you how to visit the island itself.
Best things to do in Giardini Naxos
- Walk the archaeological park of ancient Naxos and its museum, ideally in the late afternoon light.
- Take a boat trip from the harbour along the coast to Isola Bella, the Grotta Azzurra and the bays below Taormina — the best way to see the coastline.
- Go up to Taormina for the Teatro Antico and an evening on Corso Umberto (see transport below).
- Visit the Alcantara Gorges, a canyon of basalt columns carved by the river, a short drive inland.
- Climb Mount Etna on a guided tour — most Etna excursions pick up in Giardini Naxos as well as Taormina. Read our things to do in Taormina for more ideas.
- Eat by the sea: grilled fish, pasta alla Norma and granita with brioche along the promenade.
Tours from Giardini Naxos
Boats · Etna · AlcantaraPowered by GetYourGuide. See all tours near Giardini Naxos
How to get from Giardini Naxos to Taormina
| Option | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Local bus | Regular buses run between Giardini Naxos and the Taormina bus terminal; the ride takes around 15–20 minutes depending on traffic. |
| Taxi or transfer | The quickest door-to-door option, especially in the evening after the buses thin out. |
| Train | The Taormina–Giardini station sits on the coast between the two; from there you still need a bus or taxi up the hill. |
| Boat | In summer, boats from the Naxos harbour run along the coast to Mazzarò and Isola Bella. |
| Car | Possible, but Taormina’s centre is restricted to traffic: park in the Lumbi or Porta Catania car parks, or ride the cable car up from Mazzarò. |
Should you stay in Giardini Naxos or Taormina?
Stay in Giardini Naxos if your priority is a long sandy beach, a flat walkable resort and good value — it is especially easy with young children. Stay in Taormina if you want the atmosphere, the history and the evenings in town, and are happy to reach the sea by cable car.
There is a third option many travellers end up preferring: the seafront of Taormina itself, between the bays of Mazzarò and Isola Bella. You swim in the clearest water on the coast, Giardini Naxos is a short ride south, and the historic centre is minutes away by cable car. See our edit of the best seafront hotels in Taormina.
Cohen House Taormina
Three private residences on the Taormina seafront, each with its own terrace facing Isola Bella and a full kitchen — space for families and groups of up to ten, the beaches of Mazzarò and Isola Bella steps away, and Giardini Naxos a few minutes south. Explore the Cohen House residences facing Isola Bella, see where they sit between Taormina and Isola Bella, or book direct for the best rate.
Practical tips
- When to go: June and September are ideal — warm sea, fewer crowds. July and August are busy and lively; the season winds down from late October.
- Beach clubs: book loungers a day ahead in August, especially at weekends.
- Water shoes: useful near Capo Schisò and on the coves towards Taormina.
- Photography: the light on the bay is golden from late afternoon. For a professional holiday or couple shoot on this coast, see VanSky Studio’s Taormina photoshoots.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Giardini Naxos from Taormina?
About 5 km by road. By bus or taxi the journey usually takes 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Is Giardini Naxos worth visiting?
Yes. It has the longest sandy beach near Taormina, the archaeological park of the first Greek colony in Sicily, a lively seafront and generally lower prices than Taormina.
Does Giardini Naxos have sandy beaches?
Yes. Unlike the pebble coves below Taormina, the bay of Giardini Naxos has long stretches of sand and fine shingle, with both beach clubs and free public beach.
Is it better to stay in Giardini Naxos or Taormina?
Giardini Naxos is better for a flat, family-friendly beach holiday on a budget; Taormina is better for atmosphere and evenings out. The Taormina seafront at Mazzarò and Isola Bella combines the sea with easy access to the town by cable car.
Can you go from Giardini Naxos to Mount Etna?
Yes. Most guided Etna tours offer pick-up in Giardini Naxos as well as Taormina, and the volcano is around an hour away by road.
Disclosure: Cohen House is a partner of this guide. Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Transport schedules and opening hours change; please check before you travel. All photography by VanSky Studio, Taormina, unless otherwise stated.