Sicily, Italy
Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea serve as main attractions for outdoor enthusiasts.
Explore the lower craters at Rifugio Sapienza, like the Silvestri Craters. These are easily accessible and suitable for most fitness levels, providing a taste of the volcanic landscape.
Take the cable car (Funivia dell'Etna) from Rifugio Sapienza up to around 2,500 meters, then a 4x4 bus to approximately 2,900 meters. From there, you can walk around permitted areas with a local guide. This delivers more dramatic views of recent lava flows and secondary craters.
Summit tours to the active craters (usually above 3,000 meters) request a licensed volcanological guide. These are physically demanding, involving walking on uneven terrain.
When planning a visit to Mount Etna, check weather and volcanic activity forecasts before going.
Giardini Naxos and its surroundings immerse you in Sicilian food culture.
The Ancient Theatre of Taormina hosts a prestigious program of opera, classical concerts, and theatrical performances, especially during the Taormina Arte festival.
Traditional Sicilian folk music and dance performances are sometimes organized in town squares during local festivals. Witness traditional religious processions on religious holidays.
Staying in a family-run B&B and dining at local trattorias away from the main tourist strips directly sustains the community.
A major international arts festival held annually in Taormina during the summer months, featuring music, theatre, dance, and film.
Throughout Sicily, towns host sagre (food festivals) celebrating specific local products (e.g., swordfish in Aci Trezza, pistachios in Bronte).
Giardini Naxos celebrates its patron saint, Maria Santissima Raccomandata, on the first Sunday of September with processions and festivities.
Giardini Naxos presents opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation, from beach lounging to spa treatments.
Numerous "lidos" line the Giardini Naxos Lungomare, offering comfortable sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, changing facilities, and often associated bars and restaurants. Rent a spot for a daily fee.
Many hotels in Giardini Naxos have their own swimming pools.
Pools serve as an alternative to the beach, especially for families.
Not a main focus in Giardini Naxos itself.
Some guesthouses or specialized centers in quieter, more rural areas of Sicily may offer yoga and meditation retreats.
These provide a tranquil setting for personal reflection.
Giardini Naxos presents a lively, yet relaxed, nightlife, notably during the warmer months.
A few nightclubs exist along the Lungomare, specifically in the Recanati area, which become active in summer. These present chances for dancing and late-night revelry.
The Lungomare in Giardini Naxos serves as the main area for evening drinks, with many bars and pubs extending their seating onto the promenade. Easily walk from one bar to another.
Restaurants and pizzerias often stay open quite late, especially in summer. Gelaterias (ice cream parlors) are also open late, delivering a perfect late-night dessert.
Giardini Naxos has a local weekly market (check local schedule) for fresh produce, local cheeses, olives, and some simple local crafts.
Some shops in Giardini Naxos sell local ceramics (often reflecting designs from Caltagirone), lava stone crafts (derived from Mount Etna), and traditional Sicilian puppets (pupi).
Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods from street vendors, as these often sustain illegal activities and poor labor practices.
Giardini Naxos offers various shopping opportunities from traditional markets to unique local crafts and souvenirs.
Items crafted from volcanic rock from Mount Etna, like sculptures or jewelry.
Iconic ceramic sculptures, decorative planters, vases, representing Sicilian legend.
Realistic and colorful marzipan sweets, a delicious and visually appealing souvenir.
When shopping for food products, visit a local alimentari (grocery store) or a small market.
