Our most recommended things to do in Castelmola

Giardini Naxos: Boat Trip Isola Bella with Snorkeling

1. Giardini Naxos: Boat Trip Isola Bella with Snorkeling

Leaving the port of Giardini Naxos, navigation along the Bay of Naxos, Capo Taormina and the Faraglioni. It will be possible to admire the scenic coast of Giardini Naxos, Taormina and Castelmola and the Etna volcano which forms the backdrop to this wonderful naturalistic setting. After about 30 minutes of navigation, arrival at the Marine Reserve of Isola Bella and stop for about an hour, with possibility of guided snorkeling, sunbathing on the solarium and enjoying soft drinks and snacks. The itinerary may vary according to the marine weather conditions and the decisions of the skipper.

From Catania: Taormina, Savoca, & Castelmola Tour w/ Brunch

2. From Catania: Taormina, Savoca, & Castelmola Tour w/ Brunch

Embark on a fascinating cultural adventure in Sicily and discover 3 charming towns on a day trip from Catania. Marvel at the picturesque streets if Savoca, Taormina, and Castelmola, and visit their most remarkable landmarks. Enjoy a delicious lunch of typical products. Start your experience, being picked up from your local accommodation by a comfortable 8 seat air conditioned vehicle. The first stop of your Sicilian trip will be Savoca, a characteristic medieval town. Visit one of the fascinating catacombs of the Cappuccini convent which hosts the mummified bodies of monks and nobles from Savoca. Next, visit bar Vitelli, famously known as the bar from the film "The Godfather", where you can taste delicious Sicilian granita and look at photos which were taken during the shooting of the film. Then, travel to the second town on the tour, the majestic Taormina. Visit the Greek Theatre, or one of the major ancient sites in Sicily which offers a unique panoramic view of the sea and Mount Etna. Walking along Corso Umberto, you can also visit the Cathedral and enjoy the stunning view of Capo Taormina bay. While in Taormina, enjoy a rich brunch made of a delicious products from the Sicilian culinary tradition, water and red Etna wine (included in the price). Afterwards, arrive at the final stop, Castelmola, a characteristic medieval suburb suspended between the sky and the sea. Enjoy a fantastic view of Etna on one side and the Ionian sea on the other, then, from Sant’Antonio square, begin your walk through the alleys. Around the small streets, it’s possible to see quaint shops that sell souvenirs, laces, and embroideries made by locals women.  Finally, visit Bar Turrisi for a coffee or some almond wine, a typical Sicilian dessert wine.

Catania: Taormina, Isola Bella, & Castelmola Full-Day Tour

3. Catania: Taormina, Isola Bella, & Castelmola Full-Day Tour

Starting from Piazza Duomo (Catania) you will go in the direction of Taormina, making a stop in the Bay of Isola Bella ( in the summer you will have the opportunity to swim in this wonderful nature reserve) finally you can walk through the streets of the charming old town of Taormina, where there are monuments of great artistic and cultural interest: Ancient Theatre, Cathedral Fortress (dumo), Clock Tower, Palazzo Corvaja, Piazza IX Aprile etc... -Experience a complete tour through history and nature, visiting Isola Bella flagship of Taormina and the famous Ancient Theatre, architectural gem. -Enjoy freely visiting the places you love at your own pace. -Discover the disarming beauty of Isola Bella and the panoramic view from Castelmola and Taormina all over the coast. -Surprise yourself by visiting the village of Castelmola, among the most beautiful villages in Italy.

From Catania: Guided Tour of Taormina and Castelmola

4. From Catania: Guided Tour of Taormina and Castelmola

The tour starts in Taormina, known as "the Pearl of the Ionian sea", which is one of the first Greek colony on the east coast of Sicily. The beautiful centre is characterized by both Baroque and Medieval style, which make it a unique and rare town. By walking through the main street, Corso Umberto, you will grasp the true essence of this old town : the ancient roman Naumachia, the baroque and medieval styles of Piazza Duomo, Palazzo Corvaja and Piazza IX Aprile. Along the path , there is The Ancient Greek Theatre which is possibile to visit on your own and get amazed by its impressive view : Etna and the ionian coast. The next step is Castelmola : a medieval village situated above Taormina. This village is recognized as part of the Italian cultural heritage where its medieval atmosphere will bring you back to the past. Walking along the alleys there is a small road climbs up to the remains of the Castle of Mola, which was once a fortress that, from the top of its elevation, controlled a vast territory from enemy raids. Descending from the ruins of the castle, along the way, there are various churches among which the Cathedral dedicated to San Nicola di Bari and the church of San Giorgio which is also the protector of the town stand out. In the main square of this lovely village, there is the chance to enjoy the fantastic sea-view tasting the typical almond liquor at the excentric "Bar Turrisi".

From Catania: Giardini Naxos, Taormina, and Castelmola Tour

5. From Catania: Giardini Naxos, Taormina, and Castelmola Tour

Benefit from pick-up at your accommodation in Catania, and then travel by minivan to the seaside town of Giardini Naxos. Continue to the beautiful almond wine village of Castelmola on the Ionian coast. Move on to the pretty town of Taormina for a free stroll and get a stunning view of the Messina Gate from the Corso Umberto on arrival. See the important monuments of the historic town center, including the Palazzo Corvaja, Teatro Antico, and medieval Cattedrale Fortezza. Get some time to browse the boutique stores and handicraft shops. Before the return to Catania take a swim in the small and lovely island of Isola Bella, connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand. Get stunning views of the bay and promontories of Capo Sant’Andrea.

Palermo: Mount Etna, Taormina & Castelmola Day Trip

6. Palermo: Mount Etna, Taormina & Castelmola Day Trip

Enjoy a pickup from your accommodation in Palermo, Cefalù, or the Port of Palermo and embark on an exploration of the region's stunning attractions. First, visit the slopes of Mount Etna to experience the lava fields and the incredible landscape view from Europe's highest and most active volcano.   The Etna volcano is one of Sicily's main tourist attractions with thousands of visitors every year. The most common route is through the road leading to Sapienza Refuge, lying at the south of the crater at elevation of 1,910m. It hosts a large parking area, several bars, a hotel, and is a starting point for the cable car. From the refuge, you can take the cable car uphill to an elevation of 2,500m. From there, you can take a drive with special terrain vehicles, or enjoy a long walk to the designated crater area at 2,920m.   The next stop will be in Taormina where you’ll have leisure time for an independent tour of the town, ideal for strolling and window-shopping. The core of the town is pedestrianized and walking through its streets will indulge you in the Taormina atmosphere. You’ll have time to relax in a café and taste a granita (semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water, and various flavorings). You can also enjoy an independent visit to the famed Greek theater or the several minor sites to be discovered around Taormina.   The last stop will be at Castelmola which offers a balcony over Taormina and the bay of Giardini Naxos framed by the mysterious and beautiful active volcano, Mount Etna. Marvel at the spectacular panoramas, narrow winding streets, and old-world charm of this fascinating comune before being dropped back at your accommodation or at the port.

From Taormina: Siracusa & Noto Small-Group Tour

7. From Taormina: Siracusa & Noto Small-Group Tour

Start your day at 8:00 AM with a pickup from the pre-arranged meeting point in Taormina. Once you have enjoyed a pleasant meet-and-greet with your driver, head to Syracuse, taking in all the sights along the way.  Your first stop of the day will be the archaeological park of the Neapolis. Here, you'll be able to admire the site's Greek and Roman heritage by witnessing landmarks such as the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysius and the Latomie. Afterwards, you will move to the lovely Ortigia Island, the historical centre of Syracuse which is connected to the city by a short bridge. Here, you will walk through the alleys and the squares of the old town discovering its landmarks, starting from the ruins of the temple of Apollo, to the Cathedral and the Arethusa Fountain. During your visit of Ortigia, a light lunch with local products will be offered; alternatively, you could decide to have lunch on your own. The last stop of your day will be Noto, which is considered the capital of the Sicilian Baroque. You will have 1-hour to visit the historical centre of the city by yourself before enjoying your relaxing car ride back to Taormina by 6:30 - 7:30 PM.

From Catania: Day Trip to Giardini Naxos and Taormina

8. From Catania: Day Trip to Giardini Naxos and Taormina

Start by visiting the seaside village of Giardini Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily and an ancient fishing village, which you will have the opportunity to admire while walking along its splendid waterfront, and then head to Castelmola. Continue with Castelmola, where you'll walk through the town's characteristic streets, admiring in the process the ruins of the Norman walls, until you reach Piazza Duomo, with its Mother Church, rebuilt between 1934 and 1935 on the pre-existing cathedral, and dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari. You will then head to Taormina, to enjoy a free tour of the picturesque town. You'll admire the main street, Corso Umberto, you'll see its most important monuments, such as the Ancient Theater, Palazzo Corvaja, and the Clock Tower, and you'll also indulge in some shopping in the town's exclusive stores and quaint craft stores. The last part of the excursion, however, will be a refreshing swim at the Nature Reserve of Isola Bella, considered the "pearl of the Ionian Sea" for its wild beauty, from where you can appreciate the famous bay, protected by the high walls of the promontories of Capo S. Andrea, which houses within it the renowned Grotta Azzurra and Capo Taormina.

Sicily: Best of Taormina and Castelmola Private Tour

9. Sicily: Best of Taormina and Castelmola Private Tour

Following a convenient pickup at a time of your choosing, enjoy a quick observation of Messina’s main streets as your head for the highway. Taormina is where you’ll focus first, with a stop at a glorious balcony from which to admire the view of the cliffs and Isola Bella island. Embrace the views and take some beautiful photos to remember the moment.   Next, arrive in the heart of Taormina, passing through the famous Corso Umberto street before reaching the main attractions including the Greek theater, shops, delicious restaurants, and monuments. After 1 or 2 hours spent here, head for Castelmola at 450 meters above sea level offering splendid views over the bay of Giardini Naxos and a unique view of Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. For those who want to have lunch while admiring the beautiful view of the volcano, there are typical restaurants where you can taste local specialties of fish or meat, or simply sip the region's excellent almond wine. After this, take in views of Messina and see the Sanctuary of Christ the King church and Messina Cathedral containing the biggest and most complex mechanical and astronomical clock in the world. End the day by tasting an excellent Sicilian cannoli at one of the most famous pastry shops in Messina before returning to the starting point of the tour.

Catania: Giardini, Taormina, and Castelmola Day Trip

10. Catania: Giardini, Taormina, and Castelmola Day Trip

Following your collection from the meeting point, your tour starts with a visit of Giardini Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily. After enjoying the beauty of Giardini Naxos, continue on driving to the enchanting village of Castelmola. From Castelmola you can enjoy amazing views of both Giardini Naxos Bay and Mount Etna. After this viewpoint, travel on to the beautiful town of Taormina where you stop in one of the most famous Sicilian Locations. Following a brief visit to the town and the visit to the “Beautiful Island” Natural Park Beach, your guide returns you back to Catania.

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What people are saying about Castelmola

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 46 reviews

Excellent excursion with a guide who walks with us and gives us all the appropriate information and as in Taormina he did not have the possibility to come with us, he took the time to give us a map of the place with the things to visit . A great experience, well done

We had an amazing time; the tour guide was very informative and explained everything in detail. I only wish we had more time spent at Taormina, but apart from that, amazing experience. thank you.

Enzo was absolutely perfect. Good mood and a lot of information. The tour offered a lot of sights and left nothing to be desired. I would do it again in a heartbeat and I can only recommend it.

We really enjoyed ourselves and Dario was great. He told us a lot about the history regarding the places that we visited. We gladly recommend it!!

Mario was fantastic. Knowledgeable, fun, and communicative. Highly recommend.