Aim downhill from the area of the Duomo, and you should find yourself on a road wide enough for cars, curving around the base of the village. If youre in Taormina for a few days or just for an afternoon its worth making your way from busy Taormina to this tiny village built around the ruins of a 16th century Norman castello (castle). Castelmola - How to Spend an Afternoon in the Tiny Village Above Taormina I enjoy that too. The public gardens reminded me of the Alcazar in Seville. Taormina - Wikitravel From this one viewpoint, you can see Mount Etna, Taormina, the Ionian Sea, and the bay of Giardini Naxos. We love to travel by train, but there are plenty of buses too. It would take around 45 minutes to walk. We took the old Saracen path. Castelmola is worth visiting because of its spectacular mountain top location, panoramic views, great restaurants, and friendly atmosphere. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Many visitors, though will prefer the easier option of catching a public or tourist bus up to Castelmola, and then walking the attractive downhill route back to the larger resort. Although it's small and doesn't have any major sights other than its ruined castle, Castelmola is an interesting and picturesque settlement, where a certain rugged authenticity mixes with tourist-oriented craft shops. Well, our guesthouse was just above Taormina anyway, so we were already halfway there. by Words by Sarah Wilson - Photos by Jonathan Look Jr. | Oct 13, 2020 | Europe, Italy, Travel | 15 comments. From the train station up to Taormina town, there are buses and taxis. Welcome to Taormina! We didnt stay too long on this street. However, you do see a more authentic Taormina as soon as you wander off the busy main stretch and start exploring the side streets. Take time to stop and enjoy the views on the way up. Grab a table, have aperitivo or a snack, and check out the dcor. What To See In Castelmola - Hilltop Town Above Taormina, Sicily Catering for tourists, not locals. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Privacy Head here if you need to escape the crowds, enjoy views of the bay and listen to the bird song. Add taxi or limo company 240 days ago. Taormina Cruise Port (Giardini Naxos), Things to Do, Shore Excursions The picture is taken from the archaeological park of Giardini-Naxos. Cross over for the approach road for the Castello (which passes several bars and restaurants). Published: May 25, 2019 / Leave a Comment. After a sharp bend, the pedestrian path to Taormina descends from this road, with a signpost to identify it. to We also had a lovely pizza lunch at the Bar Turrisi in Castelmola and enjoyed a glass of delicious almond wine. Its just around the corner from the post office near the Porta Catania. > Things to do in Taormina The village is perched above the bay of Giardini Naxos. Private tour; Organized by: Miss Rosy Sicilian Chauffeur Duration: The tour starts at 8:30am and it last 8/9 hours Tour Language: Italian, English Days: Every day Difficulty: Easy Pick up: Pick up and drop-off from your accomodation in Taormina and surrounding areas (Giardini Naxos, Letojanni, Castelmola) Recommended Equipment: It is reccomended to wear comfortable, season . Yes, theres a bancomat (ATM) at the entrance of the towns main piazza, Piazza San Antonio. Your email address will not be published. However, we were incredibly disappointed with the food in Taormina. Taormina, Castelmola and Giardini Naxos - Excursions Keep in mind the road is narrow and cars often park on the sides, so youll be navigating narrow roads with two-way traffic. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. TAORMINA and CASTELMOLA TOUR 10 Reviews Catania, Italy Save to Wishlist From $189.13 Price varies by group size Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Secure your spot while staying flexible Free cancellation Up to 24 hours in advance. If time gets tight, then ring for a taxi. Initial fee: 5.00 EUR Click here to open location in google maps. You can see it from Giardini Naxos and from some of Taormina's viewpoints, and if you don't mind some steep uphill sections, you can hike from Taormina to Castelmola and back. Its close proximity means you can ride a bicycle or even walk. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Giardini Naxos, Taormina Its a lovely shady garden that once belonged to a wealthy English lady, and its free to enter. The local service is for Taormina, and does not go as far as Castelmola. edit. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. It was already 3 pm, and the proper eating venues were now closed until evening, so we knew the place we found was probably not going to be that great, but you cant really screw up a bowl of pasta, can you? Does it run later in June ? to You can also park up the hill by the Parco della Rimembranza. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Enjoy! I am quite sure V will know the bus color, and if so, I would like to ask her a question about this particular bus - Is it likely to run on May 1? Wow! But it wasnt all doom and gloom with food and drink in Taormina. We made it as far as one of the cafes on Piazza del Duomo before the heavens opened. We were planning to visit Isola Bella, a small island near Taormina but the weather was terrible on our last day, and Jonathan wasnt feeling too good, so we chilled and ate cannolis instead. Expect to pay around 15 for a taxi from Castelmola to Taormina, but with an early dinner, you may be able to take the bus as well. to The road to Castelmola Gerry Ferraro If you do not have an auto while visiting you can opt for a taxi or the local bus, which is what most visitors decide to do. What is the ticket price for the journey from Taormina to Castelmola? LinkedIn -, All photographs Per-Erik Skramstad unless otherwise stated, La Martorana (Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio). I will only be in town one day on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We chose the Vineria Modi. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The venue looked fine, it usually would be booked days in advance, but we arrived early and were given a table. Taormina Beach, Giardini Naxos to Castelmola - Rome2rio My recipes are everyday, familiar foods, cooked from scratch. Your email address will not be published. Where is the transportation located. Castelmola has its share of shops selling ceramics, trinkets, and souvenirs. We are planning on taking the train to. You can do it in your allocated time with careful planning, and second options. During a quick stop in the village of Castelmola, admire a view of the surrounding Sicilian landscape, including Mt Etna. Alternatively, you may use, Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare. Cost of Taxi. Back at the chapel, a long zigzag path leads back down to Taormina, past the traditional Stations of the Cross, offering plenty more panoramic photo-opportunities. Castelmola: an excursion from Taormina | Italy Heaven Water Water fountain next to toilet at entrance of main piazza, San Antonio. I guess we were just unlucky with the above restaurant choices. There is a good selection of cheeses, cold meats, delicious bread, cakes, desserts, rolls, scrambled eggs, sausage, ham, and more! Then a staircase on the left allows you to head straight uphill, cutting through the zigzagging streets. Small, but colorful and fun playground for little ones. Belvedere Punta San Giorgio is a small terrace located next to Pizzeria Nina. You can do it in your allocated time with careful planning, and second options. You can simply follow the winding road around into the town centre, or head downhill through smaller streets, starting with a right turn onto Via Wilhelm Von Gloden and dropping to the left down the steps of Via Salita Celestina Penna, leading to Via Paterno di Biscari and then cutting to the right down Via della Chiusa or Vico Polibio. Castelmola is certainly known for its breathtaking views. In 1906 it was housed by Guillermo II of Hohenzollern, Duke of Prussia and the Emperor of Germany. Mascali, Taormina If you are of a robust disposition, one of the strangest sights of Castelmola is the historic Bar Turrisi and its phallic-themed dcor. was updated This taxi fare estimate from Taormina to Castelmola was updated 23 days ago. Emerging on Via Branco, take the left hand bend, uphill. Castelmola has incredible views, charming colorful streets, and its a prime place to pass a couple of hours sipping almond wine in the sunshine. Neither Jonathan nor I are big fans of touristy shops; we like to shop where the locals go. to On your way down from Castelmola, take a slight detour to visit the church Madonna della Rocca. to Not ready to get on a plane yet, but the fast ferry to Sicily was very well-organised. Letojanni, Taormina Now in ruins, this fortress was dramatically situated to command the hills and valleys, so has wonderful views over the surrounding hills and coast. We were looking forward to exploring our new base. The way up is a series of steps and some sections have railings. A great way to get exercise while enjoying the city. Cost of ride time: 7.20 EUR . Youll still be in traffic, but its stress free because youre not driving! Get there before the tour buses arrive , Oh yes, there were ques to get in to the moste popular restaurants . , The sites around Taormina are gorgeous and we had some fabulous meals elsewhere in Sicily. This path is called the Sentiero dei Saraceni. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-89778143', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship from 7am - 6pm. After a short stretch of road, you'll come to an unobtrusive set of steps on the left, Salita Branco, also signposted for Castelmola. . While the latest bus departure is at 16:40 and arrives at 16:55 the same day. Update the estimate to see the real-time fare prices in Taormina . Excursion Taormina, Castelmola | Prices "Even the cat is nervous in this house." Bar San Giorgio, Castelmola. ASM will run service on 1 May, even if reduced. Ive been to Sicily many, many years ago when I was in a very difficult place in my life. I hope you enjoy them and let me know your feedback in the comments! The walk is about 30-40 minutes and brought you into the north end of Castelmola, and we returned via the southern end of town, so it makes for a pleasant circular route, but its a steep up and down. fare prices in Taormina We decided to see for ourselves. Rossano, Taormina Taxi fare UBER from Taormina Centro to Castelmola A taxi costing approximately 15 euros is recommended. Castiglione di Sicilia, Taormina I had a delicious lemon one with strawberry, and Jonathan opted for pistachio. But the local bus, Taormina ASM Azienda Servizi Municipalizzati also departs from the Taormina-Giardini train station to Terminal Bus, and even up to the Madonna della Rocca. I do not recommend driving to and from Castelmola in the busy summer months too stressful, and the parking in Castelmola is limited. Inside is a damaged eighteenth-century fresco. Do you know how often they travel from Taormina to Castelmola? Have questions? Good To Know: Bar Turrisis small balcony offers a beautiful viewpoint of the tiny, photo-friendly Piazza Chiesa Madre in the center of the village. September is too far away. Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Taormina The first section, Taormina to Castelmola, is the least inspiring stretch, with a big climb, so many visitors will prefer to skip the uphill workout and take a bus from Taormina to Castelmola, before enjoying the more attractive and leisurely walk downhill.
