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Giardini Naxos Holidays

Giardini Naxos is an affordable and laid-back resort, close to Taormina and with plenty of charm of its own. Stretching along the beachfront in the same wide bay as Taormina, this authentic Italian town thrives in the summer, and is a tranquil option outside of peak months. Designed around a long promenade packed with shopping and dining, the town of Giardini Naxos is perfectly suited to a relaxed seaside escape.

There’s plenty of history to enjoy too, with the 15th-century Vignazza Tower and 16th-century Schisò Castle dominating the town’s skyline. Activity in the Giardini Naxos generally revolves around relaxing by the seafront, with several lidos providing easy access to the beach. In the evening, many of the beachfront bars and cafes stay open late and it is not uncommon to dine late into the evening, with ice cream or crepes to finish. Should you wish to see more of the area, then Taormina is just a 15-minute drive across the bay, and boasts an ancient amphitheatre, historic streets and a 13th-century cathedral.
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Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30, Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.
Holidays in Stresa take you to one of the prettiest locations in the Italian Lakes, with the elegant town perched on the western shore of Lake Maggiore where soaring mountains form a photogenic backdrop.

Stresa has been here for at least a thousand years and the town is peppered with historic buildings, from medieval churches to Renaissance villas. Its cobbled streets are full of pavement cafés and boutique shops, while the surrounding area is renowned for its opulent lakeside palaces and ornamental gardens.

The town is a handy hopping-on point for many ferries and boat trips which sail up and down Lake Maggiore, offering a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery and visit the other towns and villages around this 65km-long lake.

Explore Stresa like no other

Stresa is a sedate place, especially in the evenings, when compared to some of the larger and busier resorts around Lake Maggiore. It’s ideal for enjoying lakeside strolls, relaxing pre-dinner aperitivos and a generally slower pace of life.

This area is nirvana for horticulturists and there are several famous gardens . The Borromean Islands, often described as “the jewels of Lake Maggiore” are stunning .Regular boat services run back and forth between Stresa and the three main islands, where you’ll find enchanting ornamental gardens on Isola Madre and Isola Bella, while Isola dei Pescatori is home to an idyllic little village where you can eat at one of several restaurants overlooking the lake.

For music lovers the Stresa Festival runs from mid July to early September, when you can enjoy live classical and jazz performances at several venues around town, as well as some concerts that are held on the Borromean Islands.

Handpicked hotels in Giardini Naxos

Discover the real Giardini Naxos while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Things to do in Giardini Naxos

The coastal town's main draws are its beautiful beaches (perfect for sunbathing, snorkelling and diving), friendly restaurants and lively bars. The town is also home to the church 'Chiesa di Santa Maria Raccomandata', which dates back to the 18th century. Inside you can view the 15th-century painting of the 'Madonna di Porto Salvo'. Every Saturday, the street leading to Hotel Sant Alphio Garden diverts into a market selling everything from shoes and clothing, to flowers, dried fruits, fashion jewellery and home ware.

Flight Information

The closest airport to Giardini Naxos is Catania (CTA), which is about 1 hour from Giardini Naxos. Direct flights to Catania are available from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester and take approxmimately 3 hours.

When to go

Thanks to its southerly location, Sicily enjoys mild temperatures all year round. Spring and autumn are both lovely times to visit, with temperatures in the high teens and early 20s (although up in the hills and on the slopes of Mount Etna it can be significantly cooler). In summer, you can expect temperatures in the high 20s – perfect for spending time on the island's beautiful beaches. 

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.
 
On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.
 
On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

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