Giardini Naxos: ancient city and bay

Giardini Naxos combines a long archaeological history with a bay that opens onto the sea. If you would like your trip to take in both the ancient city and the landscape by the water, the destination offers two distinct themes to explore.

Archaeological history in Naxos

The Archaeological Museum of Giardini Naxos is housed in a Bourbon fort at the entrance to the Archaeological Park. The collections consist largely of finds uncovered during more than fifty years of archaeological excavations at this site. The entrance rooms focus on the prehistoric phases of the site’s development and the early years of the Greek colony. These themes trace the journey from early settlement to the formation of the ancient city.

Naxos was the first Greek colony in Sicily. It was founded in 734 BC by colonists from the Aegean island of Naxos. The ancient city followed a regular street plan, with roads crossing at right angles. A walk through the ancient city area begins at the Archaeological Museum of Naxos. The museum and the city area offer complementary ways to explore the site’s history—from the contents of the collections to the layout of the city.

Urban planning, boats and crafts

The Neoria offer insight into another aspect of ancient Naxos. They were the city’s arsenal, and the boat sheds were used to house boats. Alongside the regular street layout, they also reveal the ancient site’s maritime function.

The production of terracotta goods is another part of the archaeological history. Naxos is one of the sites on Sicily’s east coast where the largest number of kilns has been documented. Evidence dates from the Archaic period through the late Roman and Byzantine eras and into the present day. The archaeological record therefore spans several periods and extends beyond the founding of the Greek colony.

Further historical landmarks in the town

The bronze statue “Nike di Kalkis” stands in the Schisò district. Sculptor Carmelo Mendola created it in 1965; it was installed as a symbol of the sister-city relationship between Giardini Naxos and Chalkis in the Cyclades. Castello di Schisò adds to these historical landmarks: the medieval bastion preserves the remains of civil and religious buildings from that period.

The historic feast of San Pancrazio is also part of the town’s history. A 2023 program lists a procession at sea for August 6. If you would like to include this occasion in your travel plans, check the feast dates for your travel year.

The bay and getting there

The Bay of Giardini Naxos is sheltered by hills and opens onto a stretch of warm, clear sea. This places the archaeological attractions and the waterside landscape alongside each other as two distinct aspects of the destination.

Giardini Naxos is a short journey from Catania-Fontanarossa Airport. The town is also accessible via the Messina–Catania railway line. Services and road conditions may change, so check the latest timetables and conditions for your planned route before travelling.

Choosing a hotel in Giardini Naxos

If you are planning specific visits or travel dates, take them into account when making your choice, then compare the details of the specific hotel offers. This helps you tailor your search to your trip interests and the information provided for each offer.

Discover more destinations: Trappitello, Terme Vigliatore, Furnari, Marina Di Patti, Villafranca Tirrena, Caronia, Moio Alcantara, Pianoconte.

For the broader travel overview: Messina.