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Castelmola cafe lunch

Things to do in Castelmola Taormina Sicily

December 9, 2016 By Jan Robinson 15 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


Updated May 2018. Since the 1860’s when the german artist Otto Geleng painted Ampitheatre at Taormina, encompassing the view of the Bay of Naxos and Mt. Etna, Taormina has been the star of Sicily. The cute hilltop village of Castelmola Sicily, a further 1km up Monte Tauro from Taormina, has no such fame, but it does have quaint piazzas and fantastic views over the Mediterranean, Mt. Etna and Taormina.

Castelmola is a beautiful village in it’s own right and with a relaxed vibe. You can read more about what makes Taormina a Sicilian Treasure here.

Castelmola overlooking Taormina - the star of Sicily

What You Will Find in This Post

How to get to Castelmola Sicily

Tiny Castelmola can be reached on foot in an hour or by an hourly Interbus or taxi from Taormina.

The road to Castelmola winds it’s way upwards with enticing views below.

Castelmola Road

In early May, a two hour gap in the bus timetable around lunch time, left us with time to spare. If this happens you might like to consider lunch in a Castelmola restaurant to while away some time.

Remember the crowds of Taormina? They’re not here at the Castelmola restaurants in the piazza…

Castelmola cafe lunch

 

Church of San Nicolo di Bari

Nearby is the Church of San Nicolo di Bari, with a courtyard wedged between a drop off and the front door of the church. This courtyard has fabulous views overlooking the ocean. Step inside through the side door – it’s so quiet and meditative in there.

Address: Piazza Chiesa Madre 8 , 98030 Castelmola, Sicily, Italy

Castelmola Church

 

Budget Mini-Mart Lunch

The local mini-mart man makes rolls to order with quality ham, salami, cheese and tasty tomatoes – a great budget option. There are no signs indicating that he does this so just ask at the Deli counter.

Address: Via Alcide de Gasperi, 22, Castelmola

Castelmola Mini Market for a great quality budget lunch

 

Castelo di Mola, Castelmola

A short walk to a ruined castle above the village is a necessity and the gardens are the perfect picnic spot. Although first fortified by the Byzantines in 800AD the current ruins are from the 16th Century.

Castelmola Castello Marty and Mt. Etna

The flowers are sublime in Spring, in the wild Sicilian way.

Castelmola Castello Flowers

 

Views from Castelmola

As well as the views below, don’t forget the fantastic views from Pizzeria Nina, the Church of San Nicoli di Bari and from Castelo di Mola above.

View from the Castello toward Taormina Sicily Italy.

Castelmola overlooks Taormina

View toward Giardini-Naxos and the Bay of Naxos.

Castelmola overlooking Giardini Naxos in the distance

We arrived back in town after visiting the castello, with time to spare before the next bus departed, so took advantage of the time to explore the backstreets. I was pleased we had this free time as you really get to know a place in this way.

Bar Turrisi Castelmola

A great terrace on top with view of the Cathedral. Known for it’s collection of Penis decor, Cassata and Almond wine!

Castelmola,,,Streets of

Away from the shops a sign leads to a Castelmola Pizzeria restaurant.

Try Pizzeria Nina in the square where the Taormina to Castelmola bus arrives. It has a grand view over the Mediterranean from the terrace and I’ve heard the pizza is good. If however you are only eating there for the view make sure you are able to sit on the terrace before ordering.

Castelmola Away from the Centre

The laneways of Castelmola Sicily, where cats rule.

Castelmola Cats

 

Castelmola Map

 

Allow time to visit Castelmola

Be sure when you visit the Taormina, the Star of Sicily, to spend an hour or so in the delightful village of Castelmola. You won’t regret it.

 

Read more for our Italian Posts.

 

An InLinkz Link-up


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Filed Under: Destination, Italy

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jo ~ Lifestyle Fifty

    December 9, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    Castelmola looks like my kind of place. Those winding roads, the spectacular scenery and views, winding alleyways and cobbled streets and beautiful spring flowers dotted around in a ramshackle way. Looks like you had a lovely time there. Sitting in cold, grey England as I type this, the sunshine and brightness looks lovely 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 10, 2016 at 10:12 pm

      I didn’t know you were back in England Jo!

      Reply
  2. Sharon Wagner

    December 10, 2016 at 2:11 am

    I love those red umbrellas and those city cats. That place sure hugs the hillside. Breathtaking!

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 10, 2016 at 10:12 pm

      I loved the cats too – so many different colours and patterns.

      Reply
  3. Ruth

    December 10, 2016 at 3:56 am

    Yup! I will stop by this town just for those killer views! Every popular town has several quiet spots. I have noticed people tend to congregate in the same areas. In Barcelona, instead of walking Las Ramblas, we walked a parallel street. In Prague, the crowds died down once you got out of the Old Town. I love to take a break in these uncrowded spots. #TPThursday

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 10, 2016 at 10:11 pm

      Yes it is interesting to see both the busy areas and the quiet ones isn’t it?

      Reply
  4. Shobha

    December 10, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    We loved Taormina when we were there! It was more touristy than your photos but it was gorgeous!! so beautiful that it didn’t even look real. I can see why everyone and their mother shows up in Taormina!

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 10, 2016 at 10:10 pm

      Hi Shobha, The photos are actually of Castelmola, a tiny village above Taormina which is much less touristy. Thanks for linking up!

      Reply
  5. Kathy Marris

    December 11, 2016 at 1:30 pm

    Oh my goodness that view! I would love to explore a village just like this during our visit to Italy. I hope I can find this one.

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 13, 2016 at 8:34 pm

      Everyone knows Taormina (Sicily) and once your there, Castelmola is easy to find.

      Reply
  6. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    December 12, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    Look at how winding that road is. I like all the strong, geometric shapes in the courtyard with the cafe tables and in the church. How nice to get to explore Castelmola at your leisure and without crowds.

    Reply
  7. Pinky Poinker

    December 14, 2016 at 8:54 am

    The cat photo has such character. I can imagine cats wandering around everywhere. They certainly know how to build to take advantage of the views. It’s beautiful.

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 14, 2016 at 11:04 am

      Cats are supremely cool characters. Even when in dire conditions they seem in control. I don’t think there is a hill in Italy (joke) that doesn’t have a village on top of it1

      Reply
  8. Nancie

    December 14, 2016 at 4:48 pm

    That’s my kind of town! Views and cats; what more can you ask for 🙂 I do love those red umbrellas. Thanks for co-hosting this week. #TPThursday

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 14, 2016 at 8:23 pm

      A pleasure as always to co-host with you Nancie. I love those red umbrellas too! How relaxed are those cats?

      Reply

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