landmark
Taormina
A glamorous hilltop town in Sicily with an ancient Greek theater offering jaw-dropping views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea.
1 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeItalySicily
Castelmola
Sicily, Italy · Europe
About Castelmola
Castelmola works well as a base: 5 minutes from Giardini-Naxos, 9km from Gole dell'Alcantara.
Castelmola is in Sicily, Italy, with about 475 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Giardini-Naxos, about 4 km away.
Castelmola (Sicilian: Castermula) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Messina in the Italian region Sicily, located about 170 kilometres (110 mi) east of Palermo and about 40 kilometres (25 mi) southwest of Messina. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,107 and an area of 16.4 square kilometresRead more
(6.3 mi2). It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").
Castelmola has ancient Greek origins. Situated above Taormina, it formerly served as its acropolis. In the last decades, it has become a popular tourist destination. On Labour Day, which in Italy falls on 1 May, there is an annual music festival "Castelrock", held in the main square, which features live music performances by local musicians.
Castelmola borders the following municipalities: Gaggi, Letojanni, Mongiuffi Melia, Taormina.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Castelmola?
Within an hour or so of Castelmola: Taormina (1 km), Teatro Antico di Taormina (1 km), Giardini Naxos (4 km), Gole dell'Alcantara (9 km).
Are there any good drives near Castelmola?
The nearest famous roads are Targa Florio Circuit (Madonie).
Where is Castelmola?
Castelmola is in Sicily, Italy, about 4 km from Giardini-Naxos.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 475
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Sicily
- Timezone
- Europe/Rome
- Coordinates
- 37.8583, 15.2771
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Italy
ACI roadside assistance: 803 116. ZTL (limited traffic zones) in city centres are camera-enforced.
Full driving guide for ItalyTags
Worth the detour from Castelmola
7 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
Teatro Antico di Taormina
A Greek-Roman theatre framing Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, Sicily's most spectacular ancient stage.
1 km · about 5 min drive
beach
Giardini Naxos
The site of the first Greek colony in Sicily, now a beach resort at the foot of Taormina with views of Mount Etna.
4 km · about 5 min drive
natural wonder
Gole dell'Alcantara
Basalt gorge near Etna where the cold Alcantara river cuts between 25-m walls of prismatic lava columns, like a Giant's Causeway turned canyon. Wade the icy river from the Motta Camastra entrance or view it from the free stairway.
9 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Mount Etna
Europe's tallest and most active volcano, rising 3,357 meters above eastern Sicily with frequent dramatic eruptions.
28 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Torre del Filosofo (Etna Summit)
The high-altitude viewpoint near Mount Etna's summit craters offering surreal volcanic landscapes and sweeping Sicilian panoramas.
28 km · about 30 min drive
photogenic
Chianalea di Scilla
Fishermen's quarter of Scilla where houses rise straight out of the Strait of Messina, earning it the name 'little Venice of the South'. Swordfish boats with their towering lookout masts still land catches beneath Ruffo Castle.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Driving roads near Castelmola
- 28 kmTorre del Filosofo (Etna Summit)The high-altitude viewpoint near Mount Etna's summit craters offering surreal volcanic landscapes and sweeping Sicilian panoramas.
Driving in Italy
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.82/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€8.50/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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