Castelmola is a small medieval mountain village, which is situated on a cliff above Taormina. The village has got its very own charm which is particularly shown to advantage at night. Then quiet spreads throughout the village, the tour buses and tourists of the day are gone. Pubs and cafés invite you to stay. The village is well-known for its sweet almond wine "Vino di Mandorla", that you should actually drink only chilled. From Castelmola you have a terrific view of the bay of Taormina and Giardini Naxos - at night a wonderful ocean of lights. The best view you have from the Castello. We liked that the village is closed for traffic. Thus we could stroll through the streets without being constantly disturbed by the rattling noise of scooters. Castelmola is compared to many other places on Sicily very clean and chic and it seems nearly untypically for Sicily. However, the village has nevertheless its charm, not least because of the cultural events. If the ascent is not too steep for you, you can walk from Taormina up to Castelmola. According to our investigations there are two ways up - a natural beaten path and an asphalted one. If possible, avoid the pizzeria "Le Mimose" because we associate with that restaurant no positive experience. On the one hand they tried to cheat us and on the other hand the pizza did not taste at all - it has been the worst pizza in our life so far.

Our Tips

A visit of Castelmola is particularly worthwhile at night when quiet spreads throughout the village, Cafés invite you to stay and streets and places are wrapped into the dim light of lanterns. Do not miss the terrific view of the bay as well as the ocean of lights of Taormina and Giardini Naxos. Occasionally stage performances at the central square and live music in bars and pubs find its spectators and listeners. Castelmola is known for its sweet almond wine (Vino di Mandorla). The wine is sold here at rather high prices. In Taormina or Giardini Naxos you can get the same almond wine some more favorably.