Castelmola Guide: A Quintessentially Sicilian Village

Last Updated on 13th August 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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Nestled high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the glitzy town of Taormina and the impossibly blue Ionian Sea beyond that, Castelmola is a dreamy Italian village that’s a must-see when visiting eastern Sicily. Worth visiting over the course of a few hours, here’s your guide to the best of Castelmola, as well as what to know before you go.

Castelmola is located in the province of Messina on the island of Sicily in Italy and is home to a population of just over 1100 permanent inhabitants.

Though originally constructed to protect the surrounding countryside from attacks, the village has since developed its own unique personality and ambiance that distinctly distinguishes it from almost anywhere else on the island.

Introducing Castelmola

There are a number of reasons why you’ll want to add Castelmola to your bucket list, though the most obvious is its strategic vantage point which allows for postcard perfect views onto Taormina, as well as further afield to the verdant hills of Mount Etna, the most active volcano in Europe.

While nearby Taormina can sometimes feel like stepping into a tourist trap, almost every turn in Castelmola offers up the chance to discover authentic Sicily at its very best: friendly locals, delicious eateries, and a whole mountain of history.

It’s also worth noting that, as well as being famous for its panoramic views, the village is also well-known for Caffè Turrisi, a bar that is filled with phallic-themed paraphernalia. As such, when you look up ‘Castelmola,’ you’ll probably see plenty of photos of this bar and its quirky decor!

Getting to Castelmola

Even if you only have a few days in Taormina, I recommend taking a side trip to Castelmola. There are a few options to reach Castelmola, even if you don’t have a car. One of the more popular ways to reach the settlement is to take the stairs from Taormina up to the top of the mountain.

In order to do so you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of water, and attempt the walk at either the beginning of the day or at the end of the afternoon. After all, the trail is pretty exposed with little shade covering and the sun gets pretty hot in Sicily!

The other popular option is also not for the faint of the heart as it’s to take the bus up a mountain pass that seems better suited to a Fiat 500 than a coach! You can purchase bus tickets at the Interbus -Etna transporti ticket office and, for around €2 to get a bus directly to Castelmola centre.

Best things to do in Castelmola

Wander around the town

As I mentioned, one of the best ways to soak up Castelmola’s beauty is to simply stroll around and allow the village to reveal itself to you. Much of Castelmola is pedestrianised anyway and so exploring on your own two feet is the best way to get around.

Since the town is so tiny, you can easily get around within a hour or two. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes as there are plenty of steps, not to mentioned cobbled lanes!

Piazza Sant’Antonio

When strolling around Castelmola, it has to be said that one of the most picturesque spots in town is the Piazza Sant’Antonio, which is actually the first place that you’ll arrive in if travelling by bus. This little square is filled with restaurants and even had live musicians playing when we visited in the early evening.

The most impressive building on the piazza is undoubtedly the Caffè San Giorgio, which offers breathtaking views onto the landscape below and boasts an equally fascinating history.

Founded by monks in the 1700s, the most famous thing on the menu is the almond wine (a white wine flavoured with almonds, oranges and herbs and created by Don Vincenzo Blandano).

Visit the castle

Truth be told, there is not a great deal of the original castle left standing in Taormina today. However, you can visit all that remains of the Normal Castle (known as Castello di Mola in Italian) for free by following the signs to the very top of the town (the castle is easily reached from Piazza Sant’Antonio).

Once there, you’ll be greeted by a few crumbling walls. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to exactly date the walls. Instead, all that’s known is that there’s some text in the walls which indicate that they probably date to the 9th-Century CE.

What is sure is that the view from the top is enchanting thanks to an unrivalled view of Mount Etna. I personally think that the best time of the day to visit is at dusk when the light is simply magical…

Piazza Chiesa Madre 

One of my favourite little squares in town was the Piazza Chiesa Madre, which is located close to a belvedere (viewpoint). The tiny piazza is filled with bars and restaurants spilling out into the streets and makes for the perfect spots to enjoy an Italian aperitivo or morning coffee.

Church of St Nicholas of Bari

One of the more important churches in town is dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Bari and is free to visit. Constructed in the first half of the 20th-century to replace a former church on site that dated back to the 16th-century, the church encompasses many architectural elements including Romanesque, Gothic, Arabic, and Norman.

Try some local food

Sicily is famed for its food, and for good reason. Head to any of the restaurants and tavernas in Sicily and you can expect to find traditional Sicilian fare, including a number of pasta and pizza dishes.

Firm staples on the menu at almost any eatery will include Pasta alla Norma (a pasta dish whose sauce is predominantly made up of aubergine), seafood pasta dishes (Sicily is an island, after all), and  pasta al forno (a pasta with a meaty sauce).

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