Villas in Castelmola
Castelmola suits couples and small groups who want a hill-village apartment above Taormina, with views of Etna and the Gulf of Naxos. Most homes are small apartments for around four and few have a pool. The village sits at 529 m, and the beaches are reached by cable car from Taormina.
- Villas
- 57
- From, per week
- £379
About Castelmola
Castelmola is a village of about 1,100 people above Taormina, at 529 m, and once served as Taormina's acropolis. Of its castle, only the Norman walls remain. Piazza Sant'Antonino is a belvedere over Taormina, entered through an ancient arch at the top of a flight of limestone steps, and from the entrance of the Chiesa Madre you can see Etna and the Gulf of Naxos. Via De Gasperi is the main street, with shops selling lace and embroidery. Caffè San Giorgio, started by monks in the 18th century, is known for almond wine, made with almonds and orange essence. The homes are spread over a few kilometres of slope, not just inside the village, and are mainly one-bedroom apartments. Etna's summit is usually snow-capped from October to May.
Is Castelmola right for you?
- Best for
- Couples and small groups wanting views and a hill-village base
- Not for you if
- You want a beach or a pool at the door, because the village sits at 529 m.
Near Castelmola
Taormina
Town just below, with the ancient theatre, the second largest in Sicily, and an aerial tramway built in 1992 down to the beaches.
Isola Bella
Nature reserve islet since 1998, joined to the shore by a thin strip of sand and reached by the Taormina-Mazzarò cable car.
Giardini Naxos
Popular seaside resort beside a bay, further south than Taormina.
Mount Etna
Europe's largest active volcano, about a 45-minute drive from Taormina. A cableway climbs from the Sapienza refuge to 2,500 m.
Monte Veneretta
Highest peak of the local chain at 884 m and the area's most popular launching point for paragliders.
Getting to Castelmola
Catania airport is about 37 miles away, around 53 minutes by car. Interbus runs from the airport to Taormina hourly, taking around 1 hour 25 minutes, but the final leg up to Castelmola needs checking, so a car or taxi is the practical option. Etna's ash has forced flight cancellations at Catania.
When to go to Castelmola
Sicily has hot, dry summers, with the sirocco from the Sahara felt in summer, and mild, wet winters. Etna's summit is usually snow-capped from October to May. The village hosts Castelrock, a music festival on 1 May in the main square, and the ancient theatre at Taormina is often used for opera, theatre and concerts.
Villas in Castelmola
1-Bedroom Home, Castelmola
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConMicrowaveTerrace+6 more
from£80
per night
5-star property
1-Bedroom Home, Castelmola
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
3
1
0
ParkingWashing MachineInternet+4 more
1-Bedroom Home, Castelmola
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
3
1
0
Air ConWashing MachineInternet+5 more
5-star property
1-Bedroom Home, Castelmola
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
6
1
0
Air ConWashing MachineInternet+6 more
5-star property
Casa Undine - Les Roches Noires
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConParkingMicrowave+7 more
1-Bedroom Home, Castelmola
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
4
1
0
TerraceWashing MachineInternet+4 more
from£54
per night
1-Bedroom Home, Castelmola
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConTerraceWashing Machine+6 more
Suite Isavi in Giardini Naxos
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
4
1
0
Air ConDishwasherMicrowave+8 more
Meeresbrise - Charybdis
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
2
1
0
Air ConMicrowaveWashing Machine+4 more
'Mare Blu'
Castelmola, Sicily, Italy
6
2
0
Air ConMicrowaveWashing Machine+6 more
from£63
per nightCastelmola villa holidays: questions answered
Is Castelmola worth a visit if I stay in Taormina?
Yes. It sits above Taormina with views over the Ionian coast, Etna and the Straits of Messina, plus an ancient arch at the top of limestone steps and almond wine at Caffè San Giorgio.
What is almond wine in Castelmola?
A drink made with almonds and orange essence, associated with Caffè San Giorgio, which monks started in the 18th century. The café keeps a visitors' diary with signatures of notable guests.
Should I stay in Castelmola or Taormina?
Castelmola is the smaller place, with about 1,100 residents against Taormina's 10,000 or so, and sits higher at 529 m. Taormina has the ancient theatre and a tramway down to the beaches. Staying up in Castelmola still lets you visit Taormina for the day.
Can you see Etna from Castelmola?
You can. From the entrance of the Chiesa Madre you look out to Etna and the Gulf of Naxos, and the summit is usually snow-capped from October to May. At 3,403 m, Etna is the tallest peak in Italy south of the Alps.
Do the apartments in Castelmola have pools?
Few do. Most are small apartments for around four with one bedroom, and few have a garden. Air conditioning is present in most, which matters in the Sicilian summer.
Nearby towns to Castelmola
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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