Gioiosa Marea is well known for its beaches, from which it is possible to see some unforgettable sunsets over the Aeolian islands.
The origins of the first settlement of Gioiosa Marea are connected to the liberation of Sicily from the Saracen invasion after the action of Count Ruggero D’Altavilla in 1062. Under the reign of Frederick III of Aragon, the island was struck by massacres, internal wars and pestilences. Bonifacio of Aragon built a huge castle close to the town, transforming the village in an important stronghold for the whole area.
In 1407, the king Martin I of Aragon gave permission to the Baron Berengario Orioles Lanza to build a tuna-fishing zone which became one of the main activity of the village until the 1960s. Gioiosa Marea is a beautiful touristic place located in the Saracen Coast of Sicily, on the Tyrrhenian side. It is among the most visited tourist destinations of the province of Messina. The village is well known for its beaches, from which it is possible to see some unforgettable sunsets over the Aeolian islands. Here it is also possible to reach the archipelago with numerous connections and to organise excursions that leave from the town’s port.
The most important monuments of the village are the Saracen Tower; the Church of S.Maria delle Grazie, built in 1803, has a wonderful ring bell characterised by an arabesque style and made with pumice stone; the Archaeological site of Gioiosa Guardia includes impressive findings dating back to the Bronze, Iron and Greek periods; the Museum of Sacred Art contains a collection of holy findings from the 17th century to the 20th century; the Castle Gioiosa Guardia is a medieval fortress built in 1258.
People live here:
7.251
Attractions:
Festa della Tonnara a S. Giorgio di Gioiosa Marea (27-28-29/06) food festival
Manifestazione “I sentieri del grano”, food festival
How to get there:
Accommodations:
Villaggio Baia Calavà 3*
http://www.baiacalava.it/http://
Agriturismo Santa Margherita 4*
www.agriturismosantamargherita.com/#
Villa Ridente Club 3* superior
Borgo San Francesco 4*
http://www.borgosanfrancesco.it/
Hotel Villaggio Capo Alaua 3*
http://www.villaggiocapoalaua.it/
Hotel Capo Skino 3*
http://www.hotelcaposkino.it/it/index.php
Hotel Corallo 3*
http://www.hotelcorallocalava.it/http://
Hotel Avalon Sikanì 4*
www.hotelavalonmessina.com/index.php/it/
Saint George Hotel Club 3*
http://www.hotelsaintgeorge.it/
B&B Mare Blu 3*
http://www.bedandbreakfastmareblu.com/
Bed & breakfast 5 di Spade 3*
Restaurants:
Bar Trattoria Pizzeria Canapè
https://www.facebook.com/BARTRATTORIAPIZZERIACANAP%C3%A8-161407327256571/timeline
La vecchia Posta
Via Mazzini 44, 98063 Gioiosa Marea, Sicilia, Italia
Ph. +39 0941 304040
Borgo San Francesco
http://www.borgosanfrancesco.it/#_=_
La Casa del dolce
V. Carlo Alberto, 16, 98063 Gioiosa Marea, Sicilia, Italia
Ph. +39 0941 302349
Country House Santa Margherita
http://www.agriturismosantamargherita.com/#_=_
Alta Marea
Ristorante La Lampara
http://www.ristorante-lalampara.it/#_=_
Ristorante Il Covo dello Zio Sam
http://www.ristoranteilcovodelloziosam.it/#_=_
Lido Capo Calava
http://www.lidocapocalava.it/#_=_
Ritrovo Rocca Bianca
http://www.ritrovoroccabianca.com/#_=_
Beaches: