Gioiosa Marea
A growing tourist destination
If you're looking for a place to relax, away from the chaotic Italian cities, where you can enjoy the sea and the mountains at the same time, Gioiosa Marea is the place for you. This municipality in Sicily, with its 6,685 inhabitants and its territory of 26 km², offers you the possibility to spend peaceful holidays with your family or friends.
Discover the beauty of the Saracen Coast
Gioiosa Marea is part of the Costa Saracena consortium, a stretch of coast characterized by breathtaking landscapes and dreamy beaches. If you like hiking in the mountains, you're in luck because Gioiosa Marea is located a few kilometers from Monte Meliuso, where there are traces of the ancient human settlement of ''Agathirnon'' linked to the Greco-Syracusan city of ''Tyndaris'' and the "via dell'ossidiana", which from Lipari reached Milazzo and finally Randazzo.
From Guardia to Gioiosa Marea: the story of an evacuation
The history of Gioiosa Marea is linked to that of Gioiosa Guardia, a village on Monte Meliuso that was abandoned after the earthquake of 1783 and the famine of the following year. Its inhabitants were evacuated, although some chose to remain in the area, and founded a new center on the coast, naming it Gioiosa Marea to distinguish it from the old village.
A charming castle and breathtaking view
Under the reign of Frederick III of Aragon, the Gioiosa Marea area was "troubled by slaughters, internal wars, and pestilences" and ''capitanie a guerra'' were built to protect the area. The castle of Gioiosa Guardia, built under the rule of Vinciguerra d'Aragona, is still visible and is one of the most interesting monuments in the area. The city, in fact, enjoyed a breathtaking view of the coast and the Aeolian Islands.
How to reach Gioiosa Marea
If you want to visit Gioiosa Marea, there are several travel options. The city is about 20 km from the ancient Greco-Roman city of Tindari, 80 km from Cefalù, and 90 km from Mount Etna. It is also 61 km from Messina Nord exit and 150 km from Palermo Est exit. Gioiosa Marea has a train station on the Messina-Palermo line, and the nearest airports are Falcone and Borsellino Airport in Palermo and Catania-Fontanarossa Airport.
Conclusions
Gioiosa Marea is an interesting and accessible tourist destination. If you want to spend your holidays in complete relaxation and enjoy wonderful beaches and mountains, this Sicilian municipality is the perfect place for you. Come and discover the beauty of Gioiosa Marea and the surrounding areas and let this city surprise you.
