B&B Il Siriaco, terrace with a view of the castle in Calatabiano
B&B Il Siriaco is a bed and breakfast in the old part of Calatabiano, in Sicily, with rooms that have a terrace, a garden with a barbecue and a hot tub. It suits couples and those who want quiet, a view of the castle and a base for Taormina, but the car access through the narrow lanes is tight.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of B&B Il Siriaco.
Where B&B Il Siriaco is and how to get there
B&B Il Siriaco is in the old part of Calatabiano, in Sicily, surrounded by greenery. One guest describes stepping back in time among the little streets and lanes, with the village castle clearly visible from the terrace.
The property lists Taormina nearby, with the Taormina-Mazzarò cable car and Mazzarò about 10 km away, and Catania Fontanarossa airport about 47 km away. For the sea, one guest talks about five minutes by car. A car is therefore the most natural way to get around, and this is where the one real warning comes in.
| What | Distance or detail |
|---|---|
| Mazzarò and the Taormina-Mazzarò cable car | about 10 km |
| Catania Fontanarossa airport | about 47 km |
| Sea | about five minutes by car, according to one guest |
| Restaurant | about 50 metres, according to one guest |
The weak point is access. Two reviews warn that the road in passes through narrow, old lanes and that with a large car it is difficult to manoeuvre in and out. If you drive a big SUV or a long car, think carefully before you book and, if necessary, ask how to get there.
What the rooms are like
The rooms at B&B Il Siriaco are air-conditioned and have a private terrace, a flat-screen TV and a bathroom with toiletries. In the room there is a fridge, a coffee machine and a kettle, everything you need for a break without going out.
Guests talk about spacious, comfortable and very clean rooms, furnished elegantly and in a modern way. From the window you can see the sea, and from the terrace the castle of Calatabiano, while another guest enjoyed the view over the town from the top floor. Someone also mentions the option of dining on the terrace if you wish.
The page mentions a bathroom with a bidet, but one guest writes that they did not find one in the room. If that matters to you, ask for confirmation. Another suggests adding a few hooks for towels near the sink: a small remark, but an honest one.
What is outside the room
Outside the rooms the property offers a garden with a barbecue area for cooking outdoors and a hot tub for relaxing. Private parking is free and there is Wi-Fi.
The page also mentions bike hire. Guests speak of a charming outdoor area, cool in the evening, good for staying outside and enjoying the nature. It is a place for relaxing rather than entertainment, and I think that is exactly its character. If you want nightlife on your doorstep, you will need to travel.
What guests say
On Google it has a rating of 4.7 from 15 reviews, nearly all of them five stars. The same themes come up very consistently and leave little room for doubt.
- The owners. Described as kind, hospitable and attentive, with good tips on where to eat and what to visit in the villages nearby.
- The peace. Several guests talk about the quiet and the nature that make the stay so harmonious.
- The view. Sea from the window, castle from the terrace, the panorama over the town.
- The path. You can walk up to the castle along a route linked to the procession of San Filippo, and for one guest this is the best thing about the place.
I would like to tell you something about breakfast, but I found no details: neither the page nor the reviews mention it. Ask the property whether it is included before you book, so there are no surprises.
What to know before you book
There are not many problems, but one matters. Here is the picture, with the strengths next to the points to consider.
| Strengths | Points to consider |
|---|---|
| Private terrace with a view | Narrow access by car, difficult for large vehicles |
| Very helpful owners | One guest did not find the bidet, which the page lists |
| Peace and nature close to the sea | No information on breakfast |
| Free private parking | Some stayed only one night and found it too short |
The reviews are mostly a few years old, with some recent ones, so it is worth checking the details before you confirm.
Who it suits and what to do nearby
I would choose it for couples and travellers who love quiet and want to sleep in a historic village, with the sea and Taormina within easy reach by car. I would not recommend it to anyone arriving in a very large car or looking for lively entertainment nearby.
Nearby there is the castle of Calatabiano, reachable on foot by the path, and Taormina with its cable car. To compare other places to stay in Sicily, see B&B Semu a Mari in Santa Teresa di Riva or B&B Ca' De Andreas in Catania.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
