Free walking tours in Acireale and what to see

Must-sees

Acireale looks out over the Ionian Sea between Catania and Taormina, on ancient lava flows from Etna. After the 1693 earthquake it was rebuilt in baroque style, and its centre revolves around Piazza del Duomo. There you will find the cathedral of the Annunziata, with a marble meridian line on the floor of the transept, the basilica of Santi Pietro e Paolo and the town hall. Close by, the basilica of San Sebastiano has a highly animated façade, and Corso Umberto is the street for strolling and having a granita.

The town has a tradition of Sicilian puppet theatre, the opera dei pupi, and a small museum devoted to it. The Zelantea library and art gallery holds art collections and old books. From the Villa Belvedere gardens you can see the sea and Etna. To get down to the coast there is an old cobbled path, the Strada delle Chiazzette, through the Timpa reserve, a lava cliff covered in vegetation, to the fishing village of Santa Maria la Scala. Carnival, with papier-mâché floats, is its great festival.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free tours in Acireale. On Civitatis you will find a private city tour, with a guide for you or your group, and a visit to a local craft brewery. Many travellers see Acireale as part of excursions from Catania or Taormina to Etna and the Riviera dei Ciclopi, so it is easy to combine with other visits.

How long to spend

Three or four hours are enough for the baroque centre, Piazza del Duomo and the corso. If you add the walk down through the Timpa to Santa Maria la Scala and a fish lunch by the harbour, give it a full day. With two days you can add Aci Trezza and its sea stacks, or a trip up Etna, a short drive away.

Where to stay

The historic centre is a good base if you want to do everything on foot, with B&Bs and apartments in restored palazzi. If you prefer the sea, the coastal hamlets, such as Santa Maria la Scala, Pozzillo or Capo Mulini, have houses and small hotels by the rocky coves. Bear in mind that the drop between the centre and the sea is steep, so a car helps.