Photo by gnuckx. plendid Sicilian town became famous thanks to “I Malavoglia”, the most famous novel by Giovanni Verga.
But the landscape is the real protagonist . A few meters from the shore, the stacks , massive rocks of volcanic origin, rise majestically in the middle of the sea.
While, right in front of the characteristic port of Aci Trezza, to control the continuous comings and goings of fishing boats, the Lachea Island rises which, together with the stacks, forms the so-called Archipelago of the Cyclops.
It is a land rich in flavors . Event of primary importance from a gastronomic point of view and certainly the swordfish festival, organized every year in July.
Here is a small guide on Aci Trezza : what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening!
What to see in Aci Trezza
1 – Protected marine area, Cyclops Islands
Photo by gnuckx. It is a small naturalistic paradise where it is possible to do many activities : pleasant excursions, beautiful swims, sunbathing, especially diving and sorkeling in the Cyclops Islands.
Before venturing out, it is advisable to stop at the Visitor Center of the Marine Protected Area , on the main street of Aci Trezza, as it represents a valid point of reference for visitors to the Riviera dei Ciclopi.
Here, in fact, useful information is provided, visits are booked, information and promotional material is distributed and, above all, authorizations are issued for the activities of use (sport fishing permits, leasing and rental authorization of naval vessels, professional fishing authorization, individual diving authorization, authorization for collective transport etc. ..).
The structure is equipped with a teaching room, a multimedia laboratory, a conference room and a library with over 600 texts and multimedia supports on topics relating to the sea and its protection.
They can be reached in 6 minutes by car via the SS114; on foot about 20 minutes – Get directions
2 – Museo Casa del Nespolo
Photo by Giovanni.grasso. Small museum built inside a typical Sicilian housewhere, it is said, Giovanni Verga set the events narrated in “I Malavoglia”.
The entrance consists of a lava stone arch that overlooks a small garden flanked by two rooms. Starting from the events of the Malavoglia, he describes the life of the local fishermen; one of the rooms is dedicated to “La Terra Trema”, the film shot by Luchino Visconti; while the other room collects some tools of daily life used by fishermen and some photographs taken during the filming of Visconti’s film.
The house has been arranged in such a way that it could be the perfect location for a fiction.
- How to get there: very close to the Church of San Giovanni; less than 1 minute walk via Via Dietro Chiesa and Vico Chiesa – Get directions
- Hours: every day 09: 30-13: 00 and 17: 00-21: 00
- Ticket cost: € 1.50
3 – Faraglioni
Photo by Giovanni.grasso. Powerful lava rock rocks that rise into the sea a few meters from the shore.
The Faraglioni are the protagonists of one of the most famous passes of the Odyssey.
In fact, the myth tells that the astute Ulysses, after escaping capture by the Cyclops, unleashes his furious anger to the point that Polyphemus throws huge boulders offshore, in order to sink the boat on which Ulysses’ men were leaving. from the island.
These rock bullets sticking into the seabed gave rise to the stacks that today attract thousands of tourists to admire them. Today they make up the Ciclopi Islands archipelago, which gives its name to the marine protected area of ​​the same name.
To visit them in the best possible way, we recommend a boat trip to Aci Trezza, especially at sunset. Very exciting to even approach the Faraglioni, aboard boats led by elderly fishermen who, at a cost of a few euros, accompany tourists by sea.
- How to get there: panoramic view from the Aci Trezza seafront reachable on foot via Provincial road in 10 minutes – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: boat tour from € 30.00
4 – Church of San Giovanni Battista
Photo by Giovanni.grasso. It is the main church of the town . It boasts a beautiful Baroque
façade , a neo-classical portal, two bell towers and a majestic window. The interior has a single nave and is decorated with stuccoes that surround four side chapels.
It was rebuilt after the terrible earthquake of 1693 that hit the Val di Noto. 5 – Isola Lachea
Photo by Carlo Pelagalli. It is known as the Island of Homer’s Goats (Book IX of the Odyssey), together with the stacks, it forms the so-called Archipelago of the Cyclops.
Mysterious and wild, it is the best place to dive in clean and transparent waters and on a
breathtaking backdrop .
Unfortunately there is no organized service to reach the islet, but you can still get there: the more sporty can opt for a nice swim or paddling in a canoe, while most tourists let themselves be transported by ancient wooden boats guided by “trezzoti” or by elderly fishermen.
It is located 400 meters from the coast, can be reached by boat or canoe – Get directions
6 – Casa dei Pescatori
is a village where fishing is considered a real way of life.
It is so deeply rooted in the local culture that a recreational center for fishermen has been opened, considered a special category of workers. It is located a few steps from the Casa del Nespolo, and a real meeting place in the heart of the city .
Inside there is a vast photographic archive ; while, outside the structure, there is a high relief by the artist Mimmo Lazzaro and dated 1939, which portrays a scene from the novel “I Malavoglia”.
7 – Lido dei Ciclopi
Photo by gnuckx. Splendid beach, perhaps the best on the Ionian coast. It is the most popular bathing area in the area .
The background is tropical vegetation and the emerald green sea with crystal clear waters. There are many trees which provide shade and a pleasant breeze.
The view is unique and the site isclean and well maintained . There is the presence of several accesses to the beach. There are numerous paid services (toilets, solarium, bar).
8 – Basalt columns at the port
Photo by Carlo Pelagalli. They are located along the Aci Trezza pier, they are formations of effusive rocks generated by the Etna volcano, immersed in a real green oasis with lush flora and fauna.
This naturalistic miracle is protected on a site, near the historic port of the locality, called the Ancient Port of Malavoglia and the geosite of the columnar Basalts of Acitrezza.
Regarding the origin of these formations, a real dispute is taking place. Geologists, in fact, having observed the conspicuous presence of outcrops of limited size, which testify to a more rapid rock cooling, have hypothesized that the origin occurred under a clayey layer of more modest thickness or in the innermost interstices of the cushion lavas.
Whatever the geological truth, it is a very suggestive and unusual natural spectacle .
9 – Norman Castle of Aci Castello
Photo by gnuckx. A little more than 2 km from Aci Trezza rises Aci Castello, an ancient fishing village located at 15 meters above sea level
. The most characteristic element of Aci Castello is the Norman Castleoverlooking the main square of the town, bordered by a long balcony from which it is possible to admire the sea below and the suggestive Riviera dei Ciclopi. The castle, built with lava stone from Etna , stands on a promontory of lava rock overlooking the sea.
The castle can only be accessed from the square, via a stone staircase.
Around 1170 the village was completely destroyed by a terrible earthquake; only in 1530 was it rebuilt and repopulated. Over the years, the locality, while maintaining its ancient origins, has gradually transformed into a prestigious seaside resort , a destination for many tourists.
- How to get there: 2.5 km from Aci Trezza. 5 minutes by car via SS114; half an hour on foot via SS114 and Via Re Martino – Get directions
- Hours: castle 09: 00-13: 00 and 16: 30-20: 30
- Ticket price: castle € 3.00
10 – Excursion “Barca Ulisse”
Photo by Emilioba93. In Aci Trezza it is impossible not to do at least one boat trip in the sea .
“Barca Ulisse” includes two different itineraries to choose from.
The first allows you to visit the Norman Castle of Aci Castello, the Prince’s House, the Caves of Ulysses, the small port of Ognina, the Lachea Island and the stacks; the other, on the other hand, heads towards the Capo Mulini bay, the Sant’Anna lighthouse, the Timpa Oriental Nature Reserve, the Santa Maria La Scala Mill, the columnar Bibasalti della Timpa and Santa Tecla.
- How to get there: a few meters from the public parking in Via Lungomare Dei Ciclopi – Get directions
- Timetables: info directly on site
- Ticket cost: € 10.00
One day itinerary in Aci Trezza
Start with a delicious breakfast at the Pasticceria Caffe & Dolcezze (€ 2.80). Visit the famous castle built by the Normans in 1076 which dominates the square and offers a wonderful view of the suggestive Riviera dei Ciclopi.
Via Re Martino and SS114 you reach Lido dei Ciclopi (1.5 km, 18 min on foot and 1 minute by car). Dedicate the rest of the morning between sun and sea in this which is the most popular seaside area .
Lunch at the Vecchia Marina A ‘Urnazza restaurant (€ 14.00).
Take a sea excursion with Barca Ulisse. A fantastic experience that will allow you to closely admire the famous Faraglioni, the Caves of Ulysses, the Lachea Island and much more.
Back, take a walk along the seafront to admire the strange conformation of the Columnar Basalts; enter the town and visit the Casa del Nespolo, a small museum set up inside a typical Sicilian house that traces the events of “I Malavoglia”.
In the nearby Casa dei Pescatori you can admire old photographs and listen to the sea stories of some elderly fishermen . Pay a visit to the church of San Giovanni.
Dine by the sea at the Trattoria Casa del Nespolo (€ 25.00).
One day itinerary at a glance
- Breakfast at Pasticceria Caffe & Dolcezze
- Norman Castle (9:00 am-1:00pm and 3:00 pm-5:00pm in the winter months; 9:00 am-1:00pm and 3:00 pm-7:00pm in spring; 9:00 am-1:00pm and 4:00 pm: 30-20: 30 in the summer months, € 3.00; € 1.50 for over 65s; children 7/10 years € 1.00)
- Lido dei Ciclopi
- Lunch at the Vecchia Marina A ‘Urnazza restaurant
- “Ulysses Boat” sea excursion (the cruise lasts about a couple of hours; departures with variable frequency according to the season, from € 10.00; children from € 5.00)
- Casa del Nespolo (9: 30-13: 00 and 17: 00-21: 00, € 1.50)
- Fishermen’s House
- Church of San Giovanni (8: 00-12: 00 and 16: 00-20: 00. In the months of July, August and September, 17: 00-20: 00, free)
- Dinner at Trattoria Casa del Nespolo
Where to eat in Aci Trezza
- Trattoria I Malavoglia da Paolino : restaurant on the Acitrezza seafront with a view of the marina where you can taste the freshest fish.
Average price per person: € 35.00
Address and contacts: Via Lungomare Dei Ciclopi, 167 (Get directions) / tel: 3403360301 - Anchovy Fish Bar : small place with few seats that offers original seafood sandwiches and fried cuoppi
Average price per person: € 13.00
Address and contacts: via Provvidenza (Get directions) / tel: 0957116047 - Trattoria Casa del Nespolo : an informal place that offers simple cuisine to be enjoyed by the sea. Very fresh fish.
Average price per person: € 25.00
Address and contacts: via Provinciale, 274 (Get directions) / tel: 331 2708729
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and best clubs
Photo by gnuckx. Catania is undoubtedly the most lively of the Sicilian cities, the city that never sleeps with its countless bars in the historic center always full at all hours, a mainly university nightlife and an offer of clubs very oriented to a fairly young audience.
During the summer, the over 25 nightlife moves all to Aci Trezza with aperitifs on the beach in one of the many bars, clubs and very fashionable places.
As for the night, the must is Banacher in Aci Castello. Among palm trees and Caribbean-style trees you can go wild on the track until dawn, especially on Wednesday and Friday, the peak evenings.
- Caffe del Porto : very nice place on the seafront, perfect for pre and post dinner. Cocktails, beers and cutting boards.
Address: via Lungomare dei Ciclopi, 211 (Get directions) - Jenko : lounge bar with a platform located directly on the Acitrezza cliff. Quite out of the center, and a very quiet and intimate place.
Address: via Lachea, 17 (Get directions) - Banacher : the most famous nightclub in the area; reference point of the Sicilian night-life, among the most prestigious meeting places in Europe.
Address: via Vampolieri, 2 (Get directions)
Plan your stay in Aci Trezza: info and useful tips
- How to get there: by car, take the SS114 and head south; passed Acireale, you will find the indications for Aci Trezza. From Catania Centrale station you can take the urban bus 534 of the AMT company
- How to get around : the main road and via Provinciale. You mainly travel along this road on foot or by car
- Where to park : all car parks are subject to charges (€ 0.75 for 1 hour, € 2.40 half day, € 3.80 full day). The main ones are located in via Gibuti, via Livorno and at the airport of Alaggio in piazza Verga
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 62.00 per room – see the offers
- What to see in the surrounding area : Aci Castello, Catania, Taormina, Acireale, Etna