Acireale: the Baroque town with 100 bell towers

Things to do, attractions, interesting facts

Acireale

State: CT - Area: Catania and Etna

Acireale is a picturesque town that stands on a promontory overlooking the sea: the Timpa. It is said that it originated from Xiphonia, a mysterious Greek city that disappeared. Its name is linked to Greek mythology, to the shepherd boy Aci and its beloved nymph Galatea.
It is surrounded by small seaside villages that rise along the Riviera dei Cyclops.
The Carnival of Acireale is the most beautiful in Sicily.

What is the best time to visit Acireale?

Acireale can be visited all year round: the welcome and warmth of the Sicilians will amaze you. But for an unforgettable experience, admiring the colors, tasting the flavors and fully experiencing the traditions, it is advisable to plan a visit on the days of one of the festivals that take place in Acireale during the year.

If you want to know about upcoming festivals and events Click here and you will find a list of the most important ones.

What to see

Acireale is the city of a hundred bell towers: its historic center, crossed by an elegant course, is full of religious buildings.

Tourist Map of Acireale

Belvedere Garden of Acireale

Acireale Cathedral

Basilica of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Acireale

Acireale Cathedral Square

Puppet Opera Museum of Acireale

Musmeci Palace in Acireale

Zelantea library of Acireale

Modò Palace in Acireale

Museum of the Carnival of Acireale

Basilica of San Sebastiano in Acireale

Chiazzette of Acireale

"La Timpa" Nature Reserve

Village of Santa Maria La Scala

Eighteenth-century Nativity Scene in Acireale

Village of Pozzillo

Sanctuary Maria SS. of Loreto in Acireale

Scammacca Castle in Acireale

Village of Capo Mulini

Village of Santa Caterina

Things to do

Its characteristics make both a guided tour of the historic center and aquatic activities in one of the small seaside villages that arise along the Cyclops Riviera and a nature walk in the Timpa extremely pleasant.

Traditional Festivals, Events, Live Show,... Acireale

Carnival is certainly the most important event in Acireale and is considered one of the most beautiful in Sicily.

Itinerary of the Nativity scenes in Acireale
Dec 2024

Christmas in Acireale
Dec 2024

Historic Magi parade in Aci Platani
Jan 2025

Feast of San Sebastiano in Acireale
Jan 2025

Carnival in Acireale 2025
15 Feb - 4 Mar 2025

Festa Santi Fratelli Martiri ad Acireale
Apr 2025

Flower Festival in Acireale
May 2025

Feast of Mary SS. Rosario in Acireale
May 2025

Sicilian Granita Festival - Nivarata in Acireale
May 2025

Jaci&Jazz - Acireale Jazz Festival
Jun 2025

Summer Festival in Stazzo
Jun - Jul 2025

Fest of Santa Venera in Acireale
Jul 2025

Octopus Festival in Pozzillo
Jul 2025

Aci and Galatea Prize in Acireale
Jul 2025

Swordfish Festival in Pozzillo
Jul 2025

Feast of Santa Magherita in Pozzillo - Acireale
Jul 2025

La Vela D'Oro Festival in Stazzo
Aug 2025

Summer Carnival in Acireale
Aug 2025

Feast of San Giovanni Nepomuceno in Stazzo - Acireale
Aug 2025

Children's midnight in Acireale
Aug 2025

Aci Comics & Games
Sep 2025

Ionian Fair in Acireale
Sep 2025

Feast of the farmer in Pennisi
Sep 2024

Via del Barocco in Acireale
Sep 2025

‹ Events in Catania Area

‹ Events in Sicily

What to eat

Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Acireale

You can obviously taste all the typical products of Sicilian cuisine, the most well-known ones, such as cannoli, Sicilian cassata, arancini, etc. But there are some specialties typical of this area that are more difficult to find in other areas of Sicily.

To view a list of business activity within tourism in AcirealeClick here

Nearby Places

Below you will find a list of the most beautiful places to visit in the surroundings of Acireale. The places are located at a maximum distance of about an half hour by car. Good fun!