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Things to do in Acireale Italy – what to see attractions and activities

Welcome to Acireale Italy. If you’are planning to visit Acireale for your next trip and you are looking for the best places to visit, here you’ll find tips and suggestions of most popular point of interest and activities not to be missed in Acireale and surrounding. Travelers will appreciate this italian town with his rich historical and artistic heritage, local culture and environment. Discover the monuments, buildings, natural treasures and all the details that characterize Acireale and its territory. Share and suggest a place you've visited.

The Terme di Acireale — the historic baths at the foot of Etna

Acireale Thermal Baths

Acireale Thermal Baths

Acireale, north of Catania, in a beautiful scenery among the southern slopes of Etna and the blue of the Ionian Sea has thermal waters already known by the Greeks. The first bath, which they called Xiphonie, they built it themselves, after which the Romans built the thermal baths in the locality of S. Venera al Pozzo & ndash; today an important archaeological site.

Today's spas, opened in 1873 with the Grand Hotel des Bains, attracted illustrious people from the world of aristocracy, politics and of the show (of the time), to mention two King Umberto I with his wife and Richard Wagner.

The sources of sulphurous, chloride-sodium, iodic and radioactive waters of 22° C are mixed with groundwater. A special feature is sulphurous mud, which proved to be very effective in treating osteoarticular, rheumatic and dermatological diseases.

There are many hotels and accommodation facilities, in most cases even historical, that with their hospitality, hospitality and wellness centers, high-level beauty farms, make a relaxing and well-being holiday more than special.

written by David Perkins - Last update: 24/10/2021

This guide has been translated automatically through a third party service. Visititaly offers these automatic translations to help site visitors, however the automatic translations may contain inaccuracies, errors or inaccuracies. You can contact us to report inaccuracies or errors and we will check the translation.

Churches and places of worship

Cattedrale Chiesa dell'Annunziata

The Cathedral was built in 1872. Before it became a cathedral, it was a church. It took its name from the altar dedicated to the Virgin Annunziata. The Corinthian settlers and the great Baroque portal make this cathedral a unitary complex. The most beautiful part of the cathedral's composite is the above Baroque newsstand with statues.

Churches and places of worship

Basilica Santi Pietro e Paolo

The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul was built in 1550 in Baroque style and with a single nave interior. The 1693 earthquake damaged the building, making the walls unsafe. The restoration ended in 1740 creating three alternative doors to binate columns in addition to the white stone facade. The paintings that can be found inside belong to Giacinto Platania, to Matteo Ragonisi as well as to other artists. The basilica is very well known for two sculptures, the Christ at the column and the dead Christ.

Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo di città

The Palazzo di Città is the monument of Acireale, represents the architectural quality over 200m of extension in Baroque style. The façade is made elegant by the sculptures, which are the elements saved from the original construction. Above the portal of the building you can see the national coat of arms of the municipality. Since 1833, the palace has become the official seat of the Academy of Sciences, Letters and Fine Arts of Zealans and Daphnics.

Monuments

Basilica di S. Sebastiano

The Basilica of San Sebastiano was completed in 1644. The façade is built in Baroque style preceded by a balustrade crowned with statues. Inside you can visit the frescoes by Pietro Paolo Vasta and also the eighteenth-century danger for the procession of the saint.

Beaches

Spiaggia di Porticciolo Stazzo

Walls, towers and gates

Torre Santa Tecla

The Tower of Santa Tecla is located in the homonymous hamlet in Acireale. It is a small tower of only 3 meters per side, with a square plan in the shape of a parallelepiped. The building was built of irregular lava stone bonded with mortar. The northern part is characterized by the presence of two louvers. The front door, on the other hand, was created along the eastern wall. Today it is in excellent condition.

Lighthouses and observation points

Torre Sant' Anna (faro)

The Tower of Sant'Anna dates back to the 16th century and the work on its construction lasted twenty years. It is located in Capo Mulini and was built to fortify the coast. Later, in 1868, the tower of Sant'Anna was transformed into a lighthouse. There was a guard body with the task of alerting the approach of racking ships. Today it remains a sighting beacon.

Parks and nature reserves

Riserva naturale della Timpa

Lava ridge degrading on the sea of the cyclops. Spontaneous vegetation among oaks, euphorbias, olive trees, ramnos, basculars interrupted by lemon plantations. There are several paths to the sea by the forest.

Archaeological Sites

Aci Catena - Terme Romane di S.Venera al Pozzo

The Roman Baths of San Venera al Pozzo are located in Acireale. Since ancient times, the territory has been known for the conspicuous presence of beneficial waters coming from springs including sulphurous. The archaeological site consists of two covered rooms. The oldest of the findings dates back to a period between the first and second century AD.

Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Musmeci

Built in Baroque style, the Musmeci Palace is located in the historic part of the city. The facade, full of balconies, at the height of the cornice has a series of white stone windows that give the decorative touch. Inside you can see the historic decor and the courtyard with statues. In 1806 the palace was the residence of King Ferdinand.

Churches and places of worship

Chiesa Madonna dell'Indirizzo

The church was built in 1709 in neoclassical style. Inside you can find some canvases depicting scenes from the life of “Santa Venera and Sant'Agata”. The church, once surrounded by a lemon garden, is now located in the “Cervo” district.

Churches and places of worship

Chiesa del SS. Salvatore

One of the oldest churches in the area, the sources tell us that it dates back to 1531. From 1603 it was transformed from Newsstand to Church, the year in which the roof was also realized. He owns an ancient crucifix dating back to 1693. It is of historical, religious and artistic importance. For years now the church has been transformed into an ordeal for the Easter holidays.

Caves

Presepe XVIII Sec. Chiesa S.Maria d. Neve

The Nativity Scene of Santa Maria della Neve in Acireale was set up in 1752 in the cave annexed to the church, which is a lava ravine used until the mid-18th century as a refuge for bandits and fishermen, then transformed into a Bethlehem cave. Note in this crib the 32 life-size figures with wax faces and sumptuous robes and above all, the magnificent realization of the Magi. Today it is one of the most visited cribs.

Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello Scammacca fantasia

The castle, built at the end of the 19th century, consists of battlements and ogival arches of neo-Gothic style. Inside there is an elegant chapel with frescoes. Outside it is preceded by a beautiful garden full of trees and flowers.

Castles, palaces and mansions

Fortezza del Tocco

The Fortress of Touch is a military fortress that was used as a defensive castle in the 16th century during the war against the Turks (Battle of Lepanto). In the 17th century the fortress was used to make forced labor for the convicted. For this reason, the fortress was expanded and a cannon was placed, with which the people were warned of the attack of the enemy. From this use the monument takes its name.

Churches and places of worship

Chiesa S. Antonio da Padova

Built on the original church of S. Sebastiano, the structure of San Antonio di Padua was built after the earthquake of 1693. The Gothic style portal is that of the '400 of the first original church. It is the oldest church in the city as well as the only one dating back to the period of Aquilia Nuova.

Churches and places of worship

Chiesa S.Maria del Carmine

The church has an architecture from the 18th century, but the construction dates back to the '500. It strikes the loggia of the bell tower open on all its sides; the construction is formed of white and lava stones. Inside it we can find famous eighteenth-century paintings.

Churches and places of worship

Chiesa S. Maria del Suffragio

Built in 1638, then renovated after the earthquake of 1693, the church is located in the 'Quarter of the Dead'. Inside the structure we find frescoes with the complex “Eucharistic Mystery” and the episodes of the sacred biblical book reported and represented on the walls. The Baroque style portrays the salvation of the souls of Purgatory.

Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di S. Michele

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel was built as early as 1540; the earthquake of 1693 destroyed it and was then rebuilt in the 18th century. The church became a parish in 1922, inside it we find a nave with four side altars that, subsequently, became five. Currently we can admire the plaster statue of the Virgin.

Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di S.Giuseppe

The church of San Giuseppe was built above the old one with the same name at the end of the '600. It was built on three columns that incorporate and move vertically the wall surface. The interior is the one built in the 19th century.

Churches and places of worship

Chiesa S.Maria dell'Odigitria

The Church of Santa Maria Dell'Odigitria was built on the ruins of the oratory, after the earthquake of 1693. It is an autonomous parish and is dedicated to Our Lady of Odigitria, the patroness of Sicily. Inside we find the polychrome dome and the most interesting canvas, that of the “Epiphany”.

Tips for sleeping in Acireale

Bed and breakfast

Farm House

Hotels

Villas and apartments

Destinations nearby

Aci Catena

It is 3,3 Km away - about 8 minutes

Aci Sant'Antonio

It is 5,1 Km away - about 10 minutes

Aci Bonaccorsi

It is 7,9 Km away - about 15 minutes

Aci Castello

It is 8,1 Km away - about 13 minutes

San Giovanni la Punta

It is 13,4 Km away - about 18 minutes

Zafferana Etnea

It is 13,6 Km away - about 23 minutes

Giarre

It is 15,7 Km away - about 27 minutes

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