The history of Acireale has its roots in a very distant past and is considered as a gem of the Sicilian Baroque.
Full of myth and history, Acireale rises on a layer of volcanic rock that lays between the intense blue of the Mediterranean Sea and the deep red lava of Mount Etna. The history of Acireale has its roots in a very distant past. The town was destroyed many times by earthquakes, eruptions and fires until it became the official royal residence of King Philip IV of Spain, who left his unmistakable baroque trace in the town’s architecture. Among the main monuments of this fascinating small town, there is the Basilica of Saint Sebastian, the most significant example of the local baroque style, which became the symbol of the town. The façade of the Basilica was built using the typical white stone of Siracusa. The church contains many incredible works of art such as ancient statues, carved decorations, masks and angels. The town’s Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Venera, Acireale’s patron saint, keeps the Saint’s relics in a magnificent chapel. The church has a Latin cross plan and it has three naves. It is characterized by two bell towers built in 1544 in the Norman-Gothic style, that in the past were also used as watchtowers.
The village also offers other two interesting cultural attractions: the Pupi Museum and the Thermal Baths.
People live here:
51.350
Attractions:
the Carnival is considered for the most beautiful carnival in Sicily.
Festa di San Sebastiano (20/01), holy festivity
Sulphurous waters
How to get there:
By Car:
From Palermo
Get on A 19 Palermo-Catania, then take A18 Messina- Catania, exit Acireale.
From Catania
Get on A18 to Messina, exit Acireale.
From Messina
Get on A18 or SS114 to Catania, exit Acireale.
Accommodations:
Santa Caterina Hotel 4*
http://www.santacaterinahotel.com/
Ibis Styles Catania Acireale 4*
http://www.ibis.com/it/hotel-7557-ibis-styles-catania-acireale/index.shtml
Hotel Santa Tecla Palace 4*
http://www.hotelsantatecla.it/
Grande Albergo Maugeri 4*
Park Hotel Capomulini 4*
http://www.parkhotelcapomulini.it/
I Cento Campanili apartments
http://www.icentocampanili.it/
Hotel Orizzonte 4*
La Casa di Ro apartment
Indirizzo: Via Rote, 40
Telefono: +39 349 340 4437
Aci Center-Inn 3*
Casaci Apartment
Via felice paradiso, 56
Tenuta Santa Tecla B&B, Agriturismo & SPA 4*
http://www.tenutasantatecla.it/
La Via del Mare Apartment
Indirizzo: Via Romeo 79
San Biagio Resort 4*
http://www.sanbiagioresort.com/
Aloha D’Oro 4*
http://www.hotel-aloha.it/sito/
San Sebastiano Holidays B&B 3*
http://www.sansebastianoholidays.com/
B&B Al San Biagio 3*
Country House Il Sole e Il Sale Agriturismo 3*
Adriana Apartments
http://www.adrianacasavacanze.it/en/
Restaurants:
Trattoria Vico Proiette
Trattoria U Pittusu
Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 175, Acireale CT
Mobile: +39 388 691 1548
Etimue Birreria Hamburgeria Pub
Pizzeria Damm
Via Salvatore Vigo, 88, 95024 Acireale CT
Ph. +39 095 605260
Pizzeria Vecchia Stazione
Viale Libertà 24
Ph. +39 095 763 2115
Casa del Grecale
http://www.lacasadelgrecale.it/
Pizzeria La Cuccagna
Via Loreto Balatelle, 113, 95024 Acireale CT
Ph. +39 095 765 6003
Ristorante I Cavaddari
The Mescan
Hamburger · Paninoteca · Bar/pub
Piazza Santa Maria del Suffragio, Acireale CT
Ph. +39 095 286 1040
Ristorante Verde&Blu
http://www.ristoranteverdeblu.it/
Times Food
Piazza Duomo
Mobile: +39 3931875177
Excalibur Pub
Viale Alcide de Gasperi, 85, 95024 Acireale CT
Mobile: +39 328 332 4069
Ristorante Al Borgo Marino
Via Garitta 18 | Lungomare Di Capomulini
Ph. +39 095877433
Ristorante L’Oste Scuro
Piazza Lionardo Vigo, 5, 95024 Acireale CT
Ph. +39 095 763 4001
Pizzeria Le Quattro Stagioni
Via Marchese Sangiuliano, 53, 95024 Acireale CT
Ph. +39 095 763 4196
Pizzeria La Casa dei Mulini
http://www.lacasadeimulini.it/
Trattoria La Stiva
http://www.ristorantelastivacapomulini.com/
Beaches:
Santa Tecla
Mulino beach
Stazzo and Pozzillo