Aci-Trezza, Sicily: a quiet seaside town and the Faraglioni nature reserve

Visit Aci-Trezza

Aci-Trezza is a small and quiet fishing town which has also become quite popular as a seaside town on the eastern coast of Sicily near to the city of Catania.

Explore Aci-Trezza

Aci-Trezza is a small seaside town whose main draw is its rocky volcanic beaches which look out over some dramatic rock formations in the sea known as the 'Islands of the Cyclops'.

Legend has it that these three islands are the result of stones thrown at Odysseus by the Cyclops in the book 'the Odyssey'. These are known locally as the Faraglioni of Trezza, or 'stacks of Trezza'.

The town also features in Giovanni Verga's novel 'Malavoglia' or 'The house by the medlar tree' . This book was made into a film by Luchino Visconti called 'La Terra Trema', or 'The Earth Trembles' in 1947 which featured the islanders as the cast and there is a small museum in the village about the film. You can also still see the house of Nespolo which is featured in the book.

Aci Trezzi has built up around its harbour where its church dominates the views of the town. Various shops, restaurants and appartments can be found here, many of which have been painted in pastel colours. The main interest is from the town looking out over the harbour, the boats and the huge rocks in the sea.

The town really comes to life on a night when its reputation for having great fish restaurants proves a draw to locals and holiday makers. At the end of July the town's fish festival is always a treat.

There is a promenade running along by the coast and in the summer the promenade and the rocks of the beach are popular with holiday makers. There is no sand but there are various beach bars with decks and sunbeds and stairs going down to the sea. These offer a more comfortable sunbathing experience than a towel on the black volcanic rocks!

Boat trips are popular and from the sea you can admire views of Aci-Trezza with Mount Etna as a backdrop.

The Isola di Lachea is the largest of the rocks in the sea and along with the other faragliona became a nature reserve, the Isola Lachea e Faraglioni dei Ciclopi Nature Reserve, at the end of the 19th century. Because of this the seas here are packed with fish and marine life and snorkeling and diving are very popular activities with visitors to Aci-Trezza.

Where to visit nearby?

On the coast nearby is the village of Aci-Castello dominated by the castle after which it is named. The castle was built by the Normans in the 11th century and sits on top of a large volcanic rock. The castle is now a civic museum with archaeological and mineral exhibits.

The central square of Aci-Castello is attractive and another draw for tourists visiting the area. Be sure also to visit the botanical gardens with their many cacti growing here.

The nearby city of Catania has some important Baroque buildings and also a great fountain featuring an elephant holding up an obelisk. To the south is the archaeological site of Lentini.

You can find more local travel ideas in the East Sicily guide,