The Riviera dei Ciclopi: a Norman castle on a lava crag, a fishing village facing the rocks the Cyclops threw at Ulysses, and swims off black basalt platforms.
North of Catania, Etna's lava meets the sea in black cliffs, columns and stacks. Legend says the blinded Cyclops Polyphemus hurled the rocks after Ulysses' ship.
Aci Castello is built round a Norman castle on a basalt crag right over the water, with a small museum inside and a view down the coast.
Two kilometres on, Aci Trezza is a fishing village facing the Faraglioni, the basalt stacks of Homer's story. It is also the setting of Verga's novel I Malavoglia. The largest stack, Isola Lachea, is a marine reserve with a university research station.
Boats circle the rocks for a few euros. In summer people swim off the lava platforms, then eat granita on the seafront. Acireale and its cliff path are ten minutes further.
An easy half-day or a lazy full one.
Climb the crag for the view of the Faraglioni up the coast.
Along the seafront past lava inlets and bathing platforms.
Take a small boat round the stacks and Isola Lachea.
Clear, deep water off the black rock; bring shoes for the ladders.
Almond or lemon granita, then on to Acireale if the day allows.
.jpg?width=960)
.jpg?width=1280)
AMTS buses run from central Catania along the coast; by car allow 20 minutes plus parking.
Paid lidos rent loungers on the lava; free spots have ladders into the sea.
Aci Trezza's harbour restaurants serve the day's fish; book on summer weekends.
Catania practical notes →Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}