Catania, Taormina & Acireale

Taormina in the east is the most popular resort in Sicily and is a jewel of a destination sited on a natural terrace sheer above the sea, dominating two sweeping bays below. The view goes straight across the sea and reaches the Calabria coasts, the town of Siracusa and the Etna's peak. This is an ideal destination all year round, thanks to the mild climate and the touristic offer oriented to fun, relaxation and joie de vivre. Enjoy the shops, bars, restaurants and piazzas in a really cosmopolitan destination.

Taormina, the coast and Mount Etna

Above the town, Taormina's ancient Greek theatre frames a famous view of the coast and Etna, and on summer evenings it is still used for concerts and performances. Below, a cable car links the town to the beaches at Mazzarò and the tiny nature reserve of Isola Bella. Castelmola, perched higher still, is a quiet village with even wider views. Giardini Naxos, just south, has a long beach and was the first Greek colony in Sicily.

Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dominates the area. Guided excursions climb high on the volcano, and the lower slopes are covered with vineyards, pistachio groves and lava-stone villages. Etna's wines, made from Nerello Mascalese and Carricante, are some of Sicily's most sought after. The Alcantara gorges, carved through old lava, are a cooling place to visit in summer.

Catania and Acireale

Catania, Sicily's second city, is built from dark lava stone and is part of the UNESCO-listed late baroque towns of the Val di Noto. Its morning fish market is one of the liveliest in Italy, and Via Etnea runs up towards the volcano. The composer Bellini was born here, and pasta alla Norma takes its name from his opera.

Acireale, on a terrace above the sea, has a fine baroque cathedral square and one of Sicily's best-known carnivals. Nearby Aci Trezza looks out on the Cyclops rocks, sea stacks linked to the legend of Polyphemus.

Food, travel and who it suits

Breakfast here means granita with a warm brioche, and arancini and pistachio sweets from Bronte are everywhere. Catania airport is the main gateway for eastern Sicily, and Siracusa and Ortigia make an easy day trip. The area suits families, couples and food and wine lovers.

Discover more of Sicily, or browse the villas listed below to find your base on the east coast.