Tourist attractions Sant' Alfio

Etna is the emblem of Sicily, and its highest point! The volcano's ceaseless activity constantly alters its height of around 3,350 m. In 1987, a park was set up to conserve the fauna, flora and unique countryside of the volcano which you can get to u..

The ascent can be from the south from Catania, via Nicolosi, or by the northeast face from Taormina via Linguaglossa. The former will take you up to an altitude of 3 000m near the grandiose Valle del Bove , hemmed in by walls of lava (1 200m high) a..

Le theatre was built by the Greeks but remodelled by the Romans who laid it out for circus games. Profiting from the terrain, the builders carved out part of the stone seats from the rock. From the high cavea , you will be enchanted by the magnific..

The beach where the first Greeks landed in Sicily 2 700 years ago today hosts swathes of holidaymakers, drawn here by the town’s fine position, pleasant climate, and long golden beach skirting the bay running from Cape Taormina to Cap Schisò. In addi..

The square was once named Piazza del Cinque d'Oro , in reference to playing cards. It was a place for the performing arts: Concerts and plays used to animate this square where there once stood a platform surrounded by four small paths. Today the sup..

Lady Florence Trevelyan loved to come and see the birds in this floral park. In order not to frighten away her little friends, she had built all sorts of shelters, some curious, others frankly exotic. The most unusual, The Beehives , brings to mind,..

On the road to Linguaglossa, this chestnut tree of around 2,000 years of age is the main attraction of the village. Its trunk is made up of three stems and has a circumference of 60m! According to legend, Queen Jean cane to stay there one stormy nigh..

The gorges were created as result of an eruption of a small volcano to the north of Etna. The lava flow ran down to the sea, forming Cap Schisò. But a penetrating stream now runs through it, eroding and hollowing out the basalt walls of the lava flow..

15 C and somewhat fortified, it was built for the Dukes of Santo Stefano, a noble family of Spanish origin. The frieze of lozenges in alternating black and white Syracuse lava rock, which flanks the elaborate arcaded high facade, is the characteristi..

Despite the name, it was never an abbey but a massive tower. The style and the two-coloured frieze which bounds and underline the storeys, like floral lacework, and the attractive twin windows are very reminiscent of the Santo Stefano palace.

A little imagination needed! Try to ignore the billboard for the old discotheque which is stuck on the facade and look instead at the two orders which are separated by a decorative band of sculpted stone, somewhat dilapidated... The attractive ogive ..

On a balcony overlooking the sea, a divine square! Three sides are enclosed by the churches of S. Giuseppe, S. Agostino (now a library) and the tower de the Clock whose arch provides access to the old town. The fourth is open to the gulf and Etna. Th..

The Corso Umberto I is the ideal place to stroll. It is peaceful and gently sloping and is enclosed at one end by the Messina gate and at the other by the Catania gate. It is punctuated by three squares and bordered with cafes, restaurants and shops ..

Arab foundations and courtyard; Gothic-Catalan windows and entrance doorway; Norman Parliament room (the Sicilian parliament sat here in the 15 C); a 13 C wing, and another from the 15C: everyone contributed to build this palace which although a long..

Opposite the sea, this graceful sanctuary was built in 1710, on the site of a Norman era building: this has been inferred from the crypts brought to light in which have been found diverticules for the dead from the paleo-Christian era, coins from the..

This river, which reaches a depth of 10-12m, is fed by two sources (Testa dell'Acqua and Quadare). The temperature of its water always remains between 10° and 15°. It has a slow current and its freshness favours the growth of some very specific plant..

The Grotto of the crib is a simple recess in the volcanic rock, beside Santa Maria della Neve church. Until the 18C, fishermen and bandits used the grotto as a place of refuge before being remodelled as a crib in which 32 life-size wax figures tell..

From the panoramic terrace overlooking the sea, you can admire Mount Etna. The park is also enjoyed for its peace and quiet. A short walk will take you to the statue of Acis and Galatea and a copy of the platform that used to stand in the Cathedr..

In the 4 B BC, Hieronymus, the tyrant of Syracuse, had a new city built over the old town, by the architect Hippodamos of Milet. Adopting the principles of the town planner, the town has a chessboard plan. It has preserved the walls of the old city.

Centring on the 17C chiesa madre that it takes its name from, this small hamlet is certainly worth a detour for its charming fishing port.