📸 THINGS TO SEE
Aci Trezza is a small town, so you can easily explore it on foot. Walk along the sea, discover the small alleys, the main square, the port, the handmade wooden boats rocking on the sea and simply relax and enjoy the Sicilian sunshine and slower pace. If you're up for a 1-2km walk, you can walk over to the neighboring Aci Castello, which is also a cute little town.
Faraglioni dei Ciclopi
Visitors to Aci Trezza are greeted upon their arrival by a group of breathtaking rocks emerging from the sea, the Faragloini dei Ciclopi ~ Cyclops rocks. The islands were formed by the underwater activity of Mount Etna more than 500,000 years ago. But not only their volcanic origin makes them special, also the fact that they serve as one of the locations to the best-known ancient Greek masterpieces in the world. This masterpiece is none other than Homer's Odyssey.
‘Odysseus arrives at the island of the Cyclops with 12 ships. Everything on the island grows without plowing or sowing. Cyclops (huge one-eyed monsters) live in caves, they have no ships, no laws, and they are rude and do not respect the right of guests. Odysseus and his companions go to explore the island, where they enter a cave and find sheep and goats herded together. They settle in feasting on the cheese and milk found in the cave. Odysseus is curious, with an insatiable desire for knowledge: he wants to see the owner of the cave.
In the evening, Polyphemos returns home, drives the flock in, and with a large stone blocks the entrance to the cave. When he notices the intruders, Plyphemos knocks down two of Odysseus’ men and eats them. Against the state of vulnerability and helplessness they find themselves in, only cleverness and ingenuity can help: the sparkling idea of Odysseus.
Odysseus plans his escape: he entertains the Cyclops and makes him believe that his name is Nobody. Then they gouge out Polyphemos' single eye with a firewood. The sheep get out by holding onto their bellies when the giant moves the stone in front of the entrance. Although Polyphemus complains, the other Cyclops do not understand what is wrong with him, since when they ask him who is hurting him, he answers: Nobody.
When Odysseus and Odysseus move away from the shore, Odysseus can't bear not to shout to Polyphemus that they still managed to get out of the cave and blinded him in revenge for eating their companions. The cyclops is furious because he was not only blinded, but also beaten. In anger, he tears off the top of the mountain and throws the giant rocks in the direction of the ship.'
There are several ways to see the rocks, more information can be found under the ‘beaches’ section.
🏖 BEACHES
The entire coast of Aci Trezza is a free beach.
If you want a quick swim close to the apartment, we like to go down to the rocks at the end of the small street leading from the apartment straight to the sea, here you can find a Google Maps pin: https://goo.gl/maps/VeeYmxgmSAeGmPub6
The beach in Aci Trezza is rocky everywhere, so it is definitely recommended to bring beach shoes with you.
In Italy, so-called "lidos" are built on the beaches, where you can rent a sunbed or just buy an entrance ticket. It is a little easier to get into the water from the lido, because there are built-in stairs to enter the sea, so it definitely makes bathing easier for children or the elderly.
Ghenea Beach Club - 10 minutes walk from the apartment, nice view of the rocks and you can rent kayaks and SUP
https://goo.gl/maps/aK2PaUgFvtp9FW2CA
Lido dei Ciclopi - it's a little further, but there is a pool for children
https://goo.gl/maps/hRxG33Rx8kSrc5M16
The Cyclops islands offer wonderful beach opportunities; you can see a lot of fish here so it’s perfect for snorkeling - make sure to take your goggles with you.
It is definitely worth visiting the island at least once - there are several options for this:
Kayak, SUP: €10-15 / hour - can be rented at Ghenea Beach Club
Paddle boat: €10-15 / hour - Noleggio Pedalò e Canoe https://goo.gl/maps/vc7WxafrcokN6QeJ6
Boat: 2-3 local boatmen take people to and from the rocks in small boats. You can find them here: https://goo.gl/maps/t11YmC3e1RUJKXNcA
For the return trip, you either have to call them by phone or agree on what time they will come back for you. There is no toilet or cafe on the island (take water with you)
Motorboat rental: with a driver's license you can rent a motorboat in the harbor, which is really good fun, especially if you are traveling with friends / family. More information and prices can be requested at the port.
☕️🍦COFFEE, ICE CREAM, RESTAURANTS
Mythos: https://goo.gl/maps/nJbiT1X7QuHjHBMh9
They serve delicious ice cream, granita, cookies and pastries with a beautiful view of the sea
Eden Bar: https://goo.gl/maps/FYsWVvoaCXwLzbUN7
They serve delicious ice cream, granita, cookies and pastries
Chiosco dei Marinai: https://goo.gl/maps/yivAJwT5khheo1vx7
This small kiosk is in the main square of Aci Trezza next to the stairs, one of our favorite morning traditions is to buy a cappuccino and a croissant here, sit down on the stairs and watch the town wake up.
It is difficult to give advice on the restaurants, as everyone has different tastes and, of course different price-points. There are many restaurants near the main square, take your pick :)
Pellegrino Pizzeria: https://goo.gl/maps/k2npeGk6jGK8HkLe7
We ate delicious pizza here, but if it's pizza - and you're also visiting Catania - we recommend Al Vicolo Pizzeria in Catania.
Ristorante Lachea: https://goo.gl/maps/wZxPvBBo6zWVVym27
Fish and seafood are worth eating here, with a romantic view of the sea from the second and third floors
🥖 GROCERIES
Crai - Via Provinciale, 319, 95021 Aci Castello CT, Italy
https://goo.gl/maps/j6tDnrgMnnsjoSgs6
There is a convenience store a few steps away from the apartment, it is quite small so you can only find the most necessary things. Important: it is closed for lunch between 13:30 and 16:30.
Bakery - Il Fornaio Di Trezza
https://goo.gl/maps/f5BGnoKiEya1Xgah9
A small bakery where everything is baked on0site and you can buy delicious, warm bread in the morning hours 😋 Our personal favorite is ciabatta with sesame seeds.
Superstore Decó - Via Nazionale per Catania, 183, 95024 Acireale CT
https://goo.gl/maps/hbLwmFAG2DTXmeFB6
5-7 minutes from the apartment by car (not recommended on foot), this is already a big store where you can find everything. There is also a Chinese store next to it, where you can buy clothes, slippers and all the things you forgot at home.
Paghipoco - Via Vampolieri, 9a, 95022 Aci catena CT, Italy
https://goo.gl/maps/s4AYxUzCkG4PVeCt5
5 minutes from the apartment by car (not recommended on foot), this is already a big store where you can find everything. Cheaper than Superstore Deco.