Acireale is a handsome Baroque town on Sicily's eastern coast, perched on a lava cliff above the Ionian Sea between Catania and Taormina. Often overlooked by visitors rushing between those two more famous destinations, it rewards a stop with its ornate churches, its lively piazza, and a genuine small-city atmosphere that feels distinctly un-touristy.
The town centre is dominated by the Piazza Duomo, flanked by the cathedral and the Basilica dei Santi Pietro e Paolo, both dripping with the elaborate stonework that characterises Sicilian Baroque. The Collegiate Basilica of San Sebastiano on the adjacent piazza is considered the finest Baroque facade in town. Corso Umberto, the main street, is a good place for an evening passeggiata alongside locals. The Terme di Santa Venera, thermal baths fed by sulphurous springs, have been in use since Roman times. Below the cliff, the fishing hamlet of Santa Maria la Scala offers fresh seafood and sea views.
Acireale is best known for its carnival, one of the oldest and most spectacular in Sicily. Every February, enormous papier-mache floats — satirical, colourful, and often politically pointed — parade through the streets, accompanied by days of celebration. If you are in eastern Sicily in carnival season, it is well worth timing your visit to catch it. The Pinacoteca Zelantea is the town's main art gallery for a quieter afternoon. Outside of carnival, Acireale makes a pleasant base for exploring the Riviera dei Ciclopi coastline, with its dramatic lava formations and fishing villages like nearby Acitrezza.