Acireale has been famous for its thermal baths since antiquity. The Terme di Santa Venera, a few minutes south of the town centre, taps the sulphurous waters that rise through the volcanic rock of the Etna coast and has been in operation in its current form since the nineteenth century.
The baths offer treatments ranging from straightforward thermal pool bathing to mud baths, inhalation therapy, and massage. They are used both by locals receiving medical treatment and by tourists looking for a spa experience with historical depth. The setting, in a park below the town's lava cliff with views toward the sea, is pleasant. Booking in advance is advisable in summer.