Book your 2025 & 2026 adventures Risk free.
Spend a day away from Taormina and visit Catania and the enchanting Aci Castello coast, instead! Learn all about Catania's UNESCO-listed historical center on a walking tour, and discover monumental beauties like Catania Cathedral and the Fountain of the Elephant. In the afternoon, travel along the coast past Scogli dei Ciclopi, a series of rocks linked to Greek legends, and then enjoy free time to soak up the sun, eat and shop in the fishing villages of Aci Castello and Aci Trezza.
Board your air-conditioned coach in central Taormina and travel south along the coast to Catania, Sicily's second city. Hop off your coach at Piazza Alcala, and then set off on a walking tour of Catania's centro storico, the historical center.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the center is characterized by ornate Baroque piazzas with intriguing monuments scattered around. Admire sights like the Fountain of the Elephant, made from local volcanic stone, and stop for photos in front of Catania Cathedral - the city's marble masterpiece.
Return to your coach after exploring the city and travel north along the Aci Castello coastline - an area often called the Cyclops coast, attesting to its links to Greek mythology. Sit back and relax, looking out of the window to see Scogli dei Ciclopi - a series of jagged rocks that jut out of the crashing sea. According to local legend, the rocks were thrown by the Greek god Cyclops at Odysseus, his fleeing foe.
Stop for roughly an hour in Aci Castello to stretch your legs, and then continue to the fishing village of Aci Trezza for a longer break. Use your free time to enjoy lunch (own expense) -perhaps sampling the town's legendary seafood dishes like swordfish rolls - or browse the charming shops that line the seafront.
Meet your host at the pre-arranged time, and start your journey back, relaxing in the comfort of your air-conditioned coach. Your route passes through the sun-kissed citrus groves of the Ionian coast, so sit back and admire the scenery before finishing your day trip in central Taormina.
