In the Riviera dei Ciclopi, on the Ionian Sea, Acireale is known for its baroque, its Carnival and its spas.

It rises on a plateau of lava origin, called "Timpa" which places it almost overhanging the sea.

In this territory in Roman times there was a town called Akis which also participated in the Punic wars.

In the Middle Ages the village consolidated around the castle of Aci Castello and only in 1300 some families moved further north, to the current site of Acireale.

In 1500 several guilds and religious orders settled leaving a mark so indelible that even today it is often named "the town of the hundred bells" due to the large number of churches that are here.

The name Acireale was attributed to the town by Philip IV of Spain in 1642.

The name "Aci" derives instead from the name of the river that crossed it and that gave rise to the legend of Aci and Galatea; currently this river is visible in the locality Acque Grandi between Acireale and Capomulini, and in the hamlet of Santa Maria la Scala, where it flows into the sea.

The center of Acireale is the Piazza del Duomo, overlooked by some of the most important buildings.

The Collegiate Basilica of San Sebastiano is the most important church and has been declared a national monument.

On the southern outskirts there are the baths of Santa Venera; in neoclassical style, they rise inside a beautiful English garden and exploit the same waters that were used by the Greeks and Romans.

They are currently closed to the public.

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