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The so called Riviera of Cyclops, or Riviera dei Ciclopi is a coastline stretching from the North of Catania and overlooking the Ionian sea. Around it, there are many little villages containing the prefix Aci in their name. The Riviera and these towns are tied, all together, to the legend of the Cyclops described in the Greek Poem ‘Odyssey’. According to this legend, Polyphemus threw high rocks to Ulysses after the latter had blinded his unique eye with a burning stick to escape him. These rocks became large, high stones that rise from the waters of the coastline called the Riviera of Cyclops or The River of Cyclopes( see the mage). The main stones rise in front of Acitrezza, the town where the Sicilian novelist Giovanni Verga set his famous novel I Malavoglia. The names of the other towns surrounding the Riviera dei Ciclopi are Acicastello, Aci Sant’antonio, Aci San Filippo, Aci Platani, Acicatena and Acireale. I’ll talk about these single towns in other articles, but, here, I want to explain because they are called with the name Aci. The name comes from the fact they are crossed by the river Aci. According to the legendary Greek poem, Polyphemus felt in love of the Nereid Galathea, who, unfortunately, loved a young man called Aci. Out of jealousy, the Cyclops, threw Aci into the namesake river that today still crosses many coastal villages. These ones took the same name of the river.

Beaches

The Riviera of Cyclops is also a long Sicilian coastline where you can see the main rocks rising from shimmering waters. These rocks, called the Faraglioni, are made of lava stone and it is said they have the same origin of the Mount Etna, rather, if you see them at a distance, you’ll see they have the same form of the volcano. This coastline is also called la Riviera dei Limoni, The Lemon River. The beaches of the Riviera are pebbled and rocky, but very crowded in the summer. However, it is worth to visit them in this season to admire an unspoiled landscape and the crystal, clear waters of the Sicilian sea. The best beach of the Riviera of Cyclops or Cyclopes is in Santa Tecla, a hamlet of Acireale. Furthermore, one of these high and pointed stones is also a natural reserve called the Isle of Lachea. Just because the Faraglioni are very large, they are called the Islands of Cyclopes. This is the name of the Sicilian archipelago included in a natural reserve placed in the municipality of Acicastello. The archipelago consists of seven pointed rocks, namely the Isle of Lachea, Il Faraglione Grande, (The big faraglione), Il faraglione piccolo (The small faraglione) and the other four arched rocks. The Isle of Lachea is also the seat of the Marine Biology Laboratory of the University of Catania. The isle is also regarded as the largest stone that Polyphemus threw against Ulysses.

What to see
In the Riviera dei Ciclopi, you can see many monuments. The most important are the same Faraglioni or the historical edifices you can see in the towns of the coastline, such as the Norman Castel in Acicastello. The castle gave its name to this little and enthralling sea village. In Acireale, instead, you can admire the sculpture of Aci and Galathea, placed in the park of the Villa Belvedere in Acireale and many baroque and gothic churches. In this town, you can also visit the park of the Timpa, a beautiful natural reserve that offers you rocky beaches and breathtaking landscapes.

How to organize the tour to the Riviera dei Ciclopi

Once you landed in Catania airport, it is very easy to visit the Riviera of Cyclops. This coastline is indeed only a few kilometres from Catania. From this city, start your tour in Acicastello ( see the image), to see the Norman Castle and the main square of the town. From here, go to Acitrezza, which is a hamlet of Acicastello and make a splash into the Isle of Lachea, or, aboard a canoe, a ride near the Faraglioni and under the Norman Castle. Going further to North, you can reach Acireale, where you can visit a stunning Cathedral.

When to visit the Riviera of Cyclops
To visit this touristic destination, the best time is the summer, between June and July. In this season, indeed, you can also join the unmissable festival of swordfish (Sagra del pesce spada). If you come in September, you can also participate the Fair of the Ionian (La Fiera dello Jonio). In the winter, instead, you can also admire the fabulous Carnival of Acireale (Carnevale di Acireale). This marvellous event is also replayed in the summer.

To find accommodations in the Riviera of Cyclops where the owners speak English, please send me a message.

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Rosalba Mancuso

Rosalba Mancuso is a freelance journalist born in Sicily. Passionate about her loved island and with extensive writing experience, Rosalba worked as a contributor to the main Sicily’s newspapers and as a bilingual Italian – English writer. Thanks to her skills, she also founded four websites in English. On Sicilyonweb, Rosalba tells every corner of her beloved Sicily. Furthermore, she writes this blog thanks to your help. Rosalba, in fact, earns a small commission, with no cost for you, when you book your travel or buy products through the affiliate widgets or links you find in her posts.