Just north of Catania the coastline changes character. The sandy beaches give way to black lava cliffs, small harbours and rocks shaped by ancient eruptions. This stretch of coast, from Aci Castello to Aci Trezza, is known as the Riviera dei Ciclopi — the Cyclops Riviera — and its name comes straight from Homer.
You can drive along it in a few minutes, but the best way to understand it is from the sea. A Cyclops Riviera boat trip reveals what the road hides: the volcanic formations up close, hidden coves and the famous sea stacks rising from the water.
A coast shaped by fire and legend
Everything here speaks of Etna. The rocks are basalt, formed when lava poured into the sea and cooled suddenly, sometimes into regular columns, sometimes into rounded shapes geologists call pillow lava. Seen from a boat, the cliffs look almost carved.
The legend is just as present. In the Odyssey, the Cyclops Polyphemus, blinded by Odysseus, hurls enormous rocks at the fleeing ship. Local tradition places the episode right here: those rocks are the sea stacks of Aci Trezza. The same coast is linked to another myth, told in our article on the legend of Aci and Galatea, which gave its name to the towns of Aci.
Aci Castello: a castle on a volcanic rock
The first landmark is Aci Castello, dominated by its Norman castle, built on a block of black volcanic rock rising straight from the sea. From the water you can appreciate how the fortress grows out of the lava itself, a natural stronghold that controlled this coast for centuries.
Around the castle, the rocks form small platforms where locals swim in summer. From a boat, the view back towards the castle, with Etna behind, is one of the most photographed in eastern Sicily.
Aci Trezza and the Cyclops Islands
A little further north lies Aci Trezza, a fishing village famous for the Faraglioni, the basalt sea stacks just offshore, and for Isola Lachea, the largest of the islets. Together they form the Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area, created to preserve the seabed and the unusual rock formations.
Aci Trezza also has a literary soul: it is the setting of Giovanni Verga’s novel I Malavoglia, the story of a family of fishermen, later brought to the screen by Luchino Visconti. Even today, the small harbour with its painted boats keeps something of that atmosphere.
Seen from the water, the Faraglioni are far more impressive than from the shore. Depending on sea conditions, boats can approach close enough to see the prismatic columns of basalt and the clear water around them.
What a boat trip includes
Most sailing trips along the Riviera combine navigation, stops for swimming and time to relax on board. On the Catania sailing experience, the route follows the lava coast towards Aci Castello and Aci Trezza, with swimming stops in the clearest bays, depending on the weather.
- Duration: from a few hours to a full day, depending on the experience
- Best season: from late spring to October, with the calmest sea usually in the morning
- What to bring: swimsuit, towel, sun cream, hat, sunglasses and, if you have them, mask and snorkel
- Seasickness: sailing boats are generally more stable than small motor boats; if you are sensitive, choose a morning departure
If you are staying further north, you can also explore the coast around Isola Bella with our Taormina sailing experience.
Combine the sea with Etna
The Cyclops Riviera makes most sense when you connect it with the volcano that created it. Our Odyssey tour follows the footsteps of Odysseus from the slopes of Etna, with trekking, lava caves and local wine, down to Aci Trezza and the land of the Cyclopes.
And if you are based in Catania, the city itself deserves time: start with our list of five things to see in Catania, or browse all our excursions in Sicily.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Cyclops Riviera start and end?
The name usually refers to the coast between Catania and Acireale, with Aci Castello and Aci Trezza at its heart.
Can you swim near the Faraglioni?
The area is a Marine Protected Area with different levels of protection. Boat trips stop in the permitted areas, and the crew knows where swimming is allowed.
When is the best time for a boat trip?
From late spring to early autumn. June and September combine warm water with fewer crowds; in July and August the sea is at its warmest.
Is a boat trip suitable for children?
Yes, in good sea conditions. Life jackets are on board; ask when booking about age limits and child-sized equipment.
