Your Visit To Palazzolo Acreide

Palazzolo Acreide is one of eight towns in the Val di Noto region awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its late Baroque architecture.

Just a 30-minute drive from Noto, it is an ideal afternoon and evening out. If you get your timing right, you can start with a late light lunch, explore the city, and end with dinner at one of Palazzolo Acredie’s two top eateries.

I put the following address in Maps on my smartphone, which directs me to a street on the edge of the centre of the town where there is generally easy free parking… Via Nazionale, Palazzolo Acreide.

Stop #1: Patisserie with Award-winning Chef

As you leave the car, walk up Via Nazionale, and at number 5, you will discover Corsino. This patisserie has made sweet delicacies for the local community for over 150 years. The Pastry Chef Vincenzo Monaco was named the #1 pastry chef in Italy, so you can safely expect to be surprised and delighted by anything you order.

Corsino is also known for its arancino, which has a range of fillings. Recently, I learnt a trick about eating arancino. Turn the arancino upside down and eat it like an ice cream cone from the broad to the narrow end—it is so much easier! Eating the other way always results in the base falling to pieces, creating quite a mess!

This is the perfect place and moment for a late light lunch, whether you fancy something savoury, sweet or one after the other!

Stop #2: Basilica ‘San Sebastiano’

As you leave Corsino, walk across Piazza Pretura and up Via San Sebastiano. After 5 minutes, you will reach the main square, Piazza del Popolo. This square hosts an incredible church, the Basilica San Sebastiano, which is well worth a look around. If you are thirsty, there are a couple of bars where you can get refuelled.

Stop #3: Historic Residential Neighbourhood

Next, I recommend a fifteen-minute downhill walk through the historic residential neighbourhood. From the Piazza, locate Via Bando Superiore and begin walking down the hill, which twists and turns one way and the other. Whilst you might be tempted, don’t peel off the street until you come to Via Curiazi, turning right onto its cobbled path. Then turn left onto Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, which will take you down to Piazza Giovanni Nigro. You can explore the church, Basilica di San Paolo.

Stop #4: City and Valley Views

Now comes the twenty-minute walk back up through another part of the historic residential neighbourhood. Walk up Via Dietro Matrice, turn left onto Via Grotte and follow to the right. As you walk up the street, look back to where you have come to enjoy a beautiful view across the rooftops and back to the Basilica. There are also views out to the valley. When you reach the top, turn to the right to see another beautiful cobbled street.

Stop #5: Shopping and Refreshments

Cross over, follow Via Lombard, and turn left onto Corso Vittorio Emanuele. This is the town’s main street full of cafes, restaurants and shops, so take your time browsing. My favourite pit stop for a refreshment, whether alcoholic or gelato or granita, is Bar del Corso (Corso Vittorio Emanuele 18).

Stop #6: Ancient Greek Theatre

As you walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, you will reach the main square, Piazza del Popolo, and it is just a 5-minute walk back to the car. From there, I recommend driving to the top of the town to visit the ancient Akrai Greek Theatre.

Stop #7: Rustic of Fine-Dining Dinner

If you have taken your time and stopped along the way, you will probably feel hungry and be ready to think about an aperitivo followed by dinner. I have two recommendations that couldn’t be more different to each other…

Recommendation #1: Rustic Italian

Aperitivo: At Piazza Giovanni Nigro there is a small bar, the name of which is illusive. It is frequented by locals who don’t speak English, so this is a moment to try out your Italian or resort to sign language. It’s amazing how you find ways to communicate when you need to.

Dinner: Trattoria del Gallo (Via Roma 228) is a traditional Sicilian trattoria. There is no written menu; the waiter will explain the options for the day, which usually include five different meat options, starting with an enormous aperitivo plate imaginable - so take it easy! Their wine is Marabino, the best in the area and priced very modestly.

Recommendation #2: Polished Italian

Aperitivo: Estro (Via Martiri di Via Fani 11) has a terrace bar across the street from the restaurant during the summer season. It is breathtaking to sip your favourite cocktail whilst enjoying views of the valley and Mt Etna in the distance.

Dinner: Estro is a fine-dining Italian restaurant served by Chef Giuseppe Luparelli. The menu offers an al la carte, which its international guests strongly prefer, and a selection of pizza and chips, which the locals love. The pizza has always tempted me, but the al la carte menu is too good not to choose from. Of course, there is an extensive Italian wine list!

Take your pick, two completely different recommendations, both of which will be an unforgettable experience.

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