Your Visit To Palazzolo Acreide - the Arancini Capital of Sicily

Palazzolo Acreide is the arancini capital of Sicily.

Palazzolo Acreide is one of the eight towns of the Val di Noto recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were destroyed by an earthquake in 1693 and rebuilt during the period of late baroque architecture.

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Driving and Parking

Palazzolo Acreide is a 30-minute drive from Noto. I recommend that you enter Via Nazionale, Palazzolo Acreide, into your navigation and park there or nearby upon arrival.

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Patisserie with Award-winning Chef

Begin your exploration of Palazzolo Acreide by walking north on Via Nazionale, and you will very soon reach number 5, where 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 for eating arancino: Turn it 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 light lunch, whether you fancy something savoury, sweet or one after the other!

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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.

Historic Residential Neighbourhood

Next, I recommend a 10-minute downhill walk through the historic residential neighbourhood. From the Piazza, you can find 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 where you can check out the church, Basilica di San Paolo.

City and Valley Views

Now comes the 15-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.

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 stops for refreshment, whether alcoholic, gelato or granita, are Infantino and Caprice.

Akrai Greek Theatre

Walking along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, you will reach the main square, Piazza del Popolo. Then, it is just a five-minute walk back to the car.

From there, I recommend driving to the top of the town to visit the ancient Greek theatre (Teatro Greco). Akrai was a Greek Colony founded in Sicily in 663 BC.

Enjoy your visit to Palazzolo Acreide, the arancini capital of Sicily!