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Discover Avola

Avola: what to see in the city of almonds and ancient traditions 

About 20 minutes from Syracuse, driving south along a stretch of the motorway, you arrive in Avola, City of Art and Almond. The town stands on a vast plain, at the foot of the Hyblaean hills, surrounded by lush gardens of vineyards, citrus groves and almond groves. Avola, in continuous urban expansion, extends today on the Ionian Sea, characterized by warm and clear waters, which bathe wide beaches of fine and golden sand; a happy location and the pride of the appellative of south-east gate, which will be even more concrete with the construction of the tourist port.  

The economy of the city, in the past almost exclusively agricultural, is now moving in the most congenial direction, the tourist one, thanks to the peculiarities of the territory, the environmental characteristics of uncontaminated beauty, the splendour of the art, created by man shaping the raw materials of these places, the delicacies of the dishes, which reveal unique flavours in the world, as well as the excellent hospitality of its inhabitants.

Avola is a city steeped in history, culture and nature, located on the beautiful south-eastern coast of Sicily. When visiting Avola, you can admire its architectural and archaeological heritage, immerse yourself in its crystal-clear waters, explore its natural oases and taste its typical products. Avola is famous for its almond, its Nero d'Avola wine and its lemon, which are the basis of many local recipes. Avola is also a lively and hospitable city, which celebrates its folk traditions with events and festivals throughout the year. Avola is an ideal destination for those seeking a holiday full of relaxation, culture and taste.

What to see in Avola

• A visit to the historic centre, whose hexagonal shape is a rare example in Italy, allows for a journey of remarkable artistic and architectural interest, through the 18th-century churches, including the Church of the SS. Annunziata, declared a national monument. 
• The City Palace is part of the architectural complex, located in the heart of the historic centre, which covers almost an entire block. Formerly the convent of the Dominican friars from 1767, it was acquired in 1866.
• The Garibaldi Theatre, a precious architectural work in neoclassical style, was built on an area of 480 square metres, between 1872 and 1876, the year of its inauguration. For many decades its stage was trod by the most prestigious names of Italian opera and theatre; the last performance dates back to the 1940s. The "Garibaldi" has undergone a long process of restoration and consolidation.
• The Modica Palace, an ancient 18th-century building, now owned by the Municipality of Avola, is one of the most characteristic elements of the city's historical fabric. Built in the district of Santa Venera, the palace has undergone various modifications and repeated restorations over the centuries.
• The Old Market in Via San Francesco D'Assisi, designed in the early 20th century by the engineer Salvatore Rizza, is now restored to its former glory and will soon house the "Giuseppe Bianca" municipal library.

Things to see near Avola

• Sea and Beaches. The fine, golden sandy beaches are a tourist attraction from May to October, thanks to the hot summers and mild weather the rest of the year. After a stroll through the shops and bars, you can enjoy the beautiful beaches that line Avola's seafront promenade.
• Cavagrande Lakes. From the Cavagrande viewpoint, a nature reserve, you can admire the Necropolis, a clear sign of human presence since the Sicel era, and the wonderful emerald-coloured lakes. These can be reached by following a path immersed in the typical Mediterranean greenery, where you can admire numerous species of wild orchids. And of course, don't forget to try a swim in the lakes. A wonderful experience that we recommend!
• Ancient Avola. On the Avola plateau, a visit to the remains of the ancient city, rich in archaeological sites, is a must. Along the road, dozens of caves, carved into the rock, are visible, forming part of the dwellings and cisterns of the ancient village of Avola. You can admire the Sicel necropolis with oven tombs, along the walls of Cozzo Tirone and Ronchetto, and in the direction of Cava Grande, a Byzantine necropolis dating back to the 5th-6th centuries AD. In the district of Cozzo Tirone, the Hermitage of Madonna delle Grazie, which has been completely renovated, is worth a visit. Ancient Avola, or Abolla, consisted of four quarters that developed below the castle-fortress: Trunxelli or Ronchetto, Marchi, Balzi and Suso.
• PAN Archaeological Natural Park. The PAN Archaeological Natural Park in Ancient Avola is an unmissable destination for those who want to experience a unique combination of culture, landscape and gastronomy. The park is home to a variety of typical local products, which tell a thousand-year-old story and express an exceptional biodiversity. Moreover, for each product you can book a tasting, to delight your palate with the genuine flavours of Sicily.

Local produce

• The "Pizzuta di Avola" almond is the exquisite fruit of the almond tree, the city's predominant crop and one of its main sources of wealth. The abundant blossoming of the almond trees in the middle of winter, between January and February, is a spectacle to behold. The fruits reach maturity between July and August, and several types can be distinguished, but the "pizzuta" is unsurpassed in shape and taste. The almonds extracted from the seeds are used to prepare confetti, renowned throughout the world, refreshing milk, torrone, biscuits, "pasta reale" and other confectionery products.
• Nero d'Avola.  Nero d'Avola, one of the most appreciated wines in the world, is the product of the main Sicilian vine, also present in the Avola area since the end of the 15th century. The Avola vine, with red berries of great quality, as the great travellers of the 18th century testified in their reports, was renowned as it is today. Nero d'Avola wine has an intense and bright ruby red colour, with violet reflections.
• Lemon. Lemon is another major product of the Avola area; its cultivation dates back to the time of the Arab domination and today it is present wherever an irrigation system is possible. The most widespread and appreciated lemon species is the "femminello siracusano", with an elongated shape, which flourishes several times during the year, allowing for various harvests.
• Avola Rum.  Avola rum has an ancient and prestigious history, which has its roots in the 19th century, when the Arabs brought sugar cane to Sicily. The production of Avola rum was started by the Marquises Pignatelli Aragona Cortes, who made it the only Sicilian rum until the early 1900s. After a long period of interruption, production was resumed by an Avola entrepreneur, who obtained recognition as a traditional agricultural product from the Ministry of Agriculture. Avola rum is characterised by its strong and unique taste, which derives from the quality of the raw materials and the link with the Sicilian territory.