Santa Maria La Scala

A quaint fishing village near Acireale, the lava rocks of the coast are interrupted by a couple of little beaches. There is a 17th century church that gave the hamlet its name. La Scala, meaning "stairs" refers to La Timpa, a stratified terraced hill that rises above the town.

Fishing is still an active economy here and the pretty port is like a postcard. The town developed in the late 1800s when it became a seaside destination, and some of the lovely buildings built in that era remain.

Along the coast is the Grotta delle Palombe, reachable by boat, said to the mythical lovers' hideaway of the shepherd Aci and the nymph Galatea.

Today, it's a quiet and quaint coastal spot in a nature preserve setting with some nice trails to walk along the coastline and enjoy the views and nature.