Things To Do in Avola

Head out of Avola and into the neighbouring countryside, and you’ll be rewarded with landscapes guaranteed to drop your jaw. The Cava Grande del Cassibile Nature Reserve serves up dramatic canyon vistas and pretty waterfalls. It’s also home to a necklace of ice-cold spring pools, which are perfect to cool off in after the steep walk down from the top of the canyon.

Tuna’s the word in Avola – the city was a key port for fishermen in the 16th century. The old maritime suburbs of the Borgata Marina are your best bet for a taste of tradition. Pop in to one of the many seafood restaurants for dishes like tuna ghiotta, made from tuna belly, and bottarga – salted, cured fish roe.

Avola’s go-to seaside spot has got to be Pantanello Beach. This horseshoe of toffee-coloured sand cosies up to shallow, lemonade-clear waters, making it a top spot for families with young children. Bars and restaurants edge the beach, and free-to-use shower facilities are available if you want to freshen up after a day by the sea.

Avola Antico – AKA the old town – is your best bet for a souvenir shopping spree. Its cobbled streets are home to clutches of ceramics shops and tiny delis. Pick ‘n’ mix your shopping basket with local treats, like sugared almonds, material printed with the traditional Sicilian lemon patterns, bottles of red wine, and brightly painted crockery.