Carnevale di Acireale

The Carnival of Acireale doesn’t end with the traditional winter season. The event continues in spring with the Festa dei Fiori, a second chapter devoted to floats made entirely of fresh flowers, a tribute to beauty and nature. And that’s not all: in summer, Acireale hosts a third phase of the Carnival in August, once again showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of its craftsmen.

Want to secure a front-row seat to watch the magic of the allegorical floats?
Tickets will be available as soon as sales open: get ready to experience the Carnival of Acireale up close, surrounded by the colours and unique atmosphere of this Baroque celebration.

Every float is a true work of art, designed and built by local craftsmen inside the Cittadella del Carnevale. Starting from clay and using traditional papier-mâché techniques, they build floats that can reach up to 18 metres in height and width. These are not only monumental works but dynamic ones too: the floats open up, transform and double in size, staging performances that tell stories with soundtracks, light effects and spectacular scene changes.

Thanks to hydraulic and electronic mechanisms, the floats move and surprise the crowd with incredible metamorphoses. Their surfaces, studded with thousands of light bulbs set into the papier-mâché, glitter on festival nights and create an unforgettable atmosphere.

Named by The Guardian as one of the ten best carnivals in Europe, Acireale’s is much more than a party: it is a cultural and artistic experience like no other. As soon as you arrive in Acireale you notice what makes it special: the blend of tradition and innovation, the craftsmanship and the extraordinary setting of Sicilian Baroque.

The Carnival route winds through the streets and alleys of Acireale’s historic centre, surrounded by the splendour of Sicilian Baroque. The ornate façades of churches and palazzi become the perfect backdrop for the parades of allegorical floats, lit by thousands of tiny bulbs that turn the evenings into pure magic.

Acireale is a town in the province of Catania, Sicily, and is easy to reach by several means of transport. Here are some options:

1. By plane

The nearest airport isCatania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), about 20 km from Acireale.

• From the airport you can take a taxi, hire a car or use public transport to reach the town.

2. By car

Acireale is well connected by motorway and main roads:

• From Catania: Take theA18 Messina–Catania motorway and follow the signs for Acireale. The motorway exit leads straight into town. The drive takes about 20–30 minutes.
• From other Sicilian towns: use the A18 motorway if you are coming from Messina, or the SS114 if you prefer a scenic route.

3. By train

Acireale has a well-served railway station on the Messina–Catania line:

• Regional and Intercity trains stop regularly in Acireale.
• The journey takes about 10–20 minutes from Catania and about 1 hour from Messina.

You can check timetables and buy tickets from Trenitalia (www.trenitalia.com).

4. By bus

Several bus companies connect Acireale with nearby towns:

• From Catania you can take AST buses or other local companies.
• The journey takes about 30–40 minutes.

5. By ferry

If you are arriving in Sicily by sea, the nearest port is Catania. From there you can continue by car, bus or train.

Useful tips

• Parking: If you are travelling by car, look for parking near the historic centre or the main sights. Some areas may be restricted traffic zones (ZTL).
• Sights: Once you arrive, don’t miss Acireale’s historic centre, famous for its Baroque churches and spectacular views of Etna and the sea.