2 Best Sights in Palazzolo Arceide, Sicily

One of Sicily’s best-kept secrets, the archaeological park of Akrai is home to what is said to be Siracusa’s first inland settlement, built to defend its overland trading route from other Greek colonies. You can access the site by a steep but steady 20-minute walk or a five-minute drive. Today, the site contains mainly ruins, but it is well worth visiting simply to see the Teatro Greco, originally constructed in the 3rd century BC to seat 600. Around the site, you'll also find two old stone quarries used to build the settlement, then converted into burial chambers as well as a remarkably well-preserved portion of the stone road into the area. Mount Etna may be seen rising majestically in the distance.

Locals consider this the most important church in Palazzolo Acreide, rebuilt and repaired after the 1693 earthquake. When you enter, usually a volunteer will be available to take you on a brief tour. The main focal points are the relics and the statue of St. Paul paraded annually through the town with alternate moments of piety and raucous pyrotechnics, between June 26 and June 29.