UNMISSABLE PLACES

A few kilometres from the historic center of Avola are breathtaking attractions visited by tourists from all over the world. Here is a list of the closest areas not to be missed:

The Nature Reserve of Cava Grande del Cassibile on the karst plateaus of the Iblean mountains, famous for the extraordinary natural formation of the landscape and for its archaeological and anthropological.features. The cave is 10 kilometres long and over 250 metres deep. Along the steep canyon walls, produced by the erosion of water courses over millennia, are eight thousand rock tombs dating from the Paleolithic era, around the tenth and ninth centuries BC. At the bottom of the valley is a system of small waterfalls and ponds of crystal clear fresh water, which are ideal for swimming.

The Vendicari Nature Reserve is an environmental oasis of international importance for the beauty of its beaches and the remains of ancient places of worship, cemeteries and catacombs. Its has five marshes, and is a regular destination of numerous species of migratory birds: herons and pink flamingos, swans and spoonbills, Kentish plover, moorhens, water rail, reed warblers, and some specimens of little grebe, pink gulls, shelduck and glossy ibis. It also includes the remains of the salt marshes of tuna in 1400 and 1700.

The Archaeological Park of Ancient Avola and the Necropolis of Cassibile.

The archaeological site of Pantalica Nature Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the acropolis and necropolis.

Syracuse, World Heritage Site, with its Greek Theatre, Ear of Dionysius, altar of Hiero, and island of Ortigia, the centre of the old town, which houses the remains of the Temple of Apollo and the Temple Athena, on which the beautiful 7th-century cathedral was built.

Noto, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage listed baroque city, with its famous baroque cathedral, which partly collapsed in 1996 as a result of the 1990 earthquake and is now restored, the Municipal Theatre, its historic centre perched high above the surrounding countryside, overlooking the stunning beaches of the Vendicari Nature Reserve.

Marzamemi, a quaint fishing village dating from the mid-17th century, with its tuna trap active from the time of Arab domination. In the old village, which has been featured in famous movies and advertising, the "Festival del Cinema di Frontiera" takes place every year,making the town a destination for filmmakers, actors, producers and film critics of international repute.

Palazzolo Acreide, a village with a unique triangular-shaped plan, rich in churches and surrounded by archaeological sites and natural attractions.

Visit the Nature Reserves of Avola. Please find further information on the Sicily's Parks official website.