10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN POZZALLO: A SHORT GUIDE.
When I was in my late teens, I visited a small beach town just outside or Athens with a Greek family who had a summer house there. There was nothing particularly remarkable about the town, a sandy beach and a few tavernas. But I remember finding it utterly charming.
The reason being that it was where Greeks actually went on holiday. There were no international tourists, no high rise hotels, fancy restaurants or infinity pools to speak of. Locals didn’t speak English. You couldn’t even rent a sun lounger. Ever since then, I’ve been obsessed with hunting out beach towns like this wherever I travel to.
In Albania, I found Himare. In Mexico, Progreso. And in Sicily, I was so pleased to discover Pozzallo. A small port town at the very south of Sicily with a long sandy beach, a lungomare ideal for an evening stroll and just enough eateries to satisfy your afternoon gelato craving and seafood supper fantasies.
In this blog post, you can find out all you need to know about visiting Pozzallo. Including how to get there, where to eat and stay and the best things to do.
Is Pozzallo worth visiting?
If you’re reading this blog post, then chances are you’ve found Pozzallo on a map and you’re wondering if you should add it to your Sicily itinerary. The short answer, yes you should.
If you’re looking for a place where Sicilians and Italians relax on holiday, but you want to get off the international tourist track, then head to Pozzallo. The beach is the focal point of the town, where the vista of a sandy beach is punctuated only by brightly coloured parasols.
There are cute restaurants – places to get a fresh Aranicini, a post-lunch gelato fix or pasta and seafood. Plus a handful of bars offering Aperitivo. There are also plenty of low key B&Bs for very reasonable prices. It’s not a fancy place, so you won’t find luxury hotels. The Lidos exist, but are laid back with minimal frills. Pazzello is a place to totally relax.
How many days should you spend in Pozzallo?
In the Lotus Eaters Travel team, we have one beach lover and one who is a little more allergic to sand and sea. If you fall into the former camp and you are looking for a totally relaxed vacation, then you could quite easily spend a week or two in Pozzallo. If you fall into the latter camp, you’ll be ready to leave after a day or two.
That said, as most travellers to Sicily are likely to be moving about a bit in an effort to see more of the island, spending two or three nights here as part of a 14 day itinerary, may be more realistic.
One thing to consider, is that staying in Pozzallo is less expensive than staying in more popular tourist spots, like Syracuse or Noto. If you wanted to, you could stay longer in Pozzallo and use it as a base to explore further.
10 best things to do in Pozzallo
Based on our recent experience of visiting, here are the 10 best things to do in Pozzallo.
1/ Browse the market
One thing that we absolutely loved about every town we visited in Sicily is that they all have excellent markets. Normally these offer a selection of gourmet foods, as well as a few craft items.
Throughout summer months in Pozzallo, you’ll find a small but very lovely market (it’s normally located here in the main square.) The market opens late into the evening, so you can have a look around before or after dinner.
Otherwise, there is also a more “foodie” Tuesday market – find it in the same place on a Tuesday morning throughout the year.
2/ Savour gelato in Pozzallo
When in Italy, I like to ensure that I’m having a gelato at least every couple of days. In Pozzallo, it became more like a daily ritual.
L’Artiginale is a super gelato shop on the seafront and somewhat of a Pozzallo institution. It has well over 2,000 google reviews. They offer a great selection of flavours and you an enjoy your sweet treat on the seats indoors or outside. Prices are very reasonable too – a medium cup with two scoops (my go to) for 3 Euros.
Top tip – you’ll notice that much of Pozzallo closes between 13:00 and 18:30 for an extended rest. However, gelato places are invariably open all day. So if you find yourself in need of an afternoon snack, head for a few scoops.
3/ Stroll on the Lungomare
A visit to Pozzallo wouldn’t be complete without taking a leisurely stroll along the Lungomare Pietrenere. This scenic promenade runs parallel to the main beach and offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Whether you go for an early morning walk to catch the sunrise or an evening stroll as the sun sets, the Lungomare is the perfect place to soak in the relaxed coastal atmosphere. You’ll find locals enjoying their passeggiata, children playing, and couples sitting on benches, watching the waves.
4/ Aperitivo in Pozzallo
There is not much that I love more, than knowing it is time for Aperitivo. Between around 18:30 and 20:00, Sicilians will head out for a drink and a few nibbles. Opt for a Spritz, glass of local wine or beer, and most bars will bring you something to snack on. Or, if you want something a bit more substantial, order “a tagliere” – the Italian version of a charcuterie board.
A Utti is a bar on the main piazza in Pazzolla which tends to be popular in early evening. Our personal favourite spot is Amuri, where the staff are super friendly and the Spritz making is a bit of an art.
If you are on a bit of a budget, head to Tropical – this is a self-service bar/ cafe, where you can get a bottle of beer and some Arancini for a couple of Euros. It is a popular spot with locals. And we returned a handful of times for lunch too.
5/ Seafood dinner in Pozzallo
Sicily is renowned for its seafood, and Pozzallo is no exception. There are a few eateries in town that specialize in fish and seafood, but we recommend selecting carefully. Many restaurants are new and don’t have that many reviews, so picking a good one can be tricky.
A little out of town (but walkable), A Valata is right on the ocean and probably the most well reviewed in town with a reputation for exquisite seafood. But perhaps at the pricier end of things. Zabbatana is also a popular choice. Alternatively, consider Sabbenerica which is a little more low key and located close to the historic tower in town.
6/Pizza at a back street pizzeria
Depending on your budget, the restaurants on the seafront may be a bit of a stretch. Pozzallo is a very well priced town, but the seafront eateries command a bit of a premium. Restaurants a little away from the Lungomare tend to be less pricey.
Budget or not, we would highly recommend the backstreet pizzeria La Bolognina in Pozzallo. Here you can get a Margharita and a beer for 5 Euros. For a little extra, I’d really recommend their Pizza Norma (based on the Catanian staple Pasta al Norma).
It opens late and offers a few tables outside, or you can takeaway.
7/ Visit the beach
A very obvious one, but one of the best things to do in Pozzallo is to visit the beach. Visit in the morning for calmer water and less people.
Or, if you arrive at about 17:00, you’ll see more groups of friends and families arriving. Normally there’s a game of beach volleyball kicking off too. Personally, I love the vibe in the evening on the beach – I like to grab a cold beer from a supermarket, park my towel and watch the world go by.
8/ Spend a day at a Lido
The other option when visiting Pozzallo beach is to spend a day at a Lido. These are Italian versions of beach clubs, where you can hire a sunbed and loungers. Normally there will be bathrooms and showers, as well as the option to buy food and drinks from the comfort of your lounger.
We would recommend selecting your Lido in Pozzallo wisely – there are some that are very basic or not value for money. Our best experience was at Lido Kraken which offers a full day or half day rate. Two loungers and an umbrella start from 12 Euros per day.
9/ Take a day trip to Syracuse
Around one hour away (by car) from Pozzallo is Syracuse, a city that stole my heart away as soon as I arrived.
Syracuse is one of Sicily’s most historically rich cities, known for its ancient Greek ruins, including the famous Teatro Greco and the stunning archaeological park. Wander through the narrow streets of Ortigia, the city’s old town, where you can explore the Piazza Duomo, visit the magnificent Cathedral of Syracuse, and enjoy a meal at one of the many traditional restaurants.
Just be prepared to see a lot more tourists in Syracuse than you’ve encountered in Pozzallo.
You can also take a bus between Pozallo and Syracuse. It doesn’t seem that the train operates any longer, but there is a direct bus a few times a day, which takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. Check Omio for up to date information on departures.
10/ Take a day trip to Noto
Another fantastic day trip option from Pozzallo is the nearby town of Noto. I don’t mean to sound over the top, but I just could not believe how beautiful Noto is. The Baroque architecture is mesmerizing.
About 45 minutes by car, or just over an hour on the bus, Noto is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its stunning Baroque buildings and ornate facades. Start your visit at the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main street, which is lined with beautiful churches, palaces, and cafes.
Where to stay in Pozzallo
In Pozzallo, the aim of the game is to get as close to the seafront as possible. Here are some of the best options for different budgets:
BUDGET: We stayed in MarMare B&B, which is about 450m from the beachfront. A charming B&B with comfortable rooms and a breakfast offering. It comes highly recommended for anyone on a budget visiting Pozzallo.
MID-RANGE:
Terraze Sul Mare is an understated hotel with a beachfront location and bright rooms. A budget to mid-range choice in Pozzallo.
Acquaduci is about as close to the beach as you can get. The apartments offer balconies with sea views and comfortable terrace furniture. As well as kitted out kitchens and well designed bedrooms.
How to get to Pozzallo
Pozzallo is fairly well connected by a bus service run by the bus line AST, which operates a line between Catania and Modica (somethings continuing to Ragusa). This bus calls into Noto and Syracuse too. Buses will drop you off at the beachfront.
We normally use Omio to plan our train and bus travel in Italy, but have been unable to find AST services listed on Omio. A regular bus service goes between Catania Airport and Pozzallo.
In theory, there is also a train station in Pozzallo but from what we observed, it seems to be abandoned. Instead, there is a rail replacement bus operating a few times per day. Information about this bus line can be found on Omio.
Where to next in Sicily?
We’ve got loads of similar guides to help you explore Sicily more. Find them below:
- One day in Palermo: A guide to seeing the best bits
- Visiting Mondello Beach from Palermo
- One day in Cefalu: A day trip from Palermo
- One idyllic day in Syracuse & Ortigia
- Palermo or Catania: Where should you start your Sicily adventures?
- One day in the city of Catania: An unexpected gem
- Day trips from Catania: 9 of the best
- Best things to do in Modica for the day
- A guide to Ragusa: things to do and where to stay
- Modica or Ragusa – which is better?
- Pozzallo Beach – the traditional sandy beach town dream
- Best things to do in Sutera, Sicily
- Walking in Sicily on the Magna Via Francigena
- A two week itinerary in Sicily – how to travel without a car
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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