The long and suggestive Catania cliff offers bathers from Catania and beyond the possibility of immersing themselves in the Ionian waters, of lying down on the wooden solariums mounted on the rocks, to enjoy a suggestive view of the stacks of Acitrezza and on Acicastello CastleThere are many beaches, some of which are historic, that still exist from which Catanians and tourists enjoy the Catania sea. Let's discover them together.
The cliff and the historic beaches of Catania
La Catania cliff It is a precious asset to enjoy for the unique landscape it offers, as it is easily reachable in just a few minutes from the city center. It is striking for the sea and the splendid panorama that sees the majesticEtna. Often today, in this evocative and popular place, we see neglect, filth, incivility and abandonment.
To enhance this very suggestive part of Catania, a stop for nightlife and walks, together with initiatives such as the Lungomare Liberato there are many clubs, bars, restaurants, trattorias and beaches. Along the cliff there is also the black beach of the seaside village of San Giovanni Li Cuti.
For some time now in the area that includes Europe Square until Ognina they arose public solariums and beaches, some of which continue their activity, while others unfortunately are only remembered for their the memory. Among them are: Lido Casabianca, Lido Galatea, Lido Longobardo, Lido La Battigia, solarium and beaches in Ognina such as Lido Villa Cardì, the Lido Grotte d'Ulisse (,along Piazza Mancini Battaglia), Lido Spampinato between Catania and Acicastello. It persists, albeit with many changes, Beach of the Cyclops, against the backdrop of the Faraglioni of Acitrezza; in 1963, it began to be proposed as a tourist village.
Historic beaches on the cliff
In the beginning the first one who exploited all the potential of the reef was the Lido Lombardo, located between Piazza Europa and San Giovanni Li Cuti. It underwent extensive work in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. For some years, it has been abandoned. The wooden structure and the lava flow with the grotto featuring the Madonna are still visible.
Even the beautiful Villa Cardi has disappeared, swallowed by the sea. The same thing happened to the legendary "Nave di Pietra," so called because of its ship-like shape, the Lorenti restaurant frequented by Catania's wealthy elite in the 1950s. It was located on the cliffs of San Giovanni Li Cuti. It later became the headquarters of the "Press Club" and then the "LIDO GAMBERO." Today, only a little remains that can be seen from the cliffs.
The Lidi on the cliff today
The liveliest and most popular are Lido Scogliera di Armisi, near the train station, the beaches near San Giovanni Li Cuti, Molido along Viale Ruggero di Lauria, and further on Baia Verde, as well as all the beaches between Acicastello, including Lido Aquarius, open since 1974, and Acitrezza. In the evening, these beaches transform into aperitif bars, dance floors, restaurants, and live music venues, etc.
The most famous and popular are Cutì, Cocaa Beach, Lido Bikini, and the solarium of the Hotel Nettuno.
In San Giovanni Li Cuti, the small beach was restored by Catania resident Antonio D'Arrigo. A few years ago, the municipality built a public solarium.
Lido Scogliera d'Armisi
It is the oldest and one of the most beloved and frequented by the people of Catania. The name derives from the historic lava flow from the prehistoric eruption of Mount Etna, dating back to around 4000 BC, along the Catania coastline. The lido was founded in 1865, built on wooden stilts with cabins mounted on them; it was one of the most popular in the post-war years, and especially during the economic boom. Accessible via an underpass because it is adjacent to the station. It extends far and wide and offers beautiful views as well as the opportunity to dive into the clean water and take part in a variety of activities. It was the area designated for the "seaside stroll" of the people of Catania at that time.
The name derives from Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, to whom a temple, the Artemision, was dedicated. Hence Artemisi and then Armisi.
Many of these beaches no longer exist, like the solariums in Ognina and Piazza Europa, and the cliffs from which to dive. Everything has changed. We wanted to give you this quick overview to remind you what it was like, some time ago, to spend entire summers at the cliffside beaches that competed with those on the beach.
A reef that, if revalued and enhanced, would generate significant economic benefits for the city, but which has been abandoned for years, except for a few areas.
