With such an important name, it cannot fail to arouse curiosity in the traveller wandering through this part of Sicily. This town is part of themetropolitan area of Messina, along with Milazzo, Castroreale and other small villages nestled in the hills. For centuries under Spanish rule, the territory was entrusted to the D'Aragona family, which developed the town into an important commercial centre. Today it is a popular tourist destination for its sea, beautiful beaches, sites of interest scattered throughout the area, and nearby thermal baths. Let's find out what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto.
What to see in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto
1 - Cathedral of San Sebastiano
Not to be missed, this church rises imposingly over the city almost in contrast to the small size of the town. In neoclassical style and with a majestic 16-metre diameter dome, it also offers visitors a beautiful three-nave interior, with wooden statues and tables from the 1700s and 1800s.
How to get there: in the heart of the old town, on Via Alfieri, it can be reached on foot in less than 10 minutes, walking along Via Umberto I from the station to the junction with Via Carducci - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket cost: free
2 - Sanctuary of St Anthony
Photo by Effems. This sanctuary consists of a beautiful church with an adjoining convent. Since 1613 the Friars Minor Observant have dedicated themselves to the cult of St Anthony of Padua and have made the sanctuary an important destination for Christian pilgrims. The crucifix on the altar is from the 15th century.
How to get there: Piazza del Convento, just outside the city centre, can be reached in 30 minutes on foot from the railway station or by bus no. 2 - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket price: free
3 - Church of St John the Baptist
Photo by Effems. Declared a national monument in 1969, this magnificent church is located at the entrance to the city, in the San Juan neighbourhood and was the first building in Barcelona, from where the urban agglomeration developed by Spanish will, in 1635. The façade has two bell towers and statues set in aediculae and the interior is lavish with frescoes and stucco, but it is the canopy altar that leaves the visitor breathless.
How to get there: from the station it takes less than 10 minutes on foot, walking down Via Vittorio to Via Vespri and Vicolo del Convento. If you prefer the bus, take the San Giovanni line - Get directions
Timetable: always accessible
Ticket cost: free
4 - Ethnoanthropological Museum
In the museum, 45 ancient arts and crafts workshops have been reconstructed, complete with around 20,000 period exhibits. Due to the quantity and quality of the exhibits, it is one of the most important generalist ethno-anthropological sites in Italy. Study conferences on general anthropology, history, theatre, architecture, music and literature are cyclically scheduled here.
How to get there: a little outside the centre, you can get there in 10 minutes by car or by bus to the Petraro district from the railway station - Get directions
Openinghours: daily from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Ticket price: full price €5.00 - reduced €3.00
5 - Calderà Beach
This beach stretches for many kilometres and is one of the most popular with tourists because of the bathing facilities it offers and the restaurants, but especially because of itstransparent water and spacious pebblyshore with shallow waters, making it suitable for families with children. There are also stretches of free beach.
How to get there: 10 minutes from the centre, using city buses or your own car. There are ample parking spaces in front of the sea - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket cost: free
6 - Milazzo Castle
This fortified citadel has its foundations on archaeological sites dating back as far as 4,000 B.C.; it has developed into its current structure over the centuries. Greek and Roman, Byzantine and Arab, Norman and Spanish influences have contributed to embellish the entire complex, making it imposing and usable for various purposes even during World War I and II. In the 20th century, it was declared a National Monument and is one of the favourite tourist destinations in the entire Messina area.
How to get there: by car in less than 30 minutes along the SP 72a or by Trenitalia bus in 20 minutes - Get directions
Hours: daily from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm
Ticket price: full price €5.00 - under 18 free
7 - Ancient Village of Milazzo
The Borgo Antico is the historical centre of Milazzo, full of medieval and Norman buildings, a beautiful central square, the 18th-century Viceroys' Palace and the dreaded Church of the Madonna del Rosario, which housed the Inquisition Tribunal until 1783. Many shops and bars accompany tourists as they explore the town through the narrow streets of the centre.
How to get there: by car in less than 30 minutes along the S.P. 72a or by Trenitalia bus in 20 minutes - Get directions
Timetable: always accessible
Ticket cost: free
8 - Pool of Venus
Photo by Davide Mauro. A beautiful walk from the Borgo Antico to the end of Capo Milazzo will take you to a natural pool, set among the rocks and surrounded by Mediterranean scrub. The'Piscina di Venere', here simply called'il laghetto', is one of the most picturesque beaches on the entire coastline and although there are no services or bars, it is always crowded because of its beauty and turquoise water.
How to get there: take the S.P.72 to the lighthouse at Capo Milazzo and then walk along the path for about 15 minutes - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket cost: free
9 - Castroreale Cathedral
Dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, this 15th century church has a beautiful Baroque façade and a very rich interior. Statues, altarpieces and panels of fine workmanship and from various historical periods, ranging from the 15th to the 18th century, alternate in the three naves, but what is most striking is the majesty of the pipe organ.
How to get there: Approximately 20 minutes by car or by bus on the AST line, from Barcelona following the S.P.82 - Get directions
Openinghours: always accessible
Ticket price: free
10 - Jalari Park Museum
Spread over 35 hectares, this park-museum offers visitors 15,000 historical exhibits placed in more than 40 workshops that reproduce the atmosphere of times gone by. Everything, guided through avenues and streets full of statues, gardens and water features that make the experience almost magical.
How to get there: in about 20 minutes from Barcelona follow the S.P. 79 - Get directions
Hours: variable according to the season. We recommend visiting the official website.
Tickets: full price €7.00 - reduced €6.00 (under 18 and over 60) - free for the under 10s
One-day itinerary in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto
A well-constructed itinerary could start the tourist off from Milazzo and its splendid sea. A dip in the Piscina di Venere is a must, as is a visit to its castle and old village. After strolling through the narrow medieval streets and doing a little shopping, hunger might set in.
After lunch, a bus from the train station will take you to Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, where you can admire the cathedral and the church of San Giovanni Battista and visit the ethno-anthropological museum for a very interesting historical experience.
We then continue on to Castroreale, a few kilometres away by bus or car, to visit the cathedral and spend the last hours of the day on an educational and magical tour of the Jalari Museum Park.
For dinner, you can stop in the surroundings of Castroreale and then finish the evening in one of the most fashionable places in Barcelona.
One-day itinerary at a glance
Breakfast at Café Washington, where you can enjoy classic coffee granitas and croissants
Piscina di Venere - always accessible - for a refreshing dip
Borgo Antico Milazzo - always accessible - for a walk to the castle and a bit of shopping
Lunch at the Al Castello restaurant
Basilica Minore of San Sebastiano - always accessible
San Giovanni Battista - always accessible
Museo Etnoantropologico - daily from 9:00 to 13:00 - full price €5,00 - reduced €3,00
Castroreale Cathedral - always accessible
Jalari Park Museum - opening hours variable official website - ticket cost: full price €7,00 reduced €6,00
Dinner at La Torre restaurant, where you can also choose pizza
Where to eat in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto
Al Castello: classic tavern with rooms, offering simple cuisine in an informal setting
Average price per person: €25.00
Address and contact details: via Federico di Svevia, 20 - Get directions - Tel: (+39) 3454755337La Rosa Nera: In this simple restaurant you can eat perhaps the best pizza in the entire Messina metropolitan area.
Average price per person: €15.00
Address and contacts: via Sant'Andrea, 173 - Get directions - Tel: (+39) 3883047864La Torre: in a historical building, you can enjoy traditional Sicilian dishes as well as pizza. Well-kept and with a nice view.
Average price per person: €35.00
Address and contact details: via Torre di protonotaro - Get directions - Tel: (+39) 3331670928
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and best clubs
There is no shortage of fun. With a sea like Sicily's, even a simple beach bar and a bonfire will suffice. There are many pubs in the various town centres, some of which also offer fast food and aperitifs and are frequented by tourists and locals alike. As meeting places, clubs offering live music are preferred in these parts, but DJ sets and discos are not lacking either.
Enoteca Jonny: well-stocked wine bar that stays open until after dinner
Address: via Nazionale Olivarella snc - Get directionsCapriccio Launge Bar: neat ambience and music from aperitif time until late at night. Well frequented and with prices within the norm
Address: via Capo Milazzo - Get directionsMalarazza: a disco pub that offers many evenings with live music, featuring local artists. As a disco it offers commercial and house music
Address: Mendanici street - Get directions
Plan your stay in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto: info and tips
How to get there: the nearest airport is Fontanarossa di Catania. From here, you can take the Sais bus company or rent a car. Most Italian provincial capitals are connected to Messina with the Flixbus bus lines with prices starting from €19.00.
How to get around: the best way to visit the Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto area and the nearby villages is by car, so if you are not on holiday in your own car, a rental is suggested. The Sicily Rent company offers great rates from €39.99 per day
Where to park: You can park in Via Cicerata at Parking, open h24, with rates from €1.20 per hour. In Milazzo, at 77 Via Minniti, Garage Ferrari has indoor and outdoor spaces, but there are also many public car parks in the harbour area.
Where to stay: Hotels and b&b from €40.00 per room.
What to see nearby: if you have a few days available, it is worth embarking from Milazzo for the Aeolian Islands. Ferries depart daily at reasonable rates even in high season. The islands are one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the Tyrrhenian Sea and a visit for a dip in splendid waters, such as those of Lipari or Vulcano, is definitely worth the trip.