The surroundings
The old town, walks on Etna, the village festivals and the cities half an hour away by car.
The starting point
There is ample parking in front of the property. It is the most practical reason to set out from here: in Zafferana, at weekends and on festival days, finding a space in the village takes time, and the area around the town hall and Piazza Cardinal Pappalardo becomes pedestrian.
Once the car is parked, the centre is walkable. Anyone who prefers the public car parks will find those of Piazza della Regione and Via della Montagna.
For those coming for the day: from Catania the drive takes about thirty minutes, leaving the ring road at the Paesi Etnei exit. There are several buses a day from Catania central station. The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa.
On foot
Zafferana is a mountain village looking out over the Ionian coast, with steps and paving in dark lava stone.
The heart of the village: the eighteenth-century mother church dedicated to Santa Maria della Provvidenza, begun in 1731, with its white front and its lava stone steps. The town hall, in liberty style, stands on the same square.
Zafferana is known as the town of honey, and the museum tells that story. It is the same honey that reaches our boards: you will find it on the cooking page.
The public gardens are a short walk from the square, with greenery and a promenade. A little outside, in the Sarro district, Villa Manganelli now belongs to the Etna Park Authority: it is worth checking the opening times before going.
High up
We are at 600 metres, on the eastern side of the volcano. The classic starting points are all less than an hour away by car.
Before going up it is worth checking the condition of the volcano and, for the higher altitudes, relying on authorised guides. Mountain weather changes quickly: a jacket is useful even in high summer.
Day trips
The ancient theatre, the old town and the sea: about thirty-two kilometres, a little over half an hour by car.
Piazza Duomo, the fish market and Via Etnea, the avenue that climbs towards the volcano: about twenty-seven kilometres.
Going down towards the sea you reach the Ionian coast, with Acireale and its baroque churches.
Through the year
The Ottobrata of Zafferana fills every Sunday in October: tastings, music and crafts, with honey, wine, apples, chestnuts and mushrooms. The stalls spread between Piazza Umberto I, Piazza Belvedere, the public gardens and Piazza della Regione. The programme changes every year, so it is worth checking.
The feast of the Madonna della Provvidenza, patron of the village, falls on the second Sunday in August and is the most important date of the year.
In December the Christmas markets arrive, with craft stalls and traditional sweets in the main square.
On festival Sundays the tables fill up early: for a place at dinner it is best to call ahead.
The rooms are on the upper floor, above the restaurant, and the car park is right outside the door.
