Little-known Italian town dubbed ‘city of pistachios’ – with unusual festivals and volcano day trips
WHILE holidays to places like Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan remain popular, there are several other Italian towns that seem to have flown under the radar.
Popular towns and cities in Italy can get very crowded, but there are still some secluded spots where holidaymakers can relax in peace.
One of those places is Bronte – a small Italian town in Sicily that’s known for its rich production of citrus fruits, olives and pistachios.
Despite its close proximity to Mount Etna and Catania, the Italian town remains largely free from tourists.
Pistachios are known as the green gold of Italy, which makes Bronte somewhat of a haven thanks to the Bronte Pistachio.
This type of pistachio is only produced in the Italian town after it was given its own distinction by the European Union in 2009.
The Italian pistachios are desirable for their colour, texture and flavour.
Laura Lupo, who is the owner of A’ Ricchigia, a well-known agricultural company in the town, said: “This is absolutely the Pistachio Motherland—it’s a huge part of the richness of Sicily as what grows here has a unique taste.”
There are plenty of tasty treats to sample too, including pistachio arancini (fried rice balls) and brioche buns filled with pistachio gelato.
Other pistachio food items found in the town include homemade pasta with pistachio flour and pistachio-flavoured sausages.
Every year, at the end of September, a nut festival is held in the town to celebrate the Bronte Pistachio, with events taking place in streets and squares.
For those Brit holidaymakers who aren’t overly fond of pistachios, there are plenty of other reasons to visit the tiny Italian town.
The medieval town, and its cobblestone streets, are home to plenty of other attractions, including the Pistachio Museum – a museum dedicated to the green nut.
Located just outside of Bronte, there’s also Nelson Castle – a former Abbey that played an important role in repelling the Saracens from Sicily.
There’s also Piazza Duomo, which is a charming square set in the heart of Bronte.
The square is surrounded by historic buildings and features a picturesque fountain.
Other attractions include the Church of Annunziata, built in the 1500s with beautiful paintings and a unique lava-stone window inside.
Direct flights operate between the UK and Catania, with prices starting from £44 for a return ticket.
Both easyJet and Wizz Air operate direct flights between London Gatwick Airport and Catania International Airport.
It’s an hour’s drive to Bronte from Catania Airport.
Overnight accommodation in Bronte is on the pricier end, which means it might be more suitable as a day-trip from Catania or Taormina.
And there are plenty of other secluded spots in Italy only locals seem to know about, including Ponza.
Ponza is part of the Pontine archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea, and it is home to beaches that rival Capri — but for a fraction of the price.
One of the more rustic Italian islands, with its untouched natural landscapes, hidden coves and sea caves.
Everything you need to know about visiting Italy
- Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country.
- Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in 180 days.
- Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border.
- Holidaymakers may also need to show proof of insurance.
- Italy is one hour ahead of the UK.
- The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55.
- Flights to Italy from the UK take between 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on the destination.
Meanwhile, here are the 100 best beaches in the world to visit in 2024 – and four from the UK have made the cut.
And this stunning Italian town is tipped to be the best place to visit this year.