Vaccarizzo-Delfino: Coast, Nature and Local History

Vaccarizzo-Delfino brings together its connection to the coast, natural landscapes and local history. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Vaccarizzo-Delfino, you can first consider what you would like your stay to focus on: the beach, nature watching nearby or the history of the town.

Coast and natural landscapes

Vaccarizzo-Delfino borders the Gulf of Catania to the east. The southern section of Spiaggia La Playa di Catania is also known as Spiaggia di Vaccarizzo-Delfino. Together with Spiaggia di Villaggio San Leonardo, it forms a continuous beach and is part of the sandy beach area of the Riserva Naturale Oasi del Simeto. Knowing the connection between the names can help you find your way when you encounter different names for this stretch of coast.

The beach and the nature reserve are distinct points of reference, even though the beach section is part of the nearby Oasi’s sandy beach area: the beach name refers to the southern part of Playa, while trails and birdwatching areas are located in the nearby Riserva Naturale Oasi del Simeto; guided walks are also organized there along the trails. Guided walks are organized there along the trails. This distinction makes it easier to plan for the beach section and nature activities separately.

The Riserva Naturale Oasi del Simeto protects wetlands that are very important for resident and migratory birds that stop to rest and breed. The reserve’s landscape includes coastal dunes, marshes and river landscapes. A publication dated March 14, 2025, also mentions walks, trekking and picnics at the Oasi. Participation details may vary, and information on outdoor activities may change. If a guided tour or a particular activity is important to your stay, check the latest participation information in advance.

History and culture

Historically, Vaccarizzo was a fief owned by the Bonajuto family. In 1696, Francesco Bonajuto bequeathed Vaccarizzo to the Franciscan monks in his will; a legal dispute over ownership continued into the 19th century. The bequest marks a specific point in time, while the legal dispute kept the question of ownership open into the 19th century.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, Vaccarizzo was characterized by agriculture and woodland. In the 1960s, private homes and bathing establishments were built in the eastern part. This later phase of construction therefore came after the period characterized by agriculture and woodland.

The church of Nostra Signora di Nazareth oltre Simeto in Vaccarizzo is a Catholic place of worship built in 2013. Its year of construction provides a more recent point of reference alongside the earlier periods of ownership and land use.

Practical information

AMTS route 438 runs between Stazione Centrale and Vaccarizzo. If you would like to use this connection when planning your trip, check the timetable for your travel date.

A figure published in 2022 gives Vaccarizzo-Delfino’s summer capacity as up to 6,000 people. This refers to a seasonal capacity figure, not a year-round population.

Discover more destinations: Fiumefreddo Di Sicilia, Canalicchio, Mirabella Imbaccari, Caltagirone, Riposto, Montargano, Castiglione Di Sicilia, Adrano.

For the main travel overview: Catania.