The "TRE PISCINE"

We had already seen the "Tre Piscine" entry on Google Maps and wondered how to reach it. Certainly not via Capo Zafferano, behind whose rocky massif they lie from Porticello, as the coastal panorama path ends at the abandoned Faro del Capo Zafferano lighthouse. Only after two and a half years of countless evening visits to the neighboring village of Apsra, where we love to enjoy a sundowner while watching the sunset, did we notice the three publicly accessible staircases leading down to it along the coastal path.

We left the car at the roadside and followed the steps down to the water. We had just witnessed the sunset in Aspra; even at the "Tre Piscine" (Three Pools), the horizon was still bathed in shades of orange and purple, and the prominent rock of Capo Zafferano glowed in a particularly warm evening light!

On those two evenings in April, we had the "Tre Piscine" (Three Pools) all to ourselves during our discovery; it must be quite different in the height of summer. Because the family was already waiting for us and dinner at Casa America, we didn't have time to explore the place extensively – for example, to find out if the "Tre Piscine" can be connected on foot by walking over the rocks. An evening picnic in this magical spot must be wonderful, and we've since heard from friends that it's excellent for snorkeling and offers the chance to see amazing, colorful fish! We'll definitely add a stop at the "Tre Piscine" to our ritual of admiring the sunset in Aspra with a sundowner in the future!

By car, it's about a six-minute drive from Casa America to the "Tre Piscine" (Three Pools), while on foot it would take about 45 minutes. In summer, free buses operated by the municipality of Santa Flavia, bearing the "La Costa d'Oro" logo, shuttle between the surrounding beaches. From our local cove, "Santa Nicolicchia," it's three stops via Sant'Elia to "Lido del Carabiniere / Tre Piscine." Timetables can be found, for example, on the municipality's Facebook page – the best way is simply to search for them on Google. In 2026, the buses run from May onwards between 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM and between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. You can certainly experience some truly magical moments at the "Tre Piscine" during a winter trip!