It has fewer than 10,000 inhabitants but over 80 churches, and is architecturally interesting, with some houses dating to the 13th century. It is located 8.5 km from Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto and 30 km from Messina.
It has a castle that belonged to Federico II, the king of the Two Sicilies, built in the 1200s. The name Castroreale comes from Latin, and it means royal fortress.