When you think of Sicily, you might think of the big players like Palermo, Catania and Siracusa (which are all well worth a visit!). However, in this post, I’d like to tell you about three charming towns that each deserve a spot on your Sicily itinerary. They are Noto, Ragusa and Modica. In this post, I will share the best things to do and see while you’re there, and give you practical information on how to reach them from Sicily’s main cities.

This picturesque town nestled in the southeastern corner of Sicily is renowned for its stunning Baroque architecture. Noto’s history dates back to ancient times when it was known as Netum under Greek rule. In 1693, a catastrophic earthquake led to the complete reconstruction of the town (it also devastated Ragusa, Modica and much of southern Sicily). As a result, Noto is home to an impressive ensemble of Baroque buildings, earning it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The majority of Noto’s tourist attractions, churches, cafes and restaurants line the main road Corso Vittorio Emanuele, making it a very easy town to navigate on foot. You can’t miss the reconstructed 18th century Cattedrale di San Nicolò with its intricate facade and understated, elegant interior. Visit Palazzo Ducezio, an elegant palace which now serves as the town hall, and Palazzo Nicolaci, famous for its iron balconies adorned with mythological figures. Take time to explore Noto’s stunning churches, including Monastero del San Salvatore and Convento San Francesco d’Assisi all’Immacolata, with its impressive bell tower and ornate sculptures.

For lunch, head to Sabbinirica à putìa d’ercole. They have a varied menu including sandwiches and salads,  but I couldn’t resist their food platter of freshly made ricotta cheese, locally-produced cheese and meat (including mortadella with pistachio and melt-in-your-mouth pancetta), olives, pickled vegetables and crunchy bread. De-lish-ous! 

For a sweet treat, make a beeline for Caffè Sicilia, which has been in business since 1892. Some people travel to the town simply to try its light, crispy cannoli and brioche buns filled with homemade gelato. Despite its popularity, Caffè Sicilia hasn’t become overhyped or overpriced. Service was relaxed and friendly, with bilingual staff happy to answer any questions you may have. 

After all that sightseeing, you might want a break. Walk under the Porta Reale (royal archway) and into the city park Giardino Pubblico. You can rest your feet here, take in your surroundings and reflect on your lovely day in Noto. 

How to get to Noto

Renting a car will be the most convenient way to reach Noto, Modica and Ragusa. You can compare prices and find the best deals with Discover Cars. Pre-booking is advised to snag the best deals, especially during the busy summer months. It’s a good idea to rent a smaller vehicle as Sicily has a lot of narrow streets and tight roads, and pay for the full insurance in case of bumps and scratches (Sicilians have a reputation for being crazy drivers!).

If you’d rather use public transport, here are your options:

From Catania:

• Train: No direct trains from Catania; you have to first travel to Siracusa by train/bus then take a train from Siracusa. Journey time 2hrs, cost €10.00. Check train times on Trenitalia.
• Bus: Interbus has direct buses to Noto once an hour. Journey time 1hr 35 minutes. Cost €8.40 one-way.

From Siracusa:

• Train: There are seven trains per day. Journey time is around 40 minutes depending on the train you take. Cost €4.60 one-way. However the first train isn’t until 10.13am.
• Bus: You can take an Interbus bus from Siracusa to Noto every 1-2 hours. Journey time 55 minutes. Cost €3.60 one-way.

From Palermo:

• Unfortunately there aren’t good connections from Palermo to Noto. The easiest option is to drive (approx 3 to 3.5hrs). Alternatively take a bus to Catania, then switch onto one of the Interbus buses to Noto. It’s a long journey though, around 6 hrs 30 minutes including waiting time between buses. Cost €22 one-way.

What to do and see in Ragusa

The historic town of Ragusa is divided into two parts: Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa Superiore. The older part of town – Ragusa Ilba – is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its labyrinthine streets and beautiful Baroque architecture. Ragusa Ibla was largely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693, resulting in an interesting blend of architectural styles. Most of Ragusa’s tourist attractions can be found here, including Duomo di San Giorgio, a majestic cathedral perched atop a hill with brilliant panoramic views from its terrace. After visiting the cathedral, wander through the winding streets, admiring the architecture and stopping at quaint shops and cafes. If you need a rest, head to Giardino Ibleo, a relaxing park full of flowers, fountains and statues.

Ragusa Superiore, the newer part of town, offers a more modern contrast with its wider streets and modern amenities. Here you can find Ragusa’s train station, bus station and a range of restaurants, cafes and shops. For an authentic Sicilian lunch, head to one of the town’s traditional trattorias such as La Taverna Del Lupo and Trattoria La Bettola, both serving up pasta and hearty meat and fish dishes, as well as Sicilian desserts. There’s also some sightseeing to do on this side of Ragusa; Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Scale offers arguably the best viewpoint in the whole town, and Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista has an impressive altar and organ, and a peaceful private garden to relax in.  

There is a free shuttle bus which runs between Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla but it’s not very frequent (every 20-40 minutes). When I arrived, I had just missed the bus so decided to walk, which involved a steep descent down stone steps, zigzagging through a maze of small streets then (you guessed it!) a steep ascent. If I hadn’t had Google directing me throughout the 40-minute walk, I would have got hopelessly lost. Once I’d finished exploring Ragusa Ibla, I didn’t hesitate to take the free bus back to Ragusa Superiore! 

How to get to Ragusa

As mentioned above, renting a car will be the easiest way to visit these these beautiful Baroque towns, but it is also possible via public transport.

From Catania:

• Train: No direct trains; you have to first travel to Siracusa by train/bus then take a train from Siracusa. Shortest journey time 3 hrs 40 mins. Cost €13.60 one-way.
• Bus: Etna Transporti operates a regular service between Catania to Ragusa (at least one per hour). Journey time: 2hrs. Cost €8.60 one-way. 

From Siracusa:

• Train: There are four direct trains per day. Journey time between 2 hrs and 2 hrs 20 mins. Price €10.00 one-way. However, the first train of the day isn’t until 10.30am. 
• Bus: AST has four buses per day, the earliest leaving Siracusa at 8am. Journey time: 3 hrs 15 minutes. Price €7.20 one-way. 

From Palermo:

• Train: No direct trains. You can take a train to a town called Caltanissetta Xirbi then switch to a local bus, or take multiple trains (Palermo to Messina, then Siracusa, then Ragusa). Shortest journey time: 4.5hrs. Cost €19-25 one-way.
• Bus: You need to take two buses, firstly to Catania with the company Sais Autolinee, then switch to a Etna Transporti bus to Ragusa. Travel time between 6 hrs 30 to 7 hrs, cost €23 one-way. 

What to do and see in Modica

Modica is a small town steeped in history and culture, thanks to its artisanal chocolate production. What makes Modica’s chocolate special? It’s based on an ancient Aztec recipe that was brought to Sicily by the Spanish in the 16th century. The recipe only contains three ingredients; cocoa, sugar, and natural flavourings. It is processed at cold temperatures and doesn’t contain cocoa butter, which creates a distinctive crumbly, granular texture and intense cocoa flavour.

While you’re there, make sure to visit a chocolate shop or two (or three!) to learn about the centuries-old process and, of course, buy yourself some treats. I recommend Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily which has been making chocolate since 1880. You can do a tour of their factory (€8 – reservations required) or just browse its extensive shop. Another great chocolateria is Cioccolato di Modica Sabadì, which has a fantastic variety of flavours including cinnamon, orange peel, pistachio, salt and chilli. 

Of course there’s more to see in Modica than its chocolate shops. One of the most prominent attractions in Modica is the Duomo of San Giorgio, a magnificent example of Sicilian Baroque architecture, offering wonderful views over Modica. Step inside this cathedral to admire its white and gold decorations and intricate designs. Nearby you can find Duomo di San Pietro, which was rebuilt after the earthquake using surviving structures from the previous building. The staircase leading up to it is flanked by twelve statues, representing the Apostles, and inside you can find colourful paintings, domed ceilings and sweeping arches. 

For lunch, stop at one of the many restaurants on Corso Umberto I. I had one of the best meals of my whole Sicily trip at Osteria Ricotta & Co mangiare di casa, which has a varied menu with many dishes showcasing their homemade ricotta. I ordered a platter of locally-sourced meat, freshly made ricotta (served warm, with fresh bread – heavenly!), an assortment of grilled and pickled vegetables and Sicilian caponata. I couldn’t resist ordering a bowl of their pasta alla Norma with aubergine and salted ricotta. Yum yum yum!

If you’re looking for some culture, visit Museo Civico di Modica, a popular archaeological museum with relics, weapons, statues and ancient books from the prehistoric to mediaeval ages. It costs €5 to enter, although you can get a combined ticket for the Civic Museum, Palazzo dei Mercedari and Castello dei Conti (€10). In between sightseeing, take some time to wander through Modica’s enchanting side streets, where you’ll find hidden gems and surprises at every turn. When you’re ready to say arrivederci to Modica, head back to the bus or train station for your onward journey. 

How to get to Modica

From Catania: 

• Train: No direct trains; you have to first travel to Siracusa by train/bus then take a train from Siracusa. Shortest journey time 3 hrs 20 with waiting time at Siracusa. Cost €12.30 one-way
• Bus: There are seven AST buses travelling from Catania to Modica. Journey time between 2 hrs 15 and 2 hrs 30. Cost between €7-12 one-way.

From Siracusa:

• Train:  There are five direct trains per day. Journey time between 1hr 40 and 2hrs. Price €9.20 one-way. However, the first train of the day isn’t until 10.30am. 
• Bus: No direct buses. You could take an AST bus from Siracusa to Ragusa, then take another AST bus from Ragusa to Modica (€2.70 one-way). 

From Palermo:

• Train: No direct trains; you need to change first at Messina then Siracusa, then take a third train to Modica. Shortest journey time: 5 hrs. Cost €20-29 one-way.
• Bus: No direct buses; you need to take a bus to Catania then change for one of the AST buses to Modica. 

Want a guided tour instead?

There are some very popular tours which include one or more of these beautiful Baroque towns. I have done some research on your behalf; here are some of the best-rated tours to consider:

• Visiting Noto, Ragusa and Modica from Siracusa
• Ragusa Ibla, Noto and Modica Private Day Trip from Siracusa
• Noto, Modica and Ragusa: The Baroque Tour from Catania
• From Catania: Siracusa, Ortigia and Noto Full-Day Tour
• From Catania: Siracusa, Ortigia, and Noto Tour with Brunch
• From Taormina: Siracusa & Noto Small-Group Tour

Internet access/E-Sims

If you need reliable internet during your time in Sicily, check out Airalo. My husband and I have personally used Airalo and found the E-SIMs very easy to set up and use. We had no issues surfing the net, using Google Maps and making online reservations. Airalo provides E-SIM cards that work in 200 countries, with various data packages for 7, 15, or 30 days – ideal for both short and extended stays in Sicily.

I hope this blog post has given you some ideas about visiting Noto, Ragusa and Modica and why you won’t regret adding any – or all! – of them to your Sicily itinerary. While you’re planning your Sicily trip, check out my suggested 10-day Sicily itinerary and Sicily travel guide for first-time visitors so you have everything you need for your vacation. Buon viaggio!

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow