Ragusa Ibla is the old part of Ragusa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002 as a pearl of Sicilian Baroque in the Val di Noto. Rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake on a 385-meter hill, it boasts over 50 churches and aristocratic palaces. Worth visiting are the Cathedral of San Giorgio, a masterpiece by Rosario Gagliardi, the Iblean Garden with views of the valley, and the cobbled streets of the historic center. Made famous by Inspector Montalbano, it has a timeless atmosphere, especially in the evening.
The Cathedral of San Giorgio is the iconic monument of Ragusa Ibla and an absolute masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed by architect Rosario Gagliardi and built between 1738 and 1775 after the 1693 earthquake, its imposing three-tiered tower-facade dramatically sits atop a 250-step staircase in Piazza Duomo. The interior is in a Latin cross plan with a 43-meter-high neoclassical dome and splendid 19th-century stained-glass windows. One of the most photographed churches in Sicily.
The Giardino Ibleo is Ragusa's oldest public park, located on the eastern tip of Ibla with breathtaking views of the Irminio Valley all the way to the sea. Created in the mid-19th century by Ragusan nobles, it features a palm-lined avenue, a fountain, busts of patriots, and three small churches, including that of San Domenico. Inside are the ruins of the 15th-century church of San Giorgio Vecchio, with a Gothic-Catalan portal that survived the 1693 earthquake. Free admission, perfect for picnics and sunsets.
Modica is one of eight late Baroque towns in the Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 15 km from Ragusa. Nestled in a gorge, it is divided into Modica Alta (Upper Modica) and Modica Bassa (Lower Modica), connected by scenic stairways. Worth visiting are the Cathedral of San Giorgio, with its 250-step staircase, the Cathedral of San Pietro (St. Peter's Cathedral), and the house-museum of Salvatore Quasimodo, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. It is famous for its Modica PGI Chocolate, cold-processed according to an ancient Aztec recipe. The Antica Dolceria Bonajuto is a must-see.
Scicli is one of the baroque jewels of the Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 25 km from Ragusa. Nestled between three hills, with the Colle di San Matteo dominated by its medieval church, it boasts one of the most scenic baroque historic centers in Sicily. Worth visiting are Palazzo Beneventano, named the most beautiful Sicilian baroque palace by the British Council, Via Mormino Penna, and the Church of San Bartolomeo. The town of Scicli is the Vigata Police Headquarters in the series Inspector Montalbano, a setting for cult scenes.
Marina di Ragusa is Ragusa's seaside resort, 25 km from the city, with 7 km of Blue Flag sandy beaches bordering the Strait of Sicily. Its elegant waterfront is lined with palm trees, Art Nouveau villas, and a modern marina with 800 berths. In the summer, it transforms into the Ragusa area's lively nightlife, with beach clubs, lidos, seafood restaurants, and nightclubs. Nearby is Punta Secca, home to Inspector Montalbano's house, made famous by the RAI TV series starring Luca Zingaretti.
