Ragusa

Ragusa, like other splendid towns in the Val di Noto, suffered the tragic fate of being destroyed by a devastating earthquake in the 17th century and completely rebuilt.

Ragusa was initially reconstructed higher up, but the local nobility wanted to return to the city’s original core. The result is a fascinating town split into two distinct areas, connected by buses and steep staircases: Ragusa Ibla (the historic centre) and Ragusa Superiore, built on a plateau.

The historic centre is Sicily as you’d imagine it – narrow alleyways flanked by splendid palazzi and elderly locals perched on benches watching the world go by. Curiously, though, Ragusa is less popular with tourists than other parts of southern Sicily, which makes it a more budget-friendly destination – perfect for cost-conscious travellers seeking culture and beautiful beaches.

A visit to Ragusa is also a feast for the senses. You can sample the local cheese, Ragusano, a PDO caciocavallo made from cow’s milk, treat yourself to sweet delights like the classic Sicilian brioche with ice cream or original wine-infused gelato, and enjoy the region’s traditional dishes.

Need some suggestions? Pasta alla carrettiera with garlic and salted ricotta sauce, sfogghiu (a savoury pastry tart filled with ricotta and sausage), and trippa alla ragusana (Ragusa-style tripe). Buon appetito… or rather, have a wonderful holiday!

Things to do in Ragusa

Palm-tree shadows, baroque exuberance, historic palazzi with faded charm, and grand churches – a stroll through Ragusa’s centre is a journey of discovery through beauty.

The best way to start exploring the town is to arrive at Piazza Duomo1 via via del Mercato, so you can enjoy a splendid view across the valley below and admire the piazza in all its glory when you arrive. Flanked by palms and dominated by the magnificent Duomo di San Giorgio2, the overall vista is quite simply breathtaking.

Once you’ve recovered from all this wonder, visit the Cathedral: built forty years after the earthquake on the remains of an older church, it represents one of the finest examples of Sicilian baroque. Its neoclassical dome is nothing short of stunning, and there are countless artistic treasures inside.

Don’t miss the smaller Chiesa di San Giuseppe3 overlooking Piazza Pola, to the east of Piazza Duomo.

For a spot of shade and respite, head to the Giardino Ibleo4, the town’s oldest public garden. Built in the 19th century thanks to three wealthy locals, it sits in a panoramic spot on a rocky outcrop overlooking the valley. It’s perfect for a picnic, a cool walk and stunning photographs.

One of Ragusa’s most characteristic sights is the three bridges that span the San Domenico valley, connecting the southern part of the town to the historic centre:

• Ponte Vecchio5 (also known as Ponte dei Cappuccini or Ponte Scopetta): built in the early 19th century, it’s a stone bridge with arches.
• Ponte Nuovo6 (also known as Ponte Pennavaria or Ponte del Littorio): built during the fascist era, it’s a reinforced concrete arch bridge covered with stone. It’s the main artery connecting the centre to the southern part.
• Ponte Nuovissimo7 (also known as Ponte Papa Giovanni XXIII): inaugurated in 1964, a year after the pope it’s named after died, it’s a single-arch bridge.

Beaches near Ragusa

Ragusa is an inland town, situated about twenty kilometres from the coast. For a holiday combining beach time and cultural visits, hiring a car is practically essential.

The Ragusa coastline is mostly sandy, with large stretches of free beach and abundant wild vegetation of acacias and reeds. Some beaches evoke African landscapes and atmospheres.

The nearest beach is Marina di Ragusa, about 20 km from the town centre. It’s a 2 km sandy beach with both equipped zones and free areas.

A popular beach near Ragusa is Donnalucata, where scenes from the TV series Inspector Montalbano were filmed.

The largest seaside resort on the Ragusa coast is Pozzallo, whose beach has been awarded the Blue Flag for service quality and crystal-clear waters.

Other unmissable beaches near Ragusa include: Cava d’Aliga, Marina di Modica, Caucana, Punta Braccetto, Sampieri, Torre di Mezzo and Santa Maria del Focallo.

Day trips from Ragusa

Ragusa is an excellent base for exploring southern Sicily’s beauty. On a day trip, you can visit splendid towns such as Noto, Modica, Scicli and Syracuse, dine on bottarga or tuna belly dishes in a charming fishing village at Marzamemi, and taste Nero d’Avola at one of the wineries that produce it.

Agrigento with its ancient temples is just over 100 km away.

Where to stay in Ragusa

Ragusa Ibla is the heart of the town, where most tourist attractions are concentrated and where you’ll find numerous restaurants, bars and shops. This is definitely the recommended area to stay in Ragusa.

This town is less expensive than other places in south-eastern Sicily, so it’s possible to find charming hotels and holiday apartments housed in elegant Art Nouveau villas or historic palazzi at very affordable prices.

Recommended hotels in Ragusa

How to reach Ragusa

The nearest airport to Ragusa is Comiso, reachable by car in just 30 minutes. For those using public transport, Catania airport is more convenient: it’s further away (around 100 km) but is connected to Ragusa by direct buses. The journey time by bus from Catania airport to Ragusa is one hour and 45 minutes.

You can reach Ragusa by direct trains from Syracuse (journey time: 2 hours), whilst from other major cities like Catania and Palermo you’ll need to change at least once.

Another option to reach Ragusa by public transport is to take a bus from Catania or Syracuse.

Local buses connect the upper and lower parts of the town.

Ragusa Weather