Sightseeing

Noto

Punta Secca

Punta Secca has a long history as a fishing village and more recently as a beach destination. It is highlighted by its tall white lighthouse that anchors the point and stands guard over the port, defining the town's skyline. White washed buildings and splashes of pastel make it a pretty village. There are seafront restaurants and miles of beaches to walk along. Outside of towns, dunes of sand are sprinkled with a variety of broom that has white fragrant flowers, a type that arrived here on the wind from Tunisia. The marina also sees an influx of visiting pleasure boats moored alongside the fishing fleet. Come down early in the morning to see what the fishermen have caught and pick up some fresh seafood for the day's meals. The piazza nearby hosts concerts in the summer in the shadow of the lighthouse; year-round it is the primary gathering place for the townspeople.

While it's small, Punta Secca has enough shops, outdoor cafes and restaurants to enjoy. There is a tower from the 1500s, a remnant of the old coastal defense system that helped warn of possible pirate raids and Saracen attacks on the shores. Unfortunately, the historic Torre Scalambri has been covered by a drab cement but its easy to see its old features and the part it played in protecting Punta Secca.

Ragusa

One of the most fascinating towns in Sicily, Ragusa has caused many a visitor’s jaw to drop as they first set eyes on the lower part of the town. Essentially Baroque, the Ragusa you will see today dates almost entirely from 1693. Indeed, it was in this year that Ragusa, along with its neighbours, Noto, Modica, Scicli and Catania, was razed to the ground by a terrible earthquake that hit most of the eastern side of Sicily.

Public opinion on where to rebuild the town was divided, and so a compromise was made. The wealthier, more aristocratic citizens built a new town in a different site, now Ragusa “Superiore”, while the other half of the population decided to rebuild on the original site, on a ridge at the bottom of a gorge, now Ragusa Ibla. The two towns remained separated until 1926 when they were merged to become the chief town of the province, taking the place of Modica.

While the upper part has its fair share of architectural delights, it is the smaller Ragusa Ibla down below that really draws visitors. Whether you approach it from Modica to the south or from Ragusa Superiore, the sight of the jumble of houses, churches and civic palazzi piled on top of each other, clinging to the walls of the gorge, is really quite breathtaking.

Siracusa

This beautiful coastal city is well known for its remarkable historical heritage and its charming old town: Ortigia Island. It’s the perfect place to spend some time during your stay.

Once you cross the bridge that connects Ortigia to the city, you will be surprised by the calm that reigns there. In order to preserve this charming ambience, the island is mostly pedestrian only, and some parking spaces are reserved for residents only.

But don’t worry, you will find several paid car parks during the day and you will soon realize that the parking rules in Sicily are not really respected. After 2 days in Syracuse, you will probably adopt the local behavior and park your car in the first parking space you find, authorized or not.

Once the parking problem has been solved, start your day in Syracuse by having a look at the Apollo temple at the entrance of Ortigia Island.

Nearby, you will find Syracuse market, which is held every morning. Attracted by colors and smells, it’s the right moment to plan a good picnic with sausages and Sicilian cheese!

Marina di Ragusa

The golden beaches, the nightlife, the recently restored port tourist area, and the delicious Ragusan cuisine are an indispensable mix for those who want to come and spend an intense period of sun, sea, and fun in Sicily.

The seawaters are always crystal clear and calm.  The fine sand gently slopes downward into the sea, allowing a gradual descent into the water.  The beaches are well maintained and equipped with different playing fields.  For sports lovers, basketball and soccer tournaments are frequently held in Piazza Malta.  For the beauty and cleanliness of its coastline,it was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag award in 2009.

By now, the nightlife in Marina di Ragusa, has become well known. Every summer evening is a source of entertainment for thousands of young people who get together to drink or eat something in the numerous bars that are enjoyed on the Marina waterfront.

Marina di Ragusa is an ideal location for families: the beautiful sea will not get boring to the children, and in the evening, the waterfront Andrea Doria is host to all kinds of events.

Modica

Modica is an attractive historic town in south-eastern Sicily, one of the area's UNESCO-listed Baroque towns. Modica is particularly famous for its chocolate, and it is an appealing destination for food-lovers, making a good holiday base or day-trip destination.

Modica is situated in the dramatic landscape of the Monti Iblei, a range of high ground divided up by deep valleys and surprisingly populous towns. Important in Medieval times, Modica was rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1693 and now boasts fine late-Baroque architecture as well as a medieval old town.

There is a helpful tourist information office on Corso Umberto, Modica's valley-bottom high street, which is also the location for the town museum, its chocolate shops and a good proportion of its restaurants and cafes. This street, lined with worn, elegant buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, is the place tourists are likely to spend the most time, and it's a reference point for exploring the town.