During our two and a half week road trip through Sicily, from Taormina on the East coast to Erice on the West, we spent the last five days exploring the beautiful Baroque towns of the Val di Noto. This region is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage towns, and we made it to four: Modica, Noto, Ragusa, and Scicli.
We split our time between Modica and Noto, staying two nights in each, and thought it was the perfect amount of time.
Modica is set dramatically in a steep canyon, divided in half by its main street, Corso Umberto I. Long staircases and narrow alleys weave between honey-colored buildings, connecting Modica Bassa (the lower part of town) to Modica Alta (the upper part). Be prepared for plenty of walking and a lot of steps.
In 1693, a massive earthquake struck southeastern Sicily and destroyed many towns, including Modica. The city was rebuilt in the 17th-century Baroque style, which is why so many towns across the Noto Valley share a similar look and feel.
While Modica is often called the “town of 100 churches,” it’s best known for something sweeter: chocolate. That’s actually what drew us here in the first place. I’ll travel just about anywhere for good chocolate.
In this quick guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Modica, from the top chocolate shop to the most beautiful churches and best places to eat.
Things to do in Modica
Try Chocolate from Antica Dolceria Bonajuto
Discovering that Sicily had its own famous chocolate town was all the excuse I needed to add Modica to our itinerary.
What makes Modica chocolate different? It’s made with a cold process using only cacao and sugar—no added fats. The method was brought to Sicily by the Spanish in the 16th century, and it gives the chocolate a gritty texture and slightly bitter flavor, since the sugar crystals don’t melt.
Antica Dolceria Bonajuto has been making Modica-style chocolate since 1880. They have flavors like cardamom, cinnamon, orange, and lemon. We walked out with at least six bars between the two of us.
Once it’s your turn at the counter, you can ask to taste any flavor before buying, which is amazing. But be warned, it also means a long wait, since everyone (myself included) wants to sample as many as possible.
My verdict? The grainy texture wasn’t my favorite. I prefer chocolate that’s a bit smoother and creamier. Still, it’s absolutely worth trying while you’re here.
Visit the Duomo of San Giorgio
This is Modica’s main landmark and absolutely worth the 250-step climb to see it. The church was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake and is considered one of the finest examples of Sicilian Baroque architecture.
Inside, you’ll find opulent gold gilding and a 19th-century organ that’s still played today.
If you’re in Modica in the late afternoon, head to this viewpoint to see the Duomo all lit up.
Take in the View from Belvedere Pizzo
From our hotel across the ravine, we walked down to Modica Bassa, strolled Corso Umberto, and then made the steep trek back up to Modica Alta on the other side. It started raining halfway up, our feet were slipping, and we got lost more than once thanks to spotty Google Maps.
Eventually, we made it to Belvedere Pizzo, and wow, the view was worth every soggy step. From up here, the city stretches out like a sea of stone buildings packed tightly into the valley. This is the best viewpoint in town.
Visit More Churches
Being the “town of 100 churches,” you have more than enough churches to visit; however, these are four that are worth checking out. You can buy a cumulative ticket for €6 to visit all four, or pay €2.50 each.
- Duomo di San Pietro Apostolo: Located on Modica’s main thoroughfare, Corso Umberto, this Baroque church features a grand staircase lined with statues and a beautifully detailed interior.
- Chiesa di Santa Maria di Betlem: One of the oldest churches in Modica, it has a hand-painted wooden ceiling and a 19th-century nativity scene.
- Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmelo: A 15th-century church and one of the few Gothic-style churches in the city.
- Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista: A beautiful church at the top of Modica Alta. For a small fee, you can climb the bell tower for sweeping views of the city.
Explore Castello dei Conti
Overlooking Modica is the Castello dei Conti, a 14th-century fortress built by the Peralta family and completed by the Chiaramonte family. It later hosted royal visitors like King Martin I and Emperor Charles V.
You can spot the castle from town by looking for the Torre dell’Orologio (clock tower), built in 1725 after an earthquake destroyed the original tower. Entry to the castle is €3.
Get a Granita or Two
Granita is one of Sicily’s most beloved desserts, soft shaved ice flavored with almond, pistachio, coffee, and seasonal fruits. Top it off with an essential spoonful of whipped cream. Almond and pistachio are always my favorites.
We tried two granita spots in Modica that we loved:
- Café Adamo: If you only have time for one of these, go here. We had the seasonal mulberry flavor and it was amazing.
- Latteria – Caffè Storico: I loved their almond granita.
Where to Eat in Modica
We only had time to try a couple of restaurants in Modica, all recommended by our lovely hotel host. They gave us a long list of spots to check out—here are a few places to eat in Modica.
Restaurants
- Accursio Ristorante (1 Michelin Star)
- Radici
- Il Cappero
- Pizza Niria
Street Food
Where to Stay in Modica
We stayed two nights at Casa Talia, owned by an architect from Milan, and it’s one of my top three hotels in Sicily. Our room had a huge balcony with a panoramic view over the entire town. We loved spending the evenings out there, watching the city light up after sunset. Breakfast was unforgettable and served in their garden with a full spread.
Other Modica hotel options:
Getting Around Modica
Getting around Modica takes some effort. You’re almost always walking uphill or climbing steps to get anywhere, unless you stick to Modica Bassa.
If you’d rather skip some of the uphill climbing, then book a ticket on the Trenino Barocco, a small tourist train that takes you to the main sights around town. You can book tickets at their stand on Corso Umberto I.
How to Get to Modica
By Car: While it can feel a bit daunting at first, driving is the best way to get around Sicily. I drove us around for two and a half weeks. I was nervous at first, but it ended up being totally manageable. You’ll quickly learn that Sicilian drivers don’t always follow the usual road rules, but you get the hang of it fast.
- Noto to Modica: 40 minutes
- Siracusa to Modica: 1 hour
- Catania to Modica: 1.5 hours
By Train: If you’re traveling around Sicily by train, you can conveniently reach Modica this way. The station is about a 15-minute walk from the center of town.
- Noto to Modica: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Siracusa to Modica: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Catania to Modica: 3.5 hours
Parking in Modica
Parking in Modica can be tricky. If you are staying at a hotel, make sure to ask if they have parking. Our hotel, Casa Talia, had available spots nearby.
Here are a couple of public parking lots near town:
How Much Time Do You Need in Modica?
Modica is small and you only need about half a day to see the main highlights.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
We visited at the end of September and it was perfect—warm and sunny without the summer crowds. October, November, and spring are also great times to come.
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