There’s one place in Sicily I had saved on my map since 2018 — six years before I finally got the chance to visit. It was Caffè Sicilia, a small pastry shop in Noto, a town on the southern tip of the island.
I had never heard of Noto before, and honestly, I had barely even thought about Sicily. But somehow, the promise of an almond granita from this little café put Sicily on the map for me.
So, when I started planning our 2.5-week road trip through Sicily, I knew we had to spend at least a day in Noto to try the granita. We ended up staying two nights at a dreamy olive farm nearby, which turned out to be our favorite hotel of the entire trip. Safe to say, we loved our time in Noto.
The Noto we see today is a reimagined version of the original city, rebuilt in the 1700s after a devastating earthquake in 1693 leveled the area. The new town was designed in the golden Sicilian Baroque style.
The original settlement, now called Noto Antica, dates back to the 9th century. You can still visit its ruins on Mount Alveria, about a 20-minute drive from modern Noto, where ancient tombs are carved directly into the rock.
Noto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth a visit, even if you only have an afternoon. Most of what there is to do here revolves around strolling the streets, eating, and visiting a few churches. You really don’t need more than a few hours.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Noto, where to eat, where to stay, and how to get there to help you plan your visit.
Things to do in Noto
Explore the Churches
- Cathedral of San Nicolò: The largest church in Noto, right in the heart of Piazza del Duomo. Its size alone makes it stand out among the sea of golden Baroque buildings. Originally completed in 1703, it’s gone through several changes over the centuries. The interior is quite minimal and modern, but still worth a quick walk-through. The real beauty is seeing it from the staircase out front.
- Church of San Domenica: A fantastic example of Sicilian Baroque architecture. Built in the 18th century, it sits just across from the gardens at Villetta d’Ercole.
- Basilica and Nunnery of San Salvatore: Right next to the cathedral, this former Benedictine convent is one of the largest nunneries in the city. Its position on Piazza del Duomo makes it easy to visit while exploring the area.
- Church of San Francesco d’Assisi all’Immacolata: An impressive Baroque church located right next to the Duomo. It was designed by Rosario Gagliardi, the architect behind many of the buildings constructed after the 1693 earthquake.
Views from Church of San Carlo al Corso
Located along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the highlight here is the climb to the top of the bell tower for beautiful views. From the top, you can see all the way down the street to the cathedral. Tickets cost €2.50 per person.
Tina di Lorenzo Theatre
A beautiful neoclassical theater that faces the Church of San Domenica. It can seat up to 308 people and features intricate stucco work on the ceiling. Performances still happen here from time to time, though not on a regular schedule.
Ducezio Palace
This 18th-century palace sits directly across from the cathedral and was inspired by French palaces. Inside, there’s a Hall of Mirrors and a rooftop terrace with views of the cathedral. It was closed during our visit, so I can’t say if it’s worth going in—but it’s a beautiful building to admire from the outside.
Nicolaci Palace
Built in 1765 by Rosario Gagliardi, this palace was home to the wealthy Nicolaci family. The façade is spectacular, with carved balconies and wrought iron railings that are a great example of Baroque excess. Even if you don’t go inside, the exterior alone is worth a stop.
Infiorata di Noto
Every third Sunday in May, Via Nicolaci transforms into a carpet of flowers for Noto’s famous flower festival. The Infiorata is one of the most vibrant events of the year. I’m tempted to plan my next trip to Sicily around this event.
Eat a Granita
Now for the important stuff. We stayed in Noto for two nights and managed to order three granitas per person, all from Caffè Sicilia. The almond granita is a must, and the coffee flavor is also great.
Make sure to order it with a dollop of whipped cream and a brioche on the side. Tables can be hard to come by, but if you go early or during an off-hour, you’ll likely find one.
Where to Eat in Noto
- Sabbinirica A Putìa d’Ercole: A great lunch spot. We loved the sandwich and salad here.
- Ristorante Crocifisso: One of the top-rated fine dining spots in town.
Where to Park in Noto
Parking in Noto can be a bit chaotic. On our first visit, we ended up parking along the SP15 as we drove into town.
The other two times, we paid to park at this lot. It’s a short walk into the center. Just a heads-up—you’ll need coins, as the machine didn’t take bills reliably.
How to Get to Noto
You can reach Noto by both car and train. From Catania, it’s about a 2 to 2.5-hour train ride. From Siracusa, it’s only about 30 minutes. Book your train tickets online at Trenitalia.com.
Personally, I recommend renting a car in Sicily. You’ll be able to explore more places on your own schedule, and often the drive is faster than the train. The drive from Catania to Noto is 1 hour 15 minutes and 30-40 minutes from Siracusa.
We rented our car through Discover Cars.
Popular Day Trips from Noto
Ragusa : A charming town with a thriving fine dining scene. If you’re hoping to eat at Michelin-starred restaurants like Locanda Don Serafino (1 star) or Duomo (2 stars), book well in advance. You only need an afternoon here.
Modica: Sicily’s beloved chocolate town. We spent a couple of nights here and absolutely loved it. Scenic and worth an afternoon visit. Read our Guide to Modica.
Scicli: We spent just a few hours here one morning, wandering through town and checking out the main sights before heading back to Palermo.
Siracusa / Ortigia: Founded by the Greeks in 734 BC, Siracusa is packed with history and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll need at least one day here.
Vendicari Nature Reserve: A beautiful coastal reserve filled with walking trails and beaches. We only had time for one beach, so we chose the best and easiest to get to: Spiaggia di Calamosche.
Where to Stay in Noto
We stayed two nights at an olive farm just five minutes outside the city called IUTA Farm and loved it! You can choose between indoor rooms or a glamping-style tent in the olive grove—we went for the tent. The pool area is lovely, the restaurant serves delicious meals, and yes, you get to drive around in a golf cart.
Here are a few additional options:
When to Visit Noto
We visited Noto at the end of September, and it was the perfect time. The weather was warm (sometimes borderline hot), but it never felt unbearable. We even managed a couple of beach days. It also felt like the tail end of peak season—still lively, but not crowded.
Early October and May are also great times to visit, especially if you want to avoid the heat and crowds of summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Noto Worth Visiting? Absolutely, Noto is a beautiful town worth adding to your Sicily itinerary.
- How much time in Noto? You only need a few hours to see the whole town, but spending 2-4 nights here is worth it. It’s centrally located within the Val di Noto, making it easy to take day trips to both the beach and other UNESCO World Heritage Towns in the valley.
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ITALY TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE
Italy Travel Insurance – We always get travel insurance before all of our trips for peace of mind. Check out Travel Insurance Master to find the best plan for you.
Italy Rental Cars – We’ve rented a car in Italy many times, and it’s definitely the most convenient way to get around the countryside. We rented our car through Discover Cars (our go-to rental agency), which helps you find the best rates no matter where you are traveling.
Italy Phone Plans – If your phone plan does not offer free coverage in Italy, then we suggest getting an eSIM. We used Airalo during our trip to Italy, and we had fantastic coverage the entire time. It’s easy to download and you can even top up via the app if needed.
Italy Hotels – Wondering where to book your accommodations for Italy? We’ve been reserving all of our hotels through Booking for years. Their messaging tool makes it easy to communicate with the hotels, and there are endless options to choose from.