Located in the heart of the Val di Noto, Ragusa is one of eight UNESCO World Heritage towns that make up Sicily’s Baroque trail. After a powerful earthquake struck the region in 1693, Ragusa (like many nearby towns) was completely destroyed.
The city was rebuilt in the 1700s in the typical Baroque style that you see throughout the Noto Valley, and today it’s split into two distinct parts.
The lower section, Ragusa Ibla, is home to the historic center. Climb the staircase to the top of the hill and you’ll reach Ragusa Superiore, the more modern part of town.
The best way to experience Ragusa is simply by walking around: exploring its churches, alleyways, and scenic viewpoints. And if you’re into food, make sure to reserve a table at one of the two Michelin-starred restaurants located right in the heart of Ibla.
We visited Ragusa as a day trip from Modica, where we were staying for two nights. It’s only a 20-minute drive away, which made it an easy stop.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Ragusa, where to eat, where to park, how to get there, and a few nearby day trips to help you plan your visit.
Things to do in Ragusa
Whether you arrive by train or car, the easiest way to explore Ragusa is to start in Ragusa Superiore and make your way down toward Ibla.
There’s a Tourist Office in Piazza San Giovanni (in Superiore) where you can pick up a free city map with key points of interest. This was helpful for us since some of the palaces and churches are tricky to find!
Ragusa Superiore
Piazza della Repubblica
I’m starting this itinerary based on driving and parking at Parcheggio Repubblica, which is exactly what we did. From the parking lot, make your way to Piazza della Repubblica and climb the Salita Commendatore, a set of staircases that will lead you up to Ragusa Superiore.
Belvedere di Santa Lucia
Wind your way along the narrow streets until you reach the Church of Santa Lucia. The belvedere has an incredible view overlooking Ragusa Ibla, with the whole historic town in view. You can see the dome of the Duomo and the roads that outline the shape of Ibla.
Church of Santa Maria delle Scale
This small church sits right on the ridge between Ragusa Superiore and Ibla. From here, you get one of the best panoramic views of Ragusa Ibla, stretched out below with its narrow streets and Sicilian hills surrounding it. The inside of the church is nothing special, but if it’s open, take a quick look inside.
Palazzo Bertini
Head up Via 24 Maggio and look to your right. You’ll find Palazzo Bertini, a Baroque palace from the late 1700s. Look closely at the three faces above the windows: a wealthy merchant, an aristocrat, and a poor man – each representing a different social class.
Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista
Located in Piazza San Giovanni, this Baroque cathedral is the centerpiece of Ragusa Superiore. The interior is stunning, with tall columns, vaulted ceilings, and intricate details throughout.
Ibleo Archaeological Museum
If you want to dive into the ancient history of the region, this museum walks you through it chronologically, from prehistoric times to the Byzantine era. You’ll find mosaics, pottery, tools, and statues.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–6:30 PM. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Admission: €4 for adults, €2 reduced.
Ragusa Ibla
From Ragusa Superiore, you can either walk back down to Ibla or catch the local bus. We bought our bus tickets at the tourist office and caught the bus here. It dropped us off at the Giardini Iblei.
Tip: Just across from the bus stop is the cutest pottery shop — Laboratorio Fuori Tema.
Duomo di San Giorgio
You may recognize Ragusa’s Cathedral as a backdrop in the Italian detective series Montalbano. A grand staircase in the Piazza Duomo leads up to this beautiful 18th century church.
The hours are a bit inconvenient, so make sure to plan your visit around their opening times.
Hours: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and 4:00 PM–7:00 PM.
Giardini Iblei
Located at the far end of Ibla, this garden features palm-lined paths, shaded benches, a few charming churches, and a scenic balcony overlooking the Valle dell’Irminio.
Explore More Churches & Palaces
It’s amazing how many churches and palaces are packed into such a small city. If you have time, here are a few more worth seeing:
- La Rocca Palace
- Church of San Francesco all’Immacolata
- Church of San Giuseppe
- Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
- Battaglia Palace (exterior only)
Dine at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant
Ragusa has two Michelin-starred restaurants, both located in Ibla. They’re open for lunch on select days, so check availability and book well in advance, especially during high season. A lot of people take a day trip to Ragusa, so if you’re spending the night here, then it may be easier to get a dinner reservation.
- Locanda Don Serafino (1 star): Refined Sicilian cuisine with a creative, modern twist.
- Duomo (2 stars): Elegant tasting menus rooted in traditional Sicilian flavors with an elevated, fine-dining approach.
Where to Eat in Ragusa (Casual Options)
- Njuria: A laid-back bar serving sandwiches and charcuterie boards.
- Gelati Divini: Great gelato spot in Piazza Duomo.
- Trattoria La Bettola: Traditional Sicilian food. Popular, so try to reserve or show up early.
- That’s a Moro: Local classics plus plenty of seafood options.
How to Get to Ragusa
You can reach Ragusa by both train and car. During our 2.5-week trip to Sicily, we rented a car because we wanted the flexibility to explore without relying on train schedules. I drove the entire time (since we didn’t want to pay for a second driver), and while I was a little nervous going into it, it turned out to be totally manageable.
There are a few things to watch out for—like drivers changing lanes without signaling and avoiding ZTL zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato), which are restricted traffic areas, but overall, I’d definitely recommend renting a car if you feel comfortable. That said, if you prefer not to drive, you can absolutely get to Ragusa by train. The train station is located in Ragusa Superiore and is about a 15-minute walk from Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista.
Book your train tickets at Trenitalia.com.
By train:
- From Catania: ~4 hours
- From Siracusa: ~2 hours
- From Noto: ~1 hour
By car:
- From Catania: 1 hour 40 minutes
- From Siracusa: 1 hour
- From Noto: 1 hour
Where to Park in Ragusa
We parked at Parcheggio Repubblica, which is conveniently located between Ibla and Superiore.
- Blue lines = paid parking (€1/hour)
- White lines = free (get there early to grab one)
Popular Day Trips from Ragusa
- Noto: A beautiful Baroque city with a charming historic center and one of the best granitas we had in Sicily. Read our Noto Guide.
- Modica: Sicily’s chocolate town. We spent two nights here and loved it. Read our Modica Guide.
- Scicli: We spent a morning here seeing the main sights. You only need a couple of hours to wander through.
- Siracusa / Ortigia: A historic city with Greek roots. You’ll want at least a full day here.
- Vendicari Nature Reserve: A scenic coastal reserve with walking trails and beaches. We spent the afternoon at Spiaggia di Calamosche, and it was perfect.
Where to Stay in Ragusa
If you’re staying a night or two, I recommend staying in Ragusa Ibla. It’s walkable, picturesque, and close to all the main sights. If you have a car, make sure the hotel has parking.
Here are a few options:
- Design Hotel: A.D. 1768
- Budget-friendly: Hotel Il Barocco
- Boutique Hotel: Relais Antica Badia – San Maurizio 1619
Getting Around Ragusa
Ragusa is a small city and very walkable. If you stay in Ibla, most of it is flat and easy to explore. Walking up to Ragusa Superiore, though, means a lot of stairs, so be prepared for that.
There’s also a tourist train called the Trenino Barocco that loops around Ragusa Ibla. It only costs a few euros and is a good option if you need a break from walking.
When to Visit Ragusa
We visited at the end of September, and it was the perfect time. The weather was warm (sometimes hot), but not unbearable. It felt like the tail end of peak season, so it was still busy, but not overcrowded.
Early October and May are also great times to visit if you want warm days without the summer crowds.
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