The baroque hill town perched on a spur of rock: San Giorgio Cathedral, panoramic gardens and stone alleys, minutes from Comiso.
Ragusa is a city in two parts: the modern town on the plateau and Ragusa Ibla, the historic core resting on a spur of rock, reached on foot by hundreds of steps or by the scenic road. After the earthquake of 1693 Ibla was rebuilt on the site of the old settlement, keeping its web of narrow alleys: today it is one of the most spectacular baroque towns in Sicily and, since 2002, part of the UNESCO-listed Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.
Its heart is Piazza Duomo, dominated by San Giorgio Cathedral, a masterpiece by Rosario Gagliardi with a theatrical façade above a broad staircase. From here alleys lead to the Giardino Ibleo, a panoramic park over the valley, to the churches of Santa Maria dell'Itria and Santa Maria delle Scale and to noble palaces. Its staircases and views have made Ragusa one of the favourite sets of the Inspector Montalbano TV series.
The local table deserves a stop: Ragusano DOP cheese, Monti Iblei olive oil, carobs, stuffed "scacce" and almond sweets. Ragusa is the most convenient base for those landing at Comiso, only 20 minutes from the airport: from here Modica, Scicli and the coast are within easy reach.
Ragusa is about 20 minutes from the airport. You can arrive by private transfer, rental car or the scheduled buses serving the airport (AST and Tumino): check up-to-date timetables in our getting around guide.
The best activities and excursions selected for this destination.