Ragusa is one of the most beautiful towns in south-eastern Sicily. The town consists of two parts separated by a deep valley: the Baroque Ragusa Ibla and the higher-lying Ragusa Superiore.

Ragusa’s current appearance dates from its reconstruction following the devastating earthquake of 1693. The historic centre forms part of the ‘Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto’ UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main attraction is not any one specific building, but the overall view of Ragusa Ibla, with its narrow streets, stairways and Baroque houses built on steep slopes.

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Is Ragusa worth a visit?

Yes. Ragusa is well worth a visit, particularly for the historic district of Ragusa Ibla, the views and the Baroque architecture.

Depending on how much time you have, we recommend:

• 2 to 3 hours – just explore Ragusa Ibla
• Half a day – start in Ragusa Superiore and walk down to Ibla
• A full day – include longer stops at churches, gardens and restaurants
• 1 night – the best option when travelling through south-eastern Sicily

The most pleasant time to visit is in the late afternoon. Temperatures are cooling down, the light falling on the houses is softer, and after dark the streets of Ragusa Ibla are beautifully lit.

If you only have a few hours, don’t try to drive between all the sights. Park near Ibla and explore it on foot.

Ragusa Ibla or Ragusa Superiore?

Most photographs of Ragusa feature Ragusa Ibla, which is the older and more tourist-friendly part of the city.

Here you’ll find St George’s Cathedral, Piazza Duomo, the Giardino Ibleo and most of the Baroque palaces.

Ragusa Superiore is the newer and busier part of the city. It is home to the train and bus stations, more shops, the Cathedral of St John the Baptist and several stunning views of Ibla.

If you’re short on time, choose Ragusa Ibla. If you want to see both parts, start at the top in Ragusa Superiore and walk downhill to Ibla.

Sights and attractions

• Duomo di San Giorgio – the main landmark of Ragusa Ibla, standing above the wide staircase in Piazza Duomo
• Piazza Duomo – the natural centre of Ibla, with restaurants, cafés and a lively evening atmosphere
• Giardino Ibleo – a peaceful public garden on the eastern edge of Ibla with views over the surrounding valleys
• Portale di San Giorgio – an ornate Gothic-Catalan portal, preserved from the original church destroyed by an earthquake
• Santa Maria delle Scale – a church offering one of the most beautiful views of Ragusa from Ibla
• Santa Maria dell’Itria – a church known for its blue dome decorated with ceramics from Caltagirone
• Palazzo Cosentini – a Baroque palace with elaborately decorated balconies
• Cathedral of St John the Baptist – Ragusa’s main cathedral, situated in the centre of Ragusa Superiore

Recommended walking route through Ragusa

The most beautiful route leads from Ragusa Superiore down to Ragusa Ibla. As well as the sights, it also offers the best panoramic views.

1. Start at Piazza San Giovanni, by the Cathedral of St John the Baptist
2. Continue along Corso Italia and Corso Mazzini to the viewpoint at Santa Maria delle Scale
3. Descend the steps to Piazza della Repubblica
4. Walk past Palazzo Cosentini and the Church of Santa Maria dell’Itria
5. Continue through the narrow streets to Piazza Duomo
6. From St George’s Cathedral, walk across Piazza Pola to Giardino Ibleo
7. Finish your visit at the historic Portale di San Giorgio

Allow around 4 hours for the entire route, including stops. You can return from Ibla to Ragusa Superiore by city bus or taxi.

The route involves a large number of steps and cobbled surfaces. If you are pushing a pushchair or have limited mobility, it is more practical to travel directly to Ibla and walk only the section between Piazza Duomo and Giardino Ibleo.

Admission and opening hours

The streets, viewpoints and Giardino Ibleo are all free to visit. Entry to most churches is also free.

Church opening hours vary and are subject to the schedule of services. They are often closed in the middle of the day. If you wish to see the interiors, plan your visit for the morning or late afternoon.

Organised day trip from Catania

If you’re staying in Catania and don’t want to hire a car, you can book a full-day trip to Noto, Modica and Ragusa.

The trip lasts around 8 hours and includes transport and a pick-up in Catania. It is particularly suitable for travellers without a car. Bear in mind, however, that the visit to Ragusa itself is only a short tour.

With your own car, you’ll have more time and can easily combine a visit to Ragusa with Modica or Scicli.

Where to stay in Ragusa

Ragusa is often visited as part of a day trip, but staying overnight is the best way to experience Ibla away from the crowds. The town is also a good base for exploring south-eastern Sicily.

When choosing accommodation, location is the key factor:

• Ragusa Ibla – the best atmosphere, sights and restaurants, but trickier parking and more steps
• Ragusa Superiore – easier access by car, close to the railway station and more practical accommodation for those with larger suitcases

Hotels and apartments in Ragusa

We recommend the following specific accommodation options:

• Itria Palace – a convenient location on the outskirts of Ibla, near the footpath connecting the two parts of the town
• San Giorgio Palace – accommodation in the historic centre, not far from Piazza Duomo

If you’re still choosing a base for your entire holiday, compare Ragusa with other areas in the section on where to stay in Sicily.

How to get to Ragusa

By car

A car is the most convenient option if you want to combine a visit to Ragusa with other towns in south-eastern Sicily.

The journey takes about 2 hours from Catania, about 1.5 hours from Syracuse and about 20 minutes from Modica.

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Where to park

Do not drive into the very centre of Ragusa Ibla. Some streets are part of the ZTL zone, and its operating hours vary depending on the season and day of the week.

The most convenient options for visiting Ibla are:

• Parcheggio Giardini Iblei
• Parcheggio Avvocato Giovanni Ottaviano
• Parking spaces along Via Avvocato Giovanni Ottaviano

Some spaces are paid for and some are free. The car parks listed by the city are located outside the ZTL and are accessible even when the ZTL is in force.

If you wish to explore both parts of the city, you can use the SiSosta covered car park in Piazza del Popolo in Ragusa Superiore. The car park is open 24 hours a day and from there you can walk down to Ibla.

The city of Ragusa publishes up-to-date information on ZTL operations, a list of car parks and city bus services.

If you are staying in Ibla, enquire about parking and unloading luggage before arrival. Some accommodation providers offer guests a seasonal parking code or can assist with obtaining a permit for a short-term entry into the ZTL.

By bus

Direct buses operated by Etna Trasporti connect Ragusa with the centre of Catania and Catania Airport. The journey from the airport takes around 2 hours, depending on the specific service.

Direct buses operated by SAIS Autolinee run from Palermo. The journey takes around 4 to 5 hours, so Palermo is not a suitable base for a day trip to Ragusa.

Long-distance buses stop at the Via Zama or Scalo Merci terminal in Ragusa Superiore. To get to Ibla, take a city bus or a taxi.

By train

Trenitalia trains connect Ragusa mainly with Modica, Scicli and Syracuse.

• Modica – the journey takes about 20 minutes
• Scicli – the journey takes about 40 minutes
• Syracuse – journey time approx. 2 hours

The railway station is located in Ragusa Superiore. You will therefore need to take public transport or walk to reach the main sights in Ibla.

City buses

City bus routes 1 and 2 run between Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla.

Both connect the Scalo Merci bus terminal, the railway station area and Giardino Ibleo. They run approximately every 45 minutes; route 1 runs daily and route 2 runs from Monday to Saturday.

A single-journey ticket costs 1,20 eur when purchased online, via the RagusaBus app or at an authorised ticket office.

If you pay the driver 1,60 eur. The ticket is valid for a single journey only and does not allow for transfers. You can find the latest routes and timetables on the Etna Trasporti website.

Further information on travelling around the island can be found in the section ‘Transport in Sicily’.

What to combine a visit to Ragusa with

Ragusa is situated in an area with several other Baroque towns and fits best into an itinerary covering south-eastern Sicily.

• Modica – a Baroque town centre and traditional chocolate, about 20 minutes by car or train
• Scicli – a smaller and quieter Baroque town, about 30 minutes by car
• Castello di Donnafugata – a romantic castle with extensive grounds, about 25 minutes by car
• Marina di Ragusa – a seaside resort and beaches, about 30 minutes by car
• Noto – the region’s most famous Baroque town, about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car

You can visit Ragusa and Modica in a single day. If you’d like to include Scicli as well, we recommend spending at least one night in the area.

When deciding between Ragusa and Modica, choose Ragusa for its more dramatic views and a longer walk. Modica is better suited as a shorter stop combined with a tasting of local chocolate.

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