Ragusa is a hilltop masterpiece in southeast Sicily, split between Ragusa Superiore and the older Ragusa Ibla—both reborn after the devastating 1693 earthquake. Its golden Baroque palazzi, ornate churches, and labyrinth of limestone lanes are part of the Val di Noto UNESCO World Heritage area. Photographers love the late-afternoon light; historians admire the stylistic flourish born from tragedy.

Food here is heartfelt and regional: scacce (folded flatbreads), ravioli di ricotta with pork ragù, caponata, and Ragusano DOP cheese. Nearby vineyards produce Cerasuolo di Vittoria (Frappato + Nero d’Avola), Sicily’s only DOCG wine. Gelato scented with local herbs and citrus sweetens the long, slow evenings.

Practical notes: the historic centers have ZTL (limited-traffic) zones—park on the outskirts and walk. Summer heat is real; mornings and golden hours are your friends. For arrivals: Comiso Airport is 30 minutes away; Catania is roughly 2 hours by road. Comfortable shoes are essential for the panoramic stairways between Superiore and Ibla.

Ragusa

Ragusa Ibla feels like a film set—because it often is. Inspector Montalbano fans will recognize piazzas and staircases that double as “Vigata.” Highlights include the Cathedral of San Giorgio’s theatrical façade, the serene Giardino Ibleo, and the medieval Portale di San Giorgio framing time like a painting.

• Top sights: Duomo di San Giorgio, Giardino Ibleo, Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Scale (and its panoramic stairway), Portale di San Giorgio, Piazza Pola, and the handsome palazzi along Corso XXV Aprile.
• Where to stay: For atmospheric nights, base in Ragusa Ibla near Piazza Duomo; for easier parking and shopping streets, consider Ragusa Superiore. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting there: From elsewhere in Europe, check flights on Omio (Flights). If you’re flying from outside Europe, compare global options on Kiwi.com. From Catania or Syracuse, look for trains or buses on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses)—Catania to Ragusa by bus is about 2 hours (~€9–12), train 2.5–3 hours (~€9–15). Comiso Airport to Ragusa is ~30 minutes by taxi; local buses run ~35–45 minutes (~€3–5).

Day 1: Arrival, Golden-Hour Baroque, and a Sicilian Home Kitchen

Morning: Travel to Ragusa. If you’re landing at Comiso or Catania, plan a mid-day arrival in town. Drop bags at your stay (Ibla puts you in the scenic heart). If you need a private ride, prebook a transfer; taxis and buses are reliable, but hills and luggage aren’t best friends.

Afternoon: Ease in with an espresso and a flaky cassatina at I Banchi, a beloved bakery-bistro in Ibla known for slow-fermented breads and savory scacce. Then take the staircase from Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Scale—arguably the city’s best panorama—down to Ibla’s honey-stone lanes.

Join a guided introduction to the city’s architecture and history on the 3-hour Baroque walk:

3-hour walking tour Discovering Ragusa Baroque — You’ll follow the panoramic stairs, pause at UNESCO-listed landmarks, and learn how the 1693 quake reshaped the city’s soul.

Evening: Dine like a local—hands-on. Cook a seasonal 3-course meal in a private home, picking up tips on pasta dough, sauces, and home-style desserts. It’s intimate, delicious, and a window into Sicilian hospitality:

Private cooking class with lunch or dinner at a local's home in Ragusa (3 hours)

Prefer a restaurant this first night? Reserve ahead for an elevated tasting menu at the Michelin-starred Ristorante Duomo (creative takes on classic Ragusan flavors) or Locanda Don Serafino (romantic cave dining). More relaxed options include Trattoria Agli Archi (cavati al sugo, rabbit, and scacce) or Salumeria Barocco (Ragusano DOP platters, caponata, and Sicilian charcuterie). For a sweet finale, Gelati DiVini near the Duomo churns inventive flavors like wine gelato and Sicilian citrus.

Day 2: Gardens, Ceramics, and One Last Sicilian Lunch

Morning: Start with a classic breakfast: try Pasticceria Di Pasquale in Ragusa Superiore for ricotta cannoli, cassatelle, and impeccable espresso, or slip back to I Banchi for warm cornetti filled with pistachio crema. Stroll Giardino Ibleo’s palm-lined avenues and peek into the adjoining churches (San Giacomo, San Giuseppe) for quiet frescoes and cool stone.

Then get your hands into clay at a local atelier—an ode to southeastern Sicily’s craft traditions:

2-Hour Pottery Making Workshop in Ragusa — Learn shaping, trimming, and simple glazing while hearing how ceramics colored nearby towns like Caltagirone.

Afternoon: For a last taste, settle into lunch in Ibla. Good bets: Trattoria La Bettola (homey dining; order ravioli di ricotta and involtini), Quattro Gatti (wood-fired pizza and bruschette on a quiet lane), or a wine-and-small-plates spread at Salumeria Barocco (pair with Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG). If you’d like a quick souvenir detour, look for almond cookies, nougat, or jars of capuliato (sun-dried tomato spread) from small delis around Piazza Duomo.

Departure day logistics: If you’re bussing to Catania or Syracuse, search schedules on Omio (Buses); trains (with scenic stretches via Noto or Syracuse) are on Omio (Trains). Catching a flight within Europe? Compare options on Omio (Flights). If you prefer a private airport ride, consider prebooking a car to Catania.

Evening: If you happen to have a late departure or one more night, toast at a neighborhood wine bar with Frappato by the glass. Then wander the softly lit steps around Santa Maria delle Scale—Ragusa’s stone is at its most photogenic just after dusk.

Where to Stay

• Ragusa Ibla (for atmosphere): Stone-townhouses with balconies over tiled roofs; easy walks to the Duomo and Giardino Ibleo. Browse character stays on VRBO or check boutique hotels on Hotels.com.
• Ragusa Superiore (for access): Easier parking, supermarkets, and connections; walk or bus down to Ibla for evenings.

How to Get To/From Ragusa

• Flights (within Europe): Compare routes/prices to Comiso (CIY) or Catania (CTA) on Omio (Flights).
• Flights (from outside Europe): Find competitive long-haul options into Catania or Palermo on Kiwi.com.
• Trains & Buses in Sicily: Schedules and tickets via Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses). Catania–Ragusa bus ~2 hours; train 2.5–3 hours via Syracuse or Gela.

Optional Add-On Experiences (if you extend)

If you add time, consider a countryside tasting with storytelling about rural life and Ragusano cheese traditions:

Sicily wine food tours from Ragusa

Film buffs can also trace Inspector Montalbano filming locations across Ragusa, Scicli, and Modica on a themed half-day.

Insider tips: Carry small change for church donations. Book dinners and tours in advance in May–October. Mind ZTL signs when driving; when in doubt, park and walk. For gifts, look for Ragusano DOP cheese, olive oils from the Iblei, and ceramics that nod to nearby Caltagirone’s traditions.

Summary: In 48 hours, Ragusa reveals a rare duet of beauty and depth—staircases that open to domes, gardens that pause the day, kitchens that tell stories in saffron and ricotta. Between the Baroque skyline and your last spoonful of gelato, you’ll understand why travelers linger here, promising to return.