In Southeast Sicily, history and hedonism live side by side. Siracusa was once the strongest Greek city in the Mediterranean; the towns of Noto, Ragusa, Modica, and Scicli rose resplendent from the 1693 earthquake in golden limestone. Today, the region is a UNESCO-listed tapestry of baroque facades, citrus groves, and slow meals that seem to stretch into the evening breeze.

Early September is Sicilian summertime at its best: warm seas, grape harvests, and late sunsets that invite long passeggiate. This week is built around an agriturismo (farm-stay) base, so you can unpack once or twice and spend your days between beaches, villages, and vineyards. Expect almond granita with brioche for breakfast, seafood in Marzamemi for lunch, and a plate of pasta alla Norma or ravioli di ricotta for dinner.

Practical notes: Renting a car is ideal for farm stays and beaches. Watch for ZTL (limited traffic) zones in historic centers. Book top restaurants ahead, carry sun protection for midday heat, and pack water shoes for rocky coves. If jellyfish drift in, try calmer beaches like Calamosche inside the Vendicari Reserve.

Noto (Base 1: Noto, Vendicari & Marzamemi)

Reborn in perfect baroque harmony, Noto is an architectural daydream of honey-colored stone, grand staircases, and balconies dripping with wrought iron. The cathedral crowns Corso Vittorio Emanuele, while nearby cafés serve the island’s best pastries and almond confections. Ten minutes south spread the salt-scented marshes and dunes of the Vendicari Nature Reserve, and the photogenic fishing village of Marzamemi beckons for seafood and sunsets.

• Top sights: Noto Cathedral, Palazzo Nicolaci balconies, Porta Reale, Church of San Domenico, Tonnara di Marzamemi, Calamosche and Marianelli beaches in Vendicari.
• Eat & drink: Caffè Sicilia (almond granita; cassata), Corrado Costanzo (gelato), Trattoria Fontana d’Ercole (homey Sicilian), Ristorante Crocifisso (creative Sicilian), Cortile Arabo and Taverna La Cialoma in Marzamemi (seafood with sea views), Liccamuciula (deli-bookshop, boards and local wines).
• Agriturismi to consider: Masseria degli Ulivi (olive-grove pool vibes), Pantanelli di Vendicari (country manor by the reserve), Relais Torre Marabino (near Ispica, for wine-lovers).

Where to book stays: Browse countryside villas and farm stays near Noto on VRBO or Hotels.com.

Getting there: Fly into Catania (CTA). From major European cities, compare flights on Omio. From outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. CTA–Noto is ~1h15 by car; by public transport, trains or buses take ~1h45–2h from Catania (search schedules on Omio Trains and Omio Buses) for ~€8–€14.

Ragusa Ibla (Base 2: Ragusa Ibla & Modica)

Ragusa Ibla curls over a hill like a seashell: lanes thread between baroque palazzi to the Duomo di San Giorgio, and the Giardini Iblei gardens open to valley views. Foodies know Ragusa for caciocavallo Ragusano DOP and celebrated kitchens—casual to Michelin-starred.

• Top sights: Duomo di San Giorgio, Giardini Iblei, the Scalinata to Ragusa Superiore, Donnafugata Castle (nearby), and the nearby towns Modica (Aztec-method chocolate) and Scicli (TV’s Inspector Montalbano filming sites).
• Eat & drink: I Banchi (chef Ciccio Sultano’s bakery-bistro), Ristorante Duomo (Michelin-starred tasting menus), La Bettola or Trattoria da Luigi (classic Sicilian), Gelati DiVini (ricotta and Modica-chocolate gelato).
• Agriturismi to consider: Baglio Occhipinti (organic wines, rural chic), Poggio del Sole (country hotel with views), Villa Zottopera (oil estate near Chiaramonte Gulfi).

Where to book stays: See agriturismo options and countryside properties around Ragusa on VRBO or Hotels.com.

Getting there from Noto: Drive ~1–1.5 hours (70–80 km). Without a car, buses run ~1h45–2h (check Omio Buses) from ~€7–€12; trains are longer and require changes (Omio Trains).

Day 1 — Arrive in Catania, Settle into Your Noto Agriturismo

Morning: Fly into Catania (CTA). From Europe, compare fares on Omio (often €60–€200 roundtrip from major hubs). For intercontinental options, see Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car for easy beach and village access.

Afternoon: Drive ~1h15 to your agriturismo near Noto. Check in, cool off by the pool, and stroll Corso Vittorio Emanuele at golden hour. Pop into Palazzo Nicolaci to see the over-the-top baroque balconies.

Evening: Dinner at Ristorante Crocifisso (contemporary Sicilian plates; book ahead) or Trattoria Fontana d’Ercole (hearty ragusano cheese-topped pastas). Finish with gelato at Corrado Costanzo or a pistachio cannolo at Caffè Sicilia.

Day 2 — Noto’s Baroque Glow, Vendicari Reserve, and Marzamemi

Morning: Espresso and a brioche col tuppo with almond granita at Caffè Sicilia. Step inside Noto Cathedral, then duck into San Domenico for serpentine columns and theatrical light. Pick up beach snacks from a deli-cum-wine shop like Liccamuciula in Marzamemi (later stop).

Afternoon: Head to the Vendicari Nature Reserve: birdwatch the salt lagoons, then swim at Calamosche or Marianelli (no facilities—bring water and shade). If seas are choppy, try Lido di Noto for easier access.

Evening: Golden-hour in Marzamemi. Aperitivo on the piazzetta at La Balata, then dinner at Cortile Arabo (couscous di pesce; crudo) or Taverna La Cialoma (spaghetti ai ricci when in season). Stroll past the old tonnara as the village lights reflect on the bay.

Day 3 — Siracusa & Ortigia: Street Food, Temples, and Sea

Morning: Drive ~45–60 minutes to Ortigia. Start with a cappuccino at Gran Caffè del Duomo facing the baroque cathedral, then join this flavorful walk:

Syracuse Ortigia - Sicilian Street Food Tour by Do Eat Better

Snack your way through arancini, pani câ meusa (if offered), fried panelle, and cannoli while a local shares culinary lore and lanes you’d miss alone.

Afternoon: Cross to mainland Siracusa to explore the Archaeological Park of Neapolis: the Greek Theater, Ear of Dionysius, and Roman Amphitheater. If you’d rather stay on the island, book a 1‑hour boat loop of Ortigia’s grottoes and city walls at the marina.

Evening: Dinner back in Ortigia at Sicilia in Tavola (reservations recommended) for swordfish involtini or pasta alla siracusana (tomatoes, capers, olives). For a lighter option, build a picnic from Fratelli Burgio or line up for a life-changing sandwich at Caseificio Borderi (go early—queues!).

Day 4 — Nature Day: Canyons, Farm Flavors, and Wine

Morning: Hike viewpoints at Cavagrande del Cassibile for a sweep of limestone gorges and turquoise pools. Note: trail access can close due to fire risk; if so, opt for Pantalica (UNESCO-listed necropolis and river swims) or the gentler Cava Carosello near Noto Antica. Bring sturdy shoes and at least 1.5L of water per person.

Afternoon: Return to your agriturismo for a pool dip and a farm tasting—olive oil, fresh ricotta, sun-warmed figs. Winery stop: Planeta Buonivini (Noto) for Nero d’Avola and Moscato di Noto is a great add-on; call ahead for tastings.

Evening: Unhurried dinner in Noto: try Manna for seasonal pastas and local fish, or keep it rustic with a shared grigliata mista. Toast with a glass of frappato and a slice of cassata for dessert.

Day 5 — Transfer to Ragusa Ibla via Scicli

Morning: Check out and drive ~1h to Scicli, a baroque gem with low-slung palaces and a lived-in pace. Coffee at a corner bar, then amble to the Church of San Bartolomeo and up to San Matteo for views over the town’s three valleys.

Afternoon: Lunch at Al Galù (handmade pastas; good local wine list). Continue 30 minutes to your Ragusa agriturismo. Settle in and head to Giardini Iblei for a shady stroll and valley vistas.

Evening: Ragusa Ibla by night is magic. For casual excellence, book I Banchi (breads, ragusano cheese ravioli, and deep wine list). If you’re celebrating, reserve Ristorante Duomo for a tasting menu that riffs on local traditions.

Day 6 — Modica Chocolate, Donnafugata Castle, and Sunset in Ibla

Morning: Drive ~25 minutes to Modica. At Antica Dolceria Bonajuto taste the crumbly, cold-worked chocolate (cinnamon and vanilla are classics) made with an Aztec-derived technique introduced via Spanish rule. Visit the twin-set churches of San Giorgio and San Pietro up their dramatic staircases.

Afternoon: Lunch at Osteria dei Sapori Perduti (daily specials on handwritten boards). In the afternoon, tour Donnafugata Castle—sumptuous rooms and a stone labyrinth—or detour to Scicli’s quiet sagrato for a granita break.

Evening: Back in Ibla, pre-dinner aperitivo at a wine bar off Piazza Duomo. Dinner options: La Bettola (hearty ragusano cooking) or Trattoria da Luigi (home-style plates). Gelato nightcap at Gelati DiVini (try sheep’s ricotta).

Option B (organized full-day): Prefer a guided baroque circuit? Consider this tour (operates from Syracuse; useful if you adjust bases):

8-hour tour of Baroque cities Noto Modica Ragusa Ibla

Day 7 — Mt. Etna Morning Adventure and Departure

Morning: Check out early and drive ~1h45 to Catania to join an Etna excursion that fits a travel day. Two strong choices:

Etna Morning Tour from Catania

or

Etna by Jeep: Exploring Craters and Lava Caves and Etna Wines

Both include easy crater walks and lava cave visits; the Jeep option often adds a wine stop—perfect for a final toast.

Afternoon: Return to Catania Airport. If flying within Europe, compare same-day options on Omio. For long-haul, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time, grab an arancino near the terminal and one last espresso.

Evening: Flight home, with sun and sea salt still on your skin.

Where to Stay Each Half of the Week

• Noto area (Nights 1–4): Search farmhouses and villas on VRBO (Noto) or boutique agriturismi on Hotels.com (Noto). Look for “agriturismo,” “masseria,” “country house,” or “wine resort” in listings.
• Ragusa area (Nights 5–6): For vineyard stays and rural estates, browse VRBO (Ragusa) and Hotels.com (Ragusa). Aim for properties with pools, on-site tastings, and quick access to Ibla.

Transport At-a-Glance

• Fly: To/from Catania (CTA). Compare Europe routes on Omio; global routes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Train/Bus: Catania–Noto ~1h45–2h; Noto–Ragusa ~1h45–2h. Check Omio Trains and Omio Buses for times and fares.
• Drive: Ideal for agriturismi and beaches. Mind ZTL zones and use paid lots outside historic centers.

Across these seven days, you’ll taste Sicily’s soul: orchard breakfasts, baroque piazzas, wild coves, and warm nights scented by jasmine and sea. With Noto and Ragusa as your anchors—and easy day trips to Siracusa, Modica, and even Etna—you’ll leave with sun in your suitcase and recipes in your pocket.