5 Tips to Make the Most of Visiting Ragusa, Sicily

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Sicily is a place that’s guaranteed to deliver tourists some jaw-dropping scenery. If my posts on Sicily show you anything, I’m sure it’s that. And yet, among the various scenic places I visited around the island, one destination stands apart. That destination is the hilltop city of Ragusa, a place you need to visit simply to see for yourself. You won’t want to miss visiting Ragusa as it’s a picture-postcard combination of elegant Baroque architecture and faded Sicilian character.

Like Noto and other places in the southeast of Sicily, this city is part of the UNESCO-recognised Val di Noto area known for its Baroque architecture. But the city is so much more than that, mainly thanks to the way the landscape carves it up. See, there are two distinct parts to the city. Climbing a lower hill you have the historic Ragusa Ibla, the city’s historic centre. Watching over it you have the (more) modern part of the city called Ragusa Superiore, which is still centuries old.

Normally, I try to avoid being superficial and provide depth related to a destination’s history and culture. But since the majority of things to do in Ragusa relate to its scenery and atmosphere, there’s not much else to say. To that end, here are my tips to best enjoy the incredible panoramas and settings encountered when you visit Ragusa, a place worth visiting.

Enjoy the Classic Staircase View

Any list of what to do in Ragusa is bound to start with the city’s most iconic viewpoint. It’s easy to see why once you see the spectacular view in question, a panorama right across Ragusa Ibla. The viewpoint sits at the top of a great long staircase, that gradually makes its way to the historic centre.

You can enjoy views of Ragusa Ibla the whole way down its 242 steps. However, the view at the top is hard to beat thanks to the way it’s framed by the bell tower of the Church of St Mary of the Stairs and local homes. The view is so magical that I found myself returning over and over again to see it in a different light. That’s why there are multiple versions of it in this article frankly.

Watching the sunset over the Old Town was a real treat, while dusk is also quite captivating thanks to the street lights. So I highly recommend you stick around here if you can.

Get Lost in the Streets of Ragusa Ibla

Now, while Ragusa may be famous for one specific view, there is more to it than that. To see what I mean you need to venture down into Ragusa Ibla and spend some time meandering about. That’s because most of the Old Town is like an ancient maze, waiting to be solved. Even the main roads that flank either side of the Old Town’s hill are quite minor and pedestrian-friendly.

Between them, you have narrow streets, lanes and more staircases to connect everything up – rarely logically or straightforwardly. It’s that kind of antiquated, organic layout you find in many historic places that have been unchanged by time. And that’s my favourite kind of place to explore.

It’s only by getting lost in Ragusa Ibla that you’ll get a real sense of the place. You’ll come across little courtyards surrounded by homes and find new viewpoints that help you see the city in a new light.

For instance, it was only down in the Old Town looking back up that I got a true sense of how much higher the rest of the city was. My suggestion is to take Via del Mercato after you’ve reached Piazza della Repubblica at the base of the stairs, turn off it when the mood strikes and wander from there.

Head for the Heart of the Old Town

Of course, when coming to Ragusa Ibla you’ll want to see the main sights there. While there are a few things around Piazza della Repubblica, the major attractions in this part of town are over on Piazza Duomo.

It’s around there that you’ll see the best examples of grand Baroque architecture in Ragusa. Chief among them is the Church of St George, sitting at the top of this sloped square. There are a few palaces nearby as well, but it’s the textbook Baroque church that draws most people’s attention.

From the main square, take the pedestrian street Corso XXV Aprile. This street takes you through the heart of Ragusa Ibla, which was full of wedding groups the day I was there. But besides being lined with some interesting scenery, the other good thing about this street is where it leads.

Follow the corso and you’ll eventually reach the beautiful and elegant gardens of Giardino Ibleo. This public park is full of paths through gardens, tall palm trees, multiple churches and even a nice viewing terrace. So, not only is this the green heart of the Old Town, but you’re treated to views of the surrounding rustic countryside.

Don’t Miss Ragusa Superiore

As much as Ragusa Ibla is the centre of attention for tourists here, don’t overlook Ragusa Superiore in the process. While it may be a pain in the butt climbing back up to the modern part of the city, I do think it’s worth it. Because it’s not actually that “modern”, having been built following the 1693 earthquake. The idea had been to move the city to Superiore, but Ibla carried on, creating two separate cities that were only joined in 1927.

All this goes to show that there’s plenty of character and history to be found in the upper part of the city. You need only look to the Ragusa Cathedral for proof of that. Built throughout the 18th century, it’s another fine example of the Sicilian Baroque style and is the centrepiece of Superiore.

Beyond the cathedral, you’ll find plenty of other churches in this neatly laid-out part of the city. And while there are several palaces here as well, it’s the city’s great long streets and old-fashioned homes that I found more interesting. Again, this isn’t a destination loaded with a long list of attractions, more one that’s best experienced instead.

Stay in Superiore Rather than Ibla

When I was planning my trip to Ragusa, my instant assumption was that Ibla was where I’d want to stay. After all, that’s where visitors spend the bulk of their time and is why people come here. But I didn’t end up staying down there and I’m glad that I chose Superiore in the end. I recommend you stay in Superiore for two reasons in particular.

First of all, Superiore is way easier to get to and get around. Those who come with public transport have a shorter, flatter walk to reach this part of the city. Visitors with cars will be able to drive around this part of the city and find somewhere close by to park. I can’t imagine the pain of trying to park down in the labyrinth that is Ibla.

Then there’s the other perk of staying in the higher of the two parts of town, strongly advertised by the guesthouse I stayed in. Called Terrazzo su Ibla, it’s named after the fact that it offers terrace views of Ragusa Ibla. And that’s what I got, with a private terrace peeking over the rooftops towards the historic centre.

Terrace views seem to be fairly common in Superiore, which is quite a compelling reason to stay there. There were other good aspects to the guesthouse like the breakfast and quiet location, but a view is always hard to resist.

Other Travel Tips for Visiting Ragusa

The other main thing worth talking about is how to get to Ragusa. Now, if you’re coming by rental car then you don’t really need much help. Taking a guided tour also relieves you of that pressure and makes the trip easier.

But if you’re using public transport then it’s worth going into your options. There are both bus and train connections to the city, but which is right for you really depends on where you’re coming from. That’s because it’s much quicker and easier to take the bus from Catania to Ragusa. There you have the choice of frequent buses that take less than 2 hours, or a 4 train ride several times a day.

The only trick is knowing which bus company (this one) and that you want to go from “Catania – Via Archimede – Autostazione” to “Ragusa – Via Zama – Autostazione”. But if you’re going from Noto or Syracuse to Ragusa then the train ride is actually a pretty good idea.

Have you heard of or seen photos of Ragusa before? Are you interested in visiting Ragusa when you next get the chance to travel to Sicily? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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