Things to do in Ragusa and Modica Sicily
Last updated on June 20th, 2026.
Ragusa is a UNESCO World Heritage baroque city in southeastern Sicily. It’s divided into two distinct districts: Ragusa Superiore (the modern upper town) and Ragusa Ibla (the ancient lower town). The city was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake in the late baroque style, giving it the extraordinary architectural uniformity visible today. Modica, 15 minutes away by car, is famous worldwide for its ancient-recipe chocolate: grainy, intense and unlike anything produced elsewhere. Together they form the most rewarding baroque day in Sicily, best combined with Noto and Scicli for a full Val di Noto itinerary.
There's a moment driving toward Ragusa when the entire hilltop town appears before you.
Churches, palazzi and honey-colored stone stacked against the Sicilian sky, it stops you every time.
Ragusa is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. Unlike Taormina or Cefalù, it hasn't been overrun with coach loads of tourists.
Ragusa Ibla’s streets are atmospheric, the restaurants are decent and the baroque architecture is some of the finest in Europe.
Modica, 15 minutes away, is where you come for chocolate.
The recipe is so ancient it predates the addition of sugar and produces something entirely unlike anything else you'll taste in Italy.
In this guide I'll cover the best things to do in Ragusa and Modica Sicily. What to see, eat, the Montalbano connection, how to get there from Catania, Syracuse and Noto, and everything worth knowing before you visit.
Both cities make a great addition to your East Sicily itinerary. Use this Sicily travel guide to help plan your trip to Italy.
Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla
Before you visit Ragusa, understanding its dual identity will save a lot of confusion.
Ragusa is one city but effectively two towns, each sitting on its own hilltop and separated by a deep limestone ravine.
They're connected by a staircase of several hundred steps, four historic bridges and a local bus service.
Ragusa Superiore is the upper, newer town. It was rebuilt on a rational grid plan after the 1693 earthquake destroyed the original settlement.
It has its own cathedral, the impressive San Giovanni Battista, and a more functional, everyday feel. Most of the parking areas are here and it's where most visitors arrive.
Ragusa Ibla is the lower historic quarter and the one that earns Ragusa its UNESCO status.
A medieval street plan was deliberately preserved after the earthquake. This means Ibla is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, baroque churches, grand piazzas and honey-colored stone buildings. It’s also where you'll spend most of your time.
The 1693 earthquake is a defining event in Ragusa’s, and much of southeastern Sicily’s, history. It was one of the most destructive in European history, killing an estimated 60,000 people across the region and leveling dozens of towns.
The reconstruction that followed produced the baroque streetscapes you see today. Ragusa Ibla is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Noto, Modica, Scicli and four other Val di Noto towns.
The split between Ibla and Superiore happened because residents literally disagreed about where to rebuild.
Some moved uphill to start fresh, while others returned to the original site. The result is a city with two personalities that remain distinct to this day.
Map of Ragusa and Modica, Sicily
Ragusa's split between Superiore and Ibla can be disorienting on a first visit, and Modica is a separate town 20 minutes away.
Use the map below before you arrive.
All the main sights, churches, restaurants, chocolate shops and parking areas are pinned so you know exactly where everything is before you visit.
Jump to:
Things to do in Ragusa Ibla
When you eventually spot Ragusa in the distance, it almost feels like a mirage.
From afar, the city looks majestic, with a sense of mystery and intrigue that builds the closer you get. It's a feeling that intensifies when you’re on the winding road driving up to the heart of the city.
The earthquake in Ragusa 1693 split the city of Ibla in 2, with some of the buildings re-built in Sicilian Baroque style. However, it's still also possible to see the older pre-earthquake buildings.
Walking around and exploring the city tops the list of things to do in Ragusa. Just start your travels earlier than later, as the Sicilian sunshine takes no prisoners.
Duomo San Giorgio and the Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista
The number one attraction most visitors come for is Duomo San Giorgio, and it earns every bit of the attention.
Designed by Rosario Gagliardi and rebuilt in Sicilian baroque style between 1738 and 1775, the original church was destroyed in the 1693 earthquake.
Today, the cathedral rises above Piazza Duomo on a grand staircase.
The cream-colored façade features three levels of superimposed columns that narrow toward the top. It gives the building an almost tower-like quality.
From below, looking up at the steps and the façade against the sky is one of the most striking views in Sicily.
The cathedral’s dome is visible from multiple points across Ragusa Ibla, serving as an orientation point for the city. Aim to visit at sunset when the light is softer and the crowds are thinner.
Dedicated to Saint George, the patron saint of Ragusa, the interior has an almost theatrical feel.
Deep red full-length curtains with golden-brown fringing greet you at the entrance, with a painted ceiling and ornate decorations inside.
We happened to visit during wedding preparations so quietly paid our respects before leaving. It’s worth noting that the church is actively used and isn’t purely a tourist attraction.
A second cathedral in Ragusa
In Ragusa Superiore, the Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista is the second baroque highlight not to miss.
Built in the 18th century, its façade features a grand staircase and a central portal flanked by two bell towers.
Inside are elaborate frescoes, ornate altars and a silver statue of St. John the Baptist dating to the 14th century. Its impressive interior holds its own against Ibla's more famous Duomo.
Both cathedrals are unmissable. Neither charges entry and together they represent two of the finest examples of Sicilian baroque architecture in the Val di Noto.
Duomo San Giorgio, Piazza Duomo, Ragusa Ibla Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista, Piazza Giovanni XXIII, Ragusa Superiore
Giardino Ibleo (Hyblean Gardens)
At the eastern edge of Ragusa Ibla is Giardino Ibleo (Hyblean Gardens).
The public garden, with views over the surrounding valley, offers welcome shade and rest on a hot Sicilian day.
It’s a much needed space given Ragusa’s several inclines and a significant amount of walking in the heat. Giardino Ibleo is useful as a mid-visit pause rather than just a sightseeing stop.
Within the garden are several small churches and a number of archaeological fragments. Make time to see the views from the edge across the gorge and valley below, they’re extraordinary.
Giardino Ibleo is free to enter and is never particularly crowded; it’s the kind of place that rewards slow travel.
Via Ottaviano Labisi, Ragusa Ibla
the streets of Ragusa Ibla
The greatest pleasure in Ragusa Ibla requires no entry fee and no advance booking. Getting lost in the alleys is the point.
The medieval street plan preserved after 1693 means Ibla doesn't unfold logically.
Alleys narrow unexpectedly, staircases appear without warning and small piazzas open up where you least expect them.
Following your curiosity rather than your map is more rewarding than having a planned route.
Wandering the side streets on our visit, we came across a workshop selling and restoring local crafts. Inside was a traditional carrettu (Sicilian cart) and a Fiat 500 covered in colorful Sicilian print.
It's exactly the kind of find that only happens when you stop following a route and start following your instincts.
📌 Lisa’s tip: the heat is worth planning around, especially if you don’t do well in extreme heat (like me). Ragusa gets extremely hot in summer and the combination of sun and inclines makes mid-afternoon walking tiring. It’s particularly harder for elderly visitors, anyone with mobility challenges or those traveling with a stroller. Start early, use Giardino Ibleo for shade and rest, and avoid the 1 to 4pm window in July and August.
Inspector Montalbano filming locations
The Inspector Montalbano connection to Ragusa Ibla is real but often overstated.
The primary filming location for the TV series is Scicli, which is around 30 minutes’ drive from Ragusa. It’s where the exterior of the police station was filmed and where Montalbano's fictional town of Vigàta is most visibly represented.
If the Montalbano connection is your primary motivation, Scicli deserves the dedicated visit.
That said, Ragusa Ibla does appear in the series, most notably the Circolo di Conversazione on Piazza Duomo. It’s an elegant 19th century private club whose exterior features in multiple episodes. The piazza provides many of the establishing shots that set the atmospheric tone of the show.
Walking through Ibla, with even a passing knowledge of the series, gives the streets an additional layer. You'll recognise the light, the stone and the scale of things. It's a pleasant bonus to a visit rather than the main event.
Circolo di Conversazione, Piazza Duomo, Ragusa Ibla
Where to eat in Ragusa
Ragusa has an excellent restaurant scene for all budgets, authentic and affordable; something which surprised us as locals.
Ragusa also holds the rare distinction of having three Michelin-starred restaurants within the city, a remarkable concentration for a town of its size.
For a special occasion dinner, Ristorante Duomo on Via Capitano Bocchieri is the most celebrated. It’s run by chef Ciccio Sultano whose two-starred kitchen has become one of the most respected in southern Italy.
Equally sublime is Locanda Don Serafino. With 2 Michelin stars to its name, the quality of the food and impeccable service is worth every Euro.
The restaurant's located adjacent to the UNESCO site of La Chiesa del Miracoli, a church dating to the 17th century.
The food here is nothing short of excellent, which I think you can see from my photos.
On top of this, the ambience matches the restaurant’s high standard, in no less than a cave-style environment.
If you fancy extending your time here, Locanda Don Serafino is also part of the striking boutique hotel of the same name.
For everyday eating, try one of the restaurants in the side streets of Ragusa Superiore and in the quieter corners of Ibla. They usually offer better value than anything near the main piazza.
Walk a street or two from the tourist spots and the quality goes up while the prices come down. It’s the same principle that applies anywhere in Sicily.
Things to do in Modica
The pretty town of Modica is around 20 minutes by car from Ragusa. Smaller in size but with just as much character as its bigger neighbor.
Modica was once an Arab walled town. However, the baroque era that followed swept away most visible signs of its former rulers.
Like Ragusa, it was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, and like Ragusa, the reconstruction produced something extraordinary.
Its layout is one of its most interesting features.
Modica divides into two parts: Modica Alta (Upper Modica) and Modica Bassa (Lower Modica). They’re separated by a deep valley and connected by a series of winding streets and staircases.
The result is a town that reveals itself gradually as you move between the two levels, always picturesque and always slightly mysterious.
Modica chocolate - what to expect
Modica's most famous export is its chocolate, and trying it is one of the best things to do in either city.
It’s the reason most people make the journey for, but it requires some expectation management before you arrive.
This isn’t chocolate as you know it.
The recipe dates to the Aztec tradition brought to Sicily by the Spanish. Cacao, sugar and spices combined at a low temperature that prevents the cocoa butter from emulsifying.
The result is a grainy, crumbly, intensely flavored tablet that melts differently in the mouth. It doesn’t carry any of the sweetness or creaminess you get from modern chocolate.
Modica chocolate isn’t sweet or smooth. It's an acquired taste in the truest sense: you'll either love it immediately or need a few bites to understand what you're experiencing.
You'll see plenty of shops selling it as you walk through town, however we found the best quality at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto. Located on Corso Umberto I, it’s one of the oldest chocolate shops in Sicily and the most historically important.
Cinnamon and vanilla are the most traditional flavors while the chili version is for more adventurous palates.
Buy a few different flavors rather than committing to a large bar of one.
We ended up taking home three bars: Massa di cacao 100%, Cioccolato Salinae and Cioccolato Mascobedo, worth trying all three to understand the range.
Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, Corso Umberto I 159
The historic center
Modica's historic center (centro storico) is beautiful but compact. A two to three hour visit covers it comfortably, which is exactly why it pairs so well with Ragusa in a single day.
The Cathedral of San Giorgio (different from Ragusa's) and the Cathedral of San Pietro are the main architectural highlights.
The Duomo di San Pietro was built on the site of an earlier church destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. Its striking baroque façade demands your full attention from the moment you approach. There are 250 steps to the top, worth every one for the views.
Inside is one of the finest examples of baroque organ building in Italy. Dating to the 18th century, the instrument has over 2,500 pipes and is still in use.
The stained yellow tone of the exterior, the interior detailing and the overall scale put it, for me, on par with the cathedrals in Siena and Florence.
High praise for a town this size.
One practical bonus: it wasn't crowded when we visited. A big contrast to the queues we'd experienced at Palermo Cathedral and nearby Monreale.
After visiting, Modica quickly became one of my favorite cities in Sicily.
Small it is, but there's something alluring about these quieter baroque towns over the busier, more famous alternatives. You see more, feel more and leave with something that stays with you.
Duomo di San Pietro, Piazza San Pietro, Modica
How to get to Ragusa and Modica
From Noto
The drive from Noto to Ragusa is a pretty one and takes approximately one hour by car.
Watch for the endless lemon and olive trees lining the road, and the old stone structures called muragghi: dry stone walls built to keep rocks from clogging the fields. They're a distinctive feature of the Sicilian countryside in this part of the island.
Noto to Modica is around 43 minutes. Combining all three in a single day is feasible but ambitious. Plan to spend the morning in Ragusa Ibla, lunch in Ragusa (Superiore) and late afternoon in Modica.
Start as early as possible to avoid the worst of the afternoon heat.
Syracuse
Syracuse to Ragusa is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car, and 1 hour to Modica.
The SS115 coastal road offers a scenic, though slightly longer, alternative to the motorway. From Syracuse you can also combine a Val di Noto day with Noto (40 minutes from Syracuse) before continuing onto Ragusa and Modica.
Catania
Catania to Ragusa takes approximately 1hr 40mins by car (1hr 30mins to Modica) via the E45 and SS514. It's a straightforward motorway drive for most of the route. From Catania airport the journey is similar.
From Taormina
Taormina to Ragusa takes approximately 2hrs 15mins depending on traffic. A long but achievable day trip. Leave early and plan to stay until early evening.
By car
A car is strongly recommended for visiting Ragusa and Modica.
Public transport connections exist but they can be infrequent and can limit your flexibility between the two cities. The drive between Ragusa and Modica takes approximately 15 minutes.
Getting around Sicily without a car
A car is the most practical way to explore this part of Sicily.
Hiring a car gives you full flexibility between Ragusa, Modica, Noto and Scicli, which are all within an hour of each other. See my full guide on how to get around Sicily for more detail.
If you're traveling without a car, national bus services like Flixbus connect the larger towns.
The most straightforward alternative is a guided tour: this baroque day tour of Noto, Ragusa and Modica from Catania covers all three towns in one day and removes the planning process entirely.
Parking
Ragusa Ibla is closed to non-residential traffic.
Park at Parcheggio Repubblica near to Piazza della Repubblica or at the Giardino Ibleo car park (Area di parcheggio Giardino Ibleo).
From Ragusa Superiore, local buses connect to Ibla (lines 1 and Linea 1 appear to be the quickest at 17 minutes. Alternatively, take the scenic staircase and descend on foot.
Practical tips for visiting Ragusa
The heat
Ragusa is extremely hot in summer. The combination of direct sun and the inclines between Superiore and Ibla makes afternoon walking hard work.
Start early in the morning, use Giardino Ibleo for shade and rest, and avoid the 1 to 4pm window if visiting in July or August.
Mobility
The staircase between Ragusa Superiore and Ibla has several hundred steps and isn’t accessible for strollers or mobility aids.
The bus connection is the practical alternative. Within Ibla, the streets are uneven and some sections are steep. Plan accordingly if visiting with seniors or with a baby/young children.
Combining with other towns
Ragusa and Modica pair naturally together. Adding Scicli (30 minutes from Ragusa) makes a full baroque day.
Adding Ispica (I have a guide to Ispica for reference: a lovely stop but too small for a full day) completes the Val di Noto picture.
For the full experience, base yourself in Noto for two nights and day trip to all four.
FAQs on Ragusa and Modica
Yes, and it’s one of the most underrated cities on the island. Extraordinary baroque architecture, excellent restaurants and fewer tourists than Sicily's more famous coastal towns.
Its late baroque architecture (UNESCO listed), the split between Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla, Inspector Montalbano filming locations and a food scene that includes three Michelin-starred restaurants.
Its ancient-recipe chocolate. Grainy, intense and made without added fats or dairy using a pre-18th century method. Also known for its baroque cathedral and hilltop historic center.
At Punta Secca, a small coastal village around 30 minutes from Ragusa. The police station exteriors were filmed in Scicli. Ragusa Ibla also features in the series, particularly the Circolo di Conversazione on Piazza Duomo.
By car via the A18 and SS514, it takes approximately 1hr 30mins. Bus services also run from Catania with journey times of around 2 hours. A car is strongly recommended for flexibility between the two towns.
A half day covers Ragusa Ibla's highlights comfortably, while a full day allows a slower pace combined with Modica in the afternoon. Ragusa also works well as a 1 to 2 night base for exploring Noto, Scicli and Ispica.
They offer different experiences. Noto is a single baroque center, compact and visually appealing. Ragusa is more complex with two distinct towns and a more lived-in atmosphere. Ideally visit both.
Where to stay near Ragusa
Given how close Ragusa, Modica and Noto are to each other, basing yourself in Noto makes sense. All three towns are within an hour's drive.
In Noto, treat yourself to a stay at the fabulous Seven Rooms Villadorata. This boutique hotel in the heart of the historic center in Noto makes a good base for your Sicily travels.
Alternatively, consider checking into a hotel surrounded by nature at IUTA Glamping & Farm. Around 2km from Noto city center, it's your opportunity to experience glamping in Sicily.
Prefer to stay in Ragusa Ibla? If so, consider booking a few nights at a.d. 1768 Boutique Hotel.
Located in the heart of the city, the stylishly restored historic building with rooms that put you directly in the old town atmosphere. It’s ideal if you want to experience Ibla after the day visitors leave.
Would you like to visit Ragusa or Modica? Which sights would you most like to see? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
Written by Lisa Rivera: Italy traveler and resident for 10+ years. First-hand researched for 2026.
Like this post? Pin it!
I've always been curious about Sicily as I heard it was really different from the rest of Italy. This post definitely gives me some insight into the island. The Sicilian print looks so colorful and vibrant - I love it! And the restaurant you ate at looks divine! I would love to try a few of those dishes.
Ragusa and Modica are truly great places to visit. And the food's even better in person!
Never heard of this place! It’s definitely a great destination to explore
Lovely pictures
I will pin this post for later!
Thank you!
To be honest I have never heard of either of these destinations. I must say they look amazing I love a good cathedral and their amazing architecture. The chocolates had my kids convinced as soon as they seen them lol.
Perfect! And the chocolate is even better when trying it in person 🙂
I haven't explored that part of Italy. It looks absolutely gorgeous! And loved how someone decorated Fiat car
It's a lovely city, and really worth seeing!
Wow, I'd never even heard of Ragusa or Modica before this, but now I want to go. I've been reading lots of posts on Italy lately, maybe it's a sign that it's time to head back there! And I would definitely like to have a meal at Locanda Don Serafino. It looks delicious and so very ambient!
It's an incredible restaurant, and the food's amazing and very local too 😀
That comfortable feeling like as though you’re stepping back in time while ambling around the heart of the City in Ragusa is something I look forward to experience If I get the chance to visit this place. Truly, after knowing that Modica’s most famous export is its chocolate have made me more excited to traipse my feet in this town. I will surely visit these interesting and stunning places you've mentioned in this post. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I hope so too! It's a beautiful city in Sicily, and not overrun with tourists either 😉
Ragusa and Modica both sounds definitely worth a visit! The local craft of Ragusa looks amazing and so do the photos of Modica. Good to know Modica’s most famous export is its chocolate. Will definitely try the chocolate of Antica Dolceria Bonajuato while going there. Will also try to hike all the 250 steps up to the top of
Duomo di San Pietro. This sounds like an amazing experience!
It really is! And we took home a few flavours of the chocolate, it's very good, even in cakes 🙂
This is an absolutely beautiful post and I am hankering for a wonderful Italian meal like you show here. I have so much more of Italy to explore in the future. Thanks for sharing
You're welcome! I love Sicily, and I know you will too.
Wow, I had never heard of these places. There are so many beautiful places in the world to see in a lifetime. Absolutely stunning photos. Those chocolates are making me drool
Thank you! I'm lucky to return to Sicily every year, so happy to share these amazing places with you.
I am completely spell bound by what these places have to offer. And the absence of crowd at these monuments and the town in general is what is even more attractive. The Duomos definitely need that quiet and lots of time for one to absorb all those stories around the place. I loved that Sicilian cart. So intricate and beautiful. I admit that this is the first I have heard of the place but I assure you that I am on to finding out more. Amazing pics Lisa and a lovely write up too.
Thanks Ami! I appreciate you taking the time to read it. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed my time here, but I highly suggest people to visit - you won't be disappointed.
OMG You are making me so excited to push my Italy trip very soon! I don't know which place should I visit first. But definitely I will add Ragusa to my itinerary.
That's what I like to hear! Ragusa's beautiful and so is Sicily in general 🙂
I never knew about these places until I read your blog. And now after reading this post I feel like planning a trip to this place . Thanks for sharing your thoughts and inspiring us to travel
You're welcome, hope you go one day.
I'm dying to go to Sicily. I'm from NYC and Sicilian foods are very popular here. My favorite dessert (cannoli) is from Sicily. The Duomo really is stunning. I can't drive, though, so I'd have to find a tour company.
Aw you must visit one day! Nothing beats Sicilian food as it is in Sicily 🙂
I visited Italy and returned without seeing Sicily. After reading your post, I feel as if I made a huge mistake. I console myself with the thought that this at least gives me incentive to visit again. I really enjoyed your description and look forward to taste the chocolates when I visit.
That sounds like a good plan! Sicily's beautiful and the chocolate in Modica is very good!
I would absolutely love to explore Ragusa and Modica based on what you've shared! Overall I love visiting beautiful places that are just off the beaten path, but aside from that, I'm in love with the architecture (and the large, elaborate doors) of the duomos, as well as the idea of eating in that gorgeous Michelin star restaurant in a cave. Your detailed descriptions and gorgeous photos really sold me on this experience! Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome Aisha! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and hope you visit the cave restaurant one day, it's so worth it x
Oh wowsers I am in love with this idea, chocolate and Sicily in one combination. The pictures are utterly stunning. Sicily has definitely jumped up my bucket list based on what you have shared. It looks divine.
It's an amazing place, and really worth visiting!
I do love visiting churches along my travels, but I would skip everything else to enjoy a meal in the cave restaurant. The ambiance and that food, look like an amazing meal. And to follow it up with chocolate sounds heavenly!
Locanda Don Serafino is incredible! The food, service and the wine is a must, and the hotel's beautiful too.
You’ve got some amazing pictures here Lisa, excellent job! That workshop in Ragusa is a little gem and the Modica chocolate is sooo good! Sounds like you had a great trip in my beloved Sicily!
Thanks Val! I had an amazing time, and really enjoyed my time there x
Ohh Sicily, if I ever get the chance to step my feets on that island I would definetely visit Ragusa and Modica! I wish you had shown us more photos of the village but the one we see made me going WOW. First I thought it was in Greece of all those white building but then I read further. Ragusa has a very interesting history aswell. Love to have a stoll in Ragusa soon!
Aww I'm sorry! I should have posted more photos! If you really want more information on travelling there, I'm happy to send you something directly to your inbox 🙂
I have to admit Lisa, I'd never heard of Ragusa and Modica before - looks like I've been missing out though! What beautiful places 🙂 Definitely adding these to the bucket list! x
Wonderful, that's what I like to read! You won't be disappointed, they're both such beautiful Sicilian cities.
I have never eaten in a Michelin star restaurant! But OMG! This cave restaurant is definitely on my bucket list now. But with or without Michelin stars, Italian food is the best <3
You're very right, and I hope you get to try a restaurant as good as this on your travels in the future 😀
I love your pictures, what amazing historical cities. I have not eaten in a cave only slept in a few so that must be a wonderful experience I would love to try. Looks like you really enjoyed your experience
Thanks Lisa! The cave restaurant is a one-off experience and I really recommend you try it 🙂
I had never heard about the cities of Ragusa and Modica. They look so amazing and I am sure exploring them must have been like having a date with history. The cave restaurant sounds cool and food looks great. I have eaten in once such cave like ambiance in Muscat in Oman.
You're spot on about the eating in the cave being a part of history. Both Ragusa and Modica have something unique to offer travellers, and you won't be disappointed!
Well, you had me at chocolate but I would absolutely love to eat in that restaurant in the cave. Italy is one of my favorite countries, and everything is just so beautiful. We haven't visited this area yet but your photos make me want to pack right now!
I'm delighted to read that Lois! You're so right about Italy, and I hope you get to visit Ragusa and Modica one day soon.
It has been my dream to visit Italy! Looking at your pictures makes me want to book my tickets right now! Dining in a cave must be a memorable experience. Chocolate tasting sounds fun - we did something similar in Mexico and we loved it!!
Aw then you got to go! It's a beautiful place, and these 2 cities are like stepping back in time 🙂
We are yet to explore this part of Italy. Most of the architecture of churches and buildings you shared reminds us of our visit to Malta.We have a great fascination for history and architecture and these places Ragusa and Modica look great for history buffs. Hope to visit soon.
You're very right about these places being perfect for history buffs. I hope you get to visit one day soon!
First hearing about Ragusa or Modica but they sound lovely. The duomos are beautiful and would love to eat in a cave.
They're pretty incredible and the cave restaurant is divine!
The restaurant at the cave looks like something I would love to do. I love visiting Duomos when I am in Italy. But Ragusa was not on my list till this post. It looks like a charming city.
It's incredible and the food was heavenly too! You won't be disappointed.
Sicily is really pretty and the day trips you mentioned here seems like a plus while visiting there. I would love to see the older pre-earthquake buildings, that might literally drive into the 16th century. Is there a restaurant in the cave, is it for real?? Wow just wow!! Thanks for introducing me to a wonderful place.
You're very welcome 🙂 Ragusa and Modica are both incredible, as is the restaurant in the cave!
Your photos are stunning. I enjoy seeing architectural details of the buildings (Duomo). And wow, the colors and details of that cart are wonderful. This is a good resource for visiting Ragusa Modica.
Thanks Jamie, I really appreciate your comments. Ragusa and Modica are so worth visiting, and as a photographer, you'll have endless angles to capture!
how cool is it that they have a restaurant in a cave! the food looks so delicious too. Ragusa looks beautiful and so fascinating that it was actually split into 2 from an earthquake. great photos too!
Thank you! The food was so good, I couldn't just put one photo!
Who knew there was such beautiful gems to be discovered in Sicily! I have only seen Catania and Taormina and promised that I will be back! The restaurant in the cave from Ragusa looks so atmospheric and the food seems delicious! I have never dines in a Michelin restaurant before but I can imagine the food is outstanding. I had no idea that Sicily was producing chocolate! I'd like to experience a chocolate tasting in Modica as well. You can tell I'm a foodie, right? 🙂
Oh yes, I could tell when I read your wonderful article on Sorrento! The chocolate is good, but I find it really good for baking. Locanda Don Serafino was excellent, and I wish I could return tomorrow! You need to add Ragusa and Modica to the list 😉
My dad was Italian and I visited Italy a lot growing up but had never heard of these two cities. What a gem you have found. Love the architecture inside and outside of the duomo. And the food looked out of this world. It is always a great experience to eat at a Michelin rated restaurant. Oh and that chocolate place is a dream come true. I would have had a hard time picking what to take home. Fantastic!!
It was really hard Joella, so I took home 5 bars of different varieties of chocolate! Aww, where was your dad from in Italy? Ragusa and Modica are so pretty, and still very authentic places to visit. I hope you get to visit for yourself.
Are there many motorcycles or scooters around?
I think I would like the grainy chocolate. Hmm.. maybe I should look into where I can get that around here haha
Actually no! It's not like Naples with the motorcycles, it's very peaceful here, which I much prefer. Good luck on finding your grainy chocolate!
Ahh, how gorgeous is that cart and car?! I would love everything about your trip, I'm a big fan of quirky restaurants and this tops the list! Have you been to Cappadocia in Turkey- they have a city of underground caves! What was your favourite thing you ate in Sicily?
Thanks Hannah! I haven't yet been to Cappadocia, but I'd love to. Honestly, it's so hard to choose one thing, but I would have to say the seafood. It's so fresh, and with so many varieties. If you like seafood, try the totano. It's like squid, but more tender 🙂
I have friends that are traveling through Italy and will be heading to Sicily in the next couple of week, I will be sure to pass this post onto them, they would both love this 😀 I've been in a few caves during my travels but never in any cave restaurants that would be an amazing experience 😀
Aww that's really nice of you! I hope they have just as good an experience as I did. It's very beautiful there 🙂 Tell them Buon Viaggio from me!
These cities are I guess a part of the offbeat travel destinations in Italy cause I haven't heard of them too often. Nevertheless the pictures are driving me crazy. The Food, Cave & Chocolate tasting are pulling me... 🙂
Great! That's what I like to read. Yes, they're not as popular as Rome, Milan etc, but in my opinion, they offer so much more 😀
I have not heard about this place but it looks just amazing! The pictures looks pretty with these building and architecture. I would love to visit that cave restaurant! It looks unique 🙂
It's very unique! I'm glad I managed to introduce you to a new place!
Loved your photographs of the huge Duomos and the Sicilian cart. It is so colorful and creative. The restaurant in the cave seems to be a really interesting concept. Hope you had a good time in Ragusa.
Thank you. It's a colourful place and the restaurant is wonderful!
Oh my goodness I'm so excited you got to dine at Locanda Don Serafino! I've heard of this place and the chef is pretty much a rock star! I'm so happy that you enjoyed your food, and yes, the pictures are drool-worthy. What could be more exciting than dining in a cave?? Especially one where you step back in time!
That's amazing you've heard of it! Locando Don Serafino is soooo good, and the atmosphere is just the icing on the cake 😀
Ragusa and Modica seem like they are in a time warp. It is a great detour for those who are visiting Sicily. The restaurant in cave sound so interesting. I hope they had vegan food also on their menu.
I'll be honest with you...Italy isn't so big (yet) on vegan, and I'm a meat eater, so I didn't really look for the options! However, I'm sure there's plenty of veggie things you could eat there.
I'm actually quite ashamed to say that I've never heard of these two cities before! This is literally a lesson in Geography for me. The red Sicilian cart in your pictures looks so pretty! Thanks for this post, I learned about new Italian cities today 🙂
You're so welcome! I love Sicily, its vibrance and people, so it's always nice to read I've introduced it to other people 😀
Wow! I haven't heard of this cities Thanks for introducing them to me and showcasing their impeccable beauty... Whole of Italy is filled with so much of beauty... A restaurant inside a cave?? Whoa! The chocolate is making me drool. The food looks yummm. I hope to head to Italy again, this time for these places.
You're welcome! The restaurant is excellent, not just for the food but ambience too. Lol, I always like to make readers drool over the chocolate. I hope you get to visit for yourself!
I met a guy from Sicily yesterday and I told him about your blog and how I'd read about Syracuse. How the cathedral there looks so beautiful. His recommendation to me was to drive around the Island which is exactly what you're doing here! I'm visiting Malta next week and I'm tempted to get the ferry over to Sicily. The Duomo di San Pietro looks stunning and I think the fact that there are no tourists will make it a better experience than others in the country!
It's so great and very easy to drive around Sicily. Around this time should be even less busier (I hope), so perfect for taking plenty of photos. You must do the ferry from Malta! That's on my list the next time I return 🙂
Ragusa and Modica - I've never heard of both of these cities! I am curious now, thanks to you! I love the architecture too, and you are right it does feel like you are stepping back in time. I can only imagine how gorgeous the city is to marvel at in person!
They're both so pretty and you can't imagine how much better it is in person. Make sure to add it to the list 😀
Ragusa and Modica look like amazing places to visit. I hadn't heard of them, but now they are on my list! The cave restaurant looks delicious and it has such a cool atmosphere. Like you, I like strolling around towns and seeing what I see.
That's great to hear! There's so many little hidden treasures around, and the food in Don Serafino is excellent!
Never heard of these places before. Been to italy 6 years ago but I guess it was too much to expect that time. These destinations seems iconic and historic. Loved the architecture of the buildings. I will love to explore them soon
You should, they're so beautiful and you won't be disappointed!
Day trip to Ragusa and Modica is definitely the most beautiful one in Italy due to historic and architectural beautiful buildings. That colorful Silician cart is my favorite and good to see Fiat 500 car which was basic car when people started to drive cars. I never heard these places were so near to Sicily in Italy, but now I can really plan to go over again.
That's wonderful to hear! Ragusa and Modica are both wonderful places to visit, and I can't recommend both enough.
This place is something new for me. I have never heard about it before. I really liked the place and enjoyed the colorful pictures you have shared 🙂
Thank you, I appreciate your comments.
Ragusa and Modica are definitely off the beaten track in Italy! They serve up some pretty interesting travel experiences though, like the restaurant in the cave and the chocolate tasting. Also, that cart is so astoundingly detailed! Just lovely! 🙂
They're both such pretty cities, and really not overrun with tourists! The chocolate's a little bitter, but very good for baking 😀