Visit Ragusa Italy: Uncover the Best to Do and See

Welcome to Ragusa, where golden stone glows in the sun, quiet alleys invite you to wander, and every corner feels like a postcard. Tucked away in the hills of southeastern Sicily, this baroque beauty is split in two: the elegant upper town of Ragusa Superiore and the timeless charm of Ragusa Ibla below. It’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy a fresh ricotta cannolo, and take in the views. Visit Ragusa and you’ll also discover a gateway to incredible food, culture, and some of the best countryside tastings through Sicily wine tours & wineries. Let’s explore.

Visit Ragusa Italy

Visit Duomo di San Giorgio

In the heart of Ragusa Ibla, the Duomo di San Giorgio rises above Piazza Duomo with elegance and grace. Designed by Rosario Gagliardi after the 1693 earthquake, its curved façade and tall bell tower are pure Sicilian Baroque. Step inside and you’ll find a bright, intricate nave, colorful stained glass, and a soaring dome that’s surprisingly grand for such a quiet town.

Stroll through Giardino Ibleo

Perched at the edge of Ragusa Ibla, the Giardino Ibleo is a peaceful green escape with sweeping views over the Irminio Valley. Shaded paths, palm trees, and fountains make it the perfect spot to slow down after exploring the baroque streets. You’ll also find a few surprises tucked among the trees, like the historic Chiesa di San Giacomo and the quiet charm of Chiesa dei Cappuccini Vecchi. It’s calm, cool, and one of the prettiest places to catch your breath in Ragusa.

Explore Circolo di Conversazione

Just across from Piazza Duomo, the Circolo di Conversazione is a small but elegant neoclassical building that once served as a private club for Ragusa Ibla’s noble families. With its refined façade and intimate interiors, it offers a glimpse into the town’s aristocratic past, where the local elite gathered to socialize, debate, and enjoy a little luxury.

Climb the staircase of Santa Maria delle Scale

Ready for a little leg workout with a view? The staircase of Santa Maria delle Scale links Ragusa Ibla to Ragusa Superiore with over 250 steps, and yes, it’s worth every one. As you climb, the city unfolds below you in the most dramatic way. Old town, new town, tiled rooftops, distant hills, it’s all there. Take your time, snap a few photos, and pop into the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Scale along the way for a mix of Gothic drama and Baroque flair.

Wander the streets of Ragusa Ibla

Getting lost in Ragusa Ibla might just be the best part of visiting. The historic center is a sun-soaked maze of narrow lanes, stone arches, and unexpected little piazzas that feel like movie sets. It’s all baroque everything, balconies, churches, doorways, but without trying too hard. Around every corner, there’s a tiny café or an artisan shop that feels like a secret. Forget the map and just wander, you won’t regret it.

Wander towards Ragusa Superiore

Ragusa Superiore might be the “newer” part of town, but it’s still got serious charm. Start your day with a coffee in Piazza San Giovanni, then take a minute (or ten) to admire the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, it’s big, bold, and beautifully baroque. The vibe here is a little more local, a little less touristy, and a great way to ease into your Sicily adventure.

Visit Ragusa Italy and it’s surroundings

Visit the Donnafugata Castle and the countryside

Just a 20-minute drive from Ragusa, Donnafugata Castle is one of those day trips that feels like stepping into a Sicilian fairytale. Surrounded by peaceful parkland, the castle has elegant towers, sweeping staircases, and even a mysterious labyrinth to wander through. It’s a fun peek into aristocratic life and perfect for families or anyone craving a mix of history and scenery. Make a stop in nearby Chiaramonte Gulfi for epic views and local treats like carob sweets and rich olive oils, it’s countryside Sicily at its best.

Taste and stroll in sun-soaked Modica

Only 25 minutes of Ragusa, Modica is all about baroque beauty and seriously good chocolate. With steep hills, grand churches like San Giorgio and San Pietro, and staircases that lead to jaw-dropping views, it’s the kind of town that charms you fast. Visit Modica Italy to wander its golden streets, climb for the views, and most importantly, taste its famous chocolate made using ancient Aztec techniques. Sweet, scenic, and full of character, it’s one of the best things to do in Sicily.

Relax at the seaside beauty of Marina di Ragusa

Want to swap baroque streets for beach vibes? Marina di Ragusa is just 30 minutes from Ragusa Ibla and makes the perfect seaside escape. With golden sand, a stylish promenade, and restaurants serving up just-caught seafood, it’s the kind of place where time slows down. Walk the waterfront, sip a spritz in the sun, and enjoy a relaxing way to end your Ragusa and Modica adventure. Bonus: the views where the Irminio river meets the sea are worth the trip alone.

Wander the town of Scicli

Around 30 minutes south of Ragusa Ibla, the charming village of Scicli feels like stepping onto a Baroque film set, and that’s no coincidence. This UNESCO-listed gem in the Val di Noto dazzles with elegant piazzas, honey-hued palaces, and churches carved into cliffs. The Church of San Matteo, perched above the town, and the ornate Palazzo Beneventano are real highlights. Wander its quiet alleys and you might spot a few familiar corners from the Inspector Montalbano series. With its peaceful vibe and postcard-perfect architecture, Scicli is a beautiful surprise waiting just down the road from Ragusa.

Taste Sicily’s rare spirit

Think Sicily = wine? Think again. In Modica’s rolling hills, Distilleria Alma is rewriting that narrative. As Italy’s first distillery dedicated to rum, they take sugarcane from field to bottle, pressing, fermenting, distilling, and even bottling it themselves. You’ll taste their fresh rums, botanical blends, and a spritz of gin, all paired with Modica chocolate for that sweet Sicilian twist. It’s rum time, with a local story you won’t forget.

Sip sunshine from Vittoria’s organic roots

Just a stone’s throw from Ragusa lies this organic winery that loves Sicily as much as we do. At Santa Tresa, the winemaking siblings Stefano and Marina Girelli brought their Trentino roots south and turned red earth into something unforgettable. Their wines, like the flowy, fruit-forward Frappato or the sunny Grillo blends, embody a spirit of freedom, sustainability, and pure Iblean sunshine. It’s modern, it’s unforgettable, and it’s rooted in centuries of soul.

Good to know before visiting Ragusa