Ragusa is a fascinating city in the Italian of Sicily. Ragusa’s baroque architecture has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. It is an unusual city, divided into two parts: Upper Town and Ibla. After the 1693 earthquake destroyed most of the city, half the people decided to build on the ridge above the city and the other half renovated the old town. Ibla, the lower town, is reached on foot by a series of stairs or by bus or car on a winding downhill road. There is a large parking lot at the end of the road.
From the upper part of the city, there are enchanting views of Ibla.
What to see in Ragusa and Ibla
There are 18 UNESCO monuments, five in the upper part of the city and the rest in Ibla. Many of the buildings are decorated with ornaments in the Baroque style. Be sure to look up at the balconies and figures above.
The spectacular Baroque Duomo di San Giorgio is located in the center of Ibla, behind a large square where there are several cafes, shops and Gelati Divini , selling ice cream made with wines. Ibla has several UNESCO churches, including Santa Maria dell’Idria, San Filippo Neri, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, San Giuseppe, Santa Maria del Gesu, San Francesco, and Chiesa Anime del Purgatorio. The UNESCO Baroque buildings in Ibla are Palazzo della Cancelleria, Palazzo Cosentini, Palazzo Sortino Trono, Palazzo La Rocca and Palazzo Battaglia.
At the other end of Ibla is a nice big park with picturesque views from the edge. The buses stop in front of the park and there is a small parking lot next to it.
Along the southeastern cliffs of Ibla there are necropolises or cemeteries from the Bronze Age. They can be seen from the road to Modica.
In the upper part of the city is the Cathedral of San Giovanni dating from 1706, in a large square in front of Corso Italia. There are three Baroque buildings: Palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo Zacco, and Palazzo Bertini. The small church of Santa Maria delle Scale, originally dating from 1080, is right at the top of the stairs leading to Ibla.
The Ibleo Archaeological Museum, in the Upper City, has findings from archaeological excavations in the province. The materials span prehistoric and late Roman settlements.
Via Roma, in the upper part of the city, is a large shopping street, with several bars and restaurants.
Location
Ragusa is located in Val di Noto, in southeastern Sicily, about 90 kilometers from Catania. Marina di Ragusa, a well-developed tourist complex with beaches, is located on the coast about 20 kilometers from the city. Modica, another Baroque UNESCO city, is about 8 kilometers to the south. Ragusa can be visited as a day trip from the city of Syracuse to the east of Ragusa.
Transport
The nearest airport is Catania, Sicily (see map of airports in Italy). From the airport, there are frequent connections by ETNA Transporti coaches. The train service is on the Catania – Syracuse – Ragusa railway line and the station is in the center of Upper Town. Buses to nearby cities leave from Piazza Stazione. A local bus connects Corso Italia , the main street of the upper town, with Ibla.
Tourist information
Tourist information is available in the Upper Town in Piazza San Giovanni next to the cathedral. The Ibla tourist information point is in Piazza Repubblica.
Where to stay
There are several dozen hotels in Ragusa, both in the upper and lower cities. Reliable uptown options include the 5-star Antica Badia Relais or, near the train station, the modern 4-star Palacio Mediterraneo.
I recommend staying in Ibla, both to avoid the uphill walk back to Upper Town and to be closer to restaurants and monuments. The Hotel Il Barocco is a comfortable 3-star hotel in the center of Ibla. San Giorgio Palace is a 4-star boutique hotel and Locanda Don Serafino is a small 4-star hotel that is a member of the Relais & Chateaux hotel group. There are several bed and breakfast inns in Ibla. The Bed & Breakfast L’Orto sul Tetto is a friendly and welcoming option.
Where to eat
There are many good restaurant options in Ibla where you can enjoy authentic and affordable food. Locanda Don Serafino has a high-end restaurant with 2 Michelin stars and has a creative menu and an excellent wine cellar. In Upper Town, you will find good and cheap meals at Al Bocconcino , serving typical Ragusa food,
Piazza Duomo in Ibla is a good place to sit and enjoy a coffee or a snack. If you want ice cream, try Gelati Divini , which sells good ice creams made with wines.
