Top 9 Things to Do in Ragusa, Sicily’s Most Beautiful Town

Ragusa is my favourite town in Sicily. While most people say that for Taormina (which is indeed very beautiful too), Ragusa to me simply has that old charm that you imagine when you think of Sicily. And to top it off, it doesn’t have the crowds, even in the middle of summer. If you’re planning your visit to Ragusa, in this blog post I am sharing with you my top 9 things to do in Ragusa in Sicily.

The activities range from sightseeing to cooking classes. I will also share some general tips for visiting Ragusa to make your planning as smooth as possible.

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

Heads up! Some links in this blog are affiliates. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, I only recommend stuff I’ve tested or trust. You can read more about our affiliate disclaimer here.

⭐️ Join my Sicily Travel Tips FB Group to ask questions, get advice and engage with our community.

📖 Read my Sicily 10 Days Road Trip: Ultimate Sicily Itinerary blog post.

Explore Ragusa Ibla

Ragusa Ibla is the Old Town of Ragusa and the most beautiful part of it.

Ragusa is one of the towns of Val di Noto region that were heavily damaged in the devastating earthquake of 1693. Afterwards all these towns were rebuilt in the baroque architecture style, which is why Ragusa is so beautiful to explore.

Admire the Views from Santa Maria delle Scale

The best views in Ragusa are at the Church of Santa Maria delle Scale.

My recommendation is to start your visit from Ragusa Superiore (the upper town) and then to ascend towards Ragusa Ibla (the old town). That way you will enjoy the views, especially once you reach Santa Maria delle Scale.

Visit the Cathedral of San Giorgio

The Cathedral of San Giorgio is a baroque church located in Ragusa Ibla, and the most beautiful site to check there.

The cathedral was built in the 18th century and it’s free to visit.

📖 Read my 12 Best Things to Do in Taormina, Sicily blog post.

Don’t Miss Ragusa Superiore

Ragusa Superiore is the upper town of Ragusa. Actually, in the past Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla were two separate towns in constant rivalry.

In 1926 they finally unified as a provincial capital.

While Ragusa Ibla is more beautiful with more things to do, definitely don’t miss to see Ragusa Superiore, especially its Cathedral San Giovanni Battista.

As mentioned above, I recommend you start your sightseeing at Ragusa Superiore and then go down towards Ragusa Ibla.

If you’re renting a car and visiting for a day only, then starting at Ragusa Superiore is inevitable because the parking lots are there.

📖 Read my Best Farm Stays in Sicily Perfect for Agritourism blog post.

Enjoy the Baroque Architecture

I think it’s needless to say, but definitely enjoy the baroque architecture.

One of the best things to do in Ragusa is to simply wander around its narrow and cobblestone streets.

Stay in a Hotel with the View

I can personally say that it is such a pity to visit Ragusa only for a day. If you can, I would definitely recommend you stay at least one night in Ragusa.

📖 For more, check my 10 Best Hotels in Ragusa, Sicily: From Boutique to Luxury blog post.

📖 Read my Is Mount Etna worth Visiting? Pros & Cons for Visiting Etna blog post.

Have Pasta at La Piazzetta Ristorante

This is the best restaurant in Ragusa. Actually, the food was so good that I completely forgot to take photos before eating it all!

Join a Guided Walking Tour

While you can easily explore Ragusa on your own, if you’d love to learn more about its history and listen to the anecdotes from the local, then I definitely recommend taking this guided walking tour.

Take a Cooking Class in a Local Home

The most unique thing to do in Ragusa is to take a cooking class in a local home. Great way to learn about local recipes and connect with local people if you ask me!

How to Get to Ragusa

The closest airport is Catania Airport, so the best is to fly there.

Once you arrive, then definitely rent a car because the best way to explore Sicily and reach Ragusa is by doing the road trip.

Where to Stay in Ragusa

📖 Read my 10 Best Hotels in Ragusa, Sicily: From Boutique to Luxury for more.

Is Ragusa worth Visiting

While Ragusa is pretty small and often overlooked, it is one of the most beautiful examples of Sicilian baroque architecture.

While there are not many things to do like in Taormina, you surely won’t be disappointed nor bored. The views of the town and the countryside are amazing, even if you come only for that, it will be worth it.

I was surprised that there were almost no tourists, even in the peak summer season. Which only makes Ragusa an even more appealing destination that I recommend you to visit before it becomes popular.

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

Like this post? Pin it!📍