Ragusa

Two hills, one city, 242 steps between them

Two medieval districts perch on hilltops in southeastern Sicily, connected by an 18th-century stone bridge. Baroque churches, carved stone balconies, and winding staircases fill its narrow streets.

4.4
out of 5

Ragusa sits on two hilltops in southeastern Sicily, with a deep valley running between them. In the lower town of Ragusa Ibla, you'll walk past the golden-stone Cathedral of San Giorgio, through narrow medieval streets, and past the ornate Palazzo Arezzo di Trifiletti. Cross the 18th-century Ponte dei Cappuccini bridge to reach Ragusa Superiore, where local life centers around the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista.

Walking Between Ragusa's Two Districts

Start your exploration in Ragusa Ibla by climbing the stone staircases that wind up the hillside. From Piazza Duomo, walk along Corso XXV Aprile to see the Palazzo Arezzo di Trifiletti with its carved stone balconies, and the Cathedral of San Giorgio. In Ragusa Superiore, streets run in a grid pattern from the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, making navigation straightforward.

Main Baroque Buildings

The Cathedral of San Giorgio welcomes you with a grand 50-step staircase leading to its three-tiered facade. Inside, marble pillars separate the central nave from two side aisles, while gold leaf decorations adorn the ceiling. Walk the 242 steps of Santa Maria delle Scale church to move between the two districts - look for the surviving Gothic-Catalan arches from before the 1693 earthquake.

Transportation and Timing

Catch a bus from Comiso Airport (15km away) to reach the city center. Buses run between Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla every 30 minutes from 7:00 to 20:00 (€1.20 per ticket). Walking between districts takes about 30 minutes uphill or 20 minutes downhill. The morning sun creates ideal lighting conditions for photographing the Cathedral of San Giorgio.

Restaurants and Local Food

Book ahead for Michelin-starred restaurants: Duomo (two stars) creates modern interpretations of Sicilian dishes, while Locanda di Don Serafino (one star) serves fresh seafood in a stone cellar setting. Sample pastieri (pastries filled with minced lamb and goat meat) at Pasticceria Di Pasquale on Via Roma. At La Bettola, try the local specialty of grilled caciocavallo cheese topped with fig jam.

Average temperatures during the day in Ragusa.
November
20°
Dec
16°
Jan
15°
Feb
15°
Mar
17°
Apr
19°
May
23°
Jun
27°
Jul
29°
Aug
30°
Sep
28°
Oct
24°

What people say about Ragusa

4.4
People
5
Food
5
Spaces
5
Value
4
Safety
5

Places nearby Ragusa

Best places to visit in🇮🇹Italy

Articles about Italy

Image of Killing Eve filming locations
Image of Killing Eve filming locations

Killing Eve filming locations

May 2024,
The BBC thriller series Killing Eve has taken viewers to many places across Europe as it follows MI5 agent Eve Polastri and assassin Villanelle. The cat-and-mouse story unfolds in cities like London,
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

December 2023,
In the midst of European explorations, some cities remain less frequented by the throng of tourists yet hold an abundance of cultural wealth, natural beauty, and a compelling history. This guide aims
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world

The 30 best food cities in the world

November 2024,
This is a list of the top food destinations in the world based on the opinions of travelers from more than 100 countries. If you travel to eat, this is for you! It doesn’t matter if you are a foodie o
Image of The best places to visit in February
Image of The best places to visit in February

The best places to visit in February

April 2024,
When February comes off the calendar, you can’t blame everyone for wanting to go all-in on some of the most exotic travel experiences on offer anywhere in the world. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, steams wit
Image of The World’s Most Stunning Hikes
Image of The World’s Most Stunning Hikes

The World’s Most Stunning Hikes

October 2023,
Are you an avid hiker looking for a challenge? Look no further than some of the world's most incredible trails! From the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of Torres del Paine in Chile's Patagonia to
Image of The best places to visit in January
Image of The best places to visit in January

The best places to visit in January

April 2024,
Many travelers eagerly anticipate the arrival of January. While some are looking for the beauty of the Northern Lights, or enjoying the best time for skiing, others aim to participate in vibrant cultu
Image of The best places to visit in May
Image of The best places to visit in May

The best places to visit in May

April 2024,
May is the month of blooming gardens and frolics in the northern hemisphere, but it also allows travelers to explore new horizons. This is a series of pointers on what to do in May: in Europe, one can
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851

All World Expo locations since 1851

November 2024,
For more than a century and a half, global citizens have congregated at World Expos to celebrate human achievement, explore pressing issues of the day, and experience the cultural expressions of peopl
Popular on Humbo right now
Humboâ„¢AboutVisitedBucket listSustainable travelPrivacyTerms