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Eco Hotel a Ragusa, Sicily 2026 — Soggiorni Sostenibili

Ragusa is one of southern Sicily's most dramatic and least spoiled cities — a UNESCO World Heritage baroque town that climbs two rocky hills separated by a deep, green gorge. The old quarter, Ragusa Ibla, is a honey-toned labyrinth of palazzi, churches and sweeping staircases crowned by the Duomo di San Giorgio, while the newer upper town, Ragusa Superiore, spreads across the opposite ridge with its own cathedral and lively morning market. Just 25 km away, Marina di Ragusa offers sandy beaches and a summer buzz that feels a world apart from Ibla's quiet lanes. Staying here means slow mornings over fresh ricotta and cannoli, golden-hour walks across the gorge bridges, and day trips to Modica, Scicli and Noto along the Val di Noto's baroque circuit. Book through IMPT for the same price as Booking.com, with 1 tonne of CO2 removed per booking, a EUR5 credit on your first stay and 5% cashback in IMPT tokens from 25K+ green-certified partners.

Perché Soggiornare a Ragusa

Ragusa's story is written in stone and scarred into its history. In 1693, one of the most destructive earthquakes in Italian history flattened the Val di Noto, and Ragusa was rebuilt from the rubble in the flamboyant late-baroque style that today earns the city its UNESCO listing, awarded in 2002. The result is a town of two halves: Ragusa Ibla, the ancient hilltown where baroque architects like Rosario Gagliardi shaped a masterpiece in the Duomo di San Giorgio, and Ragusa Superiore, the airier upper town that grew after the reconstruction. Between them runs the gorge — a deep, wooded cleft crossed by scenic bridges and the famous staircase of Santa Maria delle Scale, which is the town's most atmospheric shortcut and one of the best free viewpoints in Sicily.

Geographically, Ragusa sits in the Hyblaean highlands of the province of Ragusa, ringed by olive groves, almond orchards and the dry-stone walls of the Iblei countryside. Its food culture is a serious draw in its own right: caciocavallo ragusano, a PDO cheese made from local cow's milk, appears on every antipasto table, and the kitchens of Ibla turn out scacce (stuffed flatbreads), cavati ccu musstu (pasta with a slow pork ragù), cannoli and almond pastries, best washed down with a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. The coast is close enough for a beach day, the baroque towns of Modica, Scicli and Noto are an easy drive away, and the whole area is a filming location for the Inspector Montalbano series — a quiet, characterful corner of Sicily that rewards travellers who stay a few nights rather than rushing through.

Ragusa at a Glance

Come Sfruttare al Meglio Ragusa

Ragusa is easy to reach and even easier to love. Comiso Airport (CIY) is the closest gateway at just 15 km, while Catania Airport (CTA) sits about 90 km to the north and is the main hub for international flights; the drive from Catania crosses the Iblei plateau and takes around an hour and a half. Rail travellers can catch a train from Siracusa or Noto, and buses connect Ragusa to the main towns of the province. Once you are there, the historic cores of Ibla and Superiore are best explored on foot — the gorge staircase and bridges make the two halves feel like one continuous walk — while a car is genuinely useful for the coast and the baroque day-trip circuit.

Where you base yourself shapes the trip. Ragusa Ibla is where most visitors want to be: intimate, romantic and packed with trattorias, with the Duomo's 250-step staircase as a backdrop. Ragusa Superiore is more everyday and practical, with better parking, the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista and the Ponte Vecchio, the 19th-century bridge that spans the gorge. For a beach-and-town holiday, Marina di Ragusa, 25 km away, is a lively summer destination in its own right. From any base, the classic day trips are easy: Modica (15 km), Scicli (25 km), Noto (50 km) and Siracusa (80 km) are all reachable, with Catania at 100 km for those extending the trip. If you have a spare afternoon, Cava d'Ispica, an archaeological gorge 15 km from the city, is a dramatic, quiet excursion.

Dove Alloggiare — Best Areas

Best Eco Hotel a Ragusa

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Things to Do in Ragusa — Cosa Fare a Ragusa

Duomo di San Giorgio

Ragusa Ibla's showpiece, designed by Rosario Gagliardi and built between 1738 and 1775. Climb the sweeping 250-step staircase to the façade and look for its distinctive dome, one of the most photographed sights in the Val di Noto.

Giardino Ibleo

Public gardens perched at the very edge of Ibla, with palms, monuments and benches overlooking the gorge and the countryside beyond. The perfect spot for a sunset aperitivo after the Duomo.

Santa Maria delle Scale

The church with a grand staircase that links the two towns, built on the site of a pre-earthquake church. The long flight of steps is the most atmospheric way to move between Ibla and Superiore.

Ponte Vecchio and the Gorge Bridges

The 19th-century Ponte Vecchio spans the gorge between the two towns, and several scenic bridges and belvederes offer vertiginous views down into the wooded valley. Bring a camera at golden hour.

Palazzo Cosentini

A baroque palace in Ibla famous for its balconies carved with grotesque, grimacing figures — one of the most entertaining façades in the Val di Noto.

Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista

Ragusa Superiore's grand cathedral, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake and standing on the upper town's main axis — worth the climb for its baroque interior.

Palazzo Arezzo di Trifiletti

Another fine baroque palazzo in Ibla, a short walk from the Duomo, with an elegant façade typical of the post-1693 rebuilding boom.

Cava d'Ispica

An extraordinary archaeological gorge 15 km from Ragusa, honeycombed with cave dwellings, rock-cut churches and Byzantine tombs — a quiet, dramatic half-day trip.

Marina di Ragusa and the Coast

Sandy beaches and a lively summer town 25 km away, with Donnalucata (30 km) and the Kamarina archaeological park and beach (about 25 km, a Greek colony founded in 598 BC) nearby.

Recommended Sentieri & Guided Experiences

Ibla–Superiore Gorge Crossing

Walk from the Duomo di San Giorgio down through Ibla, cross the gorge and climb the Santa Maria delle Scale staircase into the upper town. Chi Siamo 2 km, 45 minutes, moderate — the classic Ragusa experience.

Ibla Historic Loop

A relaxed circuit taking in the Duomo, Giardino Ibleo, Palazzo Cosentini and the balconies of Palazzo Arezzo di Trifiletti. Chi Siamo 2.5 km, 1–1.5 hours, easy, with plenty of cafés and pastry shops en route.

Cava d'Ispica Gorge Trail

Explore the rock-cut necropolis and cave settlements of the archaeological gorge, 15 km from the city. Chi Siamo 3 km of trail, 2 hours, moderate — best in the morning before the heat builds.

Nearby Cities

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