Ragusa (setting of the TV detective show Inspector Montalbano) is one of Sicily’s most photogenic towns, a jumble of baroque buildings sprawled across a hillside in the UNESCO-listed Val di Noto. It’s split into two parts; Ragusa Ibla is the older, more traditional area, while Ragusa Superiore has a more modern feel.
Ragusa Ibla is a warren of atmospheric lanes, which wind down the hillside and open out into sunny piazzas every so often. Look out for the Duomo di San Giorgio, one of the island’s grandest cathedrals, and the Giardino Ibleo, a leafy park with lovely valley views. Head up to Ragusa Superiore and you’ll find another cathedral, plus shops, cafes and photo-worthy views across Ragusa Ibla and the surrounding area.
Ragusa is an ideal base for exploring southern Sicily. Discover the equally beautiful towns of Noto and Modica, head to the beach for the day, or make a trip to stunning Syracuse.
Your plans, our expertise
Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.
Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.
The closest airport to Ragusa is Catania (CTA). Flights to Catania depart from Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick and London Luton and take just over 3 hours.
When to go
Thanks to its southerly location, Sicily enjoys mild temperatures all year round. Spring and autumn are both lovely times to visit, with temperatures in the high teens and early 20s (although up in the hills and on the slopes of Mount Etna it can be significantly cooler). In summer, you can expect temperatures in the high 20s – perfect for spending time on the island's beautiful beaches.
Visa Information
At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.
Tipping
Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.
On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.
On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.
Introduction to languages
The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.
What our customers think
We have been helping our customers discover the real Italy for 95 years now. Our experience and expertise, together with our attention to detail and personal touch, really does make us the leading Italian holiday specialist.
Read guests reviews...
.ImageUrl)
