What to see in Ragusa Ibla – A baroque pearl

Ragusa Ibla (the old town of Ragusa is famous for its small perched houses and baroque monuments. Ragusa Ibla, like other Sicilian Baroque cities, is also not located at sea level. In fact, the aristocracy of the time preferred to stay in the hills, enjoy the scenery and find some refreshment from the scorching Sicilian summers.

Tip from Topsecretsicily: If you wish, you can book a convenient guided tour that includes visits to Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Scicli, the 3 pearls of Sicilian Baroque, or a tour of Commissario Montalbano. You will be picked up directly from your vacation home or hotel if you are in the Catania, Syracuse or Taormina areas.

1. Cathedral of San Giorgio

The Duomo is certainly the most beautiful monument in Ragusa Ibla and is one of the greatest expressions of Baroque architecture. You can also climb the dome for a few Euros. In the beautiful square in front you will also find many bars, where you can eat the typical Sicilian granita and many other specialties.

2. Via Solarino

From via Solarino you will have a beautiful view of the dome of San Giorgio , the show is particularly fascinating in the evening, when it is illuminated. In Ragusa Ibla there are actually many other corners, alleys and very beautiful and fascinating streets. the advice is therefore to walk a bit at random and follow your intuition. Instead if you prefer you can also book a guided walking tour to discover all the secrets of Ragusa Ibla.

3. Ibleo Garden

The Ibleo garden of Ragusa is a beautiful well-kept villa, with many palm trees and a beautiful view of the mountains . Especially in summer it is the ideal place to rest and escape from the scorching heat. Nearby you will also find the portal of San Giorgio, what remains of the ancient 12th century church that was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693.

4. Santa Maria delle Scale

This small church is located between Ragusa and Ragusa Ibla and is located in a suggestive place, which will give you a unique view of Ragusa Ibla. The baroque church is also very beautiful inside and has a Gothic nave from 1200, a relic of the old church that was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693.

5. Palazzo Arezzo di Trifiletti and Palazzo Cosentini

Palazzo Arezzo di Trifiletti is located right near the Duomo and dates back to the 17th century and belonged to a noble family from Ragusa . Although the rooms that can be visited are not many, it is worth visiting and admiring the ancient furnishings, the paintings and the fantastic floors with colored majolica.

Photo from: Palazzo Arezzo.it

The Cosentini Palace is of eighteenth-century origin and, unlike the Palazzo, it cannot be visited inside, except on the occasion of events. However, what makes it fascinating are its baroque balconies, decorated with sometimes bizarre figures .

Interactive map of Ragusa Ibla – Points of interest in purple

To locate yourself once in the area, click the enlarge symbol at the top right of the map.

Where to eat in Ragusa Ibla

After having listed what to see in Ragusa Ibla, let’s think about what to eat. There is certainly no shortage of restaurants in the town, but the Camùri Restaurant (Con amore in Sicilian) is certainly one of the best . It is located in a very nice little square and offers many specialties such as octopus with mashed potatoes, risotto with prawns and burrata, cannoli with ricotta and much more. The owner chef is also very kind, who also takes the time to talk to customers telling the story of the restaurant and the dishes.

What to see around Ragusa Ibla

Here you find the most beautiful places to visit around Ragusa .

Typical dishes of Ragusa and surroundings

In Ragusa and its surroundings there is certainly no shortage of food and it is very tasty and genuine, many products in fact directly from the surrounding countryside. Here you will find a list of what to eat in Ragusa and surroundings .

Here instead you find the typical Sicilian dishes in general.