Discover South-Eastern Sicily: Catania, Syracuse, Marzamemi…

South-eastern Sicily offers unforgettable views of baroque history, crystal-clear sea and authentic flavors. From Catania, at the foot of Etna, to the cities of Val di Noto (Siracusa, Modica, Ragusa), passing through picturesque coastal villages such as Marzamemi, this region is a mix of ancient culture and nature. Below you will find the unmissable places in each location.

Catania

The baroque facade of the Cathedral of Saint Agatha in Piazza Duomo, with the statue of the Elephant (the symbol of Catania).

• Cathedral Square with the Cathedral of Sant'Agata (rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693): the Carrara marble façade by Vaccarini and the ancient columns come from an ancient Roman theatre. In the centre of the square stands the fountain with the famous The Lion, the black lava elephant (symbol of Catania).
• Ursino Castle (13th century): old castle of Frederick II, now a civic museum.
• Massimo Bellini Theater (19th century): splendid neoclassical opera house, symbol of the city's cultural life.
• Etna Street And Crociferi Street: long baroque streets with palaces, churches and boutiques, the heart of shopping and city walks.
• The Fish Market (fish market): lively open-air market where you can taste street food (arancini, pasta alla norma) and very fresh fish. Not far away is theAncient Marine Tavern, famous for its seafood appetizers and fish "sciorinata".
• Mountains and landscapes: at the foot of Catania stands the imposing Etna (3,300 m), a UNESCO heritage site. There are several trails to explore through unique volcanic landscapes. To the southeast, there are nature reserves and sandy beaches, such as the long city beach of Catania (La Playa) and seaside villages in the surrounding area.
• Typical cuisine: Catania cuisine is a happy combination of sea and mountains, with simple but tasty products. Don't miss the Pasta alla Norma, The arancini stuffed with ragù, pistachio desserts and almond granita. Among the meats, we recommend the grilled horse meat. For dessert we recommend a stop at Pastry Shop Savia (famous for cannoli, brioche with a tuft and granitas).

Syracuse

The Greek Theatre of Syracuse, in the archaeological park of Neapolis, dates back to the 5th century BC and bears witness to the Hellenic history of the city (photo: reconstructed scene). Syracuse was founded by the Greeks in 734 BC and had one of the richest heritages of the ancient world.

• Archaeological Park of Neapolis: collects the most important ancient monuments of Syracuse, including the famous Greek Theatre (5th century BC), the Latomie (stone quarries) and theEar of Dionysus. Added to these are the Roman Theatre and the Roman amphitheatre. In this park you walk through the thousand-year history of the city.
• Ortygia (historical center): the small museum-island of Ortigia is full of attractions. Piazza Duomo is dominated by the Cathedral of Syracuse, a medieval church inserted in a Greek Doric temple, while on the opposite side stands the Temple of Apollo (6th century BC), one of the oldest in Sicily. In the square there are also baroque buildings and the “Hypogeum of Piazza Duomo” underground with cisterns (recently opened to the public).
• Arethusa Fountain: characteristic source of fresh water a few steps from the sea, surrounded by papyrus, legendary place of nymphs in mythology.
• Maniace Castle: medieval fortress on the promontory of Ortigia, built in the 13th century at the behest of Frederick II.
• Beaches and nature reserves: a few kilometers from Syracuse there are very beautiful beaches, such as Fontane Bianche (golden sand) and the marine protected area of Plemmirio, ideal for snorkeling in clear waters. Further south is theVendicari Wildlife Oasis (between Noto and Marzamemi), a large reserve of ponds and wild beaches (trekking trails lead to Calamosche and the Vendicari tuna fishery).
• Local cuisine: Syracuse is famous for its fresh fish and seafood. You can taste them spaghetti with sea urchins, swordfish alla ghiotta, marinated seafood and sweet like the cudduruni and granitas. In Ortigia you can find typical artisanal ice cream shops and pastry shops with cassata and cannoli. Local markets also offer cheeses and oil produced in Sicily.

Marzamemi

Marzamemi is a small fishing village near Pachino, known for its picturesque little square and the Tuna fishery(former tuna fishing plant) which bears witness to an ancient local tradition.

• Queen Margaret Square: heart of the town with warm-coloured houses and small restaurants overlooking the port. Here you will find the Villadorata Palace (18th century, former noble residence) and the church of San Francesco da Paola, next to the historic tuna fishery.
• Marzamemi Tuna Fish Farm: ancient nineteenth-century tuna fishery, now restored for events and guided tours. It is possible to climb the bastions of the tuna fishery and admire the panorama of the sea, a symbol of the local tuna culture.
• Island of Currents: a few km away, the southernmost point of Sicily where the Ionian Sea meets the Mediterranean. On the islet grow plants typical of the Mediterranean scrub and it is a destination for wild nature (with cliffs and a lighthouse).
• Beaches: golden sandy beaches are nearby, including the Calamosche (in the Vendicari Reserve) and San Lorenzo.
• Seafood cuisine: Marzamemi is in the land of Nero d'Avola (local red wine) and Pachino Tomato(PGI). Tuna and blue fish dishes dominate here – for example busiate with bottarga, aubergine caponata and chicken alla ghiotta – often prepared with artisanal fish preserves. Among the recommended places, the Campisi Restaurant (from the well-known canning company), where you can try busiate with tuna bottarga and house specialties. Marzamemi is also famous for its artisanal ice creams in the square (don't miss the pistachio flavor).

Pachino and surroundings

The famous Pachino countryside is where the Pachino IGP Tomato and the intense wines of the area (such as Nero d'Avola). There is no shortage of natural attractions: theVendicari Oasis (southern side of Noto) is a 1,500 hectare reserve with ponds, salt pans, beaches and archaeological finds. Here you can observe flamingos and migratory birds, snorkel in the coves of Calamosche and Vendicari, and visit the ancient tuna fisheries. In the surroundings of the center of Pachino there are also protected areas such as the small Lake of Pantano and large beaches such as Punta delle Formiche. In the city it is worth discovering the historic center with Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and tasting local products: in addition to tomatoes, the production of olives, prickly pears and preserves is widespread.

Pozzallo

Pozzallo is known for its long sandy beaches on the Ionian Sea and its ferry connection to Malta.

• Santa Maria del Focallo Beach (south of Pozzallo): huge golden coastline of about 8 km, with clear sea and almost uncontaminated environment. Perfect for sunset walks and for families thanks to the shallow seabed.
• Cabrera Tower (14th century, in the city center): imposing medieval fortress built to defend the coast from pirates. It was erected by the Count of Modica Giovanni Cabrera and dominates the port. Today the tower is a national monument and houses a museum, with a view of the sea and the prisons where prisoners were locked up.
• Remembrance Square: elegant central square on the sea, surrounded by palm trees and Art Nouveau buildings (including Palazzo Musso, Giunta and Pandolfi). A meeting point for the city with bars and restaurants overlooking the port.
• Local cuisine: Pozzallo offers excellent fresh fish (sardines, mackerel, swordfish) and seafood. Among the specialities are the pasta with sardines, the aroma cake (local sweet) and Ragusa cheeses. The characteristic Ragusano DOP, traditional aged sheep's cheese. It's easy to find seaside restaurants serving grilled fish, seafood risotto, and Sicilian granita.

Modica

Night view of the scenic baroque facade of the Cathedral of San Giorgio in Modica Superiore. Modica is famous for its historic center "with 100 churches" and is part of the UNESCO site of Val di Noto.

• Historic center: perched on hills, characterized by alleys and stairways. Rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake in late Baroque style, the entire center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Cathedral of San Giorgio (12th–19th century): a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque with a 62 m high tower façade, decorated with statues. Above the door you can admire a long monumental staircase of 164 steps. Inside five naves decorated with stucco and marble. The church is a symbol of Modica and stands out on the city skyline.
• St. Peter's Cathedral: ancient church (1360) in the upper city (Modica Superiore) with a baroque façade and a staircase decorated with statues of the Apostles. This building (church of the Counts of Modica) is also included among the UNESCO heritage sites.
• Chocolate Museum: in Modica you can visit a museum dedicated to the confectionery tradition of chocolate, still made according to the ancient Spanish recipe (cold, with cocoa flakes). A delicious stop together with the local pastry shops (don't miss the almond paste hey Modica nougat).
• Typical cuisine: Modica is famous for its artisanal chocolate (with a grainy taste) and for dishes such as hunts (stuffed calzone), grilled meat, Ragusa cheese, spicy caponata and almond sweets. For a gourmet meal you can try the restaurant Accursio (starred) or other renowned places in the historic center.

Ragusa and surroundings

Panoramic view on Ragusa Ibla (bottom) dominated by the Cathedral of San Giorgio: the baroque historic center of Ragusa Ibla is connected to the upper city (Ragusa Superiore) by the Iblei Gardens. Ragusa – like the other cities of the Val di Noto – was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake to a high artistic level.

Ragusa is divided into Ibla (baroque historic center) and Superior (new city). Ragusa is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Baroque “Val di Noto”).

• Ragusa Ibla: admire the Cathedral of St. George and other baroque churches overlooking the deep valley. Iblei Gardens (public park) offer a splendid panoramic view of the Baroque churches and palaces of Ibla, with fountains and monuments. Among the smaller churches, Santa Maria dell'Idria stands out.
• Upper Ragusa: in the center stands out the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (17th century), large baroque church with a large churchyard and richly decorated interiors. The streets of the center are full of lively squares, boutiques and restaurants.
• Local cuisine and products: in the Ragusa area the prized Ragusano DOP (aged sheep's cheese) and local wines. Typical dishes include the Syracusan octopus, it meat stew, and sweets like the almond nougat. In the city there is no shortage of characteristic little restaurants where you can taste these specialties.

Every stop in southeastern Sicily holds surprises: from baroque art to Mediterranean flavors, each city has its own unique soul, to be discovered by walking through stone alleys, emerald beaches and centuries-old traditions. Enjoy your trip!