Right, so picture this: you’re swanning around Sicily, land of sunshine, ancient ruins, and, well, let’s be honest, absolutely brilliant food. But even in a place bursting with gorgeousness, Ragusa just… wow. This hilltop town in the south-east of Sicily is like something out of a film set. Think golden stone buildings tumbling down the hillside, linked by twisty staircases and hidden courtyards overflowing with bougainvillea. It’s a photographer’s dream, and even my dodgy phone snaps looked like postcards.
Where is Ragusa?
Ragusa is actually split into two bits: Ragusa Superiore (upper town) and Ragusa Ibla (lower town). We mostly stuck to Ibla, and honestly, getting a bit lost in its maze of narrow streets was half the fun. Every corner you turned revealed another breathtaking view, another charming little church, or another tempting gelateria. Seriously, the architecture is just something else. It’s all Baroque, thanks to a whopping great earthquake in the 17th century that basically flattened the city and allowed it to be rebuilt in this incredibly ornate style. Think intricate facades, dramatic balconies, and churches that look like they belong in a fairytale.
Just Relax
One of my favourite things was just strolling about at sunset. The whole place glows in this warm, golden light, and the views from the Giardino Ibleo, a lovely public garden, are absolutely stunning. You can see the entire city spread out before you, with the hills rolling away towards the sea. It’s the perfect spot to just sit and take it all in, maybe with a glass of local vino in hand. Trust me, you won’t want to leave.
The Food!
But Ragusa isn’t just a feast for the eyes, it’s a feast for the stomach too! Sicilian food is fantastic in general, but Ragusa takes it up a notch. We ate our way through the city, and I’m still dreaming about some of the meals we had. Obviously, we had to try the local pasta. “Pasta con le sarde” (pasta with sardines) is a Sicilian classic, and Ragusa does it brilliantly. The combination of fresh sardines, wild fennel, raisins, and pine nuts is just divine. And don’t even get me started on the arancini! These fried rice balls are a Sicilian staple, and every place seems to have its own special recipe. We tried several different versions, from the classic ragù (meat sauce) to pistachio and even seafood. They were all absolutely scrumptious.
Don’t forget dessert
Of course, no trip to Sicily is complete without trying the cannoli. These crispy pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta cream are insanely good. And in Ragusa, they take their desserts seriously. We stumbled across a little pasticceria (pastry shop) that was packed with locals, and we knew we had to give it a go. We ordered a selection of cannoli, almond pastries, and some kind of pistachio cake that was out of this world. Everything was so fresh and delicious, it was hard to stop scoffing.
And let’s not forget the gelato! Seriously, the gelato in Sicily is on another level. So many flavours, so creamy and delicious. We had gelato every day, sometimes twice a day! From classic pistachio and chocolate to more unusual flavours like prickly pear and almond, we tried them all. It’s the perfect way to cool down after a day of exploring the city in the Sicilian sunshine.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Sicily, make sure you add Ragusa to your list. It’s a truly magical place, with stunning scenery and food that will knock your socks off. Just be prepared to fall in love – with the city, the people, and especially the food! You won’t regret it.