Top Things to do in Val di Noto
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10 Things to do in Val di Noto That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Val di Noto, Italy including Mount Etna, A' Piscaria Mercato del Pesce, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, Chiesa di San Giorgio, Monastero dei Benedettini, Ragusa Ibla, Centro storico di Scicli - World Heritage Site, Riserva di Vendicari, Centro Storico.
Restaurants in Val di Noto
1. Mount Etna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,933 reviews
Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain: Mount Etna, at 10,990 feet, is the most active volcano in Europe and the oldest recorded active volcano in the world.
Reviewed By frankandfeli - Switzerland, null
We had clear weather so it was not to cold the view was awsome we were not able to trekk up to the top crater due to the increased activity and safety standards but you could still hear and see the small eruptions and sulpher yellow about the top crater.The large lava fields are otherworldy the guide was great plenty of good info the bus ride was good to an open bus the guide was real helpfull around etna
2. A' Piscaria Mercato del Pesce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 769 reviews
Reviewed By NormanLewis - Great Torrington, United Kingdom
The daily fish-market in Catania is right behind the fountain on the edge of the Piazza Duomo and is a combination of food market and street theatre. At its centre are the many stalls selling an enormous range of fish, shell fish and cephalopods (squid, octopus, cuttlefish) many of which are not easily identified. The vendors try to out do each other with a vocal performance designed to attract customers and many people line the raised terrace above the outdoor part of the market just to watch this display. The quality of the fish is excellent - although prices can be high. but you get what you pay for. In the surrounding streets are many other stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables; and others where butchers wield huge hatchets dismembering all sorts of meats or extremely sharp knives to slice the meats incredibly thin which seems to be the preferred cut in Sicilian cuisine. Some of the sights can be a bit off-putting to English sensibilities – especially the vast amounts of offal – but that’s the joy of experiencing other cultures. Highly recommend a visit - in fact, we detoured through the fish market even on days when we didn’t need to buy anything, just for the sights and sounds of an excellent market.
3. St. Nicholas Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 957 reviews
Reviewed By Ana_L_23 - Navan, Ireland
Beautiful building, and one of the best views to the palace across. The interior is also very beautiful.
4. Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,086 reviews
Reviewed By traveltheglobe0919 - Singapore, Singapore
What a sight to behold! 142 beautiful ceramic encrusted steps, each a masterpiece of its own. Lovely motifs of knights, flowers, dancers, geometric patterns, etc. Turn left somewhere about 30 steps midway and you’ll find a beautiful ceramic wall tucked away from public view. Caltagirone is such a charming little town and I think it deserves at least half a day to explore the streets and galleries with artisans working on their craft. We were enroute to Piazza America and it was a pity that we could only make a brief stop.
5. Chiesa di San Giorgio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,204 reviews
Reviewed By SallyF906 - Northampton, United Kingdom
Situated halfway between the upper and lower town, the impressive tower can be seen from large parts of the town. The cathedral which is dedicated to St George was built on the site of a 13th century church and the current building was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake. The church is reached by an impressive flight of steps from the main road through the town - wear flat shoes for the climb. Inside is very ornate and you go up the tower for an extra charge of 2 euros.There is a silver ark which contains the earthly remains of the saint whose statue is on display in a side chapel - this is paraded through the town in great celebrations on St George's Day.On the floor in front of the altar is an elliptical sundial and also the geographical co-ordinates of the church. Obviously a very popular venue for weddings so it may be closed for a ceremony even though it is within opening times which are 9-1 and 3.30-7 - if you are staying in the town, your hotel may be able to advise.
6. Monastero dei Benedettini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,221 reviews
Il Monastero di San Nicolo l'Arena di Catania (#monasterocatania), gioiello del tardo barocco siciliano e tra i complessi benedettini piu' grandi d'Europa. L'edificio monastico, che nasce nel '500 e si sviluppa fino ai giorni nostri, e' un esempio di integrazione architettonica tra le epoche: contraddistinto da molteplici trasformazioni oggi e' patrimonio mondiale dell'Unesco. Sede del DiSUM (dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche) dell'Universita' degli Studi di Catania, custodisce al suo interno due domus romane, i chiostri e un intero piano costruito da G. B. Vaccarini sopra il banco lavico del 1669. Dal 2010 Officine Culturali, in collaborazione con l'Universita degli Studi di Catania, si occupa della valorizzazione del Monastero dei Benedettini. Il Monastero e' considerato uno dei beni culturali piu' significativi del meridione d'Italia. La missione assunta da Officine Culturali consiste nel rendere accessibile e comprensibile il Monastero nel migliore dei modi e al maggior numero di persone possibile. A tal scopo Officine Culturali ha attivato un'offerta di fruizione variegata e dinamica. Attraverso il servizio di visite guidate giornaliero e' possibile conoscere gli aspetti piu' significativi dell'ex plesso monastico. I percorsi guidati per i piu' piccoli sono arricchiti dai laboratori, dove la narrazione delle "arti e mestieri" benedettini e' svolta in maniera creativa e divertente da professionisti della didattica dell'arte, dell'architettura, delle tradizioni e delle scienze. Oltre al quotidiano svolgimento delle attivita' di promozione, valorizzazione, informazione e accoglienza, Officine Culturali e' promotrice di iniziative ed eventi culturali e di intrattenimento, finalizzati a rendere il Monastero uno spazio di integrazione e aggregazione per la collettivita'.
Reviewed By Baspall - Salamina, Greece
The tour of the monastery takes around 1.5 hours and gives you the opportunity to learn the very interesting history that comes with it. We took the tour in English language presented by Nicola... He was exceptional.
7. Ragusa Ibla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,394 reviews
Reviewed By traveltheglobe0919 - Singapore, Singapore
The best way to appreciate Ragusa Ibla is to climb up to Ragusa Superiore and enjoy the breathtaking views at sunset at the steps next to Chiesa di Santa Maria Della Scale. You can also choose to take the local bus up, and walk about 10 mins to the vantage point. Buses #11 or #33 depart from the bus stop at the front of of the main garden Giardino Ibleo. The ride up is scenic and rewarding, and offers a different experience vs the climb. We did both. Took the bus up for sunset and did the hike at the break of dawn to catch sunrise. I must say that the sunset views are more spectacular. Ragusa Ibla is a charming little hilltop city that can be easily explored in two days at a leisurely pace. To me it’s like an open air museum where you’ll want to check out every nook and corner. In the evenings, the city gets even more atmospheric as you stroll along the cobbled streets set against a backdrop of lovely baroque architecture amid dramatic lighting.
8. Centro storico di Scicli - World Heritage Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,758 reviews
Reviewed By KatalinZ
A beautiful small town in the south- East part ofSicily. It belongs to the “ A Val di Noto, in 1693 this region was destroyed by a big earthqeke and was later rebuild in barock style, together with other 7 sicilian town like Ragusa, Noto, Modica etc. It is world heritage site.
9. Riserva di Vendicari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,018 reviews
Reviewed By 759elib - Sydney, Australia
This enchanting coastal nature reserve has well-marked walking paths to unspoiled beaches of golden sand, and a chain of salt lakes that between October and March attract over 200 species of migratory birds including herons, flamingo, cranes, black storks and pelicans. For a one-hour walk leave the main car park, turn left and pick up a free large scale map from the info booth soon your p0ath will reveal the Pantano Grande, along duckboards through a forest of bamboo down to a fine beach with pale golden sand dominated by the ruins of an abandoned tonnara, a tuna processing plant, dating back to 1920s where canned tuna was invented. Eventually you arrive to the stunning cliff-hugged bay of Cala Mosche, one of the most beautiful bays in Sicily
10. Centro Storico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,321 reviews
Reviewed By GIOPIX - Milan, Italy
if you are in Sicily and you miss Noto, well, you are not in Sicily. One of the most beautiful baroque masterpieces of Italy, Unesco World Heritage since 2002, it is an open air museum. Must see: the Cathedral, strolling on the Main Street at night, all the churches with hidden treasures, and the little FANTASTIC restaurants along the little side roads. Avoid the Main Street to eat , they are just tourist traps. Go down and choose the first or second street parallel to the main one, any place will satisfy your palate at a fair price. You are in Sicily, you are in Noto, paradise is a step away.
