Noto is certainly one of the must-see stops on a trip to eastern Sicily. Described as a 'garden of stone' by Cesare Brandi, and regarded as the 'capital of Sicilian Baroque', the great artistic and historical heritage it contains has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693, the new part rises downstream from the pre-existing town, known as Noto antica, and was founded in 1703. The reconstruction involved prominent artists and architects, who chose the Baroque style.
What to see in Noto
1 - Minor Cathedral of San Nicolò
One of the Baroque symbols of the Val di Noto, it was rebuilt in the 18th century after the 1963 earthquake. In contact with the sun's rays, its façade is illuminated, highlighting the rocky material used in its construction and emphasising its Baroque style. The façade has two bell towers, one of which houses a bell and the other a clock. There are columns on the sides of the side entrances and, in double measure, near the main entrance where there is an important portal.
The upper part of the façade houses a central window bordered by two pairs of Corinthian columns, while the bell towers are characterised by a purple-red colour that breaks from the cathedral's remaining gold colour. The scenic spectacle from the church is then amplified by the imposing 18th-century staircase that is divided into three flights and connects the church with Palazzo Ducezio, home to the city's current town hall.
The interior is in the shape of a Latin cross with a nave and two side aisles, with some frescoed parts that escaped the earthquake collapse, in particular, theImmaculate Conception with Saints and Martyrs, the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Madonna delle Grazie and Miracle of St. Francis of Paola. Also noteworthy are the baptismal font and wooden statues from the 1700s.
How to get there: in Piazza del Municipio, right in the centre, 1.5 km from the railway station and only 750 m from the Bus Terminal - Get directions
Hours: daily from 9:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 20:00
Ticket price: Free
2 - The Hermitage of St. Conrad Outside the Walls
Source: wikipedia. San Corrado Confalonieri da Piacenza is the patron saint of the city of Noto, and his cult is very much felt by the community even today. The hermitage dedicated to him stands outside the city, and was built where the city's patron lived in hermitage from 1322 to 1351. This includes caves where the saint and his brethren would gather in prayer and/or find shelter. An evocative and fascinating shrine dating back to 1800 now guards his footprints, which have become an object of worship for many visitors.
How to get there: the hermitage is located about 7 km outside the walls, and can be reached either by a staircase leading down from the town of Noto or by car: in this case it takes about 11 minutes - Get directions
Hours: from 7 am to sunset
Ticket price: Free
Info & tips: absolute silence is required inside
3 - Nicolaci Palace of the Princes of Villadorata
Photo by sailko. Baroque in style and with some 90 rooms, it dates back to the first decades of the 1700s, although work on it lasted until 1765. The building originated as an urban aristocratic residence of the Nicolaci family, who retained ownership of one wing and ceded the other to the municipality of Noto. The palace is decorated with several magnificent balconies enclosed by curved grilles. Among the figures in the decorations are sirens, sphinxes, hippogriffs, winged horses and more, giving the building a particular exotic harmony. One wing of the palace houses the Municipal Library, founded by the Town Hall in 1817. Today, only nine salons on the main floor can be visited, finely furnished with 19th-century furniture from major European cities. Each room is furnished in a way that suggests the activities that animated these spaces until the last years of the 20th century.
Directions: located on the opposite side of the Cathedral, on the Town Hall Square - Get directions
Hours: daily from 10:00 to 20:00 and from 21:15 to 23:00
Ticket price: €4.00 full price, €2.00 reduced for groups of at least 25 people, free for students and their companions
4 - Agliastrello Quarter
Noto is famous for being the city of Baroque, which attracted many nobles. But, like any other city on earth, Noto was and is inhabited by ordinary, 'normal' people. The common people all lived in the neighbourhood of Agliastrello, where one can really notice a change in architecture and atmosphere: the houses are all small, close together, and characterised by the presence of many courtyards. Certainly the neighbourhood does not have the same historical importance as the 'artistic and chic Noto', but it is nevertheless the other side of a coin worth seeing.
How to get there: on foot, heading towards Palazzo Castelluccio. The district is about 7 minutes from the city centre - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket price: Free
5 - The Civic Museum of Noto
Photo by sailko. The museum is located within the Villa Landolina Park, and is rich in historical and archaeological interest. The museum building is modern, opened in 1988, and consists of two levels, where the exhibitions are divided into four sectors. The most fascinating are certainly the archaeological one, which brings together artefacts found in excavations of the ancient site of Noto and the ancient Greek citadel of Eloro, and the Contemporary Art Gallery.
How to get there: 170 m from the Piazza del Municipio, in Corso Vittorio Emanuele - Get directions
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9am-6pm; Sundays and public holidays 9am-1pm;
Ticket price: €8.00; Reduction €4.00 - Provincial residents: €1.00
6 - Ducezio Palace
Photo by sailko. Palazzo Ducezio is located near the Cathedral of Noto, with which it forms the heart of the city. Home to the Town Hall, the palace was built between the 18th and 19th centuries and dedicated to the famous condottiere Ducezio, who opposed Greek domination. Inside, the reception hall is the main attraction. The charm of the frescoed roof, depicting the hero in the act of pointing out the place on which his homeland was to be built, and the excellent acoustics, which betray its role as an ancient theatre, are enhanced by the skilful use of large mirrors. These, thanks to a play of illusions, make the hall seem to have endless galleries.
How to get there: on foot in just over ten minutes - Get directions
Hours: 10:00 to 13:30 - 15:00 to 18:00
Ticket price: €2.00
7 - Church of St Charles
Photo by sailko. Characterised by a Baroque façade, in keeping with the style of the city, the church of San Carlo boasts three naves with a marble altar in the centre. The bell tower can be visited, provided you have no problems climbing the spiral staircase, which leads to the first terrace. A further flight of steps leads to the last terrace where the church bell tower and its three bells, which ring at regulated intervals, are located. From here there is a wonderful view of the Cathedral, which becomes enchanting at sunset.
How to get there: Definitely on foot, given its proximity to the Cathedral, Palazzo Ducezio and other attractions. It can easily be reached in about 10 minutes from anywhere in the historical centre - Get directions
Hours: from 8 a.m. until sunset
Ticket price: admission to the church is free, ascent to the bell tower costs €2.00
8 - Royal Gate
Photo by Ulissesat. Porta Reale is the symbol of the entrance to the city of Noto, located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Built in 1838 on the news of the arrival of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon, the famous King of the Two Sicilies. The designer of the work was the Neapolitan Angelini, also the author of the statue of the king, which still retains the same appearance of that time, although it is now known as the war memorial
How to get there: on foot, with a pleasant walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main street - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket cost: Free
9 - The Ancient City of Noto
Photo by Mboesch. Noto Antica is the ancient town of Noto, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1693, causing its inhabitants to move about 12 km further down the valley. Here, to be visited in respectful silence, are the remains of several large structures, including the castle, while other buildings, such as the church of Santa Maria della Provvidenza, are still intact. A project, in which the Universities of Catania, Palermo and a start-up work together, are trying to restore value to the area, starting with the visitors' experience.
How to get there: no public transport reaches Noto Antica. One necessarily needs a car in order to cover the 14 km of the SP287 north (about 20 minutes) that separate the two centres - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket price: Free
10 - The Vendicari Nature Reserve
Photo by Enzo Rippa. The Vendicari Nature Reserve is an unspoilt stretch of coastline a short distance from the town of Noto. Finding the entrances to the Reserve is not difficult, given the presence of signs and markers, and once you leave your car you have to move along the paths, encountering wonderful beaches and several ponds, home to many protected species. In addition, within the reserve it is possible to visit the ruins of Torre Sveva, the ancient ruins of the Greek city of Eloro and the Antica Tonnara, a real piece of history that saw bluefin tuna fishermen in activity until 1945. Visitors can choose from several itineraries. Not to be missed, within the Reserve, is the Calamosche Beach.
The reserve is a stop on a wider day trip to Vendicari, Marzamemi and Noto.
How to get there: the reserve has five entrances, each of which leads to different attractions. Eloro entrance(Get directions), Marianelli beach entrance(Get directions), Vendicari entrance(Get directions), Calamosche entrance(Get directions), Cittadella dei Maccari entrance(Get directions).
Hours: from 8:00 to 19:00
Ticket price: Free
One day tour of Noto
Morning: Start at Palazzo Nicolaci, the ancient residence of the Princes of Noto with a façade that is impressive, to say the least. Walking down Via Nicolaci we find ourselves in the presence of the elegant Church of San Carlo and its beautiful bell tower, from which it is possible to climb up and see the Cathedral of Noto, the next stop on the tour. A symbol of the city, it is considered by scholars to be the emblematic building of the Baroque in Italy and deserves to be visited at a leisurely pace.
Afternoon: once out, the nearby restaurant Anche gli Angeli might be a good idea for lunch, given its proximity to the next stop on the tour: Palazzo Ducezio, the seat of the Town Hall. Not to be missed is what is known as'the hall of mirrors' which, thanks to a clever play of illusions, seems endless and very large.
Once the visit is over, moving along Corso Vittorio Emanuele we soon come to the Museo Civico, where a great variety of archaeological finds are kept, including those from the nearby Greek town of Eloro. Still looking to the right, in the direction of the Villa Comunale, it will be possible to catch a glimpse from afar of the Porta Reale (Royal Gate), built on the occasion of Frederick II's visit to the city.
Evening: right near the monument there is a classic Sicilianbistro, called'Porta Reale Bistrot Siciliano', where you will be able to taste all the Sicilian gastronomic specialities, desserts included.
Day tour fromCatania: very often Noto is visited in combination with Syracuse and Ortigia via day trips from Catania. In these cases, the booking of a guided tour with transfer included is particularly recommended, allowing you to enjoy all the best of the three locations.
One-day itinerary at a glance
Palazzo Nicolaci: daily from 10:00 to 20:00 and from 21:15 to 23:00 - ticket cost: full price €4.00 reduced €2.00, free for students
Church of San Carlo: daily from 8:00 until sunset - ticket price: admission to the church is free, ticket to climb the bell tower costs €2.00
Cathedral of St. Nicholas: daily from 9:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 20:00 - ticket price: free
Lunch: Even the Angels, via Arnaldo da Brescia - Get directions
Palazzo Ducezio: daily from 10:00 to 13:30 - 15:00 to 18:00 / ticket cost: full price €2.00
Museo Civico: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday and holidays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. / ticket cost: full price €8.00 reduced €4.00
Porta Reale: always accessible - ticket cost: free
Dinner: Porta Reale Bistrot Siciliano, Largo Porta Nazionale, 9 - Get directions
Where to eat in Noto
Porta Reale SicilianoBistrot: a small, characteristic restaurant, suitable for both lunch and dinner with typical products
Average price per person: €5.00 - €15.00
Address and contact details: Largo Porta Nazionale, 9(Get directions) / tel: 0931 576031Anche gli Angeli: restaurant with a characteristic location, specialising in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine and a good selection of wines
Average price per person: €8.00 - €60.00
Address and contacts: via Arnaldo da Brescia,2(Get directions) / tel: 0931 576023Trattoria Fontana d'Ercole: 0 km fish cuisine, Italian cuisine
Average price per person: €20.00 - €25.00
Address and contacts: vicolo Salonia, 30(Get directions) / tel: 0931837772Ristorante Manna: Sicilian dishes prepared with care, elegance and great respect for raw materials
Average price per person: €50.00
Address and contact details: Via Rocco Pirri, 19(Get directions) / tel: 0931836051Putia del Coppo: Street food fried fish and vegetables
Average price per person: €5.00
Address and contact details: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 107 (Getdirections) / tel: 339 668 1399
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and best clubs
The centre of Noto is always very lively and sometimes you can even struggle to walk. But we are nevertheless in a city with a great historical heritage, which we try to protect in every way. So, apart from restaurants and bars, some of which are open until late in the evening, for discos, pubs and similar venues, you will have to move either to the coast or near Avola.
Karma café: lounge bar open until late
Address: Via Salvatore La Rosa, 9/11 - Get directionsMorrison's Irish Pub: classic Irish pub with a pizza oven and a good selection of beers
Address: c.da Nicolella- Baglio Avola 96012 Avola - Get directionsViolet Club: local cult disco for those who like to dance late into the night
Address: Strada Provinciale Noto-CalabernardoIl Brillo Parlante: Wine bar with a wide range of labels where you can enjoy platters of cold meats and cheeses
Address: Via Confalonieri Corrado, 16A Sud: professionally made cocktails served with delicious chopping boards
Address: Via Rocco Pirri, 3
Plan your stay in Noto: info and advice
How to get there: by plane, the nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa (95 km - flights from €34.00). Buses leave from the airport (every hour) to cover the 90 km distance from Noto. By bus, the bus stop for the lines connecting Noto to nearby towns is located outside the Porta Reale. By car, take the A18 and A19 motorways - get directions. Finally, the city can also be reached by organised tours departing from Catania.
How to get around: the city should be visited on foot. To visit the surroundings, it is necessary to have a car.
Where to park: outside the city, towards Porta Reale, there is always a good chance of finding free parking. Noto is a city on a human scale, and the centre can be reached without the slightest effort
Where to stay: Hotels and b&b from €40.00 per room - see offers
What to see nearby: Visit the villages of Avola (9 km - Get directions), Marzamemi (23 km - Get directions), Pachino (22 km - Get directions). Also nearby are important centres such as Siracusa (36 km - Get directions), Modica (37 km - Get directions), Ragusa (52 km - Get directions) and Scicli (44 km - Get directions), and in general all the towns of the Val di Noto and the places on Montalbano's Itinerary. Also splendid and unique is the Cavagrande del Cassibile reserve (20 km - Get directions) with the small lakes of Avola Antica.
Bookable excursions and tours: Baroque tour of Noto, Modica and Ragusa (departure from Catania), tour of Commissario Montalbano (departure from Catania), Syracuse, Ortigia and Noto (departure from Catania)