The province of Ragusa is the undisputed destination for lovers of the sea and the historical and artistic beauties of Sicily. In the Ragusa area, in fact, they are conserved and kept three splendid cities that since 2002 are part of the UNESCO world heritage (Ragusa, Scicli and Modica). The province of Ragusa extends in the southern area of ​​Sicily (bounded by the Sicilian channel to the south and the provinces of Caltanissetta, Catania and Siracusa from east to west), it is composed of 12 municipalities; among the main cities: Comiso, Giarratana, Ispica, Modica and Vittoria. The Hyblaean territory is mainly hilly but alternates mountain ranges (the highest peak is Monte Lauro with 986 m height). A typical characteristic of the Ragusa area it consists of "dry walls" for the delimitation of territorial boundaries. Like large spiderwebs, the walls weave the entire territory, forming a dominant element together with the carob tree of the Ibleo panorama. Another important feature in the Ragusa area is the presence of real canyons or natural quarries, dug over time by the waters of the streams that, remaining not absorbed by the waterproof limestone of the Ibleo, they have formed ever deeper and wider furrows that make up a unique and breathtaking panorama.

Cathedral of San Giorgio - Modica, Ragusa (Source: Claire Cox - CC BY ND 2.0)

How to get there and move around in the province of Ragusa

Ports

To reach the Hyblean province "by sea" it is recommended to disembark in the ports of Catania, Augusta (SR) and Pozzallo (RG). From the port of Catania, which is about 100 km from the territory siracusano (the recommended route), are scheduled trips with fast ships and hydrofoils linking the Sicilian town with the rest of Italy. In fact, ferry boats arrive regularly from the Catania port for Naples, Livorno, Cagliari, Civitavecchia, Genoa and Tunis, there are also the main cruise ships that go around the Mediterranean.

Airports

The province of Ragusa is served by the small civil airport of Comiso (about 18 km from the city of Ragusa), which includes national routes served by the low cost airline Ryanair. For a wider choice of destinations it is instead recommended to land at the airport Vincenzo Bellini of Catania Fontanarossa. Catania Fontanarossa Airport is connected with national routes and international flights to major Italian and European cities such as London, Paris and Brussels. Palermo Airport, on the other hand, is about 270 km from the Hyblaean territory.

Roads and motorways

The province of Ragusa is connected to the rest of the Sicilian territory by a dense network of roads and highways. The main connections are representatives from the A18 motorway, which leads to up to Ragusa through the state road SS 115, that reaches up to the municipalities of Agrigento, Noto and Syracuse. For those coming from Catania the main routes to reach the Ragusa area are the SS 114 and the SS 514.

Trains and stations

The Ragusa area is not well connected with railways. The "fastest" connection connects the Hyblaean territory with the central station of Catania in about 3 hours. For information and reservations are advised to consult the site Trenitalia.

Cities and places of major interest in the province of Ragusa

Beyond the city of Ragusa, capital of the homonymous province and undisputed destination for lovers of tourism and the "fine arts", to visit are surely the "territories of Montalbano" (the famous character born from the pen of Andrea Camilleri and that sets in the territory of the Ibleo the adventures of the most famous commissioner of Italy). To visit surely the cities of Comiso, Vittoria, Modica, Scicli and Pozzallo.

Beauties in the province of Ragusa: The coastline from Pozzallo to Scoglitti - among the most evocative of Sicily

Once in Pozzallo, a place with an enchanting sea and continuing along the sandy coast of the city you will reach the beaches of Marina di Ragusa, which in recent years (after having conquered) and maintained the "blue" flag for the quality of the sea) has had a significant increase in tourism, considerably expanding its urban extension and its receptivity with hotels, restaurants and camping. Near Marina di Ragusa also the beautiful beach of Sampieri, an ancient fishing village, known for its imposing sand dunes that enrich it. Leaving Marina di Ragusa, you reach Punta Secca, characterized by a high lighthouse, a small tourist port and the nearby archaeological area of Kaucane. Finally Scoglitti, an ancient and important seafaring community of the municipality of Vittoria who in summer, thanks to its enchanting beaches, is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Sicily.