Tour Sicily BAROQUE

About this tour

Spend five days tracing baroque architecture across southeastern Sicily's hilltop towns. This self-guided tour connects Syracuse, Catania, Scicli, Modica, Ragusa Ibla and Noto—each a masterclass in 18th-century stone carving and urban design. You'll navigate between villages at your own pace, with daily breakfast provided and local support on hand. The route reveals how one architectural moment transformed an entire region into a living museum of sweeping staircases, ornate churches and honey-coloured facades.

Highlights

• Syracuse's Greek theatre and baroque cathedral in one city
• Catania's lava-stone palazzos and Piazza Duomo
• Scicli's theatrical piazza ringed with noble mansions
• Modica's 250-step staircase and clifftop setting
• Ragusa Ibla's labyrinthine medieval streets below
• Noto's grid of golden limestone buildings and gardens

What to expect

You'll move between towns using your own transport (car rental recommended but not provided). Each day focuses on a different settlement, giving you time to wander at your own speed—climbing grand staircases, ducking into side streets, sitting in piazzas. Breakfast is sorted each morning. The terrain is hilly and involves plenty of stairs and uneven stone surfaces, though the pace is manageable for most fitness levels. Expect to spend mornings exploring architecture and afternoons resting in cafés or heading to the next town.

Good to know

Arrange car hire in advance or use local buses between towns. Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip for cobblestones and stairs. Many churches close midday and require modest dress. The region is hot in summer; travel in shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October) for comfort. Pushchairs work on main streets but struggle with steps.