Things to do in Ragusa with kids: 3-day trip suggestions

Ragusa, situated in the south-eastern side of Sicily, is one of the must-see cities on the island for its exceptional cultural and archaeological heritage, but even for its dramatic landscapes and culinary traditions.

Here are tips and suggestions for discovering Ragusa and its surroundings with your children in 3 days.

Day 1: Walking in Ragusa or treasure hunt? 

Ragusa was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2002 and it belongs to those cities of the “Val di Noto” that were rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake. After the reconstruction, Ragusa got a new look mainly characterized by the trendy architecture in Sicily during the 18th century: the Baroque. You can discover the city through an easy urban walk from Upper Ragusa to Ragusa Ibla, or with our treasure hunt designed for families traveling with children.

The stunning façades of churches and noble palaces that appear in every corner of the city are impressive. Be sure to look upwards and marvel at the funny mascarons looking at you from the balconies – masks that local stone cutters carved out of stone. The kids would be interested in the stories related to these strange and curious faces.  

Santa Maria delle Scale Ragusa

Day 2: Playing in a beatiful beach in Ragusa area

After delving into history and culture, you might consider relaxing at one of the beautiful beaches along the Ragusa coast, taking a swim in our beautiful sea, and building a sand castle. My favorite beaches? Irminio river Nature Reserve or Randello Nature Reserve are the best free beaches, but bring your own picnic! There are no services. If you are looking for a beach club, head to Marina di Ragusa or Donnalucata.

At the end of day, you will have the chance to take a pleasant stroll in Marina di Ragusa (even a bike ride along its cycling paths is highly suggested) and stop at a local bar in the main square for a taste of granita or a delicious gelato!

Day 3: Visit to a dairy farm and discover Modicano chocolate 

You could spend the last day sampling the culinary traditions of the area. There are many specialties handed down through generations in families that are worth trying and tasting. Just to give you an idea, you may visit an olive oil mill and learn about the Monti Iblei olive oil, or you might visit a family dairy farm in the Ragusa countryside and taste the delicious “caciocavallo ragusano” cheese. If you prefer putting your fingers in the pie, you could join a chocolate cooking class and make your own chocolate bar with the renowned Cioccolato di Modica.

With time to spare, visit charming Scicli for a pleasant stroll through its historical center. By walking around the alleys and looking at the Baroque palaces, you would recognize the sites and locations which make the natural stage setting for the Inspector Montalbano television series. Before leaving Scicli, be sure to taste the most famous pastry in the city: the Turk’s head!

 Palazzo Beneventano - Scicli with children