Location: Noto
Top Things to do in Noto
Top 10 Things to do in Noto, Sicily
Noto (Sicilian: Notu; Latin: Netum) is a city and comune in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. It is 32 kilometres (20 mi) southwest of the city of Syracuse at the foot of the Iblean Mountains. It lends its name to the surrounding area Val di Noto. In 2002 Noto and its church were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Restaurants in Noto
1. 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.
2. Chiesa Santa Chiara
3. Palazzo Nicolaci
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 509 reviews
Baroque XVIII palace, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in Noto, Sicily
Reviewed By SallyF906 - Northampton, United Kingdom
This old palazzo in the centre of the town on Via Nicolaci was built for the Nicolaci family in the 18th century. The facade has some amazing carved balconies supported by mythological creatures such as mermaids, griffons and lions. There is a large courtyard that you can wander into and look at the exterior even if you don't want to go around. There are tours available but you can also just wander around whenever it suits you and most people seemed to be doing this. You access the palazzo up a sweeping neoclassical staircase of marble and the first room is the Tea Room which is very oriental. The most impressive room is the Salon delle Feste - the amazing trompe l'oeil decorations are just incredible. there are lovely views from this room as well of the town and the nearby cathedral. It's not expensive to go round - 3 or 4 euros so well worth it.
4. 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
5. Palazzo Castelluccio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Discover an authentically restored and still inhabited 18th century Sicilian palace and its collection of furniture, art objets and paintings. Guided tours.
Reviewed By CheckW - Singapore, Singapore
Recommended by our guide and it turned out to be the highlight of the day. Eur 12 per person includes a personal guide to bring you around. This place was only opened 5 months ago. The rich history of the building was brought back to life with the accurate retelling of the various rooms and the furniture/upholstery replaced by the current owner.
6. 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.
7. Spiaggia di Eloro
8. Spiaggia Calamosche
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,975 reviews
Reviewed By LucreziaAnnalisa - Fano, Italy
Calamosche is quite a small bay, that can only be reached by foot (about 20 minutes walk). Being located in the Vendicari Reservoir is quite a unique experience with crystal clear water. Remember to bring enough water and food, and maybe check the wind situation to make sure you’ll have the best experience!
9. Noto Antica
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By ExcursionToronto - London, United Kingdom
This was a really interesting visit to the ruins of the original city of Noto, destroyed by the earthquake of 1693. A new Noto was built further south on slopes of the Meti, a model of a rationally-planned baroque town. Noto Antica is situated on the heart shaped plateau of Monte Alveria. The advantages of this natural fortress were discovered in ancient times. Siculic, Greek, and Roman necropoli testify to continuous settlement here since the 9th century BC. Best to visit on a dry sunny day. Take: Food, water, swimwear, hiking boots. Getting there by car: drive via Santa Maria della Scala and park at the Porta della Montagna. The walk: Start at Porta Della Montagna where a panel with an overview map shows a plan of Noto Antica. A gravel road leads through the impressive town gate into the area of the ruined city. Only the bastions of the Torre Reale were able to able to withstand the tremendous force of the earthquake. Follow the level gravel road past the Torre Reale, a round tower from the Angevin era. You pass the overgrown ruins of houses , palaces and churches and come to a Junction 415m; 15 mins where a shrine to St Mary commemorates the devastating earthquake. (Descending to the right here you could cut short to the 30 min point in the walk.) Continue straight ahead for another 500m on the narrowing gravel road, then turn right and follow the cart track through the gap in the wall 415m/20 mins. (the road ahead continues for another 300m to the Ermo di S. Maria Della Providenza, not visible from here.) In less than 200m you reach an open field. Follow the cart ruts north across the pasture, passing though another gap in a drystone wall. After the second gap 405m/30 mins) a track coming from the 15 min point joins from the right. Turn left at this point and climb over the stile. You’re outside the old city walls now. Orleander, poplars and fig trees line the stream, and you can enjoy a birds eye view of the gorge from the ledge. Follow the path to the right, down into the canyon, the Cava del Carosello. Broad steps hewn into the limestone lead past an ancient guard house dug into the rock. At the bottom of the valley (325 m/40 mins) the crystal clear stream forms little pools, some big enough for a dip on a hot day. You could retrace your steps here to the Porta Della Montagna, but you can continue upriver. cross the river to the river and continue upstream. After a corpse of Eucalyptus, ascend the trail to the left, now passing a series of four flour mills. The trail broadens out. Don’t miss the turn off to the right after a couple of hundred metres! After crossing the dry valley floor, the path ascends in the shadow of the Mediterranean maquis and goes through a gap in a wall. 395 m/1hour 15 mins. Beyond the gap you meet a crossing mulattiera, which you follow downhill to the right. You cross another dry valley floor (with an animal feeding place cut into thr rock) and rise again. Climb over a stile 415 metres/1 hour 30mins, turn sharp left beyond the remains of a wall, and re- enter Noto Antica. The gravel path leads back to the Porta Della Montagna. 1 hour 40 mins.
10. Spiaggia di San Lorenzo
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