Hub4Minds

Places we like in Modica

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  Experiences

  Cava d'Ispica

  A 13 km river gorge cutting the Hyblaean plateau between Modica and Ispica, lined with prehistoric necropolises, early Christian catacombs, rock-cut oratories, hermitages and cave dwellings used from the Early Bronze Age to at least the 14th century. Old Ispica stood at the head of the valley until the 1693 earthquake; the castle remains are at Parco Forza. A good half-day walk through macchia for anyone based in Modica or Ragusa.

  • →The archaeological areas have separate entrances: check tickets and hours for each before going.
  • →A car is the practical way to get there.

  October–June

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  Food and drink

  Antica Dolceria Bonajuto ↗

  Modica's best-known chocolate maker, producing cold-worked Modica chocolate since 1880 according to its website. The range runs from 70% to 100% dark bars to flavoured ones (orange, lemon, cinnamon, vanilla), bean-to-bar, pralines, dry pastries and aranciata, a candied orange-peel nougat. The 'Fattojo' bean-to-bar tour lasts about 30 minutes for up to 25 people, tasting included, in Italian or English. A good day-trip goal from Ragusa, Siracusa or Noto.

  • →Book the Fattojo tour at visit.bonajuto.it or booking@bonajuto.it; the price is not shown on the page (seen November 2026).
  • →Shop hours are not published online; phone +39 0932 941225.

  Year-round (chocolate travels badly in summer heat)

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  Day trips

  Modica, Scicli and Ragusa Ibla (Val di Noto)

  Three of the eight late-Baroque towns of the Val di Noto inscribed by UNESCO on 25 June 2002 after their rebuilding following the 1693 earthquake. Modica (about 53,600 people) is known for its traditional chocolate; Scicli (about 26,900) has a monumental Baroque centre; Ragusa sits on a limestone hill between two deep valleys, with Ibla as its old quarter. They make a weekend circuit from Siracusa by train, or a base in their own right for slower months.

  • →Train Siracusa → Modica 1h42–1h54 (€9.70) and → Scicli 1h29–1h41 (€8.80); departures 05:29, 14:45, 15:40, 17:33, 20:33 plus a slower 09:25 bus service (Trenitalia, checked for 11 November 2026).
  • →Few trains a day: check return times before you go.
  • →Nearby nature: Cava d'Ispica, Sampieri, Marina di Ragusa, Punta Secca.

  All year; spring and autumn are ideal