Though lesser-known when people talk about Sicily, Noto has nothing to envy of its more famous counterparts like Syracuse, Catania, or Palermo. Let us tell you all about this charming baroque town, just a few kilometers from Syracuse and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Noto is a small town in southeastern Sicily. Its historic center is quite compact, but its beauty is anything but small! Together with nearby Modica and Ragusa (also UNESCO-listed), Noto offers a wonderful baroque atmosphere that’s utterly captivating.
Strolling through its streets, you’ll fall in love with the many baroque churches, palaces, and cathedrals. We were taken by the town’s unique ambiance and architecture.
Noto turned out to be an unexpected favorite in Sicily.
“Unexpected,” you ask? Simply because we had no knowledge of the town, no expectations, and no chance of disappointment. Instead, we were blown away by its beauty.
It may be a small town, but it left us with incredible memories!
To book a stay in this charming town, check out the best accommodation offers below:
Noto offers an impressive selection of buildings, all constructed from the same stone, creating a beautifully unified look. Be sure to look up while walking around to fully appreciate the intricately designed balconies adorned with a variety of sculptures and wrought iron railings.
Here are some key spots to explore in the historic center:
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You can also indulge in activities that will teach you more about the city and/or the local culinary culture:
For parking, we found a free lot at the marketplace (closed on Mondays due to the market). However, upon arrival, a man approached us asking for money to “watch over” the car. We declined, as it was supposed to be free. Later, we met some French visitors returning to their car who told us the man hadn’t asked them for money since they had bought a coffee at his “spot.” Unfortunately, this practice is common here due to frequent vandalism.
In the end, we gave him €1 to avoid any issues, though we did so reluctantly.
Parking GPS coordinates: 36.894944, 15.068204
If you’re looking to rent a car, we recommend using DiscoverCars. They compare hundreds of offers to get you the best deals, with no hidden fees and excellent rental terms like unlimited mileage, partial coverage, and theft protection.
Here’s the scoop on Noto. It’s a brief article, but honestly, the best way to experience this place is to see these beautiful monuments for yourself. We hope this article helps you plan your Sicilian stay, and most of all, that the city will touch you as much as it did us.
To book your tickets to Noto, here’s where to go:
Feel free to share your experiences and tips for other travelers in the comments 😉
1. Don’t hesitate to climb the towers of the churches (tickets range from €2 to €5) to get a higher vantage point and enjoy beautiful rooftop views. I think you can even show the ticket from your previous visit to get a discount (of €1) for the next visit.
So, to be honest, I can’t find that info right now… so I’m not sure how accurate it is… but it’s worth a try 😂.
Sorry for this approximate info… please feel free to confirm or deny it in the comments! We can update the article based on that.
2. In Sicily, like the rest of Italy, there are ZTLs (Limited Traffic Zones) in city centers. So, be careful where you drive and park because only certain license plates are allowed to circulate in these areas, and everything is monitored by cameras. Unless you want a €200 fine, we really don’t recommend venturing into those zones, so park a bit further from the historic center and walk a little more.
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