Discover Sicily

Discover Sicily: Agrigento, Ragusa, Modica and Syracuse

Sicily is one of the most fascinating destinations in the Mediterranean. The island combines ancient history, beautiful architecture, wonderful food and dramatic landscapes. Away from the busy resorts, southern and south-eastern Sicily offer a very different experience. Agrigento, Ragusa, Modica and Syracuse each have their own character. Together, they reveal thousands of years of Sicilian history.

Booking one of our friendly local Guides4me tour guides makes exploring these destinations much easier. Your tour can be private, flexible and designed around the things you want to see.

Agrigento – Step Back Into Ancient Greece

Agrigento is one of Sicily’s great historical destinations. Its biggest attraction is the spectacular Valley of the Temples. This vast archaeological area contains some of the finest surviving Greek temples in Sicily. The site was once part of ancient Akragas, one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

The Temple of Concordia is particularly impressive. Visitors can also discover the temples of Juno, Heracles and Olympian Zeus. Olive and almond trees add to the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Do not overlook Agrigento itself. Explore its historic streets, local cafés and traditional restaurants. The nearby coast also makes it easy to combine history with beautiful Sicilian scenery. A local guide can bring the ruins to life. Instead of simply looking at ancient stones, you can discover the people, stories and civilisations behind them.

Ragusa – Discover Beautiful Baroque Sicily

Ragusa is one of the jewels of south-eastern Sicily. It is effectively a city with two different personalities. The newer part is known as Ragusa Superiore. The historic area is Ragusa Ibla, famous for its beautiful Baroque architecture. Much of the city was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1693. Walk through narrow streets and stone stairways. Stop in elegant squares and explore historic churches and palaces.

One of the highlights is the magnificent Cathedral of San Giorgio. The lovely Giardino Ibleo is another place worth visiting. It offers a peaceful contrast to the winding streets of the old town. Ragusa is also an excellent destination for food lovers. Traditional Sicilian cooking remains an important part of everyday life here. Local specialities include scacce, delicious filled flatbreads.

Exploring Ragusa with a local guide allows you to find viewpoints and hidden streets that many visitors simply walk past.

Modica – Baroque Architecture and Chocolate

Not far from Ragusa is beautiful Modica. The town tumbles across the hills in a mixture of stone houses, churches, stairways and narrow streets. Exploring on foot is one of the best ways to experience it.

The spectacular Cathedral of San Giorgio is one of Modica‘s most recognisable landmarks. The Church of San Pietro and the historic streets around Corso Umberto I are also well worth exploring. Modica is also famous for something completely different.

Chocolate

Traditional Modica chocolate has a distinctive grainy texture. Its preparation reflects methods introduced during the period of Spanish rule and linked to older Aztec chocolate-making traditions. Cinnamon, vanilla, citrus and chilli are among the flavours visitors may discover.

Take time to visit a local chocolate shop. Better still, ask your guide to introduce you to some of the town’s traditional producers. Modica perfectly combines history, architecture and food. It is one of those destinations where getting slightly away from the main streets can reveal something unexpected.

Syracuse – Where Ancient History Meets the Sea

Syracuse, or Siracusa in Italian, is one of Sicily’s most important historical cities. Its history stretches back thousands of years. Today, visitors can discover ancient Greek remains, Baroque architecture, attractive squares and a beautiful coastline.

One of the highlights is the Archaeological Park of Neapolis. Its famous Greek Theatre was carved into the rock and is one of the great reminders of Syracuse‘s classical past. Then head towards Ortigia.

This small island forms the historic heart of Syracuse. Wander through its narrow streets and discover elegant Piazza Duomo, historic buildings, cafés and waterfront views. It is the perfect place to slow down. Stop for lunch, try local seafood and watch Sicilian life passing by. Syracuse also makes an excellent base for exploring more of south-eastern Sicily.

Taste the Flavours of Sicily

Food is a huge part of the Sicilian experience. Expect fresh seafood, pasta, cheeses, olives, tomatoes and locally grown vegetables. Street food and pastries are equally important. Look out for arancini, cannoli and granita. In Modica, chocolate is essential. Around Ragusa, traditional recipes reflect the farming traditions of the surrounding countryside. Every town has its own favourites.

A local guide can help you move beyond tourist restaurants. They can introduce you to traditional cafés, bakeries, markets and family-run restaurants.

Why Book a Friendly Local Tour Guide in Sicily?

Sicily has an extraordinary amount of history. Sometimes simply seeing a building or archaeological site does not tell you the full story. A friendly local Guides4me tour guide can explain what you are looking at and why it matters. Your tour can also be flexible. Spend longer somewhere you love. Skip somewhere that does not interest you. Discover famous attractions or head off the beaten track.

Your local guide can help with:

• Historical sites and ancient ruins

• Hidden streets and viewpoints

• Baroque churches and architecture

• Local food and traditional specialities

• Local customs and Sicilian culture

• Creating an itinerary around your interests

Most importantly, a private tour gives you a much more personal experience.

Discover a Different Side of Sicily

Agrigento, Ragusa, Modica and Syracuse show just how varied Sicily can be. Walk among ancient Greek temples in Agrigento. Explore the Baroque streets of Ragusa. Taste traditional chocolate in Modica. Then wander beside the Mediterranean in historic Syracuse.

There is so much more to Sicily than simply visiting the main tourist attractions. Book one of our friendly local Guides4me tour guides and discover Sicily through the eyes of someone who knows it.

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