Below you will find a list of beaches and restaurants in and near the Vendicari Reserve. Beaches Pizzuta: first beach of the reserve, located between Lido di Noto and the archaeological park of the Greek city of Eloro. The path leading to the beach is about 400 meters (0.2 miles) long. Marianelli: a…
If you think that the Sicilian experience ends at the golden beaches and crystal-clear waters of its seas, you may consider it a big mistake. Sicily, in addition to more than 3,000 years of history and art, boasts an unparalleled variety of natural landscapes, one of which is the Controlled Natural Reserve of Cavagrande del…
The origins of Syracuse The history of Syracuse has distant origins. In fact, the birth of the city of Syracuse seems to date back to 734 B.C., founded by a group of Corinthian settlers. In reality, the year of its foundation does not find unanimous agreement among historians. The most accredited dates on which the…
Marzamemi is an ancient fishing village, now a touristic, seafaring and fishing center just over 20 km (12 miles) from Noto. The name of this old village comes from the Arabic “Marsà al-hamām”, which means “Bay of the Turtledoves,” since the small birds have to pass through the area during their migrations. Today, Marzamemi radiates…
Palazzolo Acreide is a Baroque town of Greek origins. Located in the Hyblean Plateau and not far from the Anapo River and the Rupestrian Necropolis of Pantalica, in 2002 it was awarded the title of World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, along with the “Val di Noto”. The town is recognized as one of the…
In the 1970s, in the country side not far from Noto, the remains of a Roman Villa were discovered after being hidden by an old farmhouse that had been built over it. Archaeological excavations in the following years unearthed extremely refined and marvelous Roman mosaics dating back to the 4th century A.D. To date, only…
Established in 1984 by the then Minister of Agriculture Filippo Maria Pandolfi, the Vendicari Nature Reserve was created with the aim of safeguarding one of the most important ecosystems of the peninsula, which boasts, in the far southern area, a reserve of inestimable value, both from a purely natural and historical point of view. The…
Castelluccio Along the Tellaro valley, between the municipalities of Modica and Noto, lies the former Castelluccio Feud, belonging to the marquises Di Lorenzo. It is one of the oldest and most important archaeological sites in Italy, cradle of the Castelluccio civilization, a Sican community already present in the Bronze Age (between 2200 and 1450 BC.…
Ortygia is one of the most striking islands in Sicily, representing the historic center of Syracuse as well as the oldest part of the city. Although its size is decidedly modest, Ortygia amazes anyone who dares to step in its beauty, scenic richness, history and breathtaking sunsets. We recommend to all the incurable romantics (or…
Find out what to see in the historic center of Noto: The Cathedral, Castelluccio’s Palace, Tina Di Lorenzo’s Theater, Nicolaci’s Palace. The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas is the highest expression of the Sicilian Baroque as well as the main church in the city of Noto. The beginning of the…