It is not easy to describe in words the charm of a place like Ragusa Ibla, a charm that can be grasped by looking out from one of the many vantage points that the area offers before entering what is the beating heart of this wonderful place, where time seems to have stopped in the last century.

Ragusa Ibla, or simply known as Ibla, stands atop a hill which, in past times, housed the ancient city of Hybla. The Val di Noto earthquake of 1693 destroyed much of the area and little of the original core of Ibla remained. Later, Ragusa was rebuilt in two sites: Ragusa Superiore (literally, Upper Ragusa), which is nothing more than the modern part, and Ragusa Ibla, which was rebuilt on the ruins of the site of the ancient Sicilian city.

Ibla is a Baroque treasure chest that encloses a conspicuous number of small churches, ancient noble palaces, timeless alleys, all spiced up by the friendliness of its inhabitants, the pleasant liveliness that the small stores in the downtown streets are able to convey, the colors, the scents and that feeling of being at home, which is characteristic of the entire region.

The Baroque style echoes strongly in every corner, but its highest manifestation is represented by the Cathedral of Saint George. The church is located in the highest part of Piazza Duomo, which, with its slope, makes the monument appear even more majestic, along with the staircase that enhances the facade of the building.

Another very interesting site is the Church of Santa Maria delle Scale, located between Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa Superiore. It overlooks Ibla from above, which is why we recommend that you stop and enjoy the splendid view, as well as getting lost in its maze of stairs.

Along the downward slope leading to Ibla, on Corso Mazzini, you will come across the Church of Santa Lucia, whose churchyard overlooks the valley, offering an extremely impressive view.

At the end of your tour of the town, you may decide to stop at the Hyblaean Garden. It is located on the lowest part of the hill of Ibla, so it represents the ideal destination for all those who want to indulge in a pleasant stop after having already crossed and visited the town. Upon entering, you will be immediately caught by surprise by a wonderful avenue flanked by palm trees, with stone-carved benches and well-maintained greenery. The garden also offers a view of the Irminio valley. Inside the park, you can admire three of the countless churches in the area: the Church of Saint Dominic, the Church of Saint James, and the Capuchin Monastery. This is one of the peculiarities that distinguishes the Hyblaean Garden, as well as being the oldest park in the city of Ragusa.

If you have more time on your hands, we recommend you take a look at the Unesco World Heritage monuments in Ibla, including the Palace of the Chancellery, the Sortino Palace, the Cosentini Palace, the San Filippo Neri Church, the Battaglia Palace, and the Idria Church.

One of the reasons that brings so many people from all over the world to visit and buy houses in Ragusa Ibla is the great Ragusan gastronomic tradition, which finds its highest expression in Ibla. Here one can taste the best of Ragusan street food as well as eat in important starred restaurants, such as La Locanda di Don Serafino or Il Duomo.