Noto is the jewel of Sicilian Baroque. Rebuilt entirely after the 1693 earthquake, the town is a masterpiece of unified urban design, all honey-coloured limestone, theatrical facades, and ornate balconies. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.
The main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, is the showcase, lined with churches and palaces that glow golden in the late afternoon light. The Cattedrale di San Nicolò at the top of its grand staircase, Palazzo Villadorata with its extraordinary carved balcony corbels, and the convex Baroque facade of Chiesa di San Domenico are the architectural highlights. Noto is small enough to see in a few hours, but the atmosphere and the excellent granita and pastries from Caffè Sicilia make it worth lingering.
Beyond the town itself, the Vendicari Nature Reserve 12 km to the south offers a complete contrast: coastal wetlands, migratory birds, and uncrowded beaches. The ruins of Noto Antica — the original hilltop city destroyed in 1693 — are 8 km north and reward a detour for those interested in what was lost.