Whether you’re lured to Noto, Sicily, Italy, by its Baroque architecture or its famous appearance in season 2 of “White Lotus,” there’s plenty to see and do in this charming town, located in southeastern Sicily.
In his Sicily travel guidebook, European travel guru Rick Steves says that Noto may well be “Sicily’s most pristine small city.”
Let’s quickly fill you in on Noto’s history and then guide you to things to see and do.
Like much of Sicily, Noto’s earlier influences came from a mish-mash of cultures, including the Muslims, Normans, and Romans. If you fast forward a few centuries–specifically to the year 1693–a major earthquake hit and destroyed the city, which at that time was called Netum.
In the 1700s, the city was rebuilt at a new site a few kilometers away and constructed in Sicilian Baroque style. That paved the way for the beautiful, classic Baroque look that defines Noto today. In fact, the Baroque background led Noto to become recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Now, the city is a growing destination for those visiting Sicily, whether they are spending more time in Catania (an hour away by car), Siracuse (Syracuse) or even coming from Palermo a couple of hours away. Noto can make for a beautiful day trip, or you might choose to stay there for a few days to explore and use the town as a “basecamp” to explore nearby cities like Siracusa, Ragusa, and Modica.
Here’s the scoop on things to see and do in Noto bello.
Cattedrale di Noto
The most iconic sight in Noto is Cattedrale di Noto, often just called the Duomo or Chiesa Madre (Mother Church). The wide staircase outside of the Duomo is great for pictures. Find lots of frescoes and gold carvings on the inside.
Eat
Sicily is known for an amazing food culture, just like the rest of Italy. So, it’s probably no surprise that one major item on your Noto to-do list is sampling lots of restaurants and types of food.
As you enjoy the places below, keep in mind that Sicily grows a ton of fresh produce as well as items like almonds. Your next plate may feature tomatoes from nearby Pachino or blood oranges or almonds fresh from Sicilia.
Here are some specific Noto food recommendations and remember–gelato is calorie-free in Italy :-).
—Ristorante Manna Noto, featuring Mediterranean food in a modern bistro style. “The dining experience was spectacular, from the service to the dishes,” says Brianna Buffo, who visited Noto in May 2025. She said one person in her group had celiac disease, and the restaurant was very accommodating.
—Trattoria Fontana d’Ercole, where visitor Azmi Anees had fresh pasta alla norma that featured fried egglant and ricotta.
—Caffe Sicilia, a well-known pastry shop in the area that’s been featured in an episode of “Chef’s Table” on Netflix. Enjoy almond pastries, cannoli, and much more, yum…
–If you’re staying local and want a unique experience, Buffo recommends Via Delle Palme, a husband-and-wife chef team that will prepare a meal where you are staying. Buffo says the meal she enjoyed included fresh and seasonally harvested ingredients perfectly paired with wine–and homemade limoncello for the finale. She also said that the chefs, Buccio Cappello and Giuliana Pucci, were “kind, lovely people.”
Wander Around Noto
Of course, if you’re on vacation in any town in Italy, you’ll do yourself a favor by wandering a bit and soaking up in the atmosphere. Although Noto has gained more tourists in recent years, it doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of a Florence, Rome, or Venice. Take advantage of that calmer feel to check out some of Noto’s top sights, including:
–Porta Reale, or the Royal Gate
–Palazzo Nicolaci
–Street art. “I enjoyed wandering the city streets to look at the art on the stairs by artist Carlo Coniglio and others,” says Chris Cavanaugh, travel expert and founder of the online travel publication Spritzience.com. (Some of the pictures in this article were shared by Cavanaugh.)
–Corso Vittorio Emanuele
–Chiesa di Montevergine, where you can hike up a spiral staircase to the top of the bell tower for city views, Cavanaugh says.
–Shopping! We found these two interesting articles (here and here) with several shopping recommendations in Noto.
Infiorata di Noto/Flower Festival
If you’re in Noto in mid-May, you may be lucky enough to witness its annual flower festival with unique floral mosaics. Called the Infiorata, the festival takes place the third Sunday in May each year.
“It was a beautiful sight and added another layer of fun and conversation as we strolled the city,” Buffo says.
Noto Antica
Check out Noto Antica, or ancient Noto, to see the ruins of the original town demolished by the 1693 earthquake. It’s about 20 minutes away from downtown Noto.
Teatro Comunale Tina Di Lorenzo
Check out Teatro Comunale Tina Di Lorenzo for its marvelous boxes and a painted ceiling to admire, Cavanaugh of Spritzience recommends. The theater seats 308 and is used often for opera, concerts, ballet, and shows.
Cantina Marilina
Want to check out a local vineyard and winery? Cantina Marilina is a great, famiy-run option where you can enjoy lunch as well as vino.
Kapuhala: A Unique Place to Stay
You’ve got many choices of places to stay if you’re in Noto or southeast Sicily. One place we were told about while researching this article is Kapuhala, a family-run, eco-conscious resort in Noto that has a farm-to-table restaurant, a yoga studio, two vineyards, and olive trees. It’s considered agri-turismo, or a farm stay. It’s close to both Noto and Marzamemi.
Nearby Places to Visit from Noto
OK, so you’re on the Noto train with us and ready to visit. Here are some other nearby destinations you may want to check out:
—Catania, which has lots to see and is home to a major airport (when you fly into Sicily, you’ll fly into Catania on its east coast or Palmero on its west coast)
—Marzamemi, a small village where you can grab a bite to eat, shop a little, and discover the area’s tuna processing heritage
—Vendicari Nature Reserve, for peaceful nature, bird watching, and a beach experience (bring your own towels, snacks and other supplies)
—Modica, a town also known for beautiful Baroque architecture and a chocolate museum (yum)
—Siracusa/Syracuse, popular for its history and scenery and includes the stunning island of Ortigia
—Ragusa, with more historical architecture and the Ragusa Archaeological Museum
Buon viaggio!
Italy Dreams 