RAGUSA FAQ`S

How do I get to Ragusa by plane?

The airport at Comiso (www.aeroportodicomiso.eu/it) is ten miles away, and is the obvious choice for visiting Ragusa. Catania Airport is the nearest major airport, with international flights. There are direct buses between Catania Airport and Ragusa, a journey which takes just one hour and forty-five minutes.

If you have not booked a private transfer with us, there are a few options to get you from the Comiso Airport into the town of Ragusa. Note: there are currently no bus services. Car rental is available at the airport. Also, Sicily Shuttle is a private shuttle company that will transfer passengers from the airport of Comiso to your final destination. Taxi service will costs around €40 to €50. The drive time is approximately 25 minutes.

How do I get to Ragusa by bus or train?

Ragusa has both a bus and a railway station in the modern part of the upper town. Bus connections are generally more efficient and practical. Buses operated by various companies connect Ragusa with other Sicilian towns; AST run to Modica, Scicli, Noto and Siracusa, and Etna Trasporti operate services to Catania Airport. Modica is thirty minutes away, on the same bus route which continues to Siracusa. Tumino operate a local service to the seaside, stopping at Marina di Ragusa, Punta Secca and Kamarina.

Ragusa is at the end of the railway line connecting Siracusa with the other Baroque towns - in the summer, look out for special excursions on the `Treno del Barocco`. Useful information on buses can be found on the website of Ragusa council (www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it). The best way to reach Ibla (old town) from the bus and railway stations is by catching the little local bus which connects Ragusa Superiore with the public gardens in Ibla. Local bus tickets can be bought from some tabacchi shops in Ibla; longer-distance bus tickets can be bought at a kiosk at the bus station (for some companies) and around the corner at a bar on Via Teocrito.

How do I get to Ragusa by ferry?

The nearest seaport is Pozzallo, 21 miles south, with daily fast ferries to Malta.

How do I get around in the city of Ragusa by bus?

AST (www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it) is the main bus service that provides urban transport services for the city. The main urban bus terminus is the `Nodo Zama` which is next to the intercity bus station and the `Nodo Piazza del Popolo`, next to the railway station. If heading towards Ibla take buses 11 and 33 (hourly to 9 pm), or line 1 (on Sundays and holidays), or line 3 (at night). Bus tickets are available from various news stalls and tabachi. Day passes cost around €2.

If you don`t want to make the steep climb linking Ibla (Old Town) with Superiore (Modern Town), you can take the city bus departing from in front of the cathedral or from Piazza del Popolo - It`s a steep ride! The bus will let you off in Ibla (Old Town) at Piazza Pola or Giardini Iblei, which are most central for exploring the medieval and baroque town.

I will have a car in Ragusa, where can I park?

There are signposted car parks in several points outside Ibla. The principal parking lots (with a fee) is in the valley below Piazza della Repubblica and Ibla. There is also parking by the Giardino Ibleo.

How do I get around by taxi?

There is a taxi station/office at the beginning of Ragusa Ibla in Piazza della Repubblica and there are taxis at the train station in the new Ragusa.

Is Ragusa a dangerous city?

Ragusa is a safe place to visit. Nevertheless, you should always take precautions when traveling, ie., keep your passport in your hotel safe if you can, don`t carry a great deal of cash, be vigilant about your own safety and beware of pickpockets. It is always recommended to avoid walking alone at night and in remote areas. Use the same street smarts that you would use in any large city worldwide.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency used in Ragusa (and the rest of Italy) is the euro (€), US dollars are not accepted. We suggest to exchange some money before the trip and have some euros on you since the rate will be a lot higher on the spot and no currency other than euro is accepted.

It is also useful to remind your bank and credit card company that you will be travelling to make sure your cards will work while in Italy. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.

Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

Rates fluctuate, so before departing consult a currency exchange website such as www.xe.com to check up-to-the-minute rates.

For more information about tipping visit: Tipping in Italy

What is the weather like in Ragusa? When is the best time to go?

The best time to visit Ragusa is between May and July because the weather is perfect, and many important festivals happen during this period. Generally speaking, a great time to visit is the late spring and early fall months, which offer the best temperatures in the 70`s, ideal for temple gazing, beach lazing or hiking. These months are also the most popular times to visit, as well as the most expensive.

Between July and September the area is enlivened by the Estate Iblea, a summer festival of music and events around Ragusa. In October Ibla hosts a festival of busking and street entertainment, called Ibla Buskers. Other colorful events during the year in Ragusa include Easter and St. George`s Day processions.

I don`t speak Italian. Will many people speak English?

The official language spoken in Ragusa is Italian. If you don`t speak Italian we suggest learning at least a few Italian words and phrases before you arrive. This will come in handy in more remote parts of Sicily. In Ragusa, there aren`t many people who speak English, but enough of the folks in airports, hotels and restaurants understand it well enough to make basic transactions go smoothly. Even if you do speak Italian, you might not understand everything the Sicilians are saying to each other, since they may be speaking the local dialect (actually a distinct language), but they all speak Italian. We suggest you get a good English-Italian guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

Marina di Ragusa is the coast of Ragusa, and It is one of the few places in Sicilia where you can find English speakers. This area is popular for tourists, so some of the locals have learned basic English to better serve visitors.

What is the food like?

Food is an essential aspect of Siciliano culture, and the locals pride themselves on their fresh, unique food.

Arancino is the most famous food of Sicilia, and it is delicious anywhere that you try it. Ragusa is known for their almonds, so try almond (mandole in Italian) granita or gelato when you have the chance!

Also, any seafood that you eat will be some of the freshest you will ever have. We recommend eating at any restaurant in Marina di Ragusa! Of course, you should also try the pasta, pizza, and all the cheeses possible.

What are the best areas for shopping?

The main shopping streets are Via Roma and Corso Italia. For souvenirs and typical Sicilian products the Via XXV Aprile in Ragusa Ibla has many shops with all things Sicilian to buy. There are two shopping centers in Ragusa: Centro Commerciale Ibleo - Ipercoop and Le Massarie, on the road for Marina di Ragusa.

There is a market every day of the week (excluding Sundays), but it changes zone/quarter of Ragusa. The main Market is on Wednesdays next to the football stadium `A. Campo` in Selvaggio quarter.

Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is currently 22% in Italy for standard goods. Travelers outside the EU can claim back sales tax on purchases over €155 if they have bought from shops displaying the `tax free` shopping sign.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

Police, dial 112

Ambulance, dial 118

The local hospital is Ospedale Civile, Via da Vinci (tel. 0932-600111).