In Modica, stone buildings and churches cling to the hills that cascade down into the valley. There are just a few historical attractions to see, with chocolate tasting topping the to-do list. This is one of the most photogenic cities in southeast Sicily and it is well worth a few hours of your time as you explore this corner of the island.
We loved our time in Modica. Its hillside location, stone buildings, and picturesque churches brought back fond memories of Matera, another gorgeous city to visit in southern Italy.
A visit here is more about exploring the city streets (be prepared to walk up and down quite a few steps and hills!) and tasting chocolate, which Modica is famous for.
There are two parts to Modica. Modica Alta is the upper part of Modica. To get here, you can walk, but it is a steep hill climb (but that allows you to have more chocolate!!) or ride the tourist train, if you want to save yourself the strenuous walk. Modica Bassa, aka Lower Modica, is the lower part of the city that is tucked away in the valley.
Like nearby Noto, much of this city was rebuilt after the devastating 1693 earthquake.
In this guide, we cover the top things to do in Modica, a walking loop through town, and where to get the best views of the city. If you want to stay in a small, lovely hotel with a jaw-dropping view of Modica, weโll let you know how to do that too.
Welcome to Modica!
Best Things to Do in Modica
The order of things to do in Modica is listed geographically. Starting on the main street, Corso Umberto I, these chocolate shops, churches, castle, and other attractions make a nice walking loop through Modica.
If you just want a quick list of the highlights, here they are:
- Taste chocolate at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto
- Enjoy the view of Antica Modica from Via S. Benedetto da Norcia
- Go for a stroll on Corso Umberto I
- Visit the Cathedral of San Giorgio
- See the frescoes in Chiesa Rupestre di San Nicolo Inferiore
1. Corso Umberto I
Corso Umberto 1 is the main thoroughfare in Modica. It runs through the valley, at the lowest point in town, so almost everything you do from here will require some sort of hill or stair climb.
Walking along this street is one of the best things to do in Modica. This is a great place to admire the cityโs architecture, go shopping, and grab a bite to eat.
2. Antica Dolceria Bonajuto (Ancient Bonajuto Confectionary)
This is a must-do in Modica!
Modica is famous for its chocolate, and this is the #1 chocolate shop in town. Itโs also the oldest chocolate shop in Sicily. There was always a crowd outside of this shop, morning, noon, and night, frequented by both locals and tourists.
Modica chocolate is made a bit differently than other chocolate around the world.
The recipe used follows an ancient Aztec process, a cold-press process where the ingredients are never heated above 45ยฐC. In this process, the sugar does not fully melt, giving the chocolate a slightly crunchy texture.
Only two ingredients are used, cocoa and sugar, although there are a lot of flavored varieties, with additional ingredients such as orange, ginger, hot chili pepper, cardamom, sea salt, and donkey milk. It also does not have any added preservatives.
The chocolate made at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto is delicious. They have a long list of flavored chocolate as well as some pastries and cannoli as well. Once a day they offer a tour where you can learn more about the cold-press method.
The Ancient Bonajuto Confectionary is tucked away on a small alleyway off of Corso Umberto I. Get hours and learn more on the official website.
3. Belvedere San Pietro
Climb the stairs next to the Ancient Bonajuto Confectionary for a very nice view of Modica. It is a rather short stair climb to a terrace that overlooks the chocolate shop and the Cathedral of St. Peter.
4. The Cathedral of St. Peter
This beautiful church, also called Duomo di San Pietro Apostolo, sits on Corso Umberto I. It has been rebuilt several times, since it was damaged by past earthquakes and floods. Inside is a museum containing paintings and works of art preserved from the cathedral. There is a small fee to enter.
Inside the Cathedral of St. Peter
5. Chiesa Rupestre di San Nicolo Inferiore
This church may not look like much on the outside, but this is another must-see in our opinion. The church has been carved from the rock walls. It was built between the 11th and 12th centuries, making it one of the oldest places to visit in town and one of the most important religious sites in southern Sicily.
It is very small on the inside, so a visit here is very quick. Seeing the frescoes on the rock walls is the highlight.
The exterior of the church
To get here, walk down the alleyway to the right of the Cathedral of St. Peter and look for signs indicating the church. There is a small fee to enter, cash only.
6. Modica Castle
This is where the hill climb begins.
Modica Castle, also called Castello dei Conti, sits on a rocky promontory over the valley. It is a short, somewhat steep walk to get here from the main street, with a mix of steps and hilly streets.
We think it is worth the effort, as you get a great view over Modica from the castle walls. On a visit here, you will climb a few more staircases to a large terrace. Itโs another short stair climb to walk on metal pathways for the highest view from the castle. From here, you get 360ยฐ views of Modica.
The view from the castle
Another view from the castle
You have the option to go inside. It is rather boring, as it looks like an abandoned school or office building with no furnishings.
Sitting at the far end of the castle is the clock tower (Torre dellโOrologico) but it was closed during our visit in 2024.
There is a small fee to enter, cash only.
7. The Cathedral of San Giorgio
This is Modicaโs main cathedral. It sits in Modica Alta, at the top of a very long flight of stairs. It is famous for its Baroque architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inside the Cathedral of San Giorgio
It is free to enter this cathedral. For a small fee, you can climb the bell tower for a slightly more elevated view over Modica. Tim counted 118 steps to the top. We thought the view was just OK from the bell tower. If you prefer to limit how many steps you climb, the bell tower is skippable, as the view doesnโt change a whole lot compared to the castle viewpoints.
Below are photos taken from the bell tower.
8. Sabadi
This is another popular chocolate shop in Modica and Val di Noto. It sits next to the Cathedral of San Giorgio. They also use the cold press method of making chocolate. Sabadi is a good alternative to Antica Dolceria Bonajuto or if you want to sample chocolate from more than one place in Modica.
From here, it is a downhill walk to Corso Umberto I, to complete the loop. However, if you want to โconquerโ Modica, we have two more places to recommend. These are not absolute must-seeโs but those who are active and have some extra time on their hands might want to add them on to their tour of Modica.
9. Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista
This church sits on the highest point of Modica Alta. If you want bragging rights that you walked to the top of Modica, mark this spot on your map (or save our Google Map, which you can see later in this guide).
To get here, after visiting the castle, it is a 900-meter uphill walk on Corso Regina Margherita. Expect this walk to take 10 to 15 minutes.
The church was closed when we were here, but it is pretty on the outside. The uphill walk is not wasted, however, as right around the corner is another viewpoint over Modica.
10. Pizzo Viewpoint
This small terrace offers a sweeping view over Modica. We like the view more from our hotel and the castle but is still a nice vantage point over the city.
From here, it is a completely downhill walk to Cathedral of San Giorgio and Corso Umberto, on a mix of narrow, somewhat picturesque streets and staircases. You can use Google Maps for the route.
11. Another Great View of Modica
For a breathtaking view of Modica, drive along Via S. Benedetto da Norcia, a road that runs along the west side of town. Belvedere di San Benedetto is a turnout on this road where you can safely get out of your car and enjoy the view.
You get a very similar view from Itria Modica, a hotel located on this road. We stayed here and highly recommend it.
Getting Around Modica
As already stated, Modica is hilly. It is impossible to avoid the hill and stair climbs to get to some sites in town.
However, it is good to know that there is a tourist train that runs a loop through Modica, taking visitors past the castle, along Corso Umberto I, and past many of the main churches in town.
This is a good option for those with mobility issues, families with young children, and those who prefer to sit back and see the sights, but not necessarily go inside of them. It leaves from Piazza dei Principi di Napoli and the tour takes about one hour.
Modica Walking Tour & Map
Everything listed above, as it is written, makes a very nice loop through Modica.
To visit the churches, you will need cash. There are ATM machines along Corso Umberto I.
How Long Does it Take: This walking tour takes 2 to 3 hours, if you visit everything from the chocolate shop to the Cathedral of San Giorgio. Adding on Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista and the Pizzo Viewpoint adds another 30 to 45 minutes.
The walking route starts on Corso Umberto I, since this is the best place to park in Modica. The route makes a loop, ending at the same point.
The route is marked on the map below. Once finished the walking tour, return to your car or sit down to lunch or dinner in Noto. We have recommended restaurants listed later in this guide.
How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left corner of the map to see a list of the points of interest and to turn layers on/off. Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.
To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
Things to Do Near Modica
Ragusa
Like Modica, Ragusa is a beautiful small city that is perched atop several steep hillsides. It is only a 20-minute drive from Modica and super fun to explore, with its charming streets, viewpoints, and wide piazzas. We really enjoyed our time here as well.
You can visit both Modica and Ragusa in one day, since they are both quick to visit and located near each other. But it will be a workout (since both towns are hilly) and if you have a FitBit or Apple Watch, you could break some records today.
We like the idea of combining Noto with Modica and visiting Ragusa on its own day, as it takes a little bit longer to see the sights in Ragusa.
Noto
Noto is famous for its UNESCO-listed city center, long list of churches, and Baroque architecture. This city was completely rebuilt in a new location, following the 1693 earthquake. A visit here takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on how many churches you visit. We visited Noto in the morning and Modica in the afternoon.
Noto, Sicily | Best Things to Do on a Quick Visit & Walking Tour
How to plan a visit to Noto, including the best things to do plus a short, efficient walking tour through town.Syracuse & Ortigia
Syracuse is a coastal city that contains some of the most important archaeological sites in Sicily, with a Greek theater, Roman amphitheater, and Temple of Apollo.
Ortigia is the small island in Syracuse that is a delight to wander through and explore.
It takes about a day to visit Syracuse and Ortigia. Syracuse also makes a great home base for exploring the Val di Noto towns (Noto, Modica, and Ragusa).
WHAT WE DID
Here is a brief overview of our itinerary for southeastern Sicily. It worked very well, as it gave us enough time to visit each city without being too rushed.
Day 1: Drive from Taormina to Syracuse in the morning. We spent the full day sightseeing in Syracuse and Ortigia.
Day 2: Drive to Noto and visit Noto in the morning. Noto Antica midday. Afternoon in Modica. Sleep in Modica.
Day 3: Ragusa, sleep in Modica.
Day 4: Drive to and visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.
We really enjoyed staying in Modica, and the main reason is where we stayed. Itria Modica is a small hotel with awesome views of Modica, and we cover this in more detail later in this guide.
How to Get to Modica
The best way to get to Modica is by car. This gives you more freedom to travel on your own schedule and add on places that are challenging to get to using public transportation, such as the beaches and Noto Antica.
You can also get to Modica by train. Be aware that the train station is 1.2 km outside of town, about a 16-minute walk.
There are also several tours that include Noto and Ragusa. This small group tour from Catania includes Noto, Modica, and Ragusa. If you will be staying in Syracuse, you can hire this driver to take you to Noto, Modica, and Ragusa.
Parking & Driving in Modica
Parking in Modica can be challenging.
The best place to park in Modica is along Corso Umberto I, the main street in town. White parking spaces are free and blue parking spaces are paid parking spaces (usually through an app). It can be very hard to find parking along this street.
The next closest place to park is called โPublic Parkingโ on Google Maps (and it is marked on our map above). It is located at the end of Viale Medaglie DโOro. The downside is that it is located about 1 km/0.6 miles from the heart of Modica and Antica Dolceria Bonajuto.
There was no ZTL (limited traffic area) in Modica during our visit. In these zones, traffic is limited to residents and local traffic. In a rental car, you can be fined for entering these areas. In 2024, there was no ZTL in Modica on our visit, but it is still a good idea to keep a lookout for the ZTL signs, just in case something changes.
Overlooking Modica (photo taken from our hotel room at Itria Modica)
Where to Eat in Modica
We had dinner at QB Quello Buono, which is located on Corso Umberto I. This is a casual restaurant with an outdoor terrace and tables that sit under olive trees. The pizza is delicious and the service was very fast when we were here.
If you want to put together a picnic lunch or dinner, we recommend A โNCIMINATA. This tiny grocery store is located on Corso Umberto I and you can pick up cheese, different flavored Sicilian salami, nuts, wine, crackers, fresh bread, olive oil, and more.
For a quick snack, coffee, or espresso, go to Martin Cafรฉ. It is located across the street from the Cathedral of Saint Peter.
Where to Stay in Modica
Itria Modica
We stayed at Itria Modica and highly recommend it. Not only do they get near perfect reviews from prior guests, but the view from this hotel is one of the best you can get in Modica. This hotel has a hilltop location with a panoramic view of Modica Alta. This view was one of the highlights of our time in Modica.
The view from our room
Itria Modica has an outdoor pool and each room has a view of the city. Parking is super easy, right out front of the hotel, which is a big advantage as it can be challenging to find parking in Modica.
The downside of Itria Modicaโs hilltop location is the walk into town. From the hotel, there is a long series of steps and alleyways that lead down to the main street. Tim counted roughly 300 steps, so it is a hefty climb, so make sure you can handle that before making your reservation. Youโll have to climb those steps at the end of the day to get back to the hotel. If you want to avoid the climb, you can try to park on the main street, but there is no guarantee you will find parking.
Tim and I spent two nights here, using Modica as our home base to also visit Noto and Ragusa.
More Places to Consider
Casa Talia is a highly rated boutique hotel not far from Itria Modica. This unique hotel offers rooms that are carved out of the hill, some with stone walls and balconies with a view of Modica Alta. We walked โthroughโ this hotel on our walk from Itria Modica into town. They are located farther down the hill, but still has a great view, so you will walk fewer stairs by staying here. It is worth looking into how you get your luggage to the hotel, as you will park in front of Itria Modica and walk down several long staircases to get to the hotel.
If you want to stay farther down in town, U Dammusu and Palazzo II Cavaliere B&B De Charme are located on Corso Umberto, the main road through Modica.
B&B II Giardino Dei Mandarini is a 3-star bed and breakfast in Modica. It is located in Modica Alta.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Modica or how to plan a trip to Modica, let us know in the comment section below.
More Sicily & Italy Travel Guides
Italy Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Italy
Italy Travel Guide Italy is home to some of the world’s best food, wine, and art. Add in gorgeous coastlines, beautiful beaches, world-class fashion, phenomenal hiking trails, villas in Tuscany, and gelato, and you have the ingredients for an epic vacation. Italy is a favorite destination for many travelers for a very good reason. Come […]
The Ultimate Two Week Sicily Road Trip Itinerary
This two week Sicily itinerary is done as a road trip, making one loop around the island. On this itinerary, explore Sicilyโs most beautiful cities, climb Mount Etna, explore ancient Greek temples, stroll through picturesque hill towns, taste Modicaโs famous chocolate, and spend some time on the beach. We spent just over two and a […]
Noto, Sicily | Best Things to Do on a Quick Visit & Walking Tour
Noto is a small Sicilian city famous for its Baroque architecture, UNESCO-listed city center, and long list of churches. Visiting the churches, climbing the bell towers, and photographing the beautiful buildings top the list of things to do in Noto. The medieval town was destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. The remains of this town can […]
12 Wonderful Things to Do in Taormina, Sicily
Taormina, with its cliffside setting, rocky beaches, ancient Greek theater, picturesque streets, and panoramic views of Mount Etna, is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. Strolling its streets, exploring the public garden, visiting lovely Isola Bella, and climbing the steps up to Castello di Taormina are all top things to do in Taormina, […]
Exactly How to Visit Mount Etna & Important Things to Know
Mount Etna dominates the skyline of eastern Sicily. This is one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe and the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy. Itโs also one of Sicilyโs biggest tourist attractions. Visiting Mount Etna is a bit more complicated than just putting on a pair of hiking shoes and hiking […]
One Day in Palermo | Best of Palermo in 24 Hours
Planning a trip to Sicily and only have one day in Palermo? Palermo, the capital of Sicily, is one of the largest cities in Italy. It is famous for its churches, its vibrant nightlife, and seaside setting. With its nearby international airport, it is also makes it a popular starting and/or ending point for a […]
Etna Wine Region: Why Sicilyโs Volcanic Wines Are a Must-Try
As unlikely as it seems, Mount Etna is an up-and-coming wine region in Italy. Around its perimeter, vines cover the lower the slopes of the volcano, creating one of the most unexpected wine regions in Europe. The hilly slopes, the black lava soil, the regular dusting of volcanic ash, and the threat of a major […]
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Cefalรน, Sicily
Relax on the beach, explore the picturesque medieval town, visit one of Sicilyโs most important churches, and hike to the top of Cefalรน Rock for panoramic views over the city and coastlineโฆthese all top the list of things to do in Cefalรน. Cefalรน is a gorgeous seaside town. With its picturesque setting next to a […]
Southern Italy Itinerary: Amalfi Coast, Matera, Alberobello & Puglia
This southern Italy itinerary includes some of Italyโs most popular places to visit as well as some hidden gems. Spend your first few days on the Amalfi Coast, visiting Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, and several Amalfi Coast towns. From here, visit Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. You may not have heard of these towns before, but they could […]
15 Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast of Italy
What do you look for when picking the perfect vacation spot? Beautiful beaches? Charming towns to explore? Shopping? Restaurants with a view? Colorful sunsets? Romance? What if I told you that you could get all of these in one placeโฆthe Amalfi Coast. In this article, learn about the best things to do on the Amalfi […]
4 Days in Rome Itinerary: Best of Rome for First Time Visitors
4 days in Rome is a wonderful amount of time to spend in this city. Not only will you be able to visit the main highlights, but you will also have time to explore a few hidden gems and add in something like a cooking class, more leisurely time, or a food tour. The list […]
10 Days in Italy Itinerary: 5 Amazing Ideas for Your Trip to Italy
Italy is a country that is on many travelersโ wish list. And why not? Italy has it all: fabulous cuisine, gorgeous cities, towering mountains and beautiful beaches, and ancient historical sites. Throw in some gelato and wine and you have the perfect ingredients for a memorable 10-day holiday in Europe. If you have 10 days […]
15 Amazing Things to Do in Alberobello (With Photos & Helpful Tips)
Have you ever seen photos of a place and think โthat canโt be real.โ Well, thatโs what we thought when we first saw photos of Alberobello. This tiny town looks like it has been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. Alberobello is famous for its trulli, small round buildings with conical roofs made of […]
Leave a Reply