Do you know Noto? Noto is the city that gives its name to the fabulous valley in the south-east of Sicily.
It is your destination if you want tranquillity, beauty, fun, and deliciousness from your summer holidays. Here, you will find the best of Sicily: clean sea suitable for every preference, tasty traditional food of the island, and so much, so much history.
Need to know more?
Read this article and discover what to visit and where to sleep in Noto in Sicily.
Table of Contents
What to see in Noto
Noto is in Syracuse, in the southeastern part of Sicily.
Val di Noto is the niche of Sicilian Baroque. Val di Noto has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the area’s archaeological and architectural wealth.
It is also famous for an event in May: the Infiorata di via Nicolaci.
Every year, the street in the centre is filled with flower arrangements and true-themed works of art. The theme for 2025 is “Peace becomes art”
Noto, along with Modica and Syracuse, is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places.
We recommend visiting the Cathedral of San Nicolò, an iconic symbol of Noto, in the historic centre. Thanks to its long, perched staircase, it is easy to recognize. It offers a privileged view of the centre and is also one of the best places to take beautiful photographs of Noto.
In front of the majestic cathedral is another city landmark: Ducezio Palace, home to the Town Hall and the splendid Hall of Mirrors. Both the cathedral and the palace are open to the public every day.
Also worth a visit is Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, a monumental building that mixes baroque and neoclassical. You can visit the Piano Nobile, the Salone delle Feste and the Sala del Tè.
The Church of San Carlo al Corso is located near the palace. Make a stop at the small church, which hides a gem: from its bell tower, you can admire a unique view of Noto.
Another suggestion is a visit to Mariannina Coffa’s Stairs. If you intend to come here in the summer after the end of the Infiorata, know that the Scalinata Mariannina Coffa’s digital installation allows you to see reproduced creations from the spring event.
Beaches in Noto and its surroundings
Noto is an inland location. But don’t worry! Some of the best beaches in eastern Sicily are nearby. And there’s something for all tastes and needs.
Here’s where we recommend you go:
– Lido di Noto, the beach closest to the centre, is perfect for families thanks to the sand and accessible seabed;
– Vendicari Nature Reserve, one of the most fascinating natural sites on the island. There are several landing places here, from wild to equipped beaches. Don’t miss the spectacle of the unique beauty of Calamosche. And look around: maybe you’ll be lucky and see pink flamingos in flight!
From Noto, you can easily reach Syracuse and its beaches. The most famous are Fontane Bianche and Plemmirio.
While Fontane Bianche is a beautiful relaxing beach, Plemmirio is a reserve full of naturalistic glimpses to admire. If you love snorkelling, this is the place for you. When you return from the sea, and you want to see more outside the centre of Noto, then take note:
– visit the Roman Villa of Tellaro, an archaeological site renowned for its well-preserved ancient mosaics;
– take a trip on the Baroque Train to visit the major centres of the Val di Noto, such as Scicli, Modica and Ragusa, aboard a vintage train.
Beautiful villas in Noto for your holidays
Now you know what awaits you during your holidays in Noto.
Have you already chosen where to sleep? It is an important choice! A relaxing holiday is a half-holiday without a beautiful place for the eyes and comfortable for all the other senses to spend the night and free time.
And we are about to tell you about three villas in Noto, each more enchanting than the other.
Let’s start with Villa Orizzonte. The villa is in the heart of a vast expanse of olive and carob trees. The eyes follow the green countryside to meet the blue sea on the horizon.
From the outside, Villa Orizzonte appears simple. The dry stone walls are a tribute to local tradition.
Inside, the magic of design has created the synergy of wood, resin and metals to give life to an environment that is as welcoming and practical as clean and elegant.
Three buildings are connected to the external environments that make up the villa. It is ideal for holidays with family or with couples of friends. The living room and kitchen are large and designed to be lived.
But the hot Sicilian summer is lived outside, in outdoor spaces. In all respects, the outdoor environment is an invitation to rest, chat, and dine under the shade of the trees, on the patio, or by the pool.
Villa Orizzonte has a panoramic shaded terrace, a lava stone barbecue area, and a private pool for swimming away from the crowds of the beaches.
How does Villa Zenit describe?
Think of the sunset over the rolling hills of the Sicilian countryside. Imagine admiring it from your private pool in a large, modern, sophisticated home just for your family and friends.
Villa Zenit is the perfect fusion of contemporary and traditional. The watchwords for interior spaces are brightness and practicality. Whether you are having lunch or reading a book on the comfortable sofa, you can look outside at any time and let your eyes move over the landscape.
It’s all very sophisticated, thanks to the alternation of modern design and natural materials.
The luxury experience of Villa Zenit does not end here.
The villa includes four bedrooms. Two of these are suites. The fourth is the Annex, which is available for additional guests. It is an independent space with a living area and a kitchenette in addition to the bedroom.
The highlight of Villa Zenit is the large pool area, which has nothing to envy of a resort!
This is where you let go of the stress of everyday life, the worries of work, and the summer frenzy of tourist resorts.
Here, you sip your aperitif while chatting with friends or in the silence of the Sicilian countryside.
Now think of a glass house in the heart of a place you would never think of being: a tuff quarry. This is Villa Petra, another example of architecture that combines contemporaneity’s needs with the territory’s richness.
Villa Petra has a significant name: it is located inside a quarry that supplied the light stone used to erect the baroque buildings of the Val di Noto.
Here, you sleep in luxury and rest in history.
The villa’s protagonist is light, in addition to the stone. The atmosphere of Villa Petra is hospitable, even if the design is essential and avant-garde.
The spaces are arranged on two levels. The living room and kitchen are on the first floor, while the bedrooms are on the second floor.
The garden has the charm of the Mediterranean; the private infinity pool opens up a wonderful panorama before your eyes, welcoming the greenery and reaching all the way to the sea.
In addition to the solarium, there is also a hot tub with chromotherapy.
Outdoor tables, armchairs and sofas are just waiting for you to enjoy moments of conviviality with the family or to think about what your next stop to visit in the surroundings of Noto should be.
We hope we have met your expectations.
Val di Noto is a special place in Sicily; we are sure it will not disappoint you. Now, choose your secluded villa and fly to Sicily.