Pozzallo and Surrounding Area
How to Get Around
Pozzallo is situated in a strategic and very convenient location for visiting all the places that form part of the Val di Noto area, which includes the provinces of Ragusa, Syracuse , and Catania. From the port of Pozzallo you can also take a catamaran to Malta, with one to three departures per day (depending on the season); the journey takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
For those who do not have a vehicle: trains connect Pozzallo with Modica, Scicli, Ragusa, Ispica, Rosolini, Noto, Avola, Fontane Bianche and Syracuse (direct), Catania, Messina and Palermo (with change in Syracuse and Catania); buses connect Pozzallo with Catania airport and city, Modica, Scicli, Ragusa, Ispica, Rosolini, Noto, Syracuse and
Palermo.
For those who own or rent a vehicle: Pozzallo is just 5 km from the Ispica exit of the A18 Siracusa-Catania-Messina motorway; Syracuse can be reached in just over 30 minutes; Catania can be reached in about 1 hour and half. Ragusa can be reached by car in less than 40 minutes, Noto in about 30 minutes, Modica and Scicli in less than 30 minutes.
Sea
Absolute Relaxation
The turquoise blue sea and the splendid beaches of fine golden sand of Pozzallo, just few steps from our apartments, offer you the opportunity to stay in town, taking it easy on foot and enjoy the relaxation you're looking for. Pozzallo has been awarded the Blue Flag and Green Flag for years, for the quality of its waters, bathing services and its beaches, known for being particularly suitable and safe for children.
Gastronomy
Ancient traditions
Sicilian cuisine is worldwide recognised for its authenticity and the blend of influences that have intertwined over the centuries. In Pozzallo you can savor primarily local seafood dishes, but also excellent pizzas, arancini and rustic, as well as, of course, cannoli, granitas, brioches and other traditional desserts.
If you go to Modica, you can savor traditional country dishes, such as ricotta ravioli with tomato sauce, fresh pasta with legumes, scacce (focacce) and other specialties. A must-try is Modica chocolate, worldwide renowned product of excellence, which earned IGP status in 2018. The province of Ragusa is renowned for its cheese, especially Ragusano (caciocavallo), which earned DOP status in 1996. Even when it comes to wine , the province of Ragusa has - as you probably know - its excellences, boasting prestigious cellars and vineyards.
Culture
Baroque/liberty heritage and archaeological sites
Visits to Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Scicli, Noto, Ispica, UNESCO world heritage cities, are unmissable, with their countless churches and historic buildings, their architecture and decorations, their narrow streets and evocative views, which make them symbols of Sicilian Baroque.
Of historical and architectural interest is the Donnafugata Castle (Ragusa), with its neo-gothic style and famous labyrinth.
Even older historical evidence is found in the archaeological sites in the Iblean area, such as the Cava d'Ispica archaeological park and the Kamarina archaeological park.
Nature
The Hyblaean countryside, the quarries and the nature reserves of the Syracuse area
The Hyblaean territory is characterised by rural landscapes dominated by the presence of carob trees and olive trees, some of which are centuries old ( both central to the local agricultural economy), citrus trees, almond trees, prickly pears and countless other plant species, dry stone walls of white limestone, which delimit the fields, pastures and flocks of cows, sheep and goats, ancient farmhouses (the heart of agricultural life).
Numerous quarries dot the Hyblaean territory, rich in biodiversity, waterways and archaeological sites, including Cava d'Ispica (Modica/Ispica), Cava dei Servi (Modica), Cava Paradiso (Rosolini), Cava Misericordia (Ragusa), Cava Celone (Ragusa), Cava Ronna Fridda (Scicli).
Among the nature reserves , moving towards the Syracuse side, the Cavagrande del Cassibile (Avola/Noto) stand out, with its heavenly natural lakes where it is also possible to swim (you have to walk an hour to reach them), the Vendicari Wildlife Oasis (Noto/Marzamemi), with its tuna fishery, its marshes, its crystal-clear sea, and the Pantalica Oriented Nature Reserve (Buscemi, Cassaro, Ferla, Palazzolo Acreide, Sortino) with its natural quarries crossed by the Anapo river.
