Modica
Modica is a Baroque town in southeastern Sicily, known for its long stairways, churches rebuilt after 1693 and cold-worked chocolate.
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Modica is a city in the Province of Ragusa, in southeastern Sicily, set in the Hyblaean Mountains about 15 km south of Ragusa. After the 1693 earthquake destroyed much of the Val di Noto, the town was rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002, as one of the Late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto.
Modica is split into Modica Alta, the upper town on the rocky hill around the castle, and Modica Bassa, the lower town in the valley. Many steps link the two, and walking down from the upper town gives views over the lower town. The Duomo di San Giorgio is the main Baroque landmark, reached by a monumental staircase. The town is also known for its chocolate, cold-worked with a grainy texture, which has held EU protected geographical indication status since 2018. Average temperatures reach about 26 °C in July, so plan the steps for cooler months.
Modica in five
- Taste the local chocolateModica chocolate is made without melting the cocoa, so it stays grainy and often flavored with spices or citrus. Compare shops, and ask for small tastings before you buy.
- Climb to San Giorgio in the morningThe cathedral stands at the top of a long staircase, and the lanes are steep. Go early for the light and cooler air, and wear shoes with grip.
- Use a car to link the Baroque townsModica, Noto and Ragusa are a short drive apart but awkward by public transport. Rent a car for the loop, and check the town rules on restricted traffic zones before driving into a center.Noto travel guide
- Stay one night for the eveningDay trippers leave in the afternoon, and the old lanes quiet down at dusk. A night lets you see the lit cathedral and eat without the crowds.
- Fit Modica into a Sicily routeIt pairs with Noto and Syracuse on the east side. See Sicily for island-wide routes and timings.Sicily travel guide
Things to do in Modica
See all attractions in Modica
Need to know
- Airport
- Catania (CTA) about 2 hours; Comiso is nearer, with fewer flights
- Getting there
- Car from Catania or Syracuse; slow trains and buses otherwise
- Getting around
- On foot; steep lanes and stairs
- Best base
- Modica Alta for views; Modica Bassa for flatter streets
- Time needed
- 1 night; 2 with Noto and Ragusa
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Mild, rainFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°SpringMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Warm, wildflowersAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, wildflowers
- MayClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, Baroque lightMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, Baroque light
- JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°HotJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low22°Hot, sunnyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, sunny
- AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Hot, crowdedAugustClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, crowded
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°WarmSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Mild, calmOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°WetNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Mild, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, lights
Average daily high and low in Modica, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Modica
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 33 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Modica
10:14 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°12°100%Monday: Rain. High 14°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue19°12°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed19°10°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu16°12°33%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri18°12°35%Friday: Fog. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Sat19°11°9%Saturday: Fog. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sun20°11°10%Sunday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 09:40 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Notoabout 40 minutes by carBaroque cathedral and a long main street.Read the guide
- Ragusa Iblaabout 25 minutes by carA second Baroque hill town.
- Cataniaabout 2 hours by carFish market and Etna views.Read the guide
Before you go to Modica
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Rules for Modica, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, which includes Italy. Check your entry status on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Italian churches expect covered shoulders and knees. Dress modestly at the Duomo di San Giorgio and the other churches in Modica.
- Some antiques and cultural objects need an export licence to leave the EU. Check with the Italian Ministry of Culture before you buy at fairs or markets.
Plan around Modica
Sicilian Baroque with a straight main street
Read the guideSicilyRoutes, ferries and the best months
Read the guideCataniaThe nearest big airport and Etna base
Read the guideAgrigentoGreek temples across the island
Read the guideAll of ItalyCities, coasts, lakes and the Alps
Read the guideEES, explainedPassport checks at Schengen borders
Read the guideModica FAQ
Is Modica worth visiting?
Yes for Baroque scenery, the chocolate and a calm evening in a hill town. It suits one night on a southeast Sicily route, and is best combined with Noto and Ragusa.
What is Modica chocolate?
A traditional recipe where cocoa and sugar are worked at low temperature, giving a grainy texture. Many shops add flavors such as chili, orange or vanilla. Taste a few before buying.
How do I get to Modica?
By car from Catania or Syracuse, about 1.5 to 2 hours, or by slow regional train and bus. A car is far easier for the Baroque towns; check restricted traffic zones before driving into a center.
Modica or Noto: which should I visit?
Noto for orderly Baroque streets and a cathedral square, Modica for steep lanes, chocolate and views. They are a short drive apart, so combine them if you have two days.
Can I visit Modica without a car?
Yes, but it takes time. Slow trains and buses run in the area, and timetables are thin on Sundays. Check them before you plan a day trip, or base in Modica and stay put.