Noto
Noto is a Baroque town in southeast Sicily, rebuilt in honey-colored stone after a 1693 earthquake.
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Noto is a town in the Province of Syracuse, in southeast Sicily, at the foot of the Hyblaean Mountains. A 1693 earthquake destroyed the medieval town on Monte Alveria, and survivors rebuilt it on Colle Meti, a few kilometers south. Its grid plan climbs the hillside with monumental streets, stairways and squares. Much of it is built in local limestone or soft tufa that turns honey-colored in sunlight. The historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, as part of the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main street, connects the cathedral, the town hall and many churches. Noto is about 31 km from Syracuse, so it works as a day trip, but an overnight stay gives you the streets in the evening. Spring and early autumn suit walking best, as summer highs often pass 35°C. Plan one day for the Baroque center, then add Noto Antica, the old town ruins about 8 km north, or a day at the Vendicari reserve and the Lido di Noto beaches.
Noto in five
- Walk Corso Vittorio Emanuele at golden hourThe main street runs through the Baroque center and glows in late light. Go in the evening for softer light and fewer tour groups, and wear shoes with grip.
- See the cathedral and its squareThe cathedral's dome collapsed in 1996 and the building reopened in 2007 after restoration. Check the official site for visiting hours and any dress rules before you enter.
- Head to Vendicari for a beach and birdsThe Vendicari nature reserve has beaches, salt flats and a tower, a short drive south. Check the reserve's official site for access rules and any paid parking.
- Use Syracuse or Modica as a partnerNoto pairs with Syracuse to the north and Modica to the southwest. A car makes the loop easy, and trains are slower.Modica travel guide
- Avoid midday in midsummerPale stone reflects heat, and shade is limited on the main street. Visit early, rest at midday and return in the evening in July and August.
Things to do in Noto
See all attractions in Noto
Need to know
- Airport
- Catania (CTA), about 1.5 hours by car
- Getting there
- Train or bus from Syracuse in about 30–40 minutes
- Getting around
- Walking; the station is below the old town
- Best base
- In the old town for dusk and early light
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with Vendicari and Modica
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Mild, rainFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°SpringMarchClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh17°Low14°Warm, flowersAprilClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, flowers
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Warm, almond lightMayClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, almond light
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low22°HotJuneClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, sunnyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, sunny
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°Mild, calmOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°WetNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Mild, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, lights
Average daily high and low in Noto, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Noto
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 33 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Noto
10:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°14°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue23°16°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed20°15°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu20°16°53%Thursday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Fri19°17°53%Friday: Rain. High 19°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sat20°16°16%Saturday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun22°15°15%Sunday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 10:41 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Modicaabout 40 minutes by carChocolate and a steep Baroque hill town.Read the guide
- Syracuseabout 30–40 minutes by trainGreek theater, Ortigia and a harbor.
- Cataniaabout 1.5 hours by carFish market and Etna views.Read the guide
Before you go to Noto
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Rules for Noto, checked
- Most EU citizens can enter with a valid ID card or passport. Non-EU visitors should check Schengen entry rules on the Italian Foreign Ministry site before booking.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees when you enter churches, including the Noto Cathedral and San Domenico. Staff may refuse entry otherwise.
- Restaurants often add a cover charge (coperto) to the bill. Tipping is optional, so check the bill before you pay.
Plan around Noto
Chocolate and a steep Baroque hill town
Read the guideSicilyRoutes and ferries across the island
Read the guideCataniaAirport and Etna base to the north
Read the guideAgrigentoThe temples on the south coast
Read the guideAll of ItalyCities, coasts, lakes and the Alps
Read the guideEES, explainedPassport checks at Schengen borders
Read the guideNoto FAQ
Is Noto worth visiting?
Yes for its Baroque center, a long main street and the cathedral. It is small, so a day or one night is enough. Add Vendicari for a beach and nature stop.
How long do you need in Noto?
A few hours cover the main street, the cathedral and a few palaces. One night lets you see the town at dusk, and two days add the Vendicari reserve and Modica.
How do I get to Noto from Syracuse?
By train or bus in about 30 to 40 minutes. The station is below the old town, so allow time for a short taxi or walk uphill. Check timetables, especially on Sundays.
Noto or Modica: which is better?
Noto for an orderly Baroque center and a main street, Modica for steep lanes, chocolate and views. They are a short drive apart, so visit both with a car if you can.
Can I visit Noto without a car?
Yes. Trains and buses link Noto with Syracuse and nearby towns, and the old town is walkable. A car helps for Vendicari and for combining it with Modica.