Planning a trip to Noto

Getting there, tourism info and more

Trip-planning basics

• How long to spend in Noto: Noto only takes 1–3 hours to wander, really, but given its location on the classic couterclockwise circular route around Sicily, it's a prime stop to spend the night. (Figure you leave Agrigento in the morning, stop in to see the Roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina, have lunch and a spot of cermaics-shopping in Caltagirone, and spend two hours or so in Ragusa in the mid-afternoon, you end up in Noto in time for dinner. Check out Noto the next morning before continuing on to Siracusa.)
• Noto tourist office: The tourist office is behind the fountain on the north side of Piazzale XVI Maggio, a widening of the main drag Corso V. Emanuele (tel. +39-0931-896-654, www.comune.noto.sr.it). It's open June to September Monday to Saturday 8am to 2pm and 4 to 7pm, Sunday 9am to 1pm; October to May Monday to Saturday 8am to 1pm and 3 to 6pm, Sunday 8:30am to 12:30pm.
  
  There's also a local promotional tourism office at Via Gioberti 13 (tel. +39-0931-836-503, www.pronoto.it).
  
  Also check out the private tour agency Allakatalla, just outside the Porta Reale town gate at Largo Porta Nazionale 10 (tel. +39-0931-835-005, www.allakatalla.it), an organization of young residents who've adopted their city's cause by running two-hour walking tours of the city, as well as guided excursions throughout the region themed on other baroque centers, nature, archeology, or a boat tour of the coast. They also rent bikes and scooters by the day, and will help you find a rental room.
• How to get to Noto by car: Noto is 38km (24 miles) south of Siracusa, just off the A18 highway. Noto is about 50km (31 miles) east of Ragusa.
  
  How to get to Noto by train: There are 11 trains (4 on Sunday) from Siracusa (30–33 min). There are three trains a day from Ragusa (84–115 min.), sometimes with a change at Pozzallo. Noto’s train station (tel. 0931-838-733) is just south of the historic center.
  
  How to get to Noto by bus: AST (tel. +39-0931-462-711 or 0931-464-820, www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it) runs 10 times daily (2 on Sunday) from Via Riva della Poste in Siracusa (55 min.); and 6 times daily (3 on Sunday) from Catania (100 min.). There are 12 buses daily (2 on Sunday) from Ragusa (100–120 min.). Get bus tickets and info in Noto at Efrimedio Caffe at Viale Principe di Piemonte 6, across from the bus stop on Largo Pantheon (tel. +39-0931-835-023).
  
• A Noto Festival: Every May 16 to 18, the Infiorata festival of spring covers Via Nicolaci with colorful patterns and scenes mosaicked using flower petals.

Tips & links

Share this page

Search ReidsItaly.com