Things to Do in Modica: Chocolate & Baroque

Modica is one of the most charming towns in Sicily. The town spills down a ravine in tiers, so a walk through its streets is a series of small discoveries: a staircase opening onto a Baroque façade, a quiet alley leading to a sudden view of rooftops below. There's a warmth to Modica, too, in the amber stone that catches the light at sunset, and in a slower pace that hasn't yet been smoothed over for tourism. There’s nothing better to do than leisurely explore this lovely town. 

To really get to know this town with all its secrets, renting one of Villatravellers’ villas near Modica is a great choice. These villas allow you to easily visit Modica itself, as well as the surrounding area. If you’re dreaming of a sunny holiday in south-east Sicily, read on and find out: 

• Why is Modica worth visiting?
• What should you see in the old town?
• Where can you try Modica’s famous chocolate?
• Which viewpoints offer the best town views?
• What easy day trips can you add from Modica?
• Which areas are best to stay in Modica?

Modica is worth visiting thanks to the wealth of varied sights that visitors can enjoy. Rather than one grand monument, what draws people here is the whole layout of a town split across two levels and folded into a ravine, so that nearly every street offers some unexpected view of rooftops or a church tower rising above the town’s buildings.

Its Baroque architecture, rebuilt almost entirely after a devastating 1693 earthquake, has a unity and beauty that earned the town UNESCO World Heritage status, yet Modica has stayed refreshingly unpolished compared to some of its more manicured neighbours. Walking here still feels like discovering an authentic local town rather than touring a stage set.

Then there's the chocolate, which gives Modica an identity distinct from anywhere else in Italy. The local chocolate is an Aztec-derived, cold-processed method that produces something grittier and more intense than typical chocolate. It is a genuine point of local pride rather than a tourist gimmick.

Finally, its location makes it a smart base to get to know the other towns in the area: Ragusa Ibla, Scicli, Noto, and the coast are all close enough for easy day trips, so a stay in Modica opens up much of southeastern Sicily's Baroque heartland without long drives each day.

Modica's old town unfolds across two levels carved into a limestone gorge, and the climb between them is half the experience. Start low, along Corso Umberto I, where Baroque façades and busy cafés set the rhythm of daily life in Modica Bassa. From there, narrow stepped streets pull you upward into Modica Alta, past shuttered windows and laundry lines strung between buildings that have barely changed in centuries.

The real showstopper waits at the top of a 250-step staircase: the cathedral Duomo di San Giorgio, a three-tiered Baroque façade rising dramatically above the rooftops, its interior thick with marble and gilded detail, and one of the finest examples of Sicilian Baroque architecture anywhere in the region. Nearby, the Duomo di San Pietro, a second and quieter cathedral, is best for those willing to wander a bit further away from the main sights, fronted by a row of statues of the apostles and is usually free of crowds.

Above it all sits the Castello dei Conti, a ruined hilltop castle more interesting for its views than its remains with its empty rooms and a short cave tunnel. Visiting is really just an excuse to reach the panorama over the valley below. Wherever you end up, look for a quiet corner to pause: this whole town was rebuilt after a 1693 earthquake in a unified Baroque style, and is full of hidden piazzas and quiet streets. 

Modica's chocolate is unlike anything else you’ll ever try. It certainly could be considered as one of Sicily’s most famous foods. It is made with a cold-processing method dating back to Aztec and Spanish influence, so the sugar never fully dissolves and the texture stays grainy and slightly crumbly rather than smooth. Tasting your way through a few shops is the best way to appreciate this unique gastronomic speciality.

The most famous stop is Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate house in Sicily, running since 1880 on Corso Umberto I. Here you can join a bean-to-bar tasting and sample everything from chili to orange to more unusual flavour combinations. A smaller, quieter producer is Cioccolato di Modica Sabadì which also offers a generous tasting menu with around fifty flavors and attentive, knowledgeable staff. For something with a view attached, Terrazza Ciomod lets you sip espresso or a thick chocolate drink while looking out over the town. A less touristy option tucked away from the main strip, Pasticceria Gelateria Frisbi, is often cited by locals as making the best chocolate in Modica, with a devoted.

Beyond these dedicated chocolatiers, you'll find good chocolate almost everywhere. Most bars and cafés around town serve their own hot chocolate or pastries made with local cioccolato di Modica, and nearly every shop sells bars, liqueurs, or gift boxes that travel well, making chocolate one of the easiest and most authentic souvenirs to bring home.

Climbing to Modica's viewpoints takes a bit of effort, but the payoff is some of the finest scenery in southeastern Sicily. It's worth seeking out more than one, since each frames the view slightly differently. For the best of them all, continue past the Duomo di San Giorgio and thread through the quiet, winding streets of upper Modica Alta until you reach the Pizzo Viewpoint. It's a longer walk than the others, but you're met with a full, uninterrupted sweep of the town and valley, away from the crowds.

A classic postcard shot comes from Belvedere di San Benedetto, easily reached and especially beautiful at sunset, when the stone glows gold and the Duomo di San Giorgio rises at the heart of the frame. Just be aware that parking nearby is limited. If you're short on time, the quickest option is Belvedere San Pietro, tucked right above the Bonajuto chocolate shop. It’s a small platform with a lovely angle on San Pietro church and Modica Alta across the way. However, for a viewpoint that combines a view with something to eat or drink, Terrazza Ciomod works as both a chocolate shop and a scenic terrace, letting you take in the panorama with an espresso or hot chocolate in hand.

Modica makes an easy base for exploring southeastern Sicily, with several worthwhile towns and sites within an hour's drive. Just twenty-five minutes away, Ragusa Ibla is another UNESCO Baroque hill town, and many visitors find it even more photogenic than Modica itself. Visitors will find a tangle of stone streets, churches, and balconies best explored on foot with no particular plan. Closer still, at around twenty minutes, Scicli offers a quieter, more laid-back version of the same Baroque charm, with fewer crowds and a relaxed café culture.

For something by the sea, head to Punta Secca, a small seaside village known to fans of the "Il Commissario Montalbano" TV series as the setting for the detective's house. It also has a pleasant beach for an afternoon swim. History lovers should consider Cava d'Ispica, an archaeological park cut into a limestone gorge, where cave dwellings, catacombs, and a Byzantine cave church trace thousands of years of continuous habitation.

If you have a full day to spare, Noto, about fifty minutes away, is often called the Baroque capital of Sicily – its main street and cathedral are considered some of the finest examples of the style anywhere in the region, making the longer drive worthwhile. If you want to find out more about this beautiful town, our guide to Noto is a great place to start. 

Modica is a wonderful place to visit when choosing holiday villas to rent in Sicily as your base. If you want to stay near Modica in order to spend as much time as possible in this fascinating area, then choosing a villa in the Val di Noto is the best option. Staying in this part of Sicily means that it is easy to visit Modica, as well as the other stunning Baroque towns nearby. 

There are many lovely villas in this area to choose from, all with incredible facilities, enviable locations, and fantastic style. Mutica is an exceptional large villa close to Modica. This large villa has recently been restored using eco-friendly technology, and with upcycled furniture, creating a unique style. Up to 22 guests can stay at this villa in the utmost comfort, enjoying the space and the swimming pool. It’s also perfectly positioned to visit Modica easily. 

Another option is Sciara. This contemporary villa is found in Ragusa, so guests can get to know this beautiful Baroque town, and also take a day trip to Modica to explore. Sciara has everything you need for an incredible holiday, including a swimming pool, barbecue, and outdoor dining area. It’s the perfect setting for a holiday deep in the Val di Noto.

What's the one thing I shouldn't miss?

The Duomo di San Giorgio and its 250-step staircase; it's the town's defining sight.

Where's the best view of Modica?

The Pizzo Viewpoint offers the most complete panorama, though Belvedere di San Benedetto is easier to reach and great at sunset.

Is Modica chocolate different from regular chocolate?

It’s cold-processed using an old Aztec-derived method, giving it a grainy, crumbly texture instead of a smooth melt.

What's the best day trip from Modica?

Ragusa Ibla, just 25 minutes away, is another UNESCO Baroque town many find even more striking than Modica

What's the difference between Modica Alta and Modica Bassa?

Modica Bassa is the lower town along Corso Umberto I with most of the shops and cafés, while Modica Alta is the steeper upper town with quieter streets and sweeping views.

What food should I try besides chocolate?

Look out for scaccia (a Sicilian stuffed flatbread) and mpanatigghi, a local sweet pastry filled with chocolate, minced meat, and spices.

Is Modica part of the Val di Noto UNESCO site?

Modica is one of eight towns in the Val di Noto recognized by UNESCO for their late Baroque rebuilding after the 1693 earthquake.