Scicli occupies the junction of three gorges in the Iblean plateau, with baroque palazzi lining the canyon floors and cave churches (chiese rupestri) carved into the cliff faces above. The town is a regular filming location for Inspector Montalbano — the Palazzo Comunale (Via Francesco Mormina Penna) serves as the fictional Commissariato di Vigata, and the main street is recognizable from dozens of episodes. The Chiesa di San Matteo (Norman, rebuilt baroque) crowns the cliff above the town — reached by a dramatic climb through rock-cut paths and ruins — with views over the three valleys that converge at Scicli. Via Francesco Mormina Penna (the main street) is one of the most beautiful baroque streets in the Val di Noto — palazzi with wrought-iron balconies, carved limestone facades, and the particular golden color of Ragusa-area stone in the afternoon light. Sicily →
Plan my Sicily trip →Via Francesco Mormina Penna: The baroque main street — Palazzo Beneventano (the finest carved balconies in the Val di Noto — grotesque faces, mythological figures), Palazzo Fava, and the churches that punctuate the street. The Commissariato (Palazzo Comunale): Montalbano fans will recognize the entrance — the town hall is open to visitors (free). Chiesa di San Matteo: Climb from the town center (20min steep path through ruins and rock-cut steps) to the hilltop church — the panorama over the three gorges and the baroque town below is the best view in the Val di Noto. Chiese rupestri (cave churches): Several rock-cut churches in the cliffs above the town — San Guglielmo, the Grotta di Santa Maria la Nova (frescoes). Cava d'Ispica (10km): A gorge with thousands of pre-historic and medieval cave dwellings — one of the most extensive cave networks in Sicily.
Getting there: Car from Ragusa (25min), Modica (15min). Bus from Ragusa (40min, AST). Stay: €45-80/night (the cheapest of the Val di Noto trio). Eat: Satra (€25-35, creative), Nivera Caffè (€15-25, casual excellent). Combine with: Ragusa Ibla (25min), Modica (15min), Noto (45min), Donnalucata (15min — Montalbano's beach house + excellent fish restaurants).