This WHS was last reviewed in 2021, so I thought I would provide an update in 2025.  We have been based in Syracuse (another UNESCO site) for the last 3 weeks and used this location as a base to explore all 8 of these Baroque Towns.  On average we spent about 3- 4 hours in each town, I think if you spend any less you are not doing each location due diligence to explore the OUV of each site.  Ragusa and Modica were a long day trip by train to explore both on the same day.  Scicli, Noto, Catania and Militello were all individual day trips by the Train.  Palazzolo Acreide and Caltagirone, we hired a car for a couple of days as we also wanted to explore the Villa Romana el Casale (another WHS site) as well explore the Necropolis of Pantalica which is part of the Syracuse site, but some distance from Syracuse itself that requires a hire car.

We have a Eurail Global Pass, so it made it very easy to jump on and off trains, using the App to book with ease and we were very flexible with our days and times for visiting.  Syracuse has a number of Hire Car companies, so shop around for a good rate. 2 days hire car set us back 80 Euro plus fuel.  One of the downsides of visiting by train though is that the train station is often not in the centre of the city with the OUV, so there is a bit more walking involved.  It is too short for taxi trip, but I think it is better than trying to find a carpark.  Also do your research before attending to each of the 8 towns.  Some towns have a considerable area that has been inscribed, whereas others, Militello in Val di Catania, as an example, have only a very small area and footprint, so you do not want to waste time in other areas of the towns which are not part of the OUV, although some of the other areas not inscribed have thier own individual beauty and history.

5 of the towns have a Trenino Barocco (small train) touring the old town area.  These being Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, Palazzolo Acreide and Noto.  They are only 5 Euro per Adult, and they give you a good insight with commentary (English / Italian) in orienteering you with the town before you then go and self-explore.  We only utilised the one in Scicli, but I would recommend them.

Most of the buildings and churches within the OUV of the towns are free to enter with only some locations where a small fee is sought.  Some highlights for me were the Greek Ampitheatre in Catania (7 Euro) and their main square area, Noto as a whole (much more tourist orientated with considerable restaurants and tourist facilities) and the quaintness of Scicli and Ragusa.  Ragusa is well planned out if you walk the length of the OUV and then catch the local bus back up to the City Centre.  You don't want to walk back up that hill.  Walking down is already a challenge on the knees.  It is not that I do not like the rest of the locations, these were just my favourites and if you have the chance and time, I would still recommend visiting them all as they provide their own individual charm.

Each town is very proud of their UNESCO inscription and signs are very present in each location.  Some areas though can certainly do with some more tender loving care with rubbish and graffiti sadly present.  Another tip when visiting these sights is make sure your timings are not over the siesta period which is "roughly" between 1.30pm to 3.30pm as a lot of the buildings, including churches are closed for this period.  If you are in a location where it will be the first Monday of the Month, majority of Museums are open for free, so choose you visit carefully to maximise this saving(s).  A downside of this though, is that these locations can become very crowded with tourists and locals alike which can detract your visitation experience, so weigh up the cost / benefits of such.