After Mangia's Maratona di Ragusa: Ragusa Ibla

The Route: Ragusa → Ragusa Ibla → Ragusa Logistics: On foot if you are staying in Ibla. From the upper town, a short taxi or a local bus; check the timetable. Marathon Month: January Duration: Day trip

Ragusa upper town ──(short taxi or local bus, check timetable)──> Ragusa Ibla ──> Giardini Iblei ──> back

Mangia's Maratona di Ragusa finishes in Ibla, at the Giardini Iblei, after a last kilometre that climbs Via XI Febbraio on old stone paving. By Monday the same streets look very different, because nobody is trying to run them.

January in Ragusa is cool and can be wet, and the old town is quiet. Take a layer and dry shoes, because the cobbles are slippery in the rain. Some churches, cafes and shops keep shorter hours outside the summer, so check before planning a day around one of them.

The walk

Ibla is built on a hill, and most of it is steps, slopes and narrow lanes. The flattest stretch is around the Giardini Iblei, at the edge of the old town, which suits a first slow loop. From there, walk towards the centre and the cathedral area. The organiser's course list names Santa Maria delle Scale, Palazzo Cosentini, the Chiesa del Purgatorio and Palazzo Sortino-Trono, all on the late course, so runners have already passed them at speed.

The stairs are the problem. Going down is worse than going up on sore quads, so use the handrails and take a taxi if the return climb looks long. Check opening times for any church interior before walking to it.

Food

Ibla has a dense mix of restaurants and cafes, and many close one day a week. Ask at the hotel which ones are open on a Monday, and book a table for lunch. Expect Sicilian dishes with pasta, ricotta and local cheese, but confirm menus and prices on the day.

Getting back

Walk back to the hotel if you are staying in Ibla. From the upper town, taxi ranks near the main squares are the fallback if the local bus is not running. Check the last bus before dinner.