Donnalucata…
Donnalucata – A Charming Seaside Pearl with Wide Beaches in the South of Siciliy
We’ve always wondered what it would be like to live by the sea in Sicily, in a small and charming fishing village. A place where everyone knows everyone, where you feel genuinely welcome—even as a curious tourist wanting to see how the locals live. And most of all, a place where you wake up to the sound of the waves and take barefoot morning walks on a mile-long beach, feeling free and alive…
For those seeking peace, sea, and local life
This village is for anyone looking for a quiet, slow, authentic, and comfortable way of life. Where you can buy the world’s best gelato at Blue Moon and then take your date or partner for a romantic walk along the seaside promenade. This is the village for a romantic holiday—or for a relaxed family trip, where kids can run freely on the beach and play. For those who want to truly unwind and let go. And for those like us, who simply wanted to be here. To connect with people. To live la dolce vita.
We would happily come back to do it all over again.
When the pizza baker talks flour—and the teacher invites you in
We loved staying in this little sleepy town. Every morning, we visited the family-run bakery that’s been around for generations. On the wall you can see a picture of the daughter, maybe age 5, baking her first cake—a photo she’s now a little embarrassed about at maybe age eighteen. We thought it was charming.
On our street, we found a pizzeria where the pizza maker happily told us all about the ancient grain used in the dough—flour his family had milled for generations on their farm.
One evening, the local school teacher waved us into the courtyard where the children were performing a concert. “Welcome!” she said. But we, being awkward Norwegians, didn’t dare accept. We didn’t want to intrude. Silly us. If you want to connect with the locals here, you don’t turn down a heartfelt invitation or a friendly hand.
Donnalucata has a handful of lovely restaurants and grocery stores. There’s also a fantastic beach club that functions as a bar, restaurant, and aperitivo lounge. Everyone gathers here.
New friendships and real connections
In this cozy, charming village, we also met a couple who felt like old friends from the moment we met—Elisabeth and Gigi. We feel so lucky to have gotten to know them. Elisabeth’s warm, wonderful sense of humor, and Gigi’s contagious passion when he describes anything about Sicily—in that unique way only a Sicilian can.
Norwegian-born Elisabeth and Sicilian Gigi live in nearby Marina di Ragusa, just two minutes away by car or 10 minutes by bike. Elisabeth offers to share her local knowledge with visitors, offering insights into where to eat, what to see, and how to experience the authentic side of the island.
We were lucky to join her on a short guided tour. First, we visited Donnafugata Castle—rich in history and a backdrop for many films, including the famous Inspector Montalbano series. Then we stopped by a beautiful buffalo farm producing their own Mozzarella, Burrata, cured meats, and more. Mamma mia… it was all so delicious! We enjoyed a long, leisurely lunch and simply ordered antipasti for the table—it was more than enough.
The amazing beaches no one talks about
One thing that struck us during our stay was how beautiful the long sandy beaches are in this area. People often ask: Where are the best beaches in Sicily? But we rarely hear Donnalucata mentioned. And we wonder why. Here you’ll find several kilometers of golden sand, turquoise waters, and space for everyone—no need to fight for a spot.
We rented an apartment right in the center of the village and were lucky to have a large rooftop terrace. From here, we could check if the sea was calm enough for a walk, and in the evening, we enjoyed some of the most beautiful sunsets we’ve ever seen.
A dream of living by the sea
Our choice fell on Donnalucata, a delightful, small and sleepy fishing village resting peacefully by the long beaches of southeastern Sicily. Perfectly located close to Marina di Ragusa, Ragusa Ibla, Scicli, and even Modica. Here, we found complete peace. Some people have told us that this place might be a bit too quiet—that not much happens here. Perfect, we thought. Exactly what we were looking for: to live for a full month in a calm, slow-paced town close to everyday life. We stayed in Donnalucata during the month of May. The temperature was lovely and comfortable, the sea warm enough to swim in, and the evenings were pleasantly cool.
