SHEPHERD'S COTTAGE
SCICLI, RAGUSA, SICILY
Nestled among olive, almond and carob trees, the Shepherd's Cottage is set off a country road in the south-east of Sicily.
Inside you'll find a single open-plan space with lovely high beamed ceiling and stone walls and floors. Windows on all sides allow light to flood in.
From the terrace, enter onto the living/dining area and simple, fully equipped, kitchen with oven and hob. Opposite are the tiny wood-burner for chilly evenings and a small sofa backing onto the double bed (which can be a twin) with its Sicilian wrought iron supports.
Enjoy the walk-in rain shower in the blissful bathroom.
Outdoors, a shady pergola complete with sun loungers and fragrant potted jasmine is enclosed by traditional dry stone walls; outdoor meals are sublime and on clear days you can glimpse the sea in the distance.
The Shepherd's Cottage is a haven for artists, writers, nature lovers or those who just wish to spend time together in private
outside
inside
location
Explore the Noto valley with its rich history, wild flowers in spring, wonderful regional dishes, Baroque towns and picturesque coastline. Modica is a 15-minute drive, Ragusa Ibla 30 minutes. The Plaia Grande beach and the Irminio River Reserve are 20 minutes. Visit wine producers; explore Marzamemi, a fishing village where you can have lunch on the rocks and buy their well known tuna products.
Catania 80 minutes
15 minutes
Scicli 10 minutes
essentials
we think you'll love
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walking through the olive groves, reading, cooking, resting in peaceful countryside
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driving ten minutes into Scicli for restaurants, shops and stunning Baroque architecture
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heading to the coast for a day out, swimming from rocks or sandy beaches
you should know
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no smoking anywhere on the property
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there's no WiFi and no TV – this is a wonderful place for a complete digital detox
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it's an isolated spot and the house isn't marked, so probably best not to arrive in the dark
check in
4pm
check out
10.30am
minimum stay
4 nights
closed
1 December to 28 February
essentials
Self check-in
Parking on premises
Mobile reception
Air-conditioning
No smoking
Cooking basic included
Towels and bedding included
accessibility
Doorways over 81cm wide
Step-free bedroom and bathroom access
Step-free shower
Accessible parking space
reviews
Lorna and James, Altrincham
Oct 2025
Great base to explore the baroque towns and South East coast of Sicily. Felicity really helpful with information and suggestions for exploring Sicily. Quiet, peaceful location close to beautiful Scicli.
Paula and Peter, Edinburgh
Sep 2025
We highly recommend the Shepherds Cottage Retreat, a unique, cleverly designed and charming place to stay. In a rural setting in the Sicilian countryside, it feels like you are living like a local! Felicity, the owner, is an exceptional host. She was incredibly attentive to our needs during our stay, and provided great advice on where to visit including the most beautiful beach at Plaia Grande with its nature reserve and the historical towns of Scicli, Modica and Ragusa.
Vic and Michael, Dulverton, Somerset
April 2025
A beautiful cottage - charmingly designed and decorated in a pretty rural location near scicli. The cottage is very well-equipped and the host Felicity extremely helpful with suggestions about what to do, where to eat. April is a wonderful time to visit as the wild flowers are extraordinary. We loved the walking - and the markets in scicli - and the people are so friendly. We will return.
about your host
Felicity Good is a British film set decorator and architect, currently working in Berlin. She lovingly restored the Shepherd's Cottage from ruin to rural retreat over about five years, It is now her home-from-home – her escape when work allows. She shares it so that others can find a refuge, unplug from hectic lives and reconnect with nature. You let yourselves in and Felicity is always available by phone if you need anything
host recommendations
Conservation area beach, 25 mins drive from Shepherd's Cottage
Historic centre
Endless sandy beach
Nearby historic town
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The house is in the south-east of Sicily in what is known as the Baroque Triangle of towns: Noto, Ragusa and Modica
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Nearby Scicli is stunning and the perfect size to explore its many churches, cafes, restaurants and a unique Italian rationalist cinema
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Ragusa Ibla, a 25 minute drive away, is a unique 17th hillside town. Park and then amble up through to duomo, St George, eat the best ice-cream ever at the gelateria on the Piazza Duomo and enjoy the panoramic view on a stroll down through GardiniIblei
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Lovely local beaches are Plaja Grande, part of which is a beautiful nature reserve, a 25 minute drive, and Sampieri, a 15 minute drive. Enjoy the tiny historic centre of Sampieri with its bar gelateria with delicious local fare and stroll along the endless beach
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Walk around Siracusa's Ortigia, the historic city centre which is perched above a sea wall with stunning views in all directions. Climb down steps for a swim! St John's Basilica is my favourite church in the world, archaic and with a unique ambiance.
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Modica, Ragusa and Noto have examples of beautiful baroque architecture
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In Modica visit the Chiesa di San Giorgio before treating yourself to delicious chocolate and pistachio filled cannoli from the famous chocolate shop Bonajuto
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Segesta, a superb doric temple from 5BC with an amphitheatre in a remote rural setting is unparalleled
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Combine with a trip to Palermo and visit the cute little seaside town of San Vito di Capo on the way, 70km from Segesta, just over an hours drive from Palermo.
make an enquiry
felicity.good[at]gmail.com
tel/whatsapp: +49 176 2386 4860
Shepherds Cottage Retreat, Scicli, Ragusa