.Yes, a ton of walking and steps in Ibla is about right!!
My partner was in bad shape, physically, so he spent a lot of time in the B&B. I walked around Ibla, went to the arancini place where you sit outdoors and have one of several great types of arancini. I also did some more food shopping, and window shopping.
I walked up to the upper town one day (no one knew when the bus would arrive, so I decided to be brave). Oh, my, lots of steps, and then more steps!!! They have a museum of Italy in Africa up there but it was closed. So I walked to a bakery I had read about somewhere--the name is Giumarra; aros the bridge from the main section of the upper town, but do go!! Really recommend--not a soul spoke English but they were as kind as can be about helping me pick out a good variety of the local savory pastry (sciaccia) with eggplant, cheese, tomatoes--or all of the above. They also sell home-made desserts. I brought lots of things home to cheer up my ailing partner!!!
I went to the Duomo in Ibla, and then did more walking around. I think I did the same thing a second day.
One day we hired a driver, Dario Caffiso, who drove us to the Modica outlook (not into the town) and to the area around Chiaramonte Gulfi, where a lot of good olive oil is made. We went to the Cutrera azienda and I bought (I am embarrassed to tell you the amount, but many) bottles of oil, and oil-based condiment (flavored with lemon, orange, red peppers) and some jams and flavored salts. (That trip was in 2023 and I am still working on the salts)
From Cutrera, the driver (Dario--we loved him) took us to Marzamemi and then on to Porto Palo di Capo Pessaro, where we had lunch at Ristorante Scala...spaghetti with lobster for me and spaghetti with tomato sauce for my partner. With a little wine, and water, I still remember that the bill was 40 euro for lunch. After that we drove to Noto,, where I just ambled along on the main street and saw only two churches, and had sweets at Caffe Sicilia.
My partner had to wait in the van with Dario because he could barely walk back then..
But those have to be done with a driver. Staying in Ibla, and even walking up to the upper town, which I liked a lot but is not so atmospheric or unique as Ibla, I think you could be ok with two nights IF you can cram a lot into one day. But you have a whole day in Modica, so three nights will be excellent. Also, it was very hot in May and my energy was lagging a little, so I did not do my usual running about everywhere and trying to cram in every last sight.
Please: If you like chocolate (the grainy kind, like Mexican chocolate) makes sure to buy at least THREE times as many bars as you think you want!! I thought I was going into some kind of withdrawal after I finished my bags of chocolate bars. We happened to return to Sicily the year later and I then bought an amount of bars you can barely imagine. Sadly, those are now all gone, with the last one being finished in May (bought this past September) You Cana buy these in Modica,of course, but they are sold everywhere in that part of the island and maybe beyond. And you do not have to buy only the most famous Bonojuato chocolate..they are all good, and I know this because I ate a LOT of those bars, from all different makers.
Oh, my, I've gone on and on a very long time and have not answered any of your questions..I'm sorry, but I am happy to offer any kind of advice at all if I can. I KNOW you will have an excellent trip. And then you will have to begin planning your next visit to the island, like I did!!
