Syracuse (Ortigia), Italy

Syracuse Ortigia

An island old town of Baroque piazzas and Greek ruins.

  • All year
  • 2 nights
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Syracuse

Day 1

  1. MorningBrowse the morning market, then see the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral built into a Greek temple.
  2. AfternoonVisit the Neapolis archaeological park, with the Greek theatre and the Ear of Dionysius cave.
  3. EveningWalk along the sea walls at sunset and swim from the wooden platforms in summer.

Day 2

Visit Noto, or the beaches and flamingos of the Vendicari nature reserve.

What to eat

Fresh seafood, a cannolo and almond granita.

Local tips

Make the most of Syracuse

Beat the crowds

Ortigia is calm in the morning; the evening walk along the sea is lively.

Best photo spot

The cathedral square in the evening light, and the sea walls at sunset.

Getting there

Buses connect with Catania airport. Ortigia is a small island, best on foot.

Don't miss nearby

The Neapolis archaeological park, with a Greek theatre and the Ear of Dionysius cave.

Good to know

The cathedral was built into a Greek temple; you can still see the columns. The morning market is great.

Secret spots

1 secret spot near Syracuse

Our most hidden places around Syracuse: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Syracuse to take with you.

27 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Syracuse

Getting there

  • Catania Airport (CTA)50 km away
  • Palermo205 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture, Coast, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay2 nights
CountryItaly

Questions

Syracuse: good to know

Is Syracuse worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns, the coast and food. An island old town of Baroque piazzas and Greek ruins.

How many days do you need in Syracuse?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Syracuse?

You can visit all year. Ortigia is calm in the morning; the evening walk along the sea is lively.

How do you get to Syracuse?

The nearest airport is Catania Airport (CTA), about 50 km away. Buses connect with Catania airport. Ortigia is a small island, best on foot.

What is there to see near Syracuse?

Nearby hidden places include Mount Etna (81 km), Taormina (88 km) and Cefalù (156 km).

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