Siracusa

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Syracuse

Syracuse

4.9
5.0/5
35 reviews
Syracuse faces the Ionian Sea. It is an ancient coastal city founded by the Greeks and is also the hometown of Archimedes. The heart of the city, the old town of Ortigia, is located on a small island connected to the mainland by bridges, with limestone streets and Baroque squares spreading along the coast. Beneath the Baroque facade of the Cathedral, the Doric columns of the ancient Greek Temple of Athena are still embedded, with the temple and the church layered within the same building. The Fountain of Arethusa by the sea is named after the Greek myth of the nymph who turned into a spring. Fresh water still gushes from the spring, and patches of papyrus grow in the pool just a few steps from the sea. The Castello Maniace at the tip of the island is a coastal fortress built by Frederick II, with its crenellated battlements facing the entrance to the natural harbor. Outside the old town, The Greek Theatre of Syracuse in the Archaeological Park, carved into the hillside, is magnificent. The Roman Amphitheatre and the "Ear of Dionysius" cave, known for its peculiar echoes, in the same park are also worth seeing. In the wetlands along the Ciane River south of the city, patches of wild papyrus grow, which is quite rare in Europe. Taking a small boat through the reeds often startles water birds. The Catacombs of Saint Lucia preserve early Christian tombs and Byzantine-era frescoes. If you have time, you can also head northwest to the Pantalica Canyon—thousands of Bronze Age tombs are carved into the cliffs along the Anapo River. It is now designated as a nature reserve, where you can enjoy the canyon scenery while hiking along the river.Siracusa · 15m from downtown
Island of Ortigia
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Province of Syracuse

Island of Ortigia

4.8
4.8/5
26 reviews
Ortigia, the hometown of Archimedes, is located in the southeast of Syracuse. The city of Ortigia has a long history and has experienced ancient Greece, ancient Rome, Byzantine and Arab periods and so on. The island has many attractions worth visiting, including the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the Greek temple that has been converted into a Baroque cathedral, the ruins of a magnificent and spacious Greek theater, a quarry where Greek prisoners of war were exiled, and a " The cave is known as the Ear of Dionysius, and there is also the Cathedral Square of Ortigia Island that often appears in the movie "The Beautiful Legend of Sicily". It is one of the most popular places in Syracuse.Siracusa · 1.8 km from downtown
Syracuse Cathedral
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Province of Syracuse

Syracuse Cathedral

4.4
4.5/5
42 reviews
The Cathedral of Syracuse is located on the island of Ortigia. It was originally the Temple of Athena. In the 7th century, Sicily was converted into a church after Christianization. It became a typical Byzantine building. It was built in a gorgeous Baroque style. Today, the various styles in the building merge with each other, and the massive Doric columns built in the 5th century BC are still clearly visible. The cathedral and the square opposite it are the location of the "Beautiful Legend of Sicily", and the glamorous heroine Marina in the movie has walked here many times. On weekends, there are endless stream of believers and tourists who worship here, which also adds a bit of vitality to this ancient building.Siracusa · 1.9 km from downtown
Neapolis Archaeological Park
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Province of Syracuse

Neapolis Archaeological Park

4.4
Parco Archeologico Neapolis is an archaeological park in Syracuse preserving remains from the ancient Greek and Roman periods. The site includes the Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Altar of Hieron II, Street of Tombs, and ancient stone quarries. Visitors can also explore the Ear of Dionysius and other archaeological remains while learning about the history of ancient Syracuse.Siracusa · 711m from downtown
Temple of Apollo (Apollonion)

Temple of Apollo (Apollonion)

4.3
The ruins of the Temple of Apollo (Apollonion) in Syracuse, one of the earliest Doric stone temples in the world, are now only in ruins. The remaining columns and fragments give a glimpse of the temple's former grandeur. The fact that it still stands despite its age is a testament to the architectural and engineering skills of the ancient Greeks.Siracusa · 1.4 km from downtown
The Greek Theatre of Syracuse

The Greek Theatre of Syracuse

4.3
2.7/5
15 reviews
The Ancient Greek Theater is the largest ancient Greek opera house in Sicily. It is located in the Archaeological Park of Syracuse. There are quarries and the "Ear of Dionysius" around the theater. There are sometimes springs gushing from the top of the theater. The theater is too old and mottled by the erosion of time, but the steps of the theater are still clearly visible. The theater is close to the cliffs in the mountains and has a wide field of vision, overlooking the sea. It is worth mentioning that Archimedes, the great encyclopedic scholar of ancient Greece, is also buried here.Siracusa · 1 km from downtown
Arethusa Spring

Arethusa Spring

4.1
4.0/5
16 reviews
Arethusa Spring is a beautiful and tranquil freshwater spring. Greek mythology explains its origin: legend has it that Arethusa, a nymph and handmaiden of Artemis, was pursued by a river god. Unable to escape, she begged Artemis to turn her into a spring, which became Arethusa Spring. The papyrus plants in the spring are said to be the only natural growth of papyrus in Europe outside of Greece.Siracusa · 2.1 km from downtown
Ear of Dionysius

Ear of Dionysius

4
4.0/5
2 reviews
Ear of Dionysius is so named because its caveopening resembles a cat's ear, hence it is also called the Cat's Ear Cave. The shape here is quite unique, with a wide entrance and a winding, deep interior that looks as if it were intentionally carved. Speaking inside amplifies the sound significantly, acting as an amplifier.Siracusa · 981m from downtown
Fountain of Diana

Fountain of Diana

3.6
Siracusa · 1.7 km from downtown
Castello Maniace

Castello Maniace

3.6
5.0/5
89 reviews
The island's beautiful Frederick Castle takes its name from the commander George Maniace who built the fortifications during the Byzantine period and defended the southern port of the island. According to research, the original wall of the castle was 18 meters high and 3.5 meters thick. The vaults, passages, platforms and stacks in the castle can make people feel the majestic fortification and its strong role in resisting foreign enemies.Siracusa · 2.5 km from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in Siracusa

Featured Cultural experiences in Siracusa

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Syracuse Island of Ortigia self-guided audio walking tour (10 stops, approx. 2 hrs)
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Duration: 2 hrs
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Syracuse Highlights Audio Tour: Ancient Treasures and Sacred Landmarks
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
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Syracuse: Museum Guided Tour with Sicilian Puppet show
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4.8/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
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Taormina: White Lotus Tour
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4.9/5
· 16 reviews
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Archaeological Museum and Site of Naxos: Entry Ticket + Audio Guide
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Catania Highlights Audio Tour: Baroque Treasures and Historic Heart
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Gela Audio Tour: Echoes of Ancient Glory and Modern Marvels
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Ragusa Highlights Audio Tour: Baroque Treasures and Historic Landmarks
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Featured Food & drink in Siracusa

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From Syracuse: Private Tour Mount Etna with Lunch at Etna Winery
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 6–8 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromTWD 12,604
Syracuse Ortigia - Sicilian Street Food Tour by Do Eat Better
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Syracuse: Street Food Walking Tour in Ortigia with Tastings
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4.9/5
· 195 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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Sicilian Cooking Class with Greek Theatre View
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4.8/5
· 85 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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Syracuse: Boat Trip with Lunch, Wine, and Swimming Stops
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4.3/5
· 23 reviews
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Palermo: Sunset boat tour with aperitif and local food
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5.0/5
· 15 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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Catania Street food tour by night
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Siracusa: Wine tasting by boat with tour and gourmet food
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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Featured Outdoor experiences in Siracusa

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Tour of the island of Ortigia and exploration of sea caves with baths.
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4.7/5
· 91 reviews
Duration: 70 mins
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FromTWD 742
Etna Tour by Panoramic Bus
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Duration: 6 hrs
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Syracuse: Ortigia and Sea Caves Excursion by Boat
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5.0/5
· 6 reviews
Duration: 1 hr
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Syracuse: Boat Cruise to Ortigia Island, Caves and Nature Reserve – 2 hours
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Siracusa: Ortigia & Sea Caves Boat Tour with Sunset Apertif
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4.8/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour
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4.7/5
· 183 reviews
Duration: 1–1.5 hrs
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Private Tour of the Island of Ortigia and the Sea Caves
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
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Tour of the main marine attractions of Syracuse and Ortigia
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 1.5 hrs
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Free things to do in Siracusa

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What travelers say about Siracusa

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泰宁根吴承恩December 4, 2019
5.0
Those who have seen the movie "Sicily's Beautiful Story" should be very familiar with Syracuse. I think it is more beautiful than what is shown in the movie. Although the buildings are old, they are still very attractive. The sea view of Syracuse, located in the south of Sicily, is also invincible.

Syracuse

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lytqinmingApril 18, 2022
5.0
[Scenery] Nice [Fun] Interesting [Value for money] Recommended

Island of Ortigia

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心向远方jingOctober 7, 2019
5.0
Syracuse, founded in 743 BC, is the filming location of The Beautiful Legend of Sicily. The Byzantine-style Syracuse Cathedral is a place where movie stars have walked calmly countless times. The square is crowded with people, and the melodious melody of the accordion seems to tell the rich and glorious history of Syracuse. I like the bright sunshine and humanistic feelings of Sicily.

Syracuse Cathedral

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hao.kingJune 13, 2023
3.0
Good for people who like history or ancient buildings

The Greek Theatre of Syracuse

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迪斯卡沃January 15, 2018
3.0
It is a cave with an entrance shaped like a cat's ear, commonly known as the "Cat's Ear Cave". The Syracuse people dug it according to the acoustic principle. Anyone speaking in the center of the cave will become a soprano or a soprano, and the sound will be amplified dozens of times. Dionysius was a tyrant in Syracuse. It is said that the tyrant used this acoustic effect to eavesdrop on the prisoners' conversations.

Ear of Dionysius

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呆火June 3, 2016
5.0
The castle is magnificent and has a religious atmosphere. It is worth visiting and is very beautiful.

Castello Maniace

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Siracusa?

Don't miss these attractions in Siracusa: Syracuse, Island of Ortigia, and Syracuse Cathedral. If you like Cultural experiences, try Syracuse Island of Ortigia self-guided audio walking tour (10 stops, approx. 2 hrs). If you enjoy Food & drink, try From Syracuse: Private Tour Mount Etna with Lunch at Etna Winery.

You can give From Syracuse: Private Tour Mount Etna with Lunch at Etna Winery and Syracuse Ortigia - Sicilian Street Food Tour by Do Eat Better a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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