Syracuse, Sicily at a glance
Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian) lies on the south-east coast of Sicily. It is not Syracuse in New York. The historic centre is Ortigia, an island old town with the cathedral, the Fonte Aretusa spring, the Temple of Apollo and a morning market. The Neapolis archaeological park, with the Greek theatre and the Ear of Dionysius, and the regional archaeological museum are separate sites in the wider city.
The city and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica form one UNESCO World Heritage site, inscribed in 2005. This guide covers Syracuse, Ortigia, the Neapolis park, boat tours, the beaches south of the city, Marzamemi and Vendicari, where to stay and the trip from Catania. Wider topics have their own guides: Sicily as a whole, Noto, Catania airport, Etna and Modica with Ragusa. This site is an independent guide, not the official tourism website of Syracuse.
A first visit splits into three parts. Spend a day in Ortigia on foot, with the cathedral, the Fonte Aretusa, the Temple of Apollo and the market. Give the Neapolis park a half day for the Greek theatre, the old quarries and the cave called the Ear of Dionysius. Keep a third day for the water or the coast: a boat trip to the sea caves, a beach at Fontane Bianche, or the Vendicari reserve with the fishing village of Marzamemi.
Our picks: Syracuse tours
A boat trip around Ortigia, a street food walk and a guided visit to the Neapolis park.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Street food walk in Ortigia
An English-speaking local guide, tastings at four or more stops, water and one alcoholic drink, usually local wine. Extra food and drinks cost more.
Check availability →
Guided walk through the Neapolis Archaeological Park
A licensed guide leads the walk. Park entry is only included if you choose the option with the ticket.
Check availability →Ortigia and sea caves boat trip
A guide and skipper, photo stops at the caves, a swim stop and life jackets.
Check availability →Syracuse tours and day trips
Boat trips to the sea caves, walking tours of Ortigia, guided visits to the Neapolis park and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit to Syracuse
One page for each part of the trip.
12 best things to do in Syracuse
From the cathedral and the Fonte Aretusa to the Greek theatre, the sea caves and Vendicari.
Syracuse tours compared
Boat trips, walking tours and day trips, and what to check before you book.
Ortigia
The island old town: cathedral, spring, temple and market, with tickets and hours.
Neapolis park and the Ear of Dionysius
Greek theatre, quarries and ticket prices for the archaeological park.
Boat tours
Sea caves and the Plemmirio coast by boat, and the rules of the marine reserve.
Beaches near Syracuse
Fontane Bianche, Arenella and the other sand and rock coves south of the city.
Marzamemi and Vendicari
A fishing village and a nature reserve with salt marshes, 2026 entry rules included.
Where to stay
Ortigia or the mainland, and what the traffic zone means for your car.
Catania to Syracuse
Bus, replacement buses for the closed railway line, and driving.
Good to know before you go
Changes and rules that older guidebooks miss.
No direct trains from Catania airport
The railway between Catania airport and Syracuse has been closed since 30 September 2026 (23:00). Replacement buses run until 12 December 2026, so allow extra time.
Getting there →Traffic zone in Ortigia
Since 1 April 2026 the limited traffic zone (ZTL) is active Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 3:30 pm and from 5 pm to 2 am, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10 am to 2 am. A hotel permit covers entry, not parking.
Where to stay →Parking near Ortigia
The municipal car parks at Talete, Molo Sant'Antonio and Von Platen charge €1.50 per hour or €15 for 24 hours, day and night.
City buses
A single ticket costs €1.20, a 90-minute ticket €1.50, a day ticket €3 and a three-day ticket €7. Tickets bought on board carry a surcharge.
Sundays are quiet
The cathedral is closed to tourist visits on Sundays and the Ortigia market does not run. Plan the old town for another day.
Vendicari: card only
The reserve takes electronic payment at its gates and no cash. The ticket is valid all day at every entrance. Access to the Calamosche cove was closed after a notice of 13 September 2026, so check the reserve notices before you go.
Marzamemi and Vendicari →Boats depend on the sea
Boat trips enter a sea cave only when the water is calm enough, and the swim stop is the skipper's decision. Look for a rebooking rule in the description.
Boat tours →Seasonal hours
In October 2026 the Neapolis park opens at 8:30 am and closes at 6:15 pm until 24 October and at 5:15 pm from 25 to 31 October. Last entry is earlier, so arrive well before closing.
Neapolis guide →More independent guides to Sicily
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one place.
Sicily
The whole island: routes, regions and the best time to go.
Mount Etna
Summit tours, cable car, craters and safety rules.
Catania
The city at the foot of Etna, its markets and baroque centre.
Taormina
The ancient theatre, Isola Bella and the cable car to the beach.
Modica
Baroque churches and the chocolate town of the southeast.
Stromboli
The active volcano island: hikes, boat trips and ferries.
Milazzo
The harbour town for the Aeolian ferries and Capo Milazzo.
Syracuse, Italy: frequently asked questions
Is Syracuse in Sicily the same as Syracuse, New York?
No. This guide is about Syracuse (Siracusa) on the south-east coast of Sicily, Italy, including the island old town of Ortigia.
How much does the Neapolis archaeological park cost?
The regional park website lists €14 for adults and €7 reduced. A municipal tariff sheet for 2025 lists €17 and €10 including the exhibition. Plan for €14 to €17 and check the price when you buy. Visitors under 18 enter free.
Can I drive into Ortigia?
Only outside the limited traffic zone hours or with a permit. The zone is active on Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 3:30 pm and from 5 pm to 2 am, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10 am to 2 am. Most visitors park outside and walk in.
How do I get from Catania airport to Syracuse?
By coach or by replacement bus. Trains on the line are suspended from 30 September to 12 December 2026. The coach departure board in Syracuse lists about 70 minutes to the airport and 80 minutes to Catania. Check the current timetable before you go.
Is the cathedral open on Sundays?
Not for tourist visits. The ticket office opens Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 5:30 pm from October to April and from 9 am to 6:30 pm from May to September. Services take priority over visits.
Is visitsiracusa.org the official tourism site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the city, the Region of Sicily, any park authority or tour operator.