Top Things to do in Syracuse
The 10 Best Things to do in Syracuse, Sicily
Once one of ancient Greece’s most important cities, today Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian) is a lively town of about 125,000 on Sicily’s southeast coast. The city overflows with amazing remnants from its long history. Romans, Vandals and Normans are but a few of those who ruled here after the Greeks. In Syracuse’s harbor, Ortygia Island (also called Città Vecchia or Old City) is the site of many of the main attractions, including the seventh-century cathedral and the Fountain of Arethusa.
Restaurants in Syracuse
1. Ortigia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,488 reviews
This offshore island was occupied by the Greek colonists who fortified it and constructed the earliest structures, including the temples of Athena and Apollo, whose remains can still be seen today.
Reviewed By pedrol366 - Madrid, Spain
This is a really beautiful island next to Siracusa (you can access it by car) with really beautiful streets, a magnificent Piazza del Duomo with beautiful buildings and where you can enjoy Sicilian gastronomy. Its streets are full of wonderful corners, shops and restaurantes... it is worth a visit if you are in the eastern part of Sicily
2. Ear of Dionysius (Orecchio di Dionisio)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,107 reviews
Reviewed By venedom - Hallandale Beach, United States
Visit the amphitheater which is unbelievable and step into Dionysius Ear, a natural cave with a natural echo. If one of the guides sing is beatiful
3. Riserva Naturale Orientata Cavagrande del Cassibile
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 821 reviews
Reviewed By Timthetravelled - Brighton, United Kingdom
It was due to be a very hot day so we decided to get up early and go out. As it happened we slept in and so when I and 2 teenage boys got tot the gorge it was about 1ish and 42 degrees. Not the best timing but the walk down so fine if very hot. The entrance gate is locked and so someone has put out some milk crate steps to help you climb over the fence. Uneven steps and a bit slippy in places. At the bottom (20 mins later quick walk) is a river and various pools to leapt in to. The water is cool but not icy and the area is absolutely beautiful. We messed about until about 4 when we thought the walk up would be OK. I consider myself to relatively fit and go to the gym at least once or twice a week. The walk up is hard. Probably a bit of overheating and possible dehydration although we had several litres of water between us but it was not easy at all. We needed several stops to get the heart rate down to sensible levels. Don't be put off as this is a great place. Don't be an idiot and go at 1 on the hottest day for a fortnight like I did Early morning probably best and I would recommend it.
4. Duomo di Siracusa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,637 reviews
Reviewed By DrEffieP - Wilmslow, United Kingdom
As most of us, I have seen a Ancient Greek temples or what is left of them-empty lines of columns. This duomo is built around the Doric columns of the ancient temple of Athena (Minerva) giving these lines of columns real dimension and perspective relevant to the role they originally served.
5. Teatro Greco
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,311 reviews
This well-preserved Greek theater (5th-centry B.C.) is still used for performances of classical works.
Reviewed By silvej01 - Brooklyn, United States
As a lover of ancient history, I believe a visit to Siracusa would hardly be complete without a visit to the Teatro Greco. The amphitheater is awesome and some of the natural features in the area also add to the experience. The audio guide was useful and helped us to visualized something of how the ancient Greeks — and later the Romans — entertained themselves.
6. Spiaggia Pineta del Gelsomineto
7. Spiaggia Fontane Bianche
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,394 reviews
Reviewed By mutterfamily - Lymington, United Kingdom
We took a day trip from Syracuse by train (14 minutes) to this lovely beach. Its about 20 mins walk to beach from station. Long stretches of sand and plenty of beach bars etc. Beautiful relaxed atmosphere and warm waters.
8. Borgo Vecchio di Cassibile
9. Lido Sayonara
10. Lido Camomilla
TAGS
