Top Things to do in Syracuse
Top 10 Things to do in Syracuse, Italy
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 11 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 Giorgio C - Brussels, Belgium
This small tongue of land concentrates the best of Syracuse history, charming and food & wine amazing choices. Ortigia assumes a very special character during the evening when main buildings and historical heritages are superbly highlighted. Regrettably, the parking area is horrible, scaring, not sufficiently illuminated and dirty. This is often the price to pay in Sicily, besides astonishing angles yo may find dirt and abandon.
2. La Piazza Duomo
Overall Ratings
5 based on 403 reviews
Reviewed By Legal_itinerant - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Not the most beautiful piazza we’ve seen but it makes up with activity and energy and its general cleanliness. The restaurants around the perimeter are some of the best and if you dine here in the evening sit outside and watch all the street performers do their routine.
3. Chiesa di San Filippo Apostolo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By SimonToms - Syracuse, Italy
A must see whilst in Ortigia. A free, short tour deep underground to the ancient Jewish baths and an endless cave system running under Ortigia where up to 10,000 sheltered during the second world war.Grazie, Simon, per la tua testimonianza che ci gratifica tanto! Maria Santissima ti assista sempre!
4. Duomo di Siracusa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Legal_itinerant - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
It’s like most large cathedrals but this one lacks atmosphere and art. There are others more worthy of a long visit. Redeeming feature is its presence in the middle of a beautiful piazza that has many other interesting places to see and explore.
5. Teatro dei Pupi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
Reviewed By MareO - Florida
I went by the theatre three times at various times of the day last week on Sept 14th and never found it open. Website gave the open hours and the calendar showed a performance that night so I'm not sure what I was missing. I also asked a question about hours on TripAdvisor and never got an answer. I'm not completely sure I wasn't at the wrong place or at the wrong time but I don't think I was. All I know is that puppet theater is such a part of Sicilian history and the reviews were so good, that I really am very disappointed that I didn't see a performance.
6. Azienda Agricola Pupillo
Overall Ratings
5 based on 65 reviews
The Pupillo Farm, founded in 1908, occupies a large part of the land which once constituted the fief of Targia, famous not only for the medieval Solacium castle, built for Frederick II, but also for the fertile soils which give a unique taste and scent to a variety of products: wines, olive oil, fruits and vegetables. The courtyard in front of the castle, the cozy and elegant interior court, the old millstone and the historic garden can be visited in conjunction with a wine tasting, only by booking in advance.
Reviewed By Keli S
We brought two different tour groups here in September for cooking classes and wine tasting lunches. Chef Rodolfo was a great guide in our class and the caponata contest was especially fun! Sebastiano and Carmella are lovely hosts and were cordial and informative. The grounds are lovely; a pleasant contrast to the industrial surroundings.We wish them all the best as they expand with a B&B and continue to discover the history of their estate. It will be on our list for future tours.
7. Riserva Naturale Orientata Cavagrande del Cassibile
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 666 reviews
Reviewed By LoredanaHo - Bucharest, Romania
The place is extraordinarily beautiful. However, you need to know that we are talking about 40 to 50 minutes to get down on the gravel, it's not comfortable and you have to have adequate shoes to go through the route. Otherwise you risk slipping. The view is worth the effort. When we got back we did almost an hour because the temperature was very high and we stopped at every corner of the shadow I could find.
8. Tecnoparco Museo di Archimede
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 339 reviews
Archimedes Museum with display of reproductions of the most famous machines and ideas of the great archimedes mathematician.
Reviewed By Linus L - Stockholm, Sweden
There is a huge reason why the tourists are at the national park next door rather than here.
It's small, the presentation of all the "inventions" are uninteresting. Mainly this is due to the fact that the audio guide included in the ticket price is both of poor content as well as the performance of the narrators.
9. Parco Marino del Plemmirio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 362 reviews
Reviewed By Evelina_Rom - Bucharest, Romania
We wanted to visit this park and we found the lighthouse and the deserted house near it. The scenery is completely astonishing and after passing the lighthouse, there is a view of tall rocks and blue sea that is simply breathtaking! It is definitely worth visiting!
10. Chiesa di San Giovanni alle Catacombe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 652 reviews
Descend into this maze of eerie tunnels niched with early Christian tombs hidden beneath the roofless, flower-filled ruins of a Norman church.
Reviewed By IrishDee79 - County Meath, Ireland
Went here today, you must join a guided tour. It is in English and Italian. I found the sheer number of graves amazing. Definately worth visiting.
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