Before you go

Your trip to Siracusa.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Siracusa – Sicília Destination Sicília about 260 km from Palermo

How to get there

Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa Vincenzo Bellini (CTA) Catânia · 60 km
Siracusa 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. Take a domestic flight from Rome or Milan to Catania (CTA), about 60 km away. From the airport there are direct buses to Siracusa in just over 1 hour. There are also regional trains from Catania. Siracusa station is about a 20-minute walk from Ortigia.

How many days

One day is enough for Ortigia and the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis. With two days you can add the Museo Paolo Orsi and a trip to Noto, about 35 km away. Siracusa also works as a base to visit other Baroque towns in the southeast, such as Modica and Ragusa.

When to go

April, May, June, September and October usually have pleasant weather. From May to July the Teatro Greco hosts the classical theatre season, with Greek tragedies and comedies. July and August are very hot. Winter is mild, with rainy days.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For the city itself, no: Ortigia is best explored on foot and has a ZTL (limited traffic zone) closed to outside cars. The Neapolis is about a 25-minute walk from Ortigia or a few minutes by bus. For Noto there are trains and buses; a car helps if you want to visit several Baroque towns in one day.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Siracusa

Morning
Neapolis
Start at the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis at opening time, before the heat. See the Teatro Greco, the Latomia del Paradiso and the Orecchio di Dionisio.
Afternoon
Ortigia
Cross the bridge to Ortigia. Walk past the Temple of Apollo and the morning market, if it's still open, and have lunch on the island.
Late afternoon
Duomo and Fonte Aretusa
Enter the Duomo and notice the Greek columns embedded in the walls. Walk down to the Fonte Aretusa and stroll along the seafront to the tip of the island, where the Castello Maniace stands.
Evening
Piazza Duomo
Return to the Piazza Duomo lit up and dine in one of Ortigia's narrow streets.

2 days in Siracusa

Day 1

Morning
Neapolis
Spend the morning at the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis: Teatro Greco, Orecchio di Dionisio, Ara di Ierone and the Roman amphitheatre.
Afternoon
Museo Paolo Orsi
Walk to the Museo Archeologico Paolo Orsi, just a few minutes away. Allow at least 2 hours for the Greek collections.
Late afternoon
Ortigia
Head to Ortigia, pass by the Temple of Apollo and walk along the Lungomare to the Fonte Aretusa.
Evening
Piazza Duomo
Dine in Ortigia and walk past the Piazza Duomo lit up.

Day 2

Morning
Trip to Noto
Take the train or bus to Noto, about 35 km. Climb the steps of the cathedral of San Nicolò and walk along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
Afternoon
Noto's Baroque
See the balconies of the Palazzo Nicolaci on Via Nicolaci and the churches along the Corso. Try an almond sweet or a granita.
Late afternoon
Duomo of Siracusa
Return to Siracusa and enter the Duomo if you didn't on the first day.
Evening
Last night in Ortigia
Dine near the Fonte Aretusa or the Piazza Duomo.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a day trip to Siracusa from Catania?

Yes. Buses and trains take just over an hour. One day is enough for the Neapolis and Ortigia, but staying overnight in Siracusa allows you to see Ortigia at night and include Noto.

What is Ortigia?

The island where Siracusa was founded and where the historic center is located, connected to the mainland by bridges. There are the Duomo, the Fonte Aretusa and the Temple of Apollo.

When is there Greek theatre at the Teatro Greco?

The classical theatre season usually runs from May to July, with Greek plays staged on the ancient seating. On performance days, park visiting hours may be reduced. Check before you go.

Is it worth going to Noto?

Yes. Noto is a Baroque town rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, about 35 km away. You can go by train or bus and return the same day.

Does Siracusa have a beach?

Ortigia has small sea access points with platforms in summer. Sandy beaches are outside the town, to the south, like Fontane Bianche, about 20 km away.

Back to Siracusa