Things to do in Syracuse – 10 tips in historic Ortigia

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: September 2026 | Syracuse in Sicily offers a dizzying mix of Greek temples, Roman ruins, Baroque palaces, narrow alleys and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. The most enticing is the historic island of Ortigia, where it is easy to get lost among beautiful houses and small squares. We did just that and fell head over heels for the city.

Syracuse in Sicily

Syracuse, or Siracusa in Italian, is located on the southeastern coast of Sicily, south of Catania and north of Noto. The city was founded by Greeks from Corinth in the 8th century BC and developed into one of the most important Greek cities of antiquity. It was also home to the mathematician and inventor Archimedes in the 3rd century BC.

But Syracuse is far from just ancient ruins. Over the centuries, different cultures and rulers have left their mark, and today Greek temples and Roman remains coexist with medieval buildings, Baroque churches and lively Sicilian neighborhoods.

Since 2005 there is Syracuse and the Pantalica rock necropolis on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The World Heritage includes Ortigia and the archaeological area of Neapolis as well as Pantalica, which is located a short distance from the city itself.

When we visited Syracuse during our motorhome trip in Sicily, it was Ortigia that we wanted to experience above all. And what a city!

1. Discover Ortigia

Ortigia is the historic heart of Syracuse and the oldest part of the city. The small island lies right next to the mainland and is connected to the rest of Syracuse by bridges. It is here that many of the city's most famous sights are located, but Ortigia itself is actually the biggest attraction.

We walked around narrow alleys, old stone houses, balconies and small cafes. One beautiful street gave way to another and after a while we no longer had much idea where we were. It didn't matter much. Ortigia is one of those places where it's quite nice to get lost.

2. See the Temple of Apollo

Not far from the bridges to Ortigia lie the remains of Temple of Apollo, Temple of Apollo. The temple was built around the beginning of the 5th century BC and is considered one of the oldest monumental Doric temples in Sicily. During its long history, the building has been used for other purposes and incorporated into later constructions.

Today, parts of the temple remain in the middle of the modern city. It is a pretty good introduction to Syracuse. Here you don't have to go to some distant archaeological site to find antiquity. It is located in the middle of the houses.

3. Visit Piazza Duomo and the Cathedral

Piazza Duomo is one of the most magnificent squares on Ortigia and is lined with bright Baroque buildings. Here is Cathedral of Syracuse, Syracuse's cathedral, and it has a history that is considerably older than its Baroque facade suggests.

The church is built around an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. The temple was built in the 5th century BC and parts of its Doric columns are still built into the walls of the cathedral.

In the 7th century, the temple was converted into a Christian church and the building has since been altered many times throughout history. After the earthquake of 1693, it received its magnificent Baroque facade, which is fascinating.

Here, the same building has gone from Greek temple to Christian church and then continued to change over the centuries. The history of Syracuse is literally built into its walls.

4. See the Arethusa Fountain

On the west side of Ortigia, right next to the sea, lies Fonte Aretusa, the Spring of Arethusa. The freshwater spring has been associated with Syracuse since ancient times and is surrounded by an ancient Greek myth. According to the story, the nymph Arethusa fled from the river god Alpheios and was transformed by the goddess Artemis into a spring on Ortigia.

Today, the spring is a quiet little oasis of papyrus plants, just a few meters from the Mediterranean Sea. It's a strange combination: fresh water, papyrus, ancient stories and the sea in almost the same place.

5. Walk along the sea

One of the things we liked most about Syracuse was the combination of historic city and sea. Ortigia is surrounded by water and along large parts of the island you can walk with views of the Mediterranean. In some places there are even small swimming opportunities in the middle of the historic city environment.

This gives Syracuse a completely different feel than, for example, Noto. There, the baroque architecture is the main attraction. Here, old palaces and churches are mixed with boats, swimming, the harbor and the sea. When your legs start to get tired of the cobblestone streets and churches, you can simply walk down to the water.

6. See Castello Maniace

At the far southern tip of Ortigia lies Castello Maniace, an impressive fortress with the sea on three sides. The castle was built in the 13th century under Emperor Frederick II and had a strategic location at the entrance to the harbor of Syracuse.

Even if you don't go inside the fortress itself, the walk here is pleasant. The further out on Ortigia you get, the more clearly you notice the city's location between two harbors and the Mediterranean. It's also a good reason to continue all the way out onto the island instead of just sticking around Piazza Duomo.

7. Visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park

To understand how important Syracuse once was, you need to leave Ortigia and head to Archaeological Park of Neapolis. Here are some of the most important remains from ancient Syracuse, including the Greek theater, a Roman amphitheater and the ancient quarries of Latomie.

It is a completely different Syracuse than the one you encounter on Ortigia. If you only have a few hours in the city, we would prioritize Ortigia. If you have a whole day or more, however, it is well worth combining the historic city center with Neapolis.

8. See the Greek Theater

One of the major attractions in Neapolis is Greek Theatre, the Greek theatre. A theatre existed here as early as the 4th century BC and the complex was altered and expanded in later periods. The large semicircular theatre is largely carved directly out of the rock.

It is still used for performances today. Sitting in the same place where people watched theater more than two thousand years ago is one of those experiences that makes history a little more understandable. Syracuse is not just a city with some ancient ruins. This was one of the great cities of the Greek world.

9. Go into Dionysius' ear

In the old quarry Latomia del Paradiso there is a strange cave called Ear of Dionisio, the ear of Dionysius. The name is said to have been coined by the artist Caravaggio and refers both to the cave's ear-like shape and its special acoustics.

According to legend, the tyrant Dionysius used the cave as a prison and was able to eavesdrop on the prisoners' conversations thanks to the acoustics. It's a good story. Whether it's true is another matter entirely.

The cave is about 20 meters high and extends far into the mountain. It is part of the huge quarries used to obtain building materials for ancient Syracuse.

10. Follow the footsteps of Saint Lucia

For us Swedes, there is another somewhat unexpected connection to Syracuse. Saint Lucia comes from here. According to Christian tradition, Lucia was born in Syracuse around the end of the 2nd century and was martyred here during the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

Over the centuries, many legends have emerged around her life and death. How much is historically proven is difficult to determine, but the cult surrounding Saint Lucia spread widely and eventually her name also became associated with our Swedish Lucia tradition.

In Syracuse there are several places connected to the saint. One of the most important is Basilica di Santa Lucia al Sepolcro, which according to tradition is located at the place where Lucia suffered martyrdom. It certainly feels a bit special to be in the city where the story of our white-clad December Lucia's namesake began.

Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2005, it was written Syracuse and the Pantalica rock necropolis on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The World Heritage consists of two main parts. One is ancient Syracuse with Ortigia and Neapolis. The other is Pantalica, where thousands of tombs have been carved into the rocks.

Together, the sites tell the story of around three millennia of civilization in the Mediterranean region. That is perhaps also what makes Syracuse so fascinating. History is not collected in a museum or within a fenced ruin area. It is everywhere.

A Greek temple appears between modern houses. Ancient columns are walled in a Baroque cathedral. A medieval castle stands at the farthest point towards the sea. Then you turn a corner and find a café.

Our visit to Syracuse

We had heard a lot of good things about Syracuse before we came here during our motorhome trip in 2015. So our expectations were quite high, and yet they were met. We especially liked Ortigia with its beautiful alleys, balconies, houses and proximity to the sea. There is so much to see here that you end up getting a little dizzy and losing both your bearings and your planning.

That's pretty much how we think a really good old city should work. Syracuse became one of the Sicilian cities we could really vouch for.

Syracuse by motorhome

When we visited Syracuse in 2015, we were standing with our campervan on Parking Von Platen on the mainland. From there we took a small local bus to Ortigia. On the way home we were almost alone in the bus. The driver looked at us and asked: ”Camper?” Then he drove past the usual stop and dropped us off about ten meters from the camper. You remember that!

Parking Von Platen today

Parking Von Platen still exists in Syracuse and is still used by motorhomes. The location is convenient, especially for those who also want to visit Neapolis, the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum and the Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime.

However, the standard seems to be considerably more precarious today than when we visited the site. Current information on service and condition is partly contradictory, and visitors in 2025 and 2026 have reported shortcomings in maintenance.

Therefore, consider our old experience as just a travel memory from 2015 and check current conditions before choosing a parking space. And no, we don't expect the bus driver to still drive all the way to the camper...

More to see and do in and around Syracuse

Ortigia Market is the town's lively market, selling fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese and other Sicilian specialties. It's a great place to stop by in the morning and discover a more everyday side of Ortigia.

Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi is an interesting complement for those who want to delve into the area's long history. The museum is located on the mainland, not far from Neapolis.

Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime is hard to miss with its tall and very modern form. The church is a stark contrast to Ortigia's baroque and ancient remains.

Pantalica is located a little outside Syracuse and forms the second part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here there are over 5,000 tombs carved into the rocks, mainly from the period between the 13th and 8th centuries BC.

Noto is located south of Syracuse and is a good place to combine with the city during a trip through southeastern Sicily. Here, Syracuse's Greek history and seaside alleys are exchanged for a more uniform Baroque city.