Discover the Best of Siracusa in Just Half a Day
Siracusa, Syracuse, the fourth largest city in Sicily and the main town of the province with the same name, should be a must-see for anyone visiting eastern Sicily. The town boasts important monuments (Roman orator Cicero called it the greatest of the Greek colonies in the West), a charming historic center, an enviable location by the sea, and excellent cuisine. However, Sicily is a region that offers many choices and places to see for tourists, and not everyone has the time to plan a fixed or extended stay in the town of Aretusa. With this short article, we want to give some advice to those who, during their visit to Sicily, are only planning only a short stop in Siracusa. Below we give a series of useful tips on what to see and how to move around to visit Siracusa in half a day.
Half day in Syracuse
Travel Times
Generally, those who visit Sicily and choose not to stay in Siracusa as a starting point for their explorations, opt instead for the northeastern side of the island (Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Catania) or for the small town of Noto or the hamlet of Noto Marina (especially in the summer months) or even for the nearby province of Ragusa (Ibla, Modica or the many coastal hamlets in the summer). For your visit to Siracusa, keep in mind the travel times. Catania, the province of Messina, and Noto are directly connected by the highway, which is currently in operation only up to Rosolini. Therefore, those arriving from the province of Ragusa will necessarily have to travel on slower and more congested state and provincial roads. On average, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Taormina/Giardini Naxos, 50 minutes from Catania and the airport, 35 minutes from Noto, and about 1 hour for those coming from Modica and up to 1 hour and 30 minutes from Ragusa. Particularly in the summer months, the southern entrance of Siracusa during rush hour can be a bit congested.
To sum up:
| Siracusa-Noto | about 35 min. |
| Siracusa-Catania | about 50 min. |
| Siracusa-Modica | about 1 hour |
| Siracusa-Ragusa | about 1h20m |
| Siracusa-Taormina | about 1h30m |
Getting to Siracusa by public transportation: bus and train
The town is connected by intercity buses with various destinations, although the best connections are certainly with Catania (about one bus per hour on weekdays, fewer on holidays). There are also direct connections with Noto, Modica, and Ragusa. If coming from Taormina or Giardini, it will be necessary to change buses in Catania. There are two intercity bus companies that operate the connections. Schedules can be viewed on their respective websites, and tickets can be purchased onboard or at nearby ticket offices. For more information, we recommend checking out the websites of Interbus and AST.
Syracuse can also be reached by train through the Messina-Catania-Syracuse line. However, the trains on the Ragusa-Syracuse line are more sporadic and have longer travel times. It is worth noting that during peak season, special tourist trains are organized on some dates, such as the "baroque train." Updated information on schedules and times can be found on the official Trenitalia website.
Recommended itinerary for a half-day visit
Syracuse offers several options for visitors interested in art cities and monuments. However, if you only have a morning or an afternoon, we recommend focusing on the two must-see stops: the Neapolis Archaeological Park and Ortigia, the historic center of Syracuse. We also recommend following the suggested order, starting with the archaeological area.
First Stop: Visit to the Archaeological Park of Neapolis
The Neapolis is the most important archaeological area in Syracuse, where the major monuments of the ancient Greek and Roman city can be visited. Syracuse was founded in 733 BC by Greek colonists from the town of Corinth, and the many monumental testimonies still present in the town have earned it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. But the archaeological area is not located in the historic center but in the modern Neapolis district. The area has two entrances.
Where can we park to visit the Neapolis archaeological park?
If you arrive by car, you can park along Viale Augusto or Via Romagnoli (hourly parking requiring a specific ticket) or on the opposite side, in Via Giuseppe Agnello, where you can use a private guarded parking lot, the Paradise, a great choice if you intend to leave luggage in your car. From the point of view of petty crime, Syracuse is a very peaceful city, but common precautions never hurt! If you arrive by public transport, there are no direct connections between the station square and the Neapolis archaeological area (although taxis are available 24 hours a day). Walking you can cover the distance in about 20 minutes, or you can take one of the urban buses that depart from the station terminus and go up the central Corso Gelone. Getting off at the intersection with Viale Teocrito, you will only need to walk 5 minutes to the park entrance.
What are the opening hours of the Neapolis archaeological park and how much do the entrance tickets cost?
The opening hours of the Neapolis Park vary monthly. You can find updated opening hours in the opening hours section of our website. Generally, however, the morning opening is set for 8:30 am or later at 9 am throughout the year. There are two ticket offices: the first is located at the end of the tourist bus-souvenir area, the wooden huts that you see in front of the sport field on Viale Augusto. The second, instead, is located directly in the descent that leads to the entrance of the Greek theater. The cost of tickets at the time of writing this post (April 2023) is € 13 per person. EU citizen between 18 and 25 years with id card are entitled to a € 6,50 reduction. Payment by credit card is also possible at the ticket office. Minors are entitled to free access, but an id card or passport (even from a parent) must be presented at the ticket office to be registered.
How long does it take to visit the Neapolis park and what will we see?
The duration of the visit to the archaeological area of Neapolis is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Here you can see several monuments starting from the impressive Latomia del Paradiso, one of the ancient stone quarries/prisons where slaves worked to extract building stones for the city. Today, the quarry is a lush and pleasant garden where you can enjoy walking and the scent of orange blossom flowers. There are also some artificial caves inside the quarry. The Cordari cave is named after the ancient craft that was practiced there for generations. Not far away is one of the most famous Syracuse monuments: the Ear of Dionysius. This cave is also artificial, but its curious shape resembles that of a stretched ear. The legend, made famous by the painter Caravaggio, says that this cave was used by the tyrant Dionysius, lord of Syracuse, as a prison for his enemies. He had discovered the particular acoustics of the cave that allowed him, without being seen, to listen to what his prisoners whispered inside. Its size will impress you, and if you want, once inside, you can test its acoustics by singing a song. The Neapolis visit itinerary continues with the Greek theater, one of the largest in the Mediterranean area. The Greek theater of Syracuse is still used today for shows
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Every spring, the classic performances organized by the INDA (the National Institute of Ancient Drama) are held. Attending these shows, which take place in the late afternoon, is very suggestive, but it is also important to keep in mind that from May to early July, the theater's cavea and stage are partially obstructed by the scenery and stands of the performances. Within the Neapolis area, there is also the monumental altar known as the "ara di Ierone". In addition to being one of the most important Greek colonies, Syracuse was also an important Roman city, as evidenced by the Roman amphitheater that marks the end of the visit.
To fully appreciate the archaeological area and its history, it is recommended to come prepared for the visit. At the moment, there is no explanatory signage inside the area, although it is among the future projects of the newly established archaeological park. Various guidebooks are available. The service of rentable audio guides at the entrance is currently suspended, but it is hoped that it will soon be back in operation. If you want to take advantage of a guided tour with a professional guide, you can take a look at the pages of our website. Hermes Sicily Tours offers the possibility of booking a private guided tour of the Neapolis park throughout the year, on the day and time of your choice (we recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance). During the summer months and the Christmas period, shared group guided tours of Neapolis are also offered on fixed days and times (check the calendar on the appropriate page).
In the summer months, the theater area is almost devoid of shade, so we recommend bringing a hat and a water bottle with you. In any case, after visiting the archaeological area, you can take a refreshing break at one of the four bars at the entrance. There is one near the souvenir shops, two inside the park, and one near via Agnello. Here, you can also enjoy a good juice or a typical Sicilian granita. The souvenir shops offer a wide choice of city souvenirs, including the typical paper papyrus pictures.
Second stop: Visit to the historic center of Ortigia
At this point, 1h30m-2h of your trip to Syracuse will have already passed, and our advice is to move to the historic center, the island of Ortigia. The distance between Ortigia and the Neapolis park is about 2 km. It's not a huge distance, but we recommend using a car or public transport to cover it, both because if you are reading this page, the time scheduled for the visit to Syracuse is probably quite limited, and because the area of the city located between these two points of interest mainly consists of modern buildings with no historical value or tourist interest. Until the beginning of 2020, there was a municipal shuttle bus that connected the archaeological area with Ortigia. The service is currently suspended, although there are plans for a future relaunch of the connection. A private alternative is offered by the hop-on hop-off tourist bus whose stop is located at the souvenir area of the Neapolis park and which makes several stops along the entire route of Ortigia. Taxis are also constantly available at the archaeological area (starting from €10 per trip).
Where is the best place to park when visiting Ortigia?
If you are traveling by car, the travel time will be about 10 minutes. Almost the entire historic center is a limited traffic zone (ZTL) with parking reserved for residents. We recommend parking at the Molo San Antonio parking lot, before the entrance to Ortigia, along Via Rodi, or in the historic center at the Talete parking lot or Riva Nazario Sauro, behind the Ortea Palace hotel, formerly the Post Office Palace. Parking can be paid with the appropriate tickets, but there are no sales points nearby. Alternatively, you can install and use the Easy Park app on your smartphone. Although the cost through Easy Park is slightly higher, you will have the ability to remotely extend the parking duration to your liking via your phone. If you choose this parking method, don't forget to leave a note on the dashboard indicating "Easy Park".
What is recommended to visit in Ortigia? 
Ortigia is the historic center of Syracuse but also a small island measuring about 1 km in length and 500-600 meters in width. It is very close to the mainland and it is connected by two parallel bridges, the Umbertino Bridge and the Santa Lucia Bridge. Wherever you have parked or however you have arrived, the first monument that presents itself to the visitor is the Temple of Apollo. This monumental Greek temple in Doric style is preserved only in part but it is a building of great importance for its antiquity. Most likely the Temple of Apollo in Syracuse is the first great monumental stone temple built by the Greeks in the West. You can still admire part of the colonnade with its imposing capitals, one of the walls of the naos, and the remains of an inscription on the first step with the name of the architect who built it. Next to the Temple of Apollo is the fish market of Syracuse. The area is not very large and winds along Via De Benedictis. The stalls are active on weekdays, until lunchtime. A short walk through the colorful and characteristic market can be an interesting experience at the beginning or end of your walk through Ortigia. Inside the market there are also two highly appreciated local shops: Burgio and Borderi. Here it will be possible to buy huge sandwiches to eat on the spot or to take away as well as typical gastronomic products. Given the notoriety that these two places have gained in recent years, in some cases the waiting times to be served can be quite long.
Once you leave the Temple of Apollo, we recommend walking along the relatively modern Corso Matteotti, where some famous fashion brands have their shop windows. Corso Matteotti ends in Piazza Archimede, dedicated to the famous Greek inventor born in Syracuse. The square is characterized by the beautiful Fountain of Diana, a neoclassical work by Giulio Moschetti. From here, we recommend getting lost in the alleys, turning onto Via dell'Amalfitania and then left onto Via Cavour. The bars along this narrow but lively street allow you to taste excellent cannoli or buy typical Martorana fruit. After a few steps and after passing the Church of the Jesuits, the monumental Piazza Duomo, the heart of Syracuse, appears in front of us. The square is impressive for its vast dimensions and brightness. Both the buildings and the pavement are made of bright local limestone. Piazza Duomo is definitely one of the most spectacular spots in Ortigia, and several buildings of great historical and architectural interest overlook it: Palazzo Vermexio (the current City Hall), noble residences such as Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco and Palazzo Borgia del Casale, the Archbishop's Palace from where you can catch a glimpse of the colors of the citrus grove in its gardens, and two churches: the Cathedral of Syracuse and, at the end of the square, the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia. The style of the buildings is mainly Baroque. Several bars and ice cream shops are also present in the square, where you can enjoy a pleasant break for a coffee or ice cream. 
An internal visit of the cathedral is definitely recommended (admission ticket €2, free on Sundays, open continuously from 8:30 am until the afternoon mass, around 6-6:30 pm). The cathedral has the particularity of being built on top of the ancient Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. The Doric columns incorporated into the church are already visible from the outside, but seeing them inside the church makes this building truly exceptional. The church also houses a silver urn with some fragments of Saint Lucy's bones, the patron saint of the city, and a silver statue dedicated to the Saint that is only displayed on special liturgical occasions. On the southern side of the square is the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia. The church can be visited for free from Tuesday to Friday from 11 am to 4 pm. Many guides and websites still indicate that this church houses Caravaggio's painting "Burial of Saint Lucy" but in December 2020 the painting was moved and displayed in the church for which it was made: the basilica of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro, as we communicated in this article. The creation of a faithful copy to be displayed in Piazza Duomo had been proposed, but at the time of writing this article, the project has not yet materialized.
Leaving Piazza Duomo, we head towards the sea and the Arethusa spring. Along the way, we recommend stopping by the excellent ice cream shop "Bianca" and the "Cannoli del re". As we descend Via Pompeo Picherali, we'll see the blue of the sea and the bay of the great port of Syracuse appear before us. Standing on the large panoramic balcony gives a breathtaking view. On the left, we catch a glimpse of the entrance to the bay with the mass of the Maniace Castle. In front, in the distance, we see the silhouette of the Hyblean plateau and on the right, Syracuse. Moving a few steps to the left, we also reach the Arethusa spring, another symbol of the city. It is a fresh water spring that gushes just a few meters from the sea. Greek myth tells that it is the nymph Arethusa who was transformed into a spring by the goddess of hunting, Artemis, to save her from the insistent attentions of the god Alpheus. Inside the fountain, there are luxuriant papyrus plants, another unique feature of Syracuse. Papyrus has a long artisanal tradition in the city, and in Ortigia, it is possible to find several shops that make and sell paintings on papyrus paper.
To respect the time allotted for a half-day visit, it is advisable to retrace our steps at this point. To avoid having to go back the same way, it is instead possible to take a loop, following the coast around the Arethusa spring, descending into the shaded park below, characterized by some monumental fig trees, and then continuing along the "marina" promenade. Here, there are also several small bars where you can stop for a brief break. The Marina walk and pedestrian area end at Porta Marina, the last surviving one among those that characterized the Spanish walls of the city. At this point, it will be possible to return to your vehicle in a few steps or choose one of the many solutions to have lunch in Ortigia.
Visiting Ortigia/Siracusa with a guide
If you wish to have a tour with a licensed guide through Ortigia, you can consider the different options proposed by Hermes Sicily Tours. During the summer months (usually from July to mid-September) and during the Christmas holidays, guided tours of Ortigia are generally offered in shared groups with 2-3 weekly appointments and along various thematic routes. Guided group tours in Ortigia last 1h30m/2h and Hermes Sicily Tours always guarantees small group visits in order to fully enjoy the explanations of the guide. Depending on the tour, a maximum of 15 or 25 participants are expected, although the groups are usually smaller. In addition to the classic Ortigia itinerary, also Ortigia sunset tours (often in combination with the Castello Maniace) are often offered, and occasionally Ortigia by night during the summer. For further details on the next schedule, tour dates and participation fees, please visit our page dedicated to group guided tours and click on the itinerary of your interest.
Alternatively, throughout the year, it is possible to book a private guide service (available for individuals, small groups, private groups). It is possible to only visit Ortigia or opt for a personalized itinerary that includes both the archaeological park of Neapolis and the historic center of Ortigia. In this case, you can contact us by email at
What to visit in Syracuse in one day
Although in half a day it is possible to get a taste of the most important views of Syracuse, we definitely recommend dedicating one or more days to the city of Archimedes. In this way, you can enjoy the monuments, landscape, and cuisine of the Aretusa city more calmly. In Ortigia, for example, it is possible to spend more time wandering through the alleys, exploring places such as the Giudecca, the ancient Jewish district, and visiting the miqwè of via Alagona or the hypogeum of the church of San Filippo in via della Giudecca. Alternatively, you can reach the tip of the island and visit the Castello Maniace with its suggestive hypostyle hall and end the day with a sunset aperitif in one of the many bars along the waterfront.
Also on the mainland, Syracuse offers further points of interest for visitors. The "Paolo Orsi" Archaeological Museum is one of the most important in Italy and complements the visit to the Neapolis Archaeological Park (if you plan to visit both places, you can purchase a combined ticket at a discounted price). A few steps from the museum is also the Church of San Giovanni with the Crypt of San Marciano and the Catacombs of San Giovanni, a place of great fascination. When visiting Syracuse, one cannot fail to notice the imposing modern Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tears. It is a modern-style church that is today the tallest building in the city and inside it preserves a plaster image of the Madonna that miraculously cried in 1953. A few kilometers from the city is the Eurialo Castle. It is the remains of an impressive fortress built to defend Greek Syracuse.
Syracuse can also be an excellent base for visiting Sicily. In the winter months, it is preferable to choose accommodation in the city, perhaps in the historic center, while in summer you can combine culture with the desire for the sea and opt for a structure in the beach areas, perhaps along the beautiful Fontane Bianche beach.
Every season presents the city in a different light. The winter months, except for the Christmas period, are the quietest but also the ones in which you can enjoy a calm visit to the monuments with a mild climate and taking advantage of more advantageous prices at the accommodation facilities. On December 13th, you can witness the traditional procession of Saint Lucia, the patron saint of the city. Starting from the Easter holidays, the high season begins and many opt for a visit to Syracuse in the months of May or June to also attend the classical performances at the Greek theater of Syracuse. The summer months are recommended for those who want to combine their stay with the sea with cultural visits. Temperatures are high and therefore it is advisable to concentrate visits to the city in the late afternoon. In the evening, Ortigia comes alive with many bars and music suitable for the needs of every visitor. In short, it is certainly a suitable destination for a visit 365 days a year!
