Syracuse's highlights half-day shore excursion

Syracuse, thanks to its splendid naturalistic position and its secular monuments is one of the favorite tourist destinations for those visiting Sicily and, since several years it is a port for numerous cruise companies. Hermes Sicily Guides & Tours is an company of guides and tourist services that, together with the classic itineraries for those staying in the city, also offers shore excursions designed for cruise passengers stopping in the city for a few hours. The 'Syracuse highlights' excursion is a half-day shore excursion, designed to make passengers on cruise ships or those traveling with other types of boats discover the main monuments of the town. The tour lasts about 4 hours and can be booked both in the morning and in the afternoon. It includes a visit to the archaeological park of Neapolis, where the most important ancient monuments of Syracuse are located and a visit to the historic center of Ortigia and the cathedral. The tour takes place with a private guide only for you and includes the supplementary transport service by car or minivan with pick-up at the pier or near the port, transport to the archaeological park and, after the visit, transfer to Ortigia passing nearby to other town's monuments. At the end of the visit of the historic center, the guide will take you back to the port or you can conclude the visit in Ortigia and return independently as the pier is located a short distance away. The visit to the archaeological park of Syracuse allows you to admire and discover the history and characteristics of the great monuments built in Greek and Roman times: the theater carved into the rock, the latomie (the ancient stone quarry) where it is possible to admire the cave of the ropemakers and the Ear of Dionysius. And then again the huge stone altar called 'ara di Ierone II' and the Roman amphitheater. At the end of the first part of the visit it will be possible to take a break for a coffee or an ice cream. Afterwards with your private vehicle you will move to the historic center of Ortigia, not failing to pass by the church of San Giovanni to the catacombs and the modern Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tears. The guide who will be with you on board will give you information along the way to Ortigia. Once in the historic center you will walk through the alleys and our guide will show you the remains of the temple of Apollo, the beautiful fountain of Diana and you will reach the sumptuous Piazza Duomo to admire the cathedral. The circular route will then lead you again to the legendary Fonte Aretusa and return to your cruise ship or boat.
This private tour can be booked throughout the year but the booking request must be made no less than 48 hours before the requested date.

Info and Booking

Contact us to check the availability of this tour for a specific date/starting time. Availabilities which are already confirmed are listed and bookable from the calendar below. It's necessary to contact us to check for other dates.

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Cancellation policy

Free cancellation for our private tours is possible up to 7 days before the tour. For further information please have a look at our complete terms and conditions.

Tailored tours

The visit to the Neapolis archaeological park can be combined with other itineraries in Syracuse and surroundings in a half-day or full-day personalized tour. Below you can find some possible additional itineraries. For a complete list please have a look at this page. Contact us for furher information.

Other tours

Below you find some possible additional itineraries for your visit in Syracuse