What to see in eastern Sicily
Itineraries and tips
Destination: Syracuse | Ragusa
Main attractions | Museums | Surroundings | Nature reserves | Archaeotrekkings
Sicily is a land to discover: art, history, landscape, nature offer incredible experiences for visitors. There are so many things to see in Sicily that, without an accurate planning, you could miss important highlights.
On this webpage you will find useful information about the most important monuments but also less known and more specific itineraries in southeastern Sicily, focusing on the provinces of Ragusa and Siracusa. You can click on the single links under the site cards to read further information, check opening times or plan a self-guided tour or it's possible to contact us to book a private, tailore, tour with our professional guides or to join a shared group tour.
Main attractions, tours, excursions, museums...
Are you planning to visit towns and monuments in southeastern Sicly but you don't know what to include in your trip? On this page you will find a list and information about the various attractions in Syracuse and its province.
SIRACUSA and SURROUNDINGS
Main attractions
Let's start with the main attractions in the town of Siracusa, the places that you should not miss during your holiday. The following four itineraries can be visited in a 'very full' day, better if they are spread over at least two days Cominciamo con le mete principali nella città di Siracusa, quelle che tutti coloro che visitano la città cercano di vedere. It's possible to visit the first four itineraries in the list with a 'very full' day. It's suggested to plan to days considering to add some other attraction.
Ortygia
Siracusa
Ortygia is the name of Syrauce's old town center. The peculiarity of Ortygia is that it is a small island near the mainland. Here you can see ancient Greek monuments, baroque churches and enchanting narrow streets.
Neapolis archaeological park
Siracusa
The Neapolis park is the most important archaeological area in Syracuse. Here you can see the most ancient Greek and Roman monuments: the ear of Dionysius, the ancient theater, the altar of Hieron and the stone quarries.
Maniace castle
Siracusa
On the tip of the island Ortygia it's possible to visit this medieval castle built by the emperor Frederick II to defend the bay of Syracuse.
St.John's catacombs
Siracusa
The catacombs and undergrounds system in Syracuse is the largest and best preserved in Italy, after Rome. The most visited catacomb is St.John.
St.Lucy church and Caravaggio
Siracusa
The church of St.Lucy was built on the place where St.Lucy was martyred. Behind the altar of the church it's possible to see the famous painting of Caravaggio 'The burial of Saint Lucy'.
Euryalus castle
Siracusa
The Euryalus castle is an impressive fortress built by the tyrant Dionysius in the 4th century B.C.
Ortygia underground
Siracusa
Cisterns and aqueducts, ritual baths, secret passages and anti-raid shelters of WWII: from the hypogeum of Piazza Duomo to the Artemision, from the Jewish baths to the hypogeum of St.Philip, Ortygia is crowded with undergrounds to discover.
Jewish Syracuse
Siracusa
The Giudecca was the former Jewish district of Ortygia. Here it's possible to visit the ancient Mikweh or learn about the lost sinagogue.
Shrine of Our Lady of tears
Siracusa
The shrine is the tallest building in Siracusa. It's an impressive modern-style church to celebrate the miraculous weeping of a small picture of the Madonna in Syracuse in 1953.
Olympieion
Siracusa
A few miles from the town, in a location with and impressive view on the bay of Siracusa, it's possible to admire the last ruins of the Zeus temple, the 2 columns as it is called in Syracuse.
Roman Gymnasium
Siracusa
Along the via Elorina there are the ruins of a small ancient building which is called the Roman gymnasium even if also nowadays archaeologist are not sure about the real function of the area.
Vigna Cassia catacombs
Siracusa
The early Christian catacombs of Vigna Cassia are the most ancient Christian cemetery in Syracuse.
Museums in Siracusa
Beside the monuments and the archaeological sites there are also various museums to visit in Siracusa
Archaeological museum 'Paolo Orsi'
Siracusa
It's the most important archaeological museum in Sicily. Here it's possible to admire pottery and sculptures from prehistory to the end of the Roman empire. Some highlights are the Landolina Venus and the Adelphia sarcophagus.
Palazzo Bellomo regional gallery
Siracusa
In the heart of Ortygia it's possible to visit the Bellomo museum. Here you can admire paitings and sculptures from the Byzantine age to the XIX century. Highlight is a paiting of Antonello da Messina.
Papyrus museum
Siracusa
This small museum is focused on the papyrus plant and uses. Syracuse is famous because papyrus grows spontaneously in the town.
Pupi museum
Siracusa
This small museum in Ortygia tells about the pupi, the traditional sicilian puppets.
Archimedes tecnopark
Siracusa
A small park, behind the Neapolis archaeological park, where it's possible to see the reconstruction of some of Archimede's inventions. Suggested activity with kids.
Archimedes and Leonardo museum
Siracusa
A small museum in the heart of Ortygia where you can learn about two great geniuses: Archimedes and Leonardo da Vinci. Suggested activity with kids.
What to visit in the province of Siracusa
Visiting Syracuse is a real must in Sicily but we recommend to plan a few days in the area for other itineraries in the province of Syracuse. Below are some suggestions:
The baroque of Noto
Noto
Noto is small town south of Syracuse with an enchanting town center in baroque style. The town center is an Unesco world heritage and the cathedral is the most famous building.
The necropolis of Pantalica
Ferla-Sortino
Pantalica is a nature reserve and an Unesco heritage site located between the villages of Ferla and Sortino. Here it's possible to arrange a relaxing hiking day or to visit the impressive prehistoric rocky necropolis.
The roman mosaics of the Tellaro
Noto
A few miles from Noto it's possible to visit the ruins of an ancient villa dating back to the Roman empire and with some impressive mosaics inside.
Palazzolo Acreide town center
Palazzolo Acreide
Palazzolo Acreide is an enchanting village in the inner part of the province of Syracuse, famous for it's baroque churches and great pastry shops and restaurants.
Akrai
Palazzolo Acreide
Akrai was a small colony built by Syracuse for to defend the area. It's near the town of Palazzolo. In Akrai you can visit the small theater, the stone quarries and small catacombs. Not far away there is also the 'Santoni' archaeological site.
Marzamemi and Portopalo di Capo Passero
Portopalo di Capo Passero
These two small villages are the extreme southern corner of Sicily. They are crowded with tourists during the summer months. Marzamemi was built on an ancient tuna fish plant. In the area you can visit the beautiful beaches and the Capopassero island.
Megara Hyblaea
Augusta
Megara Hyblaea was an ancient Greek colony located between Siracusa ed Augusta.
Nature reserves in the province of Syracuse
Beside the history, the monuments, gastronomy and traditions, the province of Siracusa offers also various nature reserves and protected areas:
Vendicari nature reserve
Noto
It's a relaxing hiking area with some beautiful beaches. In Vendicari it's possible to see flamengos and other migratori birds but it's also possible to visit the ruins of an ancient 'tonnara'.
Cavagrande reseve and the lakes of Avola
Avola
Cavagrande is the largest of the typical canyons of southeastern Sicily. It's a great hiking area with some small lakes and waterfalls.
Ciane river reserve
Siracusa
The Ciane is a small river and reserve a few miles from Syracuse. An easy walk or boat tours permit to admire the local papyrus plants.
Plemmirio marine reserve
Siracusa
Plemmirio is an area on the southern coastside of Siracusa but it's also a marine reserve. Activities are here possible with authorized diving centers or it's possible to explore the many small bays and the cliff to find great spots for swimming.
Archaeotrekking for enthusiasts in the province of Siracusa
Archaeology enthusiasts can find a lot of minor sites not crowded with tourists, in the province of Syracuse. The most visited sites were already listed on the upper part of thi page. The following sites are specific areas with few or no services. A car and a guide guidebook are required to visit these sites.
Ancient Noto
Noto
The baroque town of Noto is only the second town, built after the terrible earthquake of the year 1693. On the hills behind the modern town it's possible to visit the ruins of the medieval ancient Noto.
Necropolis of Castelluccio
Noto
This archaeological area is located in the countryside between Noto and Palazzolo Acreide. The area dates back to the bronze age and the most famous remain is the tomb of the prince.
Eloro
Noto
Eloro was an ancient Greek colony built in a great position on the coastside, a few miles from the modern town Noto.
Thapsos
Priolo Gargallo
Thapsos is an archaeological area on the Magnisi peninsula near the industrial area of Syracuse. It's an important site of the Sicilia bronze age.