Syracuse is a city on the coast of Sicily in Italy and it’s famous for its ancient ruins, amazing food and
coastal views. I visited Syracuse on my honeymoon to Sicily last fall and absolutely loved the slower pace this city had in comparison to the busier cities on the island like Catania and Palermo. Although there is always a lot to do and eat, you can totally cover a lot of ground in just 2 days here on your Sicily itinerary. Here is how I recommend you spend your time.
Day One
Start your morning off early with Castello Maniace. This castle has stunning views of the Ionian Sea, and has been around since 1240. The castle has short hours so I recommend that you visit first thing in the morning when it opens (at 8:30 am). Visiting early will also help with the heat if you are visiting in the summer months.
Walk about 17 minutes from the castle to the Tempio di Apollo, one of the oldest Doric temples in Sicily. The ruins sit very centrally in the city.
Next wander through the historic Jewish quarter, Ortigia’s Giudecca. It is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Syracuse and you can spend some time wandering through the narrow, winding streets, admiring the character and hidden courtyards. The Jewish quarter is about an 8 minute walk from Tempio di Apollo.
Optional: If you are into museums, this is a great time to go to the Archimedes & Leonardo Museum.
It’s my favourite time of day at this point which is lunch time! Head to Ortigia Street Market. This market opens at 7 am daily (and is closed on Sunday). It is a vibrant and central market that is packed with stalls that are serving everything from fresh produce, seafood, and other Sicilian specialties. Try Caseificio Borderi. It’s worth the wait for their massive sandwiches or charcuterie boards. You can take your sandwich to go if there is no seating.
After eating your heart out at the market, head over to Piazza Duomo. This piazza is in the heart of Ortigia and home to a gorgeous cathedral and Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco. Nearby you’ll also find Fontane di Diana. Around this area you’ll also find so many cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops on all the little side streets off these main piazzas.
In the evening, head for sunset drinks along Lungomare Alfeo at either Mikatú or Sunset Ortiga. We spent some time one late afternoon just bar hopping and enjoying happy hour at some of the places along here. One of our favs was a colourful wine bar we stumbled upon. I can’t remember the name but included a photo above for reference of the outside.
After drinks, head for dinner at one of these delicious restaurants:
- Ristorante Sicilia in Tavola
- Trattoria La Foglia
- There are also a number of Michelin-recommended restaurants in Syracuse
- Mokrito (for insane seafood boards that are great for sharing)
Syracuse is a foodie destination, so there are many other experiences you can have that surround food here that you may want to fit into your itinerary. Here are some ideas:
- Joining a food tour is also a great way to try a variety of foods in the area
- Take part in a cooking class
Day Two
On day two, you’ll want to spend some time exploring some of the historic areas of the city at the Neapolis Archaeological Park. This park is about a 35 minute walk from Ortigia, so you may want to take a taxi or city bus if you don’t want to walk. The park is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily, and I recommend you arrive early to beat the heat and large tours.
Neapolis Archaeological Park contains many ruins from ancient Greek and Roman Syracuse and it’s a rather peaceful place. Walk around and explore the ruins as well as some of the sculptures that are throughout the park. I would recommend renting an audio guide as there aren’t many descriptions of what anything is that you’re looking at.
After the Archaeological Park, walk about 10 minutes to visit the Regional Archaeological Museum Paolo Orsi. This is one of the main archaeological museums of Europe and is open 9 am to 6 pm daily (except for Monday). I am not a huge museum person, so this wasn’t my cup of tea, but I’ve included it because my husband loved it and everyone’s interests vary.
If you aren’t into the museum, another popular activity in Syracuse is going on a boat cruise. There are several companies you’ll walk by selling their tours while in Syracuse, but you can also book them here. There are a variety of different options from private to group boat cruises, as well as ones that run during the day or at sunset so you can fit it into your itinerary where it works the best.
In the evening, head to happy hour at Cortile Verga. It has a beautiful courtyard and serves cocktails and tapas. A great place for a little amuse bouche before dinner time.
I made some recommendations in day one for where to eat but I didn’t talk about what you should eat. Syracuse has some must-try foods that you should add to your bucket list when visiting. Here are some that you should look for on the menu:
- Pasta Alla Siracusana: This is a fried pasta with anchovies, crumb and cherry tomatoes
- Cavati All Siracusana: A pasta dish made with pork sauce
- Mpanata: A form of pizza pocket with all sorts of fillings
- Pizzolo: Focaccia with fillings such as shrimps and zucchini flowers
- Desserts:
- Granita (an icy treat) made with almond
- Brioche with sugar and toasted almonds
- Giuggiulena (a Sicilian sesame candy)
- Occhi di Santa Lucia is a almond paste with a cherry in the middle
- Cassatedde i Pasqua is a focaccia filled with cinnamon and ricotta
FAQ
How do you get to Syracuse, Sicily?
Fly into Catania, Italy and take the train (or drive) from there (about 1 hour). Alternatively you can come from Palermo but it’s a much longer journey since it’s across the island. It will take about 3.5 hours from Palermo driving or by bus.
How do you get around Syracuse?
A lot of time will be spent in Ortigia which is very walkable. However, there is also easy access to public transit and taxis.
Where should I stay in Syracuse?
Stay in Ortigia to be the most central to most of the key attractions and restaurants. We stayed at B&B Ortigia Bedda. It was a little dated but did the trick and had a great balcony.
Is it Syracuse or Siracusa?
The correct name in English is “Syracuse,” while the Italian name for the city is “Siracusa”. So technically both are correct.
When is the best time of year to visit Syracuse?
Late spring and early fall is shoulder season and the temperatures are comfortable. You’ll find all of Sicily much busier in the summer months, and it can be really hot for touring around in.
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