Hello there! Today we’re taking you to Syracuse – this time from a tourist’s perspective rather than a sailing one. So this post will be helpful not only for sailors, but also for those of you exploring Sicily by land. (For the sailors among you, we’ve put together a separate guide – you’ll find it here).
Sicily, and especially Syracuse, stole our hearts. It’s one of our favorite places in Europe – so much so that every time we visited, we ended up staying longer than planned. We rarely return to the same places, but we made an exception for Syracuse – and we already know we’ll be back again.
In this post, we want to share with you what we think is (and isn’t) worth seeing in Syracuse. As always on our blog, instead of repeating what you’ll find on Wikipedia, we’ll show you our favorite spots through our own eyes. We’ll share personal comments and practical tips along the way.
Syracuse – General Info
Syracuse is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Sicily, located on the island’s eastern coast, right on the Ionian Sea. The city blends the rich history of ancient Greece with that unmistakable Italian vibe and Mediterranean charm. Two main parts make up the city – the modern mainland and the charming island of Ortigia, which forms the historical heart of Syracuse. Connected to the mainland by bridges, Ortigia enchants with its narrow streets, baroque architecture, lively squares, and stunning waterfront. This is where you’ll find the city’s most important historical sites, along with plenty of restaurants, cafés, and a bustling market that give this part of Syracuse its unique character.
So let’s start with the sights and places worth seeing on Ortigia, the oldest part of Syracuse. After that, we’ll move on to what’s worth checking out in the newer part of the city. So, what are our top picks on Ortigia?
Local Market in Syracuse
The local market in Syracuse, located on the island of Ortigia, is one of the most authentic and colorful spots in the city. Every morning (except Sundays), it buzzes with life, drawing in both locals and tourists. Here you’ll find the very best of Sicilian cuisine: fresh seafood and fish straight off the boats, aromatic cheeses and cured meats, olives, spices, bread, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. The scent of food fills the air, you hear chatter, laughter, and the shouts of vendors. It’s the full-on atmosphere of a true Italian mercato.
Be sure to stop by the seafood and fish stalls, where you can often watch vendors skillfully slicing up massive tuna. This was something we were especially drawn to, as we’ve been working on our own fish-cutting skills and loved observing the pros in action.
The market is a great spot for morning shopping or a quick lunch. Many stalls offer ready-to-eat bites like arancini or panini stuffed with local specialties. One of our little traditions became a must-stop at the oyster-and-wine stand. For just 3 euros, you can enjoy a fresh oyster served on a plate featuring none other than Diego Maradona, and wash it down with a cup of white wine served in a plastic cup. Honestly, the perfect way to kick off the day!
During both of our stays in Syracuse, the market wasn’t just a fun place to visit. It became part of our daily routine. We had our favorite stalls and go-to vendors. Unfortunately, less charming stands selling plastic “made-in-China” toys, clothes, and random trinkets occupy part of the market, slightly dampening its authentic vibe.
Also, keep an eye on prices. At some stalls, it can feel like tourists get the “special” rate. It’s a good idea to ask and confirm the price in advance.
Ticket: free
Castello Maniace
Castello Maniace is an impressive medieval fortress located at the very tip of Ortigia Island in Syracuse, surrounded on three sides by the sea. You can actually spot it as you’re sailing into the city.
I won’t give a long history lesson about how many times they rebuilt or burned it down. The castle blends many architectural styles, and many different rulers passed through it. Let’s be honest — that’s true for pretty much any medieval castle: a lot happened.
As with many historic sites, the key question is: do you love medieval castles enough to see another one? 🙂 My approach is this – I don’t just look at whether the castle itself is interesting, but also check what kind of views it offers. That usually helps me decide if it’s worth the visit.
And in this case, the answer was definitely yes. The view from the castle is stunning. You get a wide panorama of the sea and the bay, with our sailboat anchored right there in the distance.
Ticket: €5
Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Syracuse Cathedral
The Cathedral of Syracuse (Duomo di Siracusa), located right on the main square of Ortigia Island, is an impressive blend of history and architecture. It was built on the foundations of an ancient 5th-century BC temple dedicated to Athena. You can still clearly see the original Doric columns within the structure. And that, in our opinion, is what makes it stand out among the many stunning cathedrals and churches you’ll find across Italy.
It’s a great example of how, over the centuries and through changing belief systems, the same buildings were adapted to serve new religions. Like many cathedrals, it’s been rebuilt and modified multiple times, resulting in a fascinating mix of Greek, Byzantine, Norman, Baroque, and Rococo styles. Today, it’s one of the most important and beautiful religious sites in Sicily, drawing both pilgrims and architecture lovers.
If you don’t fall into either of those categories – or, like us, you’ve seen so many Mediterranean cathedrals that you’re starting to question whether it’s worth stepping into another one – we’d say: yes, this one is worth it. Mainly because of those preserved columns from Athena’s 5th-century BC temple. It’s a rare and striking fusion of ancient pagan and Christian architecture that really leaves an impression.
Ticket: €2
Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Piazza Duomo in Syracuse
And since we’re already at the cathedral, stepping outside puts you right onto Piazza Duomo – the main square of Ortigia. Surrounded by elegant, sunlit facades, the square is wide open and wonderfully peaceful. Strolling past café terraces, with the sound of street musicians in the background and the warm Sicilian sun on your skin, is simply a joy. And trust me – the street performers here are a real treat for the senses. One of them, with a jaw-droppingly powerful operatic voice, had us completely mesmerized. To this day, my phone is full of recordings from his performances.
Piazza Duomo is one of those places where you just want to sit down and soak it all in. During our second visit to Syracuse in 2024, the square (along with nearby Castello Maniace) was actually the main venue for side events during the G7 summit. There were artisan stalls, local food stands, concerts, performances by artistic groups, and a big mix of people – locals, tourists, and serious-looking politicians in perfectly tailored suits. And while we’re usually not big fans of crowds, we have to admit – it was a pretty fascinating experience.
Ticket: free
The next spots we’ll mention are the kind you discover just by wandering—no planning, no tickets, no time wasted.
Temple of Apollo in Syracuse
The Temple of Apollo in Syracuse is one of the oldest examples of Doric architecture in Sicily, dating back to the 6th century BC. It’s located right at the entrance to Ortigia Island, making it one of the first sights to greet visitors. Only fragments of the columns and foundations have survived to this day. Over the centuries, the temple was repurposed as a church, a mosque, and even military barracks, giving it a unique, layered history. Fun fact: each of the stone blocks used to build the Temple of Apollo weighed up to 30 tons!
That’s the history – now for the practical side. In our opinion, the Temple of Apollo isn’t one of those places that sticks in your memory for long. Especially if you’ve already seen Greek ruins elsewhere in Europe. It’s more of a symbolic stop during a stroll around Ortigia rather than a destination in itself.
That said, its location is definitely a plus – the ruins sit right in the heart of the city, and grabbing a coffee at a nearby café with a view of ancient columns is a lovely way to take a short break. It’s especially worth a visit in the evening, when the temple is beautifully lit and takes on a slightly more magical vibe.
Ticket: free
Time needed: 15 minutes
Fountain of Diana
The Fountain of Diana, located on Piazza Archimede in the heart of Ortigia, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Syracuse. It depicts a scene from Greek mythology. The goddess Diana protecting the nymph Arethusa from Alpheus – surrounded by dynamic, motion-filled sculptures.
Like the Temple of Apollo, it’s not the kind of place where you’ll spend a lot of time, but it’s definitely worth stopping by. Again – especially in the evening when the fountain is beautifully lit. One tip: the fountain is in the middle of a busy roundabout, which can make getting a good photo a bit of a challenge!
Ticket: free
Time needed: 5–15 minutes
Arethusa Spring (Fonte Aretusa)
The Arethusa Spring is said to be one of the most unique and romantic spots on Ortigia Island in Syracuse. It sits just a few steps from the sea, right by the promenade. This natural freshwater spring, bubbling up so close to the saltwater shore, has fascinated people for centuries.
There’s also a beautiful Greek myth tied to it. Arethusa was a water nymph who caught the attention of the river god Alpheus. Unfortunately, Alpheus didn’t take “no” for an answer and began to chase her. In desperation, Arethusa turned to the goddess Artemis, who transformed her into a spring and hid her here in Sicily. But Alpheus wasn’t about to give up – he turned into a river and, according to legend, flowed beneath the sea all the way from Greece to Syracuse to reunite with his beloved. That’s why people say the waters of the Arethusa Spring still connect with the river Alpheus. The previously mentioned Fountain of Diana also depicts this myth.
As for our take? Well, “romantic” might be a stretch. It’s a small pond, home to a few ducks and lush vegetation – undeniably pretty, but the charm is a bit lost amid the surrounding traffic, touristy promenade, and the general bustle of the city. It’s a spot worth passing by during your walk through Ortigia, but not something to plan your day around.
Ticket: free
Time needed: 5–20 minutes
Archimedes Monument in Syracuse
The Archimedes Monument in Syracuse honors the great mathematician and inventor who was born right here in the city. It was supposedly during a bath in this very place that he shouted his famous “Eureka!” – discovering the principle of buoyancy. The statue stands as a reminder of his extraordinary contributions to science and to the legacy of Syracuse itself.
Ticket: free
Time needed: 5–10 minutes
Enzo Maiorca Memorial
And now for something a little less obvious – the Enzo Maiorca memorial plaque. Remember the cult classic The Big Blue and the rivalry between two freedivers? One of them, portrayed by the unforgettable Jean Reno, drew loose inspiration from Enzo Maiorca, an exceptional diver born in Syracuse.
While to most it’s just a small plaque by the promenade, for us – as divers and fans of The Big Blue – it was a must-see stop on the Syracuse map.
Ticket: free
Time needed: 5 minutes
Two more places we wouldn’t exactly call must-sees in Syracuse:
Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia
Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia is a Baroque church located on the southern end of Piazza Duomo, which we wrote about earlier. The church is dedicated to Saint Lucy, the patron saint of Syracuse, who, according to Christian tradition, was buried here.
Older guidebooks will tell you that one of the city’s most valuable works of art is housed here – The Burial of Saint Lucy by Caravaggio, painted in 1608 specifically for Syracuse. Yep, we fell for that too!
In reality, the original painting is no longer in this church. It was moved to the Church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro, located outside the island of Ortigia. What you’ll find in Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia is just a copy – and frankly, not a great one.
So, unless you’re a fan of sacred architecture, we’d say you can probably skip this one.
Ticket: free
Time needed: 15–30 minutes
Puppet Museum
Syracuse is also home to a Puppet Museum. It showcases the colorful tradition of Sicilian puppet theatre – full of knights, dragons, and legendary tales. If you’re into that kind of thing, you’ll definitely appreciate the detail and atmosphere.
We’re no experts in this art form ourselves, but still found it to be an interesting little stop. That said, we wouldn’t count it as a must-see. It is more of a fun curiosity if you happen to have some extra time on your hands.
Ticket: €6
Time needed: 30–60 minutes
That’s it for Ortigia! So now, let’s head over to the new part of Syracuse. Here, somewhat paradoxically, we found some of the most impressive and memorable sites of our entire visit.
Catacombs of St. John (Catacombe di San Giovanni)
The Catacombe di San Giovanni is an ancient underground burial site dating back to the early Christian era. They lie beneath the ruins of the Church of St. John the Evangelist and form an extensive network of tunnels and burial chambers decorated with Christian symbols.
Although we’ve had the chance to visit early Christian catacombs in various places across Europe, these are definitely among our favorites. Why? Because many of the burial chamber facades still feature beautiful paintings and frescoes that families used to honor their loved ones. They really leave an impression.
The Catacombs of St. John in Syracuse are also home to the oldest known depiction of the Nativity scene in Christian art. It’s part of the marble sarcophagus of Adelphia, dated to the 4th century AD, which was discovered in these catacombs in 1872. The relief shows the Adoration of the Christ Child by the Three Wise Men. Today, the original sarcophagus is housed in the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi, but you can see a faithful replica in the Catacombs.
A major plus is that guides lead all visits to the catacombs. Thanks to this, you don’t just get the history of the site, but you can really immerse yourself in what life might have been like for early Christians in Europe. Without the guide’s storytelling and their tips about the details in specific tombs, the place definitely wouldn’t have made such an impact. For us, it’s a clear number one among the must-see spots in Syracuse!
Photography is not allowed inside.
Ticket: €8
Time: 1–1.5 hours, guided tours only
Latomie del Paradiso
Latomie del Paradiso is one of the most unique spots in Syracuse. These former stone quarries today feel more like a magical garden than a place of hard labor. In ancient times, workers extracted the stone used to build the city from this site, and later, authorities used it as a prison.
The most striking feature here is the famous “Ear of Dionysius” – a tall, narrow cave with incredible acoustics. According to legend, the tyrant Dionysius used the cave’s shape to eavesdrop on prisoners’ conversations and uncover conspiracies. Whether or not that’s true, the place is seriously impressive – both for its sheer scale and its mysterious atmosphere.
Visiting the quarries is also a great chance to escape into nature for a bit and take a breather from the bustling streets of Syracuse. Lush greenery and shaded grottoes offer a cool, peaceful refuge from the intense Sicilian heat.
Ticket: €10
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi
Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi is one of the most important archaeological museums in Italy – an absolute treat for history and antiquity lovers. It’s housed in a modern building, just a short walk from the Catacombs of St. John. The exhibition follows a chronological layout and covers thousands of years of Sicilian history—from prehistoric times all the way to the Roman era.
The museum is modern, thoughtfully curated, aesthetically pleasing, and well-labeled throughout. When planning our visit, we were especially excited to see the famous “Venus Landolina” statue – the “Venus emerging from the waves.” It’s a Roman copy of a Hellenistic sculpture from the 1st century, showing the goddess in the classic pudica pose, modestly covering herself. Unfortunately, that section was closed for renovation during our visit.
Even so, I’d still say Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi is one of the best archaeological museums in the Mediterranean region. And we’ve been to quite a few, just like with cathedrals and Greek temples.
Standard ticket: €10 (free entry on the first Sunday of the month).
Combined ticket with Neapolis Archaeological Park: €22.
Time: 2–3 hours
Neapolis Archaeological Park
Another must-see for history buffs in Syracuse is the Neapolis Archaeological Park. One of its key highlights is the monumental Altar of Hieron II (Ara di Ierone) – the largest known altar of the ancient world, measuring nearly 200 meters long and 23 meters wide. Built in the 3rd century BCE, it was likely dedicated to Zeus and used for sacrifices. Tradition says people offered up to 450 bulls during ceremonies here! Today, only the foundations remain, but their massive scale is still seriously impressive.
The park also features two stunning ancient landmarks: the Greek theatre and the Roman amphitheatre. The theatre, carved into the slope of Temenite Hill, is one of the largest in the Greek world. It was built in the 5th century BCE and stands out for its exceptional acoustics and panoramic view over the bay. Not far away, you’ll find the Roman amphitheatre from the 1st century CE, partially hewn from the rock. In the past, it hosted gladiator fights and other public spectacles.
Before visiting, I found a few negative reviews online – and to be fair, some of their points hold true. The ruins aren’t very well signposted, and the walking route isn’t clearly marked. Still, I honestly think these minor drawbacks shouldn’t put you off. The park is absolutely worth it. Tthe scale, the history, the natural surroundings… just wandering through the ancient ruins is a memorable experience in itself.
Standard ticket: €17. (A bit steep in my opinion – I recommend getting the combined ticket).
Combined ticket with Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi: €22
Time: 2–3 hours
Basilica of Saint Lucia
The Basilica of Saint Lucia (Santa Lucia al Sepolcro) in Syracuse is a site of exceptional historical and artistic importance. Since 2020, it has housed the monumental painting we mentioned earlier – Caravaggio’s Burial of Saint Lucy (Seppellimento di Santa Lucia), painted in 1608. This large-scale work, measuring 408 × 300 cm, depicts the burial of Syracuse’s patron saint, who, according to legend, was martyred in the city for her Christian faith.
If you’re planning to visit, make sure to bring coins – 0.5, 1, or 2 euros. You’ll need them to illuminate the painting at the altar. Without the lighting, the painting is quite dark, and it’s hard to appreciate all its details.
Ticket: Free (but don’t forget those coins if you want to light up the painting)
Time: 30 minutes
Sanctuary of the Weeping Madonna
The Sanctuary of the Weeping Madonna (Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime) in Syracuse, Sicily, is a strikingly modern basilica commemorating a miraculous event from 1953. Between August 29 and September 1 of that year, a plaster image of the Virgin Mary in the home of a young couple was said to have shed human tears. Not once, but 58 times! This phenomenon drew thousands of pilgrims and was later officially recognized by the Catholic Church as a genuine miracle.
The sanctuary also features a Polish connection – a chapel dedicated to the Eucharistic miracle in Sokółka.
I’d especially recommend this place to Catholics and fans of contemporary religious architecture – others might not find it particularly engaging. As for the building itself, in my opinion, it’s not the most beautiful. I personally lean much more toward appreciating Gothic than concrete forms.
Ticket: Free
Time: max 30 minutes
Summary
And so we come to the end of our long list of recommendations and tips for exploring Syracuse. As you’ve probably noticed by now, there’s a lot to see here. And a lot of variety – so truly, there’s something for everyone. We spent almost a month in Syracuse during our first stay, and not much less the second time around, which gave us plenty of time to explore all of these places.
If your visit is shorter, it’s definitely worth picking a few highlights based on what we’ve described. Interestingly, many of the must-sees are actually located in the newer part of the city! Still, don’t miss Ortigia – especially the local market, Piazza Duomo, the cathedral, and the castle.
Our personal favorites? We love the Catacombs and Latomia del Paradiso. And if you have time left, definitely check out the archaeological museum too.
Also worth noting: Syracuse keeps attraction prices relatively affordable compared to other historical sites in Italy or the wider Mediterranean region. Many places are free to visit. On the first Sunday of each month, both the Archaeological Park and the Museo Archeologico offer free entry. Definitely something to take advantage of!
Just remember to always check current info and prices – everything listed in this post is accurate as of 2025.
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