I’d been planning to write about Syracuse sailing for the longest time. It’s one of our favorite places — not just on the Sicilian coast, but in the entire Mediterranean. And maybe that’s exactly why I kept putting it off… How do you capture the essence of a place you’ve fallen so deeply in love with in just a few paragraphs?
Our Syracuse Sailing
We spent nearly a month in Syracuse in October 2023, as part of our sailing journey around Europe. And of course — we came back again in 2024, this time heading west. Both times, we ended up staying longer than planned. Something about Sicily just makes you linger — and Syracuse pulled us in once again. There are places in the world that just fit you — and you fit them. For us, Syracuse is one of those rare places.
Everything we’re sharing in this post is based on our experiences from both of those visits. If you’d like a quick refresher on where we were before arriving in Syracuse, check out Module 12 — that’s where we talk about our sail along the southern coast of Sicily. In 2023, Syracuse was one of our final stops before wintering in Greece — a beautiful way to wrap up the season.
Syracuse – Location
Syracuse sits on the eastern coast of Sicily, along the Ionian Sea. Its historic heart is the island of Ortigia, connected to the mainland by a few bridges. This is where you’ll find most of the city’s ancient landmarks and charming alleyways. The modern part of Syracuse stretches out on the mainland — that’s where you’ll find bigger shops, supermarkets, and more contemporary city infrastructure.
Why Syracuse Stole Our Hearts
Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why a certain place stays with you long after you’ve left — but with Syracuse sailing, we can try to name a few reasons. In this post, we’ll focus on the city from a sailor’s perspective, and in the next part, we’ll dive into the more classic, tourist-side of things.
Syracuse: A Maritime Legacy
An Ancient Port of Power
Located on Sicily’s eastern coast, Syracuse has held maritime importance since ancient times. It was once a naval powerhouse, rivaling Carthage and Athens for control of the Mediterranean. Its strategic port served both military and commercial fleets, and its natural harbor — nestled around the island of Ortigia — still offers excellent protection from wind and waves for today’s sailors.
The Legend of Archimedes
One of the most fascinating tales from ancient Syracuse is the legendary story of Archimedes and his fiery defense of the city. During the Roman siege (214–212 BCE), it’s said that Archimedes used a system of mirrors to concentrate sunlight and set enemy ships ablaze. Whether myth or fact, it’s a story that perfectly reflects the ingenuity and maritime spirit woven into Syracuse’s history.
Fast Forward to Today
But let’s fast-forward to the present! Syracuse may be steeped in history, but its appeal is far from ancient. It’s a city that continues to welcome sailors from all over the world, offering safe harbor, timeless charm, and a sense of belonging that’s hard to put into words.
Anchoring In Syracuse
One of the Best Natural Harbors in the Med – Syracuse Sailing
Syracuse offers one of the finest natural anchorages on the entire Mediterranean— a safe haven for yachts in virtually all conditions. And we say that from personal experience. We weathered storms with heavy rain, strong winds, and through it all, our floating home stayed completely secure. Even when we left it alone for a few days — checked on twice daily while we stayed ashore (more on that soon!) — it remained perfectly safe.
Spacious, Sheltered, and Reliable
The anchorage in Syracuse is vast and well protected from nearly every direction. The only exception is when winds blow from the east, leaving the bay a bit more exposed — but even then, you can simply reposition toward the northern or southern ends of the bay, where the conditions are much calmer. There’s plenty of space, even when many yachts are anchored at once.
The holding is excellent, with depths ranging from 3 to 8 meters and solid ground beneath — what more could you ask for? It’s a recipe for restful nights and worry-free days on the hook.
Afternoon Breezes? Nothing to Worry About
Occasionally, a light afternoon breeze from the south or southeast rolls into the bay, creating a bit of chop. But it’s nothing that disrupts a comfortable stay at anchor.
Marinas in Syracuse
Two Main Options
For sailors who prefer the comfort of a marina, Syracuse offers two main options: Marina Yachting Siracusa and Yacht Club Lakkios. However, these aren’t the most budget-friendly places to dock, which is why cruisers like us typically opt for anchoring out instead.
Damage at Marina Yachting Siracusa
It’s worth noting that Marina Yachting Siracusa suffered serious damage during a storm in January 2024. A large passenger cruise ship, moored at the city quay, broke free during the winter gale and was pushed by strong winds straight into the marina. The impact destroyed several docks and yachts in its path. The marina took a long time to recover and return to normal operations — you can read more about that here.
Water and Fuel Access – Syracuse Sailing
At Marina Yachting Siracusa, you can refill your water tanks for a fee of €20 without needing to dock inside and pay for the night. Unfortunately, our experience with the water quality wasn’t great — it had an oddly sweet taste and was completely undrinkable. In the end, we had to drain both our tanks in Catania. The unusual flavor might be related to the region’s volcanic activity, though of course, things may have improved since then.
Still, we highly recommend testing the water with a tester before filling your tanks. (We’ve written more about testing the water here.)
There’s also a fuel station at the marina, which is a convenient stop for topping up.
The Town Quay – Syracuse
An Alternative Docking Spot – Syracuse Sailing
Just south of the marina, the concrete town quay offers additional berthing options. Availability and prices vary depending on the season — in the off-season, it’s sometimes possible to stay there for free, while during peak season, the space is often taken over by superyachts and tourist boats, with significantly higher fees.
Syracuse Town Quay – pros and cons
The downside? The quay is exposed to strong wake from vessels entering the port, and it’s right next to a busy promenade, which can make for a noisy and less peaceful stay. In the afternoons, southerly breezes tend to push boats toward the concrete wall, and in the summer, the quay is also exposed to prevailing westerly winds, making mooring conditions quite uncomfortable at times.
Before docking at the city quay, be sure to contact the port authority to be assigned an appropriate spot.
Formalities – Syracuse Sailing
Checking In with Port Control
Whether you’re heading into the marina or anchoring out in the bay, it’s technically required to check in with the port authority before entering. In practice, however, responses can be hit or miss — sometimes they reply promptly, other times not at all.
Where to Leave Your Dinghy – Syracuse Sailing
When you’re anchored offshore, the next big question is: Where can you safely leave your dinghy when heading into town? Whenever we arrive in a new place, we usually check the NoForeignLand app, where fellow sailors mark useful infrastructure. That said, here’s what we found works best in Syracuse sailing:
Option 1: The Marina (Our Top Pick)
In our experience, the safest place to leave your dinghy is inside the marina. During both of our extended stays in Syracuse, we left ours there regularly without issue. All it takes is a friendly chat with the marinero — they’ll point out where to tie up. Sometimes a small gesture like bringing a sweet treat or a pack of cigarettes helps build goodwill.
Some sailors have reported being asked to pay a small fee (around €5–10), but that never happened to us. And even if it did — that small cost is well worth the peace of mind.
Option 2: The Corner Behind the Fuel Dock
Just outside the marina, around the corner behind the fuel station, there’s a public quay where you can tie up your dinghy to the metal rings. Keep in mind, this area lies outside the marina grounds, so it’s less secure. If you choose this spot, we strongly recommend using a chain and padlock to secure your dinghy.
Option 3: The Canal Dock Near the Archimedes Statue
Another option is the concrete quay in the canal between the new town and Ortigia — just past the bridge, to the left near the statue of Archimedes. We do not recommend this spot.
There have been reports of theft here, and the concrete steps are harsh on dinghies. Add to that the wake from passing tour boats and an awkward climb ashore — and it quickly becomes clear that this isn’t a great choice unless absolutely necessary. If you do use it, make sure your dinghy is locked up securely with a heavy-duty chain and lock.
Option 4: By the Coast Guard for Grocery Runs
When we needed to do some bigger grocery shopping in the new town, we once tied up near the Coast Guard dock. At first glance, it looked safe — but we quickly had second thoughts. The area felt deserted, with only the occasional fisherman around. In other words, ideal conditions for a thief to go unnoticed. Even with a chain, we didn’t feel good about it and never returned after that one time.
Loading groceries from the high concrete dock into the dinghy was also far from convenient.
Bottom line: we do not recommend this spot for leaving your dinghy, especially not for extended periods.
Dinghy Drop-Off Map – Syracuse Sailing
Below is a map showing all the dinghy docking spots we’ve mentioned above. You’ll find even more locations marked on NoForeignLand, but in our opinion, the marina remains the safest choice — even if there’s a small fee involved.
Provisioning in Syracuse
Supermarkets in Syracuse
As mentioned earlier, Ortigia isn’t ideal for big provisioning trips. For that, you’ll want to head into the newer part of Syracuse. The Maxistore and Lidl are the most convenient options — and easiest to reach from the somewhat desolate Coast Guard quay (mentioned above) or via a quick taxi ride from the marina.
There’s also a closer Maxistore, within walking distance from Ortigia, which is more convenient for lighter loads.
Local Market (Our Favorite!)
For your daily food runs, we can’t recommend the local market in Ortigia enough. It’s a sensory delight — bursting with flavors, colors, and scents. You’ll find incredibly fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables, all from local vendors.
Don’t skip the oyster and wine stall — for just €3 you can start your morning with a fresh oyster and a glass of crisp white wine. That stand quickly became our daily go-to during both of our stays!
There are also a few small grocery shops scattered across the island, though their selection is limited and prices noticeably higher.
Eating Out in Syracuse
Well… this is Sicily — you can’t really go wrong with food here!
While we don’t have a specific restaurant to rave about, it’s worth noting that Syracuse has a great range of gluten-free options, including gluten-free arancini — a rare treat!
If you’ve never tried arancini, they’re golden-fried rice balls typically stuffed with ragù, cheese, or tomato sauce — a must-have Siculo specialty.
Laundry
There are a few self-service laundromats in Ortigia’s old town, and even more across the bridge toward the new city. One we used and can recommend is Speed Queen — clean, quick, and easy to use.
Waste Disposal — A True Odyssey
The topic of garbage in Italy — and especially in Sicily — deserves a post of its own. Honestly, it was one of our biggest challenges while sailing this region, even more frustrating than navigating between the mythical Scylla and Charybdis!
Public trash containers are practically nonexistent, and those that do exist are often locked up. This isn’t just poor planning — the waste management system has long been linked to the Sicilian mafia, particularly Cosa Nostra. For decades, they infiltrated the waste sector, taking over public contracts, using them for money laundering, and inflating disposal costs — often with devastating environmental consequences.
Even marinas often keep their bins locked, accessible only to people with a key. In practice, this meant we often had to toss our trash in small public bins just outside the port whenever we went ashore.
Safety in Syracuse
Although we never felt unsafe during our extended stays in Syracuse — or anywhere in Sicily, really — it’s worth noting that petty crime does exist. As we mentioned earlier, there have been occasional thefts of dinghies left unattended in different parts of the city, and even burglaries aboard docked yachts.
We’ve also heard stories (secondhand) of dinghies and gear stolen from boats at anchor, though we’ve never experienced this ourselves or heard of it happening to anyone we know personally.
That said, we believe it’s always better to play it safe, no matter where you are. Here are our basic precautions:
- Always secure your dinghy with a chain, even in “safe” areas
- Lift the dinghy out of the water at night when at anchor
- Lock the boat every time you leave it, even for a short while
These are simple habits that served us well during Syracuse sailing, and we definitely recommend them to fellow sailors. Caution never hurts anyone.
Syracuse Sailing – final thoughts
As we said at the very beginning — Syracuse stole our hearts from day one. We hope this post helped give you a glimpse of the city’s sailor-friendly side and showed you why it’s been drawing mariners in for centuries.
Oh, and we can’t end this without mentioning the absolutely magical sunsets we witnessed here each evening. Those golden hours will stay with us forever.
In the next part, we’ll take you for a stroll through the charming alleys of Ortigia and share the tourist side of Syracuse, because there’s truly so much to see and do here.
If you have any questions about Syracuse sailing or any other aspect of full-time cruising, drop us a message or leave a comment.
We also offer personal sailing consultations to help you chase your sea-bound dreams!
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