One Day in Syracuse, Sicily

Nestled on the southeastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily, Syracuse is a city that encapsulates the essence of Mediterranean history and culture. It’s known for its ancient ruins, baroque architecture, and mesmerizing sea views. This blog post aims to guide you through your day trip to Syracuse, ensuring you see the highlights and get a feel for the city’s character in one day.

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Our one day itinerary includes:

• Morning: Archaeological Park of Neapolis
• Late Morning: Cycling the Pista Ciclabile Siracusa
• Early Afternoon: Stroll Through the Streets of Ortigia
• Late Afternoon: Maniace Castle and Fountain of Arethusa
• Evening: Sunset and Sicilian Cuisine

Morning: Archaeological Park of Neapolis

Start your day early with a visit to the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, one of Sicily’s most important archaeological sites. Don’t miss these sites in the park:

• Greek Theatre, one of the largest of its kind, carved out of the rock face;
• Ear of Dionysius, a limestone cave famous for its unique acoustics;
• Roman Amphitheatre, one of the best preserved archaeological sites, where gladiators once battled.

Though you can visit on foot, we recommend renting bikes and biking over to the park or taking a tour.

If you are interested in a tour, we recommend the Ancient Syracuse: private guided tour of the Neapolis archaeological park.

Late Morning: Pista Ciclabile Siracusa

After finishing your tour of the park, head out on the Pista Ciclabile Siracusa. The cycle path is built on the old Targia railway, and runs about 7 km (4.3 miles) from end to end (14 km or 8.6 miles roundtrip). While it’s short, it is scenic and has some great stopping points for a swim or picnic.

The path starts at the African war memorial, where you head out on the crushed gravel trail. Though we were on mountain bikes, it could be done on most any kind of bike. The gravel alternates with some short paved stretches. There are many spots to stop and walk down to the sea. Our favorite stop was at the ruins at the Tonnara di Santa Panagia. 

Though we biked on our own, we ran into a couple taking this bike tour, who had a great experience with their guide.

If you are interested in more bike rides in Sicily, check out our post on How to Find Safe Havens for Biking in Sicily.

Early Afternoon: Stroll Through the Streets of Ortigia

As the sun climbs higher, make your way to the island of Ortigia, the historical heart of Syracuse. This small island is a treasure trove of baroque palaces, ancient ruins, and bustling markets. Take a leisurely stroll along the narrow streets and waterfront promenades, soaking in the atmosphere. Note that this section is easier to do on foot rather than on bikes. Stop by the Piazza del Duomo to admire the stunning Cathedral of Syracuse, an architectural marvel that incorporates elements of a Greek temple.

Lunch in Ortigia is an affair to remember, with numerous trattorias and cafes offering fresh seafood and Sicilian delicacies. We visited Bistro 18 for lunch. The Mediterranean food was excellent and the owners were super friendly and welcoming. We weren’t the only guests commenting that this was the best meal we had in Sicily.

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Late Afternoon: Maniace Castle and Fountain of Arethusa

Post-lunch, head to the imposing Maniace Castle, situated at the tip of Ortigia. This fortress, constructed between 1232 and 1240 by the Emperor Frederick II, offers panoramic views of the sea and the city. Explore the castle’s interiors, where history blends with myth.

A short walk from the castle leads you to the Fountain of Arethusa, a freshwater spring with a legend that dates back to Greek mythology. Surrounded by papyrus plants, it’s a serene spot to reflect on Syracuse’s ancient past.

Evening: Sunset and Sicilian Cuisine

As the day winds down, find a spot along the waterfront to watch the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. A few spots we’d recommend to watch the sunset are just above the Fountain of Arethusa and the Mikatú wine bar.

For dinner, venture into one of Syracuse’s authentic restaurants. The city’s culinary scene is a mix of Italian classics and Sicilian specialties, with dishes like caponata (a sweet and sour eggplant dish) and fresh fish and seafood taking center stage.

End your day with a stroll through the lively streets of Ortigia, perhaps stopping for a gelato or a glass of Sicilian wine.

A day trip to Syracuse is a journey through centuries of history, culture, and culinary traditions. From the ancient ruins of the Greek Theatre to the baroque beauty of the Cathedral of Syracuse, and from the legends of the Fountain of Arethusa to the flavors of Sicilian cuisine, Syracuse offers a unique experience that captures the essence of Sicily.

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Travel Tips

You may like our other Sicily guides

• How to Plan your Week in Western Sicily Away from the Crowds
• How to Find Safe Havens for Sicily Bike Travel
• How to Plan a Perfect Eastern Sicily Travel Itinerary
• Renting a Car in Sicily: Things to Know Before You Go
• Egadi Islands, Italy: Levanzo Day Trip
• Favignana Day Trip: Exploring the Butterfly Island
• Day Trip Mt. Etna: An Adventure Like No Other

Where to Stay

• Luxury: Grand Hotel Des Etrangers
• Luxury: Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection
• Moderate: Domus Mariae Albergo
• Moderate: Corinzia Casa Vacanze
• Budget: Residence Le Tre Piazze
• Budget: Casa Vacanze Parco Archeologico

How to Get There

Syracuse is less than 1 hour by car and by bus from Catania. Trains from Catania to Syracuse take around 1 hour 30 minutes.

You might like to read our post Renting a Car in Sicily: Things to Know Before You Go before deciding whether to rent a car in Sicily or not.