Best of Syracuse Tour
Duration
about 4 hours
Skip-the-line tickets
Pick up at your hotel
Great photo stops
Professional Guides
Activity level
moderate
Sights Included
– Altar of Hiero
– Ear of Dionysus
– Roman Amphitheater
– Baroque piazzas
– Dreamy Mediterranean landscapes
Tour Description
Best of Syracuse Tour: explore one of the most fascinating cities in Sicily with us!
Few regions in the world are as rich in art, archaeology, and history as Sicily. And few cities in Sicily are as charming as Syracuse.
Because of the fertility of its land, the favorable climate, and the great geographical position, large parts of Sicily were occupied by Greek settlers since the 8th century B.C.
Often, they built rich and powerful city-states.
The most important one of them was Syracuse, which was also a major cultural center.
Because of its great past, Syracuse boasts some unmissable archaeological sights, along with impressive baroque squares and breathtaking landscapes.
During your Best of Syracuse tour, you will hit the highlights of the town, and discover all the main sights of the city.
1. Neapolis Archaeological Area
In the first part of your walk, you will visit the ancient Neapolis.
It is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Italy, and it hosts the main ancient Greek and Roman buildings in the area.
Your private guide will tell you about the glorious past of Syracuse, showing you the ruins of its empire.
As you stroll through the ancient buildings, you will see the monumental Altar of Hieron, built by the ruler of the city in the 3rd century B.C.
Then, you will reach the magnificent Greek Theater, built over 2000 years ago and still in use nowadays.
It’s one of the biggest ancient theaters in the world, and it’s almost entirely carved in the natural bedrock.
During the summer, it hosts the most relevant classic drama festival in Italy.
Close to the Theater, there is the famous Dyonisus’ Ear, the monumental entrance to the Latima del Paradiso.
The Latomia is an ancient quarry which, according to the legend, was also used as a prison by the ruler Dionysus.
The peculiar name was given to the quarry’s gate by the great painter Caravaggio.
Syracuse was among the Romans’ toughest enemies during their unstoppable conquest of Italy.
Archimedes, one of the greatest geniuses of all time, was born in Syracuse and put all his intelligence at the service of his homeland, creating war machines that destroyed the Roman ships and allowed Syracuse to resist for months.
Despite its resilience, though, in 212 B.C. the consul Marcellus finally conquered the city, putting an end to Syracuse’s independence.
Syracuse became a prosperous Roman city; the Romans built a beautiful amphitheater for the gladiator’s combats, which is one of the best preserved in Sicily.
2. Ortygia island
After a couple of hours spent exploring archaeological wonders, your Best of Syracuse Tour will continue towards Ortygia, which you and your guide will reach after a short taxi ride.
Ortygia is the most important and picturesque part of the city. It’s a small island connected to the rest of the town by a bridge.
This is where, more than 2700 years ago, the Greeks founded Syracuse near a freshwater spring called Arethusa, which still nowadays feed a beautiful fountain.
A walk through Ortygia will reveal you the most authentic side of Syracuse.
While exploring the small streets and the lovely baroque squares, you will admire some of the most important buildings in the city, such as the Cathedral, a great example of religious continuity.
The Cathedral of Syracuse is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and it was literally built inside the Greek temple of Athena.
Book our Best of Syracuse Tour and enjoy a walk through the ancient and baroque wonders of this enchanted town.
* The order of the sights visited might change. The Cathedral could (rarely) be closed because of religious reasons; in that case, it’ll be shown only from the outside.
Pick-up at your hotel is included only if your hotel is in Ortygia. If you’re staying somewhere else, let us know and we’ll find the best solution for you.
This is the price for 1-6 persons. If you have more people in your group, let us know and we’ll create a customized price.
You MUST bring an ID, a passport or a driver’s license to enter the sights.
39 € per additional person
by cab to Neapolis or Ortygia
If in Ortygia
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or call us at +39 376 165 1457 Your Itinerary
Italian ArtVentures' Feedbacks
Your guides are so friendly and knowledgeable. They made the history accessible and enriching.
You covered every detail, down to lunch reservations, business class train tickets and wonderful air-conditioned transportation with friendly drivers!
Thank you again for all the e-mails to develop a personalized itinerary for a special trip! We give you 5 1/2 stars on a 5 star scale!
