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Syracuse Walking tours

Our most recommended Syracuse Walking tours

Syracuse: Ortigia and Neapolis Guided Walking Tour

1. Syracuse: Ortigia and Neapolis Guided Walking Tour

Explore ancient Syracuse on a 3-hour guided tour and learn about early Greek history through architecture and religious practices. The evidence of Syracuse as capital of the Mediterranean is ever-present, and seen in the glory of its Cathedral, the ancient Temple of Athena, the Greek Theater and the Roman Amphitheater. Admire the beauty of the Cathedral of Syracuse, which incorporates the pagan Temple of Athena. Learn about its various architectural styles from your guide. Continue to the Archeological Park to see the Paradise Latomia and the Ear of Dionysos. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Ionian Sea from the Greek Theater.

Syracuse: Neapolis Archaeological Park Tour

2. Syracuse: Neapolis Archaeological Park Tour

Meet your certified guide at the entrance gate of the Neapolis Archaeological Park and visit the most important ancient Greek and Roman monuments in Syracuse. Discover the history and archaeological importance of this ancient Greek sight from your knowledgeable guide. During your walking tour, see the ancient Greek theatre, cut in the rock of the Yemenite Hill, and explore the "Latomie del Paradiso", an ancient stone quarry with beautiful local flora. Next, marvel at the legendary "Ear of Dionysius", located inside the quarries. Be amazed by this grotto famed for its shape and echoing sounds. Finish your tour with a visit to the altar of Hieron and the Roman amphitheater.

Syracuse: Greek Theater and Neapolis Guided Walking Tour

3. Syracuse: Greek Theater and Neapolis Guided Walking Tour

Visit one of the largest Greek theaters in the Mediterranean, the Ear of Dionysus, the Latomie, and the Cordari Cave with a guide. Step back in time as you learn about the history and myths of the Neapolis Archaeological Park. If you choose a tour in Italian, attend the show Il mito di Aretusa. After reaching the entrance of the Neapolis in Syracuse, you will meet our guide waiting for you. You will carry out a short briefing, where the origins of this city will be explained to you and then enter inside the archaeological park of Neapolis. Here it will be possible to visit the Latomie, the ancient stone quarries from which the material for the construction of the city has been extracted for centuries. Formerly places of heavy work and imprisonment, today the Latomie have changed their faces by covering themselves with greenery.  Visiting the latomie you will meet the legendary Ear of Dionysius, known for its typical shape and for its particular acoustics. You will be told the story of the tyrant Dionysius and the legend of this cave. You will continue with the view of the Grotta dei Cordari and then reach the Greek Theater. From the upper terrace you can admire the suggestive Fountain of the Nymphaeum and the wonderful panorama overlooking the large port. After leaving the theater, you will move to the Altar of Hieron II, the largest stone altar built in the Greek world. The last monument you will visit in Neapolis is the Roman Amphitheater. At this monument the guide will show you the Roman phase of the city, the characteristics of the building and the particularities of the gladiatorial games.

Syracuse: Ortygia Walking Tour

4. Syracuse: Ortygia Walking Tour

Embark on a walking tour crossing the picturesque streets of the old part of Syracuse and discovering the traces left by all the different people who governed Sicily. You will meet your guide at the ancient Greek Apollo Temple where you will be given a short introduction to the history of the town. After a short walk, you will reach Cathedral Square and be surprised by the magnificent bright limestone buildings: the town hall, Palazzo Beneventano, the bishop's palace, and St. Lucy's Church, but most of all the Cathedral itself. It is the only church still in use today which many years ago was a pagan temple, and you should not miss the opportunity to visit its interiors (optional visit, admission fee not included). The tour then continues to Aretusa Fountain near the sea. The myth of Aretusa was told by Ovidius and in its clear fresh water grows papyrus which was probably brought here when Archimedes lived in town. The way back leads through the Jewish Quarter to Via Maestranza, the street where the nobility of the town had their pompous homes. On Archimedes Square, the neoclassical Fountain of Diana remembers once more the glorious past of Syracuse. The tour will end at the local fish and fruit market where you can take a breath of local life, colors, and scents.

Syracuse: Ortigia Island Guided Walking Tour

5. Syracuse: Ortigia Island Guided Walking Tour

Immerse yourself in the history of Syracuse on this guided walking tour of the island of Ortigia. Uncover how major Mediterranean civilizations have left their mark in this unique area as you pass by elegant buildings, sculptures, fountains, and grand squares. Meet your guide at Piazza Emanuele Pancali, 8 Siracusa. Follow your guide as they effortlessly navigate through a maze of narrow streets until you reach the 6th century ruins of the Apollo Temple. Walk to Piazza Archimede to admire a classical fountain that depicts the mythical goddess Diana. Pass through charming shops and alley restaurants as you make your way through downtown Ortigia. Finally, reach the Piazza Duomo which opens out into a wide space that is surrounded by breathtaking Baroque architecture. End your walk here, where you can take some time to admire the Cathedral of Syracuse which was built atop a Temple to Athena. 

Syracuse: Food & Wine Walking Tour

6. Syracuse: Food & Wine Walking Tour

Enjoy an evening of gastronomic and cultural discoveries with a passionate local guide. Your guide will share the secrets of ancient Syracuse with you and invite you to dine in the authentic family Tavernas hidden among the small streets of Ortigia. These tavernas are always known for their charm, hospitality and, of course, delicious traditional cooking. The tour perfectly combines wine and food with a walking tour of the most important monuments in the old city: Piazza San Rocco; Piazza Duomo; Santa Lucia church; Piazza San Giuseppe; the Jewish district; Piazza Archimede; and many other treasures. Try several typical Syracusan delicatessen, white wine red wine, sweets and liquor. The tour will finish in the heart of Ortigia where You can conitue Your special evening.

Syracuse: Highlights of Ortigia Guided Walking Tour

7. Syracuse: Highlights of Ortigia Guided Walking Tour

Discover a combination of Greek, medieval, and Baroque architecture on this guided walking tour of Ortigia island in Syracuse. Uncover the secrets of Ortigia as you visit a crypt that as a World War II air-raid shelter. Meet your guide in Piazza Emanuele Pancali square in front of the 6th century BC Temple of Apollo. Enter the Church of San Filippo Apostolo alla Giudecca and visit the crypt below the church where people took shelter during bombing campaigns in WWII. Make your way to Piazza Duomo square where you can admire Palazzo Beneventano and the church of Santa Lucia and you can also purchase entrance to the Syracuse Cathedral. You will reach the enchanting Fonte Aretusa, a source of fresh water a few meters from the sea and linked to the love story between Aretusa and Alfeo and on the way back you will cross the Jewish Quarter until you reach Piazza Archimedes: Here you can admire the splendor of the Fountain of Diana, linked to the myth of the Nymph Arethusa, represented together with the Greek Goddess Artemis, in the most important moment in which it is transformed into a source..

Syracuse: Ortigia Guided Walking Tour & Cannolo Tasting

8. Syracuse: Ortigia Guided Walking Tour & Cannolo Tasting

The Walking Tour of Ortigia will start from the Temple of Apollo, the oldest greek temple in Sicily. Continue, then, in the direction of Piazza Archimede, where you can admire the Fountain of Diana, linked to the myth of the nymph Arethusa, who is represented here with the Greek goddess Artemis, the most important moment in which he transformed it into a source. In the days when it is open to the public, you can then reach the Church of San Filippo Apostolo alla Giudecca. Here, in the depths, is hidden a secret Ortigia: you will visit the crypt, an anti-aircraft shelter used in World War II and the well, which was previously a baptismal font. You will arrive in Piazza Duomo. Here you can visit the majestic Cathedral and immediately after, if you want, you can independently visit the Hypogeum. Before ending the tour arriving at the enchanting Fountain Arethusa, linked to the love story between Arethusa and Alfeo, you will have the opportunity to taste the cannoli after assisting in its preparation, a symbol of the Sicilian confectionery art.

Syracuse: Ortygia and Maniace Sunset Walking Tour

9. Syracuse: Ortygia and Maniace Sunset Walking Tour

During the hot summer months the best moment to visit Sicily's towns is at sunset. Ortygia and Maniace at sunset is a late afternoon tour to discover Syracuse's old town center and the Maniace castle, the most important medieval building in town. The tour is lead by an expert, professional guide and small groups are guaranteed. The tour starts at the Apollo temple, at the entrance of Ortygia, where you will learn more about this ancient building but also about the history of Syracuse one of the most important ancient Greek colonies. But Ortygia offers to visitors monuments and details dating back also to the middle-age and to the baroque century. The walk will take you to Piazza Archimede to admire the neoclassic Diana fountain and to Piazza Duomo, the main square with the beautiful baroque cathedral. Then you will continue along the beautiful seaside walk, built on the ancient walls of the town. The guide will lead you to the tip of the island telling about the life in ancient and modern Syracuse. The Maniace castle is an important medieval fortress, built by the emperor Frederick II of Swabia. During the visit you will also visit the interiors of the castle (entrance fee not included) and it will be possible to take some pictures of the beautiful panorama over the bay. The walking tour ends at sunset, reaching the legendary Arethusa spring, also famous for its papyrus plants.

Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour

10. Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour

During this guided tour you will see the following monuments and historical buildings: Venetian Palace, Umberto I bridge, small harbour, Bourbons prison, old spanish walls and Eastern seafront, Viliena Fortress, Jewish Quarter, Maniace Castle, Aretusa Source, Cathedral, St. Lucy alla Badia Church, Alfeo seafront and Porta Marina. Then we will continue our tour by the coast to the sea caves visit and you can live a unique experience: the boat will go into the sea caves wich is the best place to admire stalactites, stalagmites and corals. Some of these caves have peculiar shapes that you will recognize by approaching them, as Dionisio's ear cave, Lovers cave wich has a heart shape and the Doves cave. Last but not least, if you wish, you can also have the chance to enjoy a stop for swimming in our crystal waters.

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What people are saying about Syracuse

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 77 reviews

Giuseppe was an excellent guide providing my wife and I with a wonderful afternoon exploring all of the treasures of Syracuse’s Archeological Park as well as the must-see attractions of Ortigia. As a University of Catania-educated Archeologist he was a font of information on the history of Sicily and Syracuse and all of the various structures and sights that we visited. Engaging, intelligent and spirited, Giuseppe made sure we visited all of the important sights in the area and then brought them to life - highly recommended.

Sebastiano, our guide, was brilliant. Of course, available. He led us to unexplored corners of Ortigia that we would never have found on our own. Narration also rich in anecdotes is curiosity.

Giuseppe was a great guide. He provided informed commentary on the neopolis and Ortigia. He was also comfortable taking questions.

The tour guide was very knowledgeable and the Greek Theatre was so interesting to visit. I recommend this tour.

It currently costs only €15 if bought directly from the stand, which is €10 less than at GYG