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Temple of Apollo, Syracuse

Temple of Apollo, Syracuse: Our most recommended tours and activities

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.

Catania: Syracuse, Ortigia, and Noto Tour with Brunch

2. Catania: Syracuse, Ortigia, and Noto Tour with Brunch

After being picked up from your accommodation in Catania, visit the magnificent Neapolis in Syracuse. Declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2005, this famous archaeological park houses a Greek theatre. With the help of a guide sheet, admire the impressive ruins of this stunning site. After visiting Syracuse, journey to the lovely peninsula of Ortigia. Starting from the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, enjoy a gentle stroll to reach the spectacular white cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Take in this idyllic cathedral, before stopping off at the Fountain of Arethusa, a legendary freshwater spring. For lunch, you have the option to enjoy a rich brunch made of typical Sicilian products, with water and red wine. Or, if you prefer, you will have 1-hour of free time to have lunch in one of the amazing restaurants in the alleys of the city. Upon reaching Noto, you will explore this jewel of Sicilian Baroque architecture, which is often considered to be an open-air museum. Admire the extraordinary architecture of its many palaces, churches, and stairways. After an exhilarating day, sit back and relax as you are taken back to your hotel in the comfort of a luxurious vehicle. 

Walking tour of Ortigia: the stage of history

3. Walking tour of Ortigia: the stage of history

Your guide is ready to accompany you to discover the beauty that hides in the alleyways of Ortigia. The gathering is 15 minutes prior to departure in Via Malta 8. From there to Piazza Archimede, strolling through the streets of the historic centre and discovering marvellous details carved into the stone of a mantelpiece or an entrance portal, one has the feeling of being told the stories of local tradition as well as the myths and legends that have made Ortigia famous throughout the world. Arriving at Piazza Duomo, we visit the magnificent Cathedral of Syracuse, a thousand-year-old home of the divine, which incorporates the ancient Doric temple dedicated to Athena. The historical dimension in its fullest expression, fascinating dwellings set between period furnishings and frescoed vaults, resulting in a little-known jewel that represents the city's identity. At the Arethusa fountain, we listen to the famous myth of Arethusa and Alphaeus while our gaze travels further until we catch sight of the tip of Ortigia, dominated by the massive Maniace Castle reflected in the waters of the Porto Piccolo.

Siracuse: Guided Velobike Tour

4. Siracuse: Guided Velobike Tour

After being picked up from your accommodation in Ortigia, your Velo Bike tour around the ancient city (Syracuse) will begin. You will be taken to various parts of the island. Syracuse has a unique ecological system, both inside and outside Ortigia On board your electric velobike (rickshaw), your driver will introduce you inside the magnificent labyrinth of Ortigia, giving you the chance to find and photograph the history left by different populations at each stop. The tour also includes the explanation of historical places and the sight of impressive panoramas. At the end of your experience, you have the option to be dropped off at any location of your choice within Ortigia

Syracuse: Highlights of Ortigia Guided Walking Tour

5. 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

6. 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: Ortigia Island Guided Walking Tour

7. 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: Ortygia & Neapolis Archaeological Park Guided Tour

8. Syracuse: Ortygia & Neapolis Archaeological Park Guided Tour

The guided tour of Syracuse will make you discover the historic center located on the island of Ortigia and the Nepolis. Let's start from one of the two bridges that connect Ortigia to the mainland, the Umbertino Bridge with a visit to the Temple of Apollo which dates back to 580 BC. and represents the oldest Doric temple in all of Sicily. We continue in the heart of the island discovering piazza Archimede square, dedicated to the great Syracusan mathematician, with the beautiful Diana Fountain. Walking through the alleys we arrive at piazza della Minerva square, made of white limestone with beautiful buildings that overlook the square. The most important building is the Cathedral of Syracuse dedicated to the Nativity of Mary Most Holy, founded on the remains of the ancient Temple of Athena of which some columns that re-emerge from the walls of the church are still visible both on the external side but above all by visiting the Cathedral at the internal. The imposing façade is built in Baroque and Rococo style and is surrounded by other beautiful buildings overlooking the square, such as the Palazzo del Vermexio seat of the Town Hall, Palazzo Beneventano and the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia, which preserves inside the splendid work of Caravaggio "The burial of Saint Lucia". We continue the guided tour walking towards the sea admiring the Fonte Aretusa, an unusual mirror of fresh water inhabited by fish and ducks and where papyrus plants grow. A few meters away we find the Alfeo seafront, where we conclude the first part of the visit, the oldest stretch of seafront on the island where you can admire the beauty of the sea that surrounds Ortigia and the imposing Maniace Castle, a fortress dating back to the Swabian period that in past it was prison and military barracks. We move to the Archaeological Park of Neapolis with the visit that starts from the Church of San Nicolò ai Cordari of the eleventh century and in the lower part where we find the Roman Pool, large water tanks dug into the rock with pipes that brought the water to the Roman amphitheater for nautical games and water fights. The nearby Roman amphitheater dating back to the Augustus era was in fact used for various shows, the most famous of which were the fights between gladiators: it has an elliptical structure carved into the rock and is spread over three levels. We continue our visit with the Altar of Hieron, the immense altar dedicated to Zeus where the sacrifices of the bulls took place. The guided tour continues towards the Latomie del Paradiso, quarries used for the extraction of stone, of which we will visit the most important, the Ear of Dionysus. The cave is 23 meters high and is very impressive due to the exceptional echo inside it. We conclude the visit to the Nepolis admiring the beautiful Greek theater carved into the stone, the most famous and important monument of the archaeological park, built by the Greeks and renovated by the Romans.

Catania: Syracuse, Ortigia, and Noto Guided Tour

9. Catania: Syracuse, Ortigia, and Noto Guided Tour

Starting from Catania, the first stop of the tour will be Syracuse with its Neapolis, an archaeological park that houses within it important monuments of the Greek and Roman period, such as the Greek Theatre, the Latomie del Paradiso, the Ear of Dionysus and the Roman Amphitheatre. Immediately after you will visit Ortigia, the historical and cultural center of Syracuse, famous for the ruins of the first Greek buildings, such as the Temple of Apollo: the oldest Greek temple in Sicily, dating back to the sixth century BC. Arriving in Piazza Duomo, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, you can visit the majestic Cathedral, the largest and most controversial monument, which stands on the highest point of the city. No less important is the Fountain Arethusa, a mirror of fresh water, located a few meters from the sea, linked to the mythological love story of the nymph Arethusa and the river Alfeo. After lunch, continue the tour with a visit to Noto, a true open-air museum, which has been awarded the title of Baroque capital of Sicily, for the characteristic narrow streets and the Baroque architecture of its palaces and churches, such as the majestic Cathedral, the Palazzo Nicolaci and the long Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

Guided tour of Syracuse, Ortigia and Noto from Taormina

10. Guided tour of Syracuse, Ortigia and Noto from Taormina

Departing from Taormina, the first stop on the tour will be Syracuse with its Neapolis, an archaeological park that houses within it important monuments from the Greek and Roman periods, such as the Greek Theater, the Latomie del Paradiso, the Ear of Dionysus, and the Roman Amphitheater. Immediately afterwards you will visit Ortigia, the historical and cultural center of Syracuse, famous for the ruins of early Greek buildings, such as the Temple of Apollo: the oldest Greek temple in Sicily, dating back to the 6th century BC. Arriving at Piazza Duomo, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, you can visit the majestic Cathedral, the largest and most controversial monument, which stands right on the highest point of the city. No less important is the Arethusa Fountain, a freshwater mirror located just a few meters from the sea, linked to the mythological love story of the nymph Arethusa and the river Alphaeus. After lunch, continue the tour with a visit to Noto, a true open-air museum, which has been given the title of Baroque capital of Sicily, for the characteristic narrow streets and Baroque architecture of its palaces and churches, such as the majestic Cathedral, the Nicolaci Palace and the long Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

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What people are saying about Temple of Apollo, Syracuse

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 179 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.

We didn't get a reminder about the tour the day before as you usually do, we arrived at the wrong time and moved on disappointed, that they didn't know us as they did two days before on the tour in Catania. Very disappointing. Hope we get a refund!

Nice drivers, good and safe vehicles, you drive in the pedestrian zone/sidewalk, vehicles are clean and new, the sights are explained using small boxes, 30 minutes pass quickly, next time I would do the big tour, recommended.

Excelente experiencia en Ortigia! Daniel, nuestro guia y conductor, muy preparado y simpatico Nos mistro las atracciones y algunos datos de Ortigia, que solo algunos conocen Tour muy interesante y comodisimo el Velobike

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