Photo: pjt56 --- · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Syracuse
Ortygia's sea-wrapped lanes and great Greek ruins.
Once the greatest Greek city in the world, now a lovely small town: the island of Ortygia with its sea-wrapped lanes and a cathedral built inside a Greek temple, and a vast park of Greek and Roman ruins on the mainland.
Places to see
OrtygiaWalk · The old town on its little island: lanes of honey-coloured stone, a morning food market,…Free- Cathedral of SyracuseChurch · A baroque cathedral front on a gleaming white square; inside, the massive Doric columns…≈ A$4
Fountain of ArethusaSight · A freshwater pool right beside the sea, full of papyrus and ducks, on the seafront…Free
Neapolis Archaeological Park: Greek Theatre
When to go
- Jan16° / 8°Often wetQuiet
- Feb16° / 8°Often wetQuiet
- Mar18° / 9°Some rainQuiet
- Apr20° / 11°Some rainBusy
- May24° / 14°Mostly dryVery busy
- Jun29° / 18°Mostly dryVery busy
- Jul32° / 21°Mostly dryBusy
- Aug32° / 22°Mostly dryBusy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Ortygia. The island old town: baroque squares, the cathedral built into a Greek temple, and the sea all round.
The modern centre. Between the station and Ortygia: cheaper rooms, a short walk from the island.
Flying in
Catania Fontanarossa (CTA): Bus to Syracuse, about 1 h 15 min, ≈ A$12.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Syracuse; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$3. Ortygia and the centre are walkable; the archaeological park is about 30 minutes on foot from Ortygia, or a short bus ride (check).
Tourist tax
Syracuse's city tax: usually about €1.50–2 a person a night in hostels and B&Bs, more in hotels, for the first nights; under-14s don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
Day trips
Catania, about 1 h 15 min by regional train. Lava-stone baroque and a famous fish market.
