Italy
Syracuse
Ancient Greek city centered on the island of Ortigia, close to Noto. Stay 3 days. This guide pulls together 6 sights, 1 outdoor spot and 2 places to eat from our curated routes.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- November
6 See · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse
from our route notes
36°C / 97°F avg high
15°C / 59°F avg high
about 87 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Syracuse
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
6 sights worth building a day around across Ortigia, Neapolis and Tiche. 3 of them are free.
Photo: Loris Abbati · GoogleSeeOrtigia
Island old town of limestone lanes, sea walls and small piazzas.
Tip Walk the sea wall at sunset.
Photo: pjt56 --- · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Vineta Mekša · GoogleSeeNeapolis Archaeological Park
Greek theater, Roman amphitheater and the Ear of Dionysius cave.
Tip Little shade; arrive at opening.
Photo: Berthold Werner · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Myriam Breniere · Google
Photo: Alessandro Bonelli · GoogleSeeNoto Cathedral
Rebuilt Baroque cathedral atop a grand staircase on Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
Tip Visit at dusk when the stone glows.
Outdoors
1 outdoor spot for fresh air in Vendicari.
Photo: Riserva naturale orientata Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari · GoogleOutdoorsVendicari Nature Reserve
Coastal reserve with lagoons, flamingos and undeveloped beaches.
Tip Bring water; facilities are minimal.
Eat
Where we would book a table in Syracuse across Ortigia and Noto.
Photo: Caseificio Borderi · GoogleEatCaseificio Borderi
Ortigia market cheesemonger known for huge made-to-order sandwiches.
Tip Lunch only, closed Sundays; expect a line.
Photo: Caffè Sicilia · Google
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Syracuse in Noto.
Photo: Planeta Buonivini · GoogleDrinkPlaneta Buonivini
Planeta's Noto estate offering Nero d'Avola and olive oil tastings.
Tip Book ahead; tastings are seasonal.
How to fit Syracuse into a trip
Syracuse is stop 3 of 3 on our Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse route. Follow it as-is or lift Syracuse into your own plan.
Stop 3 of 3
Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse
Markets, Greek theaters and Baroque towns
- Trip length
- 8 days
- Best season
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
- Pace
- moderate
- Before: Taormina
Getting here and onward
- Taormina to SyracuseTaormina is about 86 km / 54 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Syracuse month by month
Average daily highs run from 15°C / 59°F in January to 36°C / 97°F in July. November is the wettest month, with about 87 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan15° / 59°F average high
- Feb15° / 60°F average high
- Mar18° / 64°F average high
- Apr21° / 70°F average high, in our recommended season
- May26° / 79°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun32° / 90°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul36° / 97°F average high
- Aug35° / 96°F average high
- Sep30° / 86°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct25° / 78°F average high, in our recommended season
- Nov20° / 69°F average high
- Dec16° / 61°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Syracuse weather and the best time to visit →
Near Syracuse
2 other destinations from our guides within about 250 km (155 mi), measured in a straight line.
Syracuse questions, answered
How many days do you need in Syracuse?
Our route notes suggest 3 days in Syracuse. On our Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 15 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Syracuse best known for?
Ancient Greek city centered on the island of Ortigia, close to Noto. Stay 3 days. Standouts on our list: Ortigia (Island old town of limestone lanes, sea walls and small piazzas); Syracuse Cathedral (Baroque facade over a Greek temple of Athena, columns still visible inside); Neapolis Archaeological Park (Greek theater, Roman amphitheater and the Ear of Dionysius cave).
When is the best time to visit Syracuse?
Our Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse route is best Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (36°C / 97°F), the coolest in January (15°C / 59°F) and the most rain in November (about 87 mm).
What are the best things to do in Syracuse?
Start with Ortigia, Syracuse Cathedral, Neapolis Archaeological Park, Fountain of Arethusa and Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 6 sights, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Syracuse?
Our picks: Caseificio Borderi (Ortigia); Caffè Sicilia (Noto). Lunch only, closed Sundays; expect a line (Caseificio Borderi).
What is near Syracuse?
The closest destinations in our guides are Taormina (about 86 km / 54 mi) and Palermo (about 205 km / 128 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Syracuse with your crew
Open the Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.
Plan around Syracuse
- Italy travel hub
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- Best Outdoor Spots in Italy 16 places
- Best Shopping in Italy 8 places
- Syracuse weather by month