Markets, Greek theaters and Baroque towns
This is leg 2 of 2, the final leg.
Travel leg · Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse
Taormina to Syracuse
Taormina and Syracuse sit about 86 km (54 mi) apart in a straight line, with Syracuse to the south. It is leg 2 of 2 on our Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse itinerary, an 8-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 86 km · 54 mi
- Est. road distance
- 104–121 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 15 min – 2 h 30 min
- Direction
- Heading south
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 104–121 km (64–75 mi) of road and 1 h 15 min – 2 h 30 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
By train
Our Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse guide also mentions trains for parts of the trip. Whether a direct train links Taormina and Syracuse depends on the line — check timetables.
A rental car is easiest, though Palermo's center is best on foot. Buses (SAIS, Interbus) link Palermo, Catania, Taormina and Syracuse, and Noto is a short train or bus ride from Syracuse.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Syracuse
Ancient Greek city centered on the island of Ortigia, close to Noto. Stay 3 days.
Ortigia
Island old town of limestone lanes, sea walls and small piazzas.
Vendicari Nature Reserve
Coastal reserve with lagoons, flamingos and undeveloped beaches.
Caseificio Borderi
Ortigia market cheesemonger known for huge made-to-order sandwiches.
Planeta Buonivini
Planeta's Noto estate offering Nero d'Avola and olive oil tastings.
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.
Before you leave Taormina
Clifftop resort town facing Etna and the Ionian Sea. Stay 2–3 days.
On this curated route
Where Taormina → Syracuse sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Syracuse to Taormina is the same 86 km in a straight line, heading north. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in July, when Syracuse averages highs 4°C warmer than Taormina.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taormina high | 13° | 13° | 16° | 19° | 23° | 28° | 32° | 32° | 27° | 23° | 18° | 14° |
| Syracuse high | 15° | 15° | 18° | 21° | 26° | 32° | 36° | 35° | 30° | 25° | 20° | 16° |
| Taormina rain | 76 | 68 | 60 | 44 | 21 | 19 | 10 | 16 | 60 | 76 | 89 | 88 |
| Syracuse rain | 70 | 62 | 48 | 31 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 54 | 70 | 87 | 82 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Syracuse month guides.
Taormina to Syracuse: questions travelers ask
How far is Taormina from Syracuse?
Taormina is about 86 km (54 mi) from Syracuse in a straight line, with Syracuse to the south. By road, we estimate 104–121 km (64–75 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Taormina to Syracuse?
An estimated 1 h 15 min – 2 h 30 min, assuming 104–121 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Taormina to Syracuse?
Our Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse itinerary includes this leg. Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse runs about 8 days across 3 stops, best in Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct.
Getting to Taormina
- Palermo to Taormina 171 km
Guides for both ends
- Taormina travel guide
- Taormina weather best time to visit
- Syracuse travel guide
- Syracuse weather best time to visit
Syracuse by month
Plan Taormina → Syracuse with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.