WHAT TO SEE IN SYRACUSE?

Itineraries in Syracuse

1) The Island of Ortigia

Ortigia constitutes the oldest part of the city of Syracuse; it is flanked to the east by several rocks, including a wider but almost entirely submerged one historically known as the Isle of Dogs. There are numerous religious architectures in Ortigia, mostly Christian-Catholic churches; the cathedral of Syracuse, officially the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, stands on the elevated part of the island of Ortigia, incorporating what was once the main Doric-style sacred temple of the polis of Syrakousai, dedicated to Athena and converted to a church with the advent of Christianity. Considered to be the most important church in the city of Syracuse, it became part of the property protected by the 'UNESCO as a world heritage site. Its style is mainly Baroque and Rococo on the outside, while on the inside it alternates between parts dating back to the Sicelian period, since they belonged to the Greek temple, and parts dating back to medieval times, built by the Normans and thus left to the present day. Its internal structure is composed in several naves and chapels, which have a classical and decorated style, also typical of the Baroque. Of great religious significance, it houses statues, relics, and remains of saints, martyrs, and Syracusan nobles. The Temple of Apollo is one of Ortigia's most important monuments and is certainly the oldest Doric temple in the Greek West. Ortigia is also home to the Fountain of Arethusa: a body of water on the island of Ortigia, developed from one of the many outlets of the water table found in Syracuse, the water table that also feeds the Ciane River on the opposite side of the harbor.

2) Greek Theater and Ear of Dionysius

The Neapolis Archaeological Park is a natural area filled with archaeological finds belonging to several periods of Syracuse history. Due to the quantity and relevance of its monuments, it is considered one of the most important archaeological areas in Sicily, as well as among the largest in the Mediterranean. Inside it is the Greek Theater of Syracuse, where in Greek times great tragedies and comedies were performed there. Even today at the Greek Theater the splendors of the past are revived, bringing Greek tragedies to the stage in the spring-summer period. Below the Greek Theater of Syracuse is the Ear of Dionysius, or Ear of Dionysius, an artificial cave in the ancient stone quarry known as the Latomia del Paradiso, below the Greek Theater of Syracuse. According to tradition, the tyrant Dionysius had the cave excavated where he locked up prisoners and, lurking inside an upper cavity, listened to their speeches. Due to its shape, the Ear of Dionysius possesses acoustic characteristics such that it amplifies sounds up to sixteen times.

3) Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve

The Cavagrande del Cassibile Oriented Nature Reserve is a protected natural area located in the municipalities of Avola, Noto and Syracuse. The reserve is characterized by the course of the Cassibile River and is home to various riches both from a naturalistic-landscape point of view and from an archaeological and anthropological point of view, since the whole area has been inhabited over the millennia and considerable evidence of this has remained in tombs and artifacts. What makes the quarries spectacular because of the flow of waterways is the morphology of the great canyon of Cava Grande del Cassibile, the Kakyparis of the Greeks. At the bottom of the valley a system of small waterfalls and ponds has formed, a source of summer refreshment for its numerous visitors, which can be accessed by an ancient and evocative staircase known as La Scala Cruci. On the southern slope is a complex system of dwellings carved into the rock, arranged side by side on six different parallel levels, connected by a system of tunnels and galleries called dieri di Cavagrande.

4) Noto the Baroque Capital

Noto occupies more than a quarter of the Province of Syracuse and is the largest municipality in Sicily; in 2002 its historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the other late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto. It is situated in the southwestern part of the province at the foot of the Iblei Mountains. Its coast, between Avola and Pachino, gives its name to the gulf of the same name. The city's streets are interspersed with scenic squares and imposing stairways that connect terraces and slopes. The architects who worked in Noto engaged in elaborate architecture, employing concave, convex or even curvilinear facades. The Baroque of Noto pervades the entire city: the Baroque elements are not isolated within an urban context characterized by different styles, but are interconnected to create what has been called the "perfect Baroque city." The Cathedral Basilica of St. Nicholas: included in the world list of World Heritage Sites by the 'UNESCO is the end result of an eighteenth-/nineteenth-century reconstruction in which the three major exponents of the Netino Baroque actively participated. The interior of the church has a Latin cross plan and is divided into three naves. Notable works include a copy of the Spasimo of Sicily, a marble sculpture depicting St. Michael the Archangel, and a bas-relief of the Madonna delle Grazie from Noto Antica. The back chapel of the right aisle holds the precious 16th-century wooden ark covered in silver foil, finely embossed and chiseled, containing the remains of the patron saint of the city and Diocese of Noto, which can only be seen during the festivities dedicated to the saint in February and August. Another place of interest is the Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata: located on Via Corrado Nicolaci, where the Infiorata takes place every year. Its Baroque-style facade features a wide portal flanked by two large Ionic columns and surmounted by a balcony, as well as six smaller balconies supported by corbels carved one differently from the other, with the likenesses of lions, children, centaurs, winged horses, chimeras and mermaids. The 'infiorata takes place every third Sunday in May on Nicolaci Street, which is covered with a carpet of flowers divided into squares depicting designs (which change in theme each year).

5) Marzamemi

Marzamemi is a hamlet of the municipality of Pachino, the village was born around the landing place, which later became a fishing port, and developed thanks to the latter activity, which is still much practiced today, also endowing itself with a tonnara, among the most important in Sicily. Marzamemi's tonnara dates back to the time of Spanish rule in Sicily and on average fished about 2,000 tuna per year. The nucleus of the tonnara consists of the Regina Margherita square and the manor house; the building is made of sandstone and the portal depicts the Nicolaci family crest. In the square is the little old church of the tonnara, built of sandstone, with a simple but elegant facade, where a small bell tower stands out on one side and an arch on the other. Still visible are the Arab courtyard and the fishermen's cottages surrounding Regina Margherita Square, including the bakery house and the rationale house.

6) Vendicari Reserve

The Vendicari Oriented Nature Reserve Wildlife Oasis is a protected natural area located between Noto and Marzamemi. Particularly important for the presence of marshes that serve as a resting place in the migration of birds. Within the Reserve there are several archaeological and architectural settlements that testify to the life of man in these places since Greek times. In fact, it is possible to find traces of storage tanks of an ancient fish-processing establishment from the Hellenistic period, next to which a small necropolis was also discovered. The Swabian Tower testifies to the strategic interest of the area for the defense of the coast. Not far away is the tuna fishery of Vendicari, a decaying building that still preserves the chimney in good condition, as well as various establishments and fishermen's houses! The Vendicari salt pans had economic importance for a long time, certainly in support of the tuna fishery for fish preservation. The earliest facilities date back to the 15th century and, to this day, vestiges remain on the Pantano Grande. Numerous species of birds stop at Vendicari, and December is the best time for bird watching (birdwatching).

7) The Plemmirio Marine Protected Area.

The Plemmirio Marine Protected Area is a marine protected area located on the east coast of Syracuse and was established in 2004. It covers a perimeter along the eastern part of the Maddalena Peninsula, with an area of 2,429 hectares of protected sea. Its extreme tip is in Cape Murro di Porco, washed by the Gulf of Noto. The area is of great importance from the point of view of flora and fauna, but also from a historical point of view. A crossroads for the passage of ships and ships of Carthaginians, Romans and Greeks, the Plemmirio area hosts in the seabed several amphora necks and relics from various eras, including those from the last World War, among them the wreck of a British Vickers Wellington bomber from World War II was discovered along the waters of the reserve at a depth of 36 meters. The plane was shot down at 2 a.m. on July 9, 1943 during Operation Husky.

8) Portopalo di Capo Passero and island of currents

Portopalo di Capo Passero is the southernmost municipality on the Sicilian island. Its territory includes the island of Capo Passero, a few dozen meters from the mainland, and the island of Correnti. The former was once a peninsula, while the latter still becomes one during low tide. Portopalo is bathed by the two seas that have their meeting point here: the Ionian and the Sea of Sicily. On the Ionian once stood the small port where the fishermen's cottages are still present, although now almost falling apart. On the island of Capo Passero is the so-called Fort of Capo Passero, wanted by the viceroy of Sicily Marcantonio Colonna. On the island of Correnti stands a lighthouse, where decades ago the farista with his family stayed, rectangular in shape, with a large square in front.

9) Monello Cave Nature Reserve

The Grotta Monello Integral Nature Reserve is a protected natural area located in the municipal territory of Syracuse and is situated in the eastern sector of the Hyblean plateau. The reserve was established with the aim of protecting the exceptional development of stalactites and stalagmites and the rich cave fauna identified within Monello Cave. Monello Cave was first discovered and partially explored in the fall of 1948 by Lucio Vizzini. During a chance visit to an olive oil mill in the Syracuse area, he had learned from Sebastiano Monello (the owner of the surrounding land) of an unexplained breath of air passing through the stones of his olive grove. Having improvised as speleologists, the two lowered themselves with a rope into a stony crevice among the olive trees, and explored part of a complicated system of beautiful caves, of which they unearthed Cretaceous fragments of great prehistoric interest. The interest aroused later led to the organization of a scientific exploration. Cave fauna is characterized by the presence of bats reported in the cave in small groups. Within the perimeter of the Reserve also falls part of the Conzo Cave, the different speleological environments of this cave returned several finds of considerable archaeological interest consisting of vases, potsherds, lithic products and shells.

10) Ciane River and Syracuse Salt Pans Nature Reserve

The Fiume Ciane e Saline di Siracusa Oriented Nature Reserve is a protected natural area established by the Region of Sicily that includes the course of the Ciane River and the Saline wetlands on the southern outskirts of the city of Syracuse. The reserve is geared toward the preservation of the papyrus along the course of the Ciane River and the conservation of the "Saline" environment. The name Ciane comes from the Greek and refers to the particular color of the waters and papyrus in these areas. One of the main features that distinguishes the present-day city of Syracuse is the presence in its brackish waters of the Egyptian papyrus plant, so called because it owes its fame to the truly varied use of the plant in ancient Egypt: known worldwide for being the first medium for Western writing, drawing papyrus sheets from the plant. While it has been scientifically proven that the papyrus of Syracuse and that of Egypt belong to the same natural strain, its appearance in the territory remains very uncertain: there are those who claim that Syracuse papyrus is indigenous to the island, and those who claim instead that it was imported from Egypt. The salt pans located close to the city comprise a marshy, flat environment, sometimes at a slightly lower level than the sea, ideal for salt mining. The salt pans constituted an economic resource of definite interest from the seventeenth century, remained in operation until the 1980s and were later abandoned due to the crisis in the industry. Currently, migratory birds come there twice a year to refresh and stop. Within the reserve there is a loop bicycle and pedestrian path of about 12 km.

11) Cathedral of Syracuse

The Fiume Ciane e Saline di Siracusa Oriented Nature Reserve is a protected natural area established by the Region of Sicily that includes the course of the Ciane River and the Saline wetlands on the southern outskirts of the city of Syracuse. The reserve is geared toward the preservation of the papyrus along the course of the Ciane River and the conservation of the "Saline" environment. The name Ciane comes from the Greek and refers to the particular color of the waters and papyrus in these areas. One of the main features that distinguishes the present-day city of Syracuse is the presence in its brackish waters of the Egyptian papyrus plant, so called because it owes its fame to the truly varied use of the plant in ancient Egypt: known worldwide for being the first medium for Western writing, drawing papyrus sheets from the plant. While it has been scientifically proven that the papyrus of Syracuse and that of Egypt belong to the same natural strain, its appearance in the territory remains very uncertain: there are those who claim that Syracuse papyrus is indigenous to the island, and those who claim instead that it was imported from Egypt. The salt pans located close to the city comprise a marshy, flat environment, sometimes at a slightly lower level than the sea, ideal for salt mining. The salt pans constituted an economic resource of definite interest from the seventeenth century, remained in operation until the 1980s and were later abandoned due to the crisis in the industry. Currently, migratory birds come there twice a year to refresh and stop. Within the reserve there is a loop bicycle and pedestrian path of about 12 km.

12) Archaeological Park of Neapolis

The Archaeological Park of Neapolis in Syracuse is one of the most important archaeological sites in Sicily and the entire Mediterranean. Established in the 1950s to protect the ancient city’s monuments from urban expansion, it gathers Greek and Roman remains within a vast green landscape. At its heart lies the Greek Theatre, one of the largest in the ancient world, where classical plays are still performed today. Nearby are the Altar of Hieron II, a monumental structure dedicated to Zeus, and the Roman Amphitheatre, with its massive seating carved into the rock. The Latomies, ancient stone quarries later used as prisons, are particularly evocative: the most famous is the Latomia del Paradiso, home to the iconic Ear of Dionysius, a cave celebrated for its extraordinary acoustics. The park also includes the Nymphaeum Grotto, dedicated to the Muses; the Street of the Tombs, leading to the Sanctuary of Apollo Temenites; and the Necropolis of the Grotticelle, with the so-called (though not authentic) Tomb of Archimedes. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park combines archaeology and nature: olive and carob trees, alongside Mediterranean plants, accompany visitors on a journey through centuries of history, making Neapolis one of the most enchanting places in Sicily.

13) Maniace Castle

Maniace Castle rises at the tip of Ortigia in Syracuse and is one of the most significant monuments of the Swabian period, as well as one of the best-known castles of Frederick II. It is named after the Byzantine general George Maniakes, who in 1038 promoted the construction of an initial fortification to defend the Great Harbour. The current fortress was commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia between 1232 and 1239 and designed by the architect Riccardo da Lentini. Its role was always dual: imperial residence and military stronghold. Over the centuries it hosted queens and nobles, served as a prison and garrison, endured sieges, and witnessed solemn ceremonies such as the 1302 armistice between Frederick of Aragon and the Angevins. It also suffered tragic events, like the 1704 gunpowder explosion that destroyed much of its towers. During the Spanish and Bourbon periods it was reinforced with bastions and artillery, remaining a strategic outpost until World War II. Architecturally, the castle is imposing: a square plan of about 50 meters per side, with four cylindrical corner towers and walls over three meters thick. The entrance, once protected by a drawbridge, features a richly carved portal decorated with zoomorphic figures and floral motifs. Inside, the great vaulted hall with 25 ogival arches is one of the most striking medieval interiors in Sicily. Today, after extensive restoration, Maniace Castle is open to the public under the management of the Syracuse Cultural Heritage Authority. It hosts exhibitions and cultural events, and continues to fascinate visitors with its thousand-year history and spectacular setting, suspended between the Great Harbour and the Ionian Sea.

14) Arethusa Spring

At the very tip of Ortigia lies the Arethusa Spring, a famous freshwater source that has enchanted travelers and poets for centuries. Cicero described it as “of incredible breadth, full of fish, separated from the sea by a mighty stone wall,” while Carlo Maria Arezzo recalled it as a fortified spring rich in both freshwater and saltwater fish. According to myth, Arethusa, a nymph of Artemis, was transformed into a spring by the goddess to escape the persistent love of the river god Alpheus. Crossing beneath the Ionian seabed, her waters reemerged in Ortigia; Alpheus, unwilling to give her up, followed the same path and reunited with her in the Great Harbour. This legend made the spring immortal, celebrated by poets such as Pindar, Virgil, Ovid, and D’Annunzio, narrated by historians like Diodorus and Strabo, depicted on Syracusan coins, and even set to music by composer Szymanowski. The spring also fascinated Admiral Horatio Nelson, who, during his campaign against Napoleon in 1798, stopped at Syracuse to replenish his supplies. In a letter he wrote that, having drawn water from Arethusa, victory could not escape him. Two years later he returned to the city, greeted with honors and awarded honorary citizenship. Over the centuries, the spring has changed in form. Originally located outside the city walls and accessible from the sea by a steep staircase, it stood beside a gate called Saccaria, through which, tradition says, the Romans entered the city. In 1540 Charles V included it in Ortigia’s defensive system; freed in 1847, it assumed its current appearance. Today, the belvedere overlooking the spring is all that remains of the 19th-century bastion, a perfect frame for one of the most legendary and beloved springs of the Mediterranean.

15) Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum

The Regional Archaeological Museum “Paolo Orsi” in Syracuse, housed today in the beautiful Villa Landolina, is one of the most important archaeological museums in Europe. Named after the great archaeologist who most thoroughly studied and narrated the city’s history, it gathers precious artifacts spanning an immense timeframe: from the Paleolithic and Bronze Age to the height of the Greek and Roman periods. The collections include archaic ceramics, terracotta reliefs, grave goods from Greek-Sicel necropolises, and classical sculptures. Among its masterpieces stands the celebrated Venus Anadyomene, also called the Venus Landolina, a refined Hellenistic-Roman statue that is one of the museum’s gems. The displays also feature materials from the ancient Greek colonies of Sicily — from Megara Hyblaea to Akrai, from Kamarina to Kasmenai and Eloro — as well as finds from indigenous Hellenized centers. Since 2010, the museum also houses a numismatic gallery that traces the evolution of coinage, from primitive exchange systems to Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman issues. Particularly noteworthy are the extraordinary Syracusan coins, world-renowned for the finesse of engravers like Evenetos, Kimon, and Euainetos. The collection also includes ancient jewelry and goldsmithing from Sicilian noble families of the 17th and 18th centuries. With its wealth of treasures and continuous research activity, the Paolo Orsi Museum offers a unique journey into Sicily’s long and complex history.

16) Greek Theatre of Palazzolo Acreide

The theatre of Akrai, today Palazzolo Acreide, is one of the archaeological gems of the province of Syracuse. Built into the natural slope of the hill between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, it is often attributed to King Hieron II, an enlightened ruler who promoted culture and the performing arts in Sicily’s Greek cities. Smaller in size than Syracuse’s theatre, it has a cavea divided into nine sections by eight stairways, with seats resting against the walls and a semicircular orchestra that brought spectators close to the stage. The stage itself, likely made of wood, rested on a base of large stone blocks and was decorated with columns or pilasters. During the Roman period, modifications were made: the orchestra was reduced, and the stage raised and enlarged with more refined finishes. In the Byzantine era, the theatre lost its original function and was converted into a facility for grain processing. Buried for centuries under vegetation, it was rediscovered in 1824 by Baron Gabriele Iudica, a pioneer of excavations in Palazzolo Acreide. Today, connected to the agora and the bouleuterion via a gallery, the theatre allows visitors to relive the atmosphere of ancient tragedies and comedies once performed here, while offering a magnificent view of the surrounding Iblean landscape.

17) Historic Center of Palazzolo Acreide

Palazzolo Acreide, perched on the Iblean Mountains near the river Anapo and the necropolis of Pantalica, is a baroque city with Greek roots, now listed by UNESCO alongside the other late baroque towns of the Val di Noto. Founded by the Syracusans around 664 BC under the name of Akrai, it served as a strategic outpost. Remains of the ancient city still survive: the Greek theatre, the bouleuterion, necropolises and extra-urban sanctuaries, paved roads, and monumental complexes. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the city expanded and minted coins dedicated to Demeter. Destroyed by the Arabs in the 9th century, it was later reborn under the Normans around a castle, taking the name Palatiolum, later Palazzolo. The devastating earthquake of 1693 leveled much of the town, but from its ruins rose today’s baroque center, rich in churches and noble palaces. Among its finest monuments are the basilicas of San Sebastiano and San Paolo, both recognized by UNESCO, the Church of the Immacolata with a Madonna by Francesco Laurana, the medieval castle, and palaces with spectacular sculpted balconies. Palazzolo is also a city of museums: the Antonino Uccello House-Museum, dedicated to Sicilian peasant culture; the Gabriele Judica Archaeological Museum; and the unusual Museum of Functioning Computers. Strolling through its streets and squares, one still senses the meeting of ancient Akrai’s memory with the baroque splendor that makes Palazzolo Acreide one of the most fascinating destinations of southeastern Sicily.

18) Buccheri

At 820 meters above sea level on the northern slope of Mount Lauro, Buccheri is the highest town in Syracuse province and in the Iblei, included in the circuit of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages. From here, the view stretches from Mount Etna to the mountains of Enna and Caltanissetta, offering breathtaking panoramas. The area has ancient origins: inhabited by Siculi, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs, it was the Normans who fortified it by building a castle, today reduced to evocative ruins. Over the centuries it passed to the Paternò, the Alaimo of Lentini, and the Montalto families, always retaining a strategic role. Rebuilt almost entirely after the 1693 earthquake, Buccheri still preserves the baroque charm of that era. Its highlights include the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate with its scenic staircase, the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena housing a statue by Antonello Gagini, the Mother Church with a 16th-century wooden crucifix, and the small yet moving sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie. Nearby, one finds the sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix on Mount Calvario and the Church of Sant’Andrea (1225), commissioned by Frederick II, one of Sicily’s most interesting examples of Swabian religious architecture. Buccheri also preserves traces of its rural culture: neviere (large snow pits) used for centuries to trade ice and granita, and shepherds’ stone shelters that reflect the pastoral soul of the Iblei. Today the town is best known for its excellent Tonda Iblea extra virgin olive oil, which has won international awards and in 2015 earned Buccheri the title of “World Capital of Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.” In recent years, it has also emerged as a destination for nature and food tourism, receiving honors such as Best Culinary Destination in the World (2021) and membership in the Città dell’Olio network (2022). A village where history, nature, and authentic flavors blend into a timeless experience.

19) Ferla

Nestled in the heart of the Iblei, Ferla stands in a landscape of extraordinary natural and historical beauty, just steps from Pantalica, Europe’s largest rock necropolis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through the center, visitors encounter the charming Via Sacra, lined with elegant palaces and five of the town’s eight churches. The devastating earthquake of 1693 erased much of the medieval town, but echoes of that era remain in the Vecchie Carceri quarter, with its narrow alleys, ancient houses, and caves. Here, small details of tradition survive: doors with “cat holes” to let animals pass, or tiny peepholes to observe without being seen. Ferla is also deeply tied to its land, a bond reflected in its traditional products — authentic expressions of its identity and farming roots.

20) Sortino

Sortino rises 424 meters above sea level, on a rocky terrace of the Iblei mountains surrounded by scenic valleys. Its history is closely tied to the nearby necropolis of Pantalica, the largest rock-cut cemetery in Europe, recognized as a UNESCO site. The old town, destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, was rebuilt higher up with a regular layout, featuring two main streets that cross at the spectacular Piazza dei Quattro Canti, the heart of the baroque center. Today, Sortino is renowned throughout Sicily and beyond for its gastronomic excellence. Sortino honey, produced since Arab times, is prized for its quality and aroma, and is a key ingredient in traditional sweets such as cuddureddi, ncanniddati, piretti, and torrone. Another highlight is the famous pizzolo sortinese, a stuffed focaccia with both savory fillings — cured meats, vegetables, cheeses — and sweet ones with honey, nepeta, and dried figs. Sortino thus unites history, nature, and culinary tradition, offering visitors an authentic experience in the heart of the Iblei.

21) Avola

Avola enchants visitors with its surrounding nature, its ancient history reflected in its architecture, its flavors, and above all, its sea. Nestled among hills scented with thyme, heather, and rosemary, the area is still home to wild orchids that enrich the Iblean landscape. The historic center, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake with a unique hexagonal urban plan, greets visitors with elegant squares and baroque churches that narrate its past. Worldwide fame comes from Nero d’Avola, the full-bodied, intense red wine that bears the city’s name and stands among Sicily’s greatest enological treasures. Walking through the town, visitors will find plenty of opportunities to taste it, paired with traditional local dishes. Avola is also deeply linked to the sea: the bustling life of its port, the old fishing village with its fresh fish markets, and the historic tuna fishery of Marina d’Avola, today a silent witness to an activity that shaped the town’s economy and culture for centuries. Wide golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, and pristine natural settings complete the charm of this destination, making it a place where nature, history, and tradition harmoniously meet.

22) Fontane Bianche Beach

Just 12 km from Syracuse, Fontane Bianche is one of the most beloved seaside resorts of southeastern Sicily. Its name comes from the fresh water springs that flow into the sand, keeping the sea crystal-clear. Today it is a lively tourist hamlet, home to only a few families year-round but capable of welcoming thousands of visitors in summer. Once an area of farms, vineyards, and a 17th-century tuna fishery, it transformed after World War II into a preferred holiday retreat for Syracusans. Its longest beach, framed by rocky cliffs, forms a sheltered bay of white sand and shallow waters, ideal for families and swimmers. Alongside the public beach are private lidos, restaurants, and nightlife spots. Fontane Bianche also preserves a small church, a remnant pine forest, and the Parco Agorà, a community green space with playgrounds and leisure areas. Each summer, the Farmers’ Market enlivens the village with organic produce from the surrounding countryside. In addition to sandy beaches, rocky stretches provide peaceful spots for those who prefer solitude and sea cliffs. The Cassibile River also flows into the bay, enriching its unique ecosystem. Well connected to Syracuse and beyond by road, rail, and — in summer — the “Barocco Line” tourist train, Fontane Bianche remains one of eastern Sicily’s favorite seaside destinations, blending sea, nature, and hospitality.

23) Church of San Giovanni alle Catacombe

The Church of San Giovanni alle Catacombe stands in Syracuse’s Acradina district, an area steeped in history and atmosphere. Tradition holds that Saint Marcian, the city’s first bishop martyred in the 3rd century, was buried here. Though partly ruined by earthquakes, the church still preserves an ancient charm that captivated travelers on the Grand Tour in the 18th and 19th centuries. The site has a layered history: originally a Greek quarry (latomia), later a pottery workshop, and eventually a Christian necropolis. Around the 6th century, a three-aisled basilica was built above the saint’s crypt, housing his relics for centuries. Over time, Normans, Carmelites, and post-1693 restorations left their mark. The most evocative part remains the crypt of Saint Marcian, revered by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians. According to tradition, Saint Paul preached here in 61 AD. Visitors can still see the central altar, surrounded by Norman columns carved with the symbols of the Evangelists, and remnants of ancient frescoes. Beside the church lie the Catacombs of San Giovanni, dating back to the 4th century: vast underground galleries used until the 5th century. Silent and solemn, they bear witness to the earliest Christian communities of Syracuse, where faith, history, and memory are carved into the stone.

24) Basilica of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro

The Sanctuary of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro rises in the district named after Syracuse’s patron saint, on the site where, according to tradition, the young martyr was killed during Diocletian’s persecutions in 304 AD. Once known as Santa Lucia fuori le mura (“outside the walls”), it still preserves a solemn and ancient atmosphere deeply tied to the saint’s memory. Built around 1100 by the Normans, the church underwent several transformations: a 15th-century rose window, 17th-century works — possibly by Giovanni Vermexio — and an 18th-century portico attributed to Pompeo Picherali. Inside, the 14th-century wooden ceiling and the Column of the Martyrdom, symbol of Lucia’s sacrifice, are striking. Behind the altar hangs one of Caravaggio’s masterpieces, The Burial of Saint Lucy (1608), which returned here in 2020 after years of being displayed elsewhere. Adjacent to the basilica stands the Sepulcher of Santa Lucia, designed in the 17th century by Vermexio: an octagonal chapel housing Gregorio Tedeschi’s marble statue of the reclining saint (1634). Tradition recalls that during the Spanish siege of 1735, the statue miraculously oozed liquid, a sign of the saint’s sorrow and protection over her city. A place where art, faith, and memory intertwine, the basilica remains a center of devotion and pilgrimage for those who honor Syracuse’s most beloved saint.

25) Papyrus Museum

In the heart of Ortigia, inside the former convent of Sant’Agostino on Via Nizza, lies the Papyrus Museum “Corrado Basile”, a unique institution in Europe entirely dedicated to papyrus history and culture. Founded in 1987 by Corrado Basile and Anna Di Natale, and managed by the International Institute of Papyrus, it showcases an ancient tradition that links Syracuse to Egypt and the wider Mediterranean. The exhibition includes pharaonic, Greek, and Coptic papyri, along with papyrus artifacts — ropes, mats, containers, sandals — and boats from Ethiopia and Lake Chad, showing the plant’s extraordinary versatility. Visitors can also admire papyri produced in Syracuse from the 19th century, a rich herbarium from around the world, and ancient writing instruments. The museum is also a research and conservation center, with projects on papyrus DNA, restoration techniques in collaboration with international institutions, and programs safeguarding papyrus still growing along the Ciane River and at the Fonte Aretusa. Recognized as a candidate for the European Museum of the Year Award, it also hosts workshops, a library, and the International School of Papyrus Restoration. A visit here is a journey through history, myth, and science, where one can even watch papyrus paper being crafted by hand, just as it was in antiquity.

26) Necropolis of Pantalica

The Necropolis of Pantalica, nestled among the valleys of the Anapo River in the province of Syracuse, is one of the most evocative sites in southeastern Sicily. Its very name, from the Greek πάντα λίθος—“all stone”—recalls the rugged, rocky landscape that defines it. In 2005, UNESCO recognized here a heritage unique in the world, where nature and archaeology intertwine in a millennia-old narrative. The origins of Pantalica predate the arrival of the Greeks in Sicily. This territory was inhabited by indigenous populations who chose hilltops and gorges for protection, leaving behind as their legacy thousands of rock-cut tombs forming a vast necropolis spread along the valley walls. It is a landscape that strikes both the eye and the imagination: artificial caves aligned like beehives, a silent memory of communities that lived and thrived here in prehistoric times. But the history of Pantalica reaches even further back. Human traces found in the area suggest settlements from a very remote age, perhaps dating to the earliest Homo sapiens who inhabited these lands. Walking today along the trails of the nature reserve thus means crossing an authentic archaeological and scenic park, where the voices of the past merge with the wild beauty of nature.

27) Solarino

Nestled on a gentle hillside in the Val d'Anapo, among citrus groves, olive groves, and Mediterranean scrub, Solarino is a village that preserves its deep connection with its history and traditions. Formerly known as San Paolo Solarino, the village's name recalls the tradition that the Apostle of the Gentiles passed through these lands during his stay in Syracuse in 61 AD. The Mother Church, the religious heart and symbol of the village, is named after him. The historic center is centered around Piazza del Plebiscito, where the main buildings—including the 18th-century Palazzo Requisenz—and the war memorial are located. Strolling through the streets, you will encounter Art Nouveau glimpses, small courtyards, and memories of the past, while in the surrounding area, places linked to the Pauline tradition are worth a visit, such as the Well of St. Paul and the Cozzo Collura cave, as well as the necropolis of Cava del Rivettazzo, an important testimony to Sicilian civilization. Solarino also has a lively popular soul: religious festivals, first and foremost the one in honor of St. Paul the Apostle, which enlivens the town on the first Sunday in August, involve the entire community in processions and centuries-old rituals. Ancient legends and beliefs still survive today, such as that of the ciaràuli, people who, according to local tradition, were born on the day of St. Paul's Conversion and have the gift of healing snake bites. The cuisine is another source of pride: typical products include almonds, D.O.P. olive oil from the Iblei Mountains, and pizzolo, a tasty stuffed focaccia that reflects the gastronomic identity of Solarino. Today, although it is the smallest village in the province of Syracuse in terms of size, it is one of the most populous and lively, with a history that intertwines myth, faith, and popular culture, and an economy that has been able to reinvent itself while maintaining a strong link with the land and the authentic flavors of the Iblean tradition.

28) Floridia

Nestled in the fertile Anapo Valley, a few kilometers from Syracuse, Floridia is a modern town with ancient roots, as evidenced by the archaeological discoveries of Paolo Orsi, who unearthed necropolises and artifacts dating back to the Mycenaean age. The name of the village evokes its connection with flowers and the lush nature that surrounds it. The historic center retains its original layout, designed by the feudal lords of the 17th century, with Corso Vittorio Emanuele as its main axis and the Mother Church of San Bartolomeo as its religious heart. There are numerous sacred buildings, from the Church of Carmine to that of Sant'Anna, and several noble palaces, signs of the baronial past. The history of Floridia is also linked to Duchess Lucia Migliaccio, the last descendant of the family that ruled the fiefdom for a long time, who later married Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies. Turbulent times marked the 19th century, with epidemics, revolts, and clashes with Syracuse, until the unification of Italy, in which the town played a leading role. Today, Floridia is a dynamic center with civic museums, art galleries, and historic parks. Its economy is still based on agriculture, particularly citrus fruits, almonds, and olives, products that reflect the authentic soul of southeastern Sicily.