Siracusa—Syracuse in English—was once the rival of Athens and the jewel of Magna Graecia. Today, its heart beats in Ortigia, a honey-stone island where a Baroque cathedral wraps a 5th-century BCE Greek temple and dusk turns the marble piazzas gold.

Across the city, history is wonderfully tangible: the Neapolis Archaeological Park holds the vast Greek Theatre and the echoing “Ear of Dionysius” quarry. Day trips unfurl east coast Sicily: the baroque facades of Noto, nature at Vendicari, and volcanic slopes and vineyards on Mount Etna.

Practical notes: fly into Catania (CTA), then ride train/bus to Siracusa. Summers are hot—swim in Plemmirio or Arenella, reserve dinners, and carry cash for markets. Respect church dress codes (covered shoulders), and note Ortigia’s ZTL (restricted driving) hours.

Siracusa

Siracusa is a city of layers—Greek, Roman, Arab-Norman, Spanish—stacked like a millefoglie. In Ortigia, stroll from the Temple of Apollo to Piazza Duomo, where the Cathedral incorporates Doric columns of the ancient Temple of Athena.

Top sights include Castello Maniace, the Jewish quarter (La Giudecca) and medieval mikveh, and the Neapolis Archaeological Park. Food-wise, think market sandwiches loaded with ricotta and pistachio pesto, swordfish alla ghiotta, and granite for breakfast.

Where to stay: base yourself on Ortigia for atmosphere, Neapolis for proximity to ruins, or Plemmirio/Arenella for seaside. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting in: book flights to Catania (CTA) via Omio (flights) for Europe-based itineraries, or compare global options on Kiwi.com. From Catania Airport, trains to Siracusa take ~1–1.5 hours (from ~€8–€12) via Omio (trains), or buses ~1–1.5 hours (from ~€7) via Omio (buses).

Day 1 — Arrival, Ortigia at Golden Hour

Afternoon: Arrive in Siracusa and check in. Start at the Temple of Apollo, then drift along Corso Matteotti to Piazza Duomo to watch light slide across the Cathedral’s ancient columns.

Evening: Aperitivo at Piazza Duomo (order a spritz with olives and almonds). Dinner picks: Sicilia in Tavola (seasonal pasta with local tuna bottarga), Osteria da Seby (sea urchin or clams in linguine when in season), or Don Camillo (inventive Sicilian tasting menus—reserve). Nightcap at Cortile Verga (courtyard cocktails) or a pistachio gelato at Voglia Matta.

Day 2 — Markets, Sea Caves, and Castello Maniace

Morning: Breakfast at Caffè Apollo (cappuccino and warm cornetto) or Caffetteria Minerva (try almond granita with brioche). Browse Ortigia Market; for lunch-on-the-go, queue at Caseificio Borderi (legendary overstuffed panini) or sit at Fratelli Burgio for salumi, caponata, and local cheeses.

Afternoon: Take a 1.5–2-hour boat tour from Marina of Ortigia to sea caves with a swim stop (weather permitting). Walk to Castello Maniace for views over the Ionian, then wander La Giudecca’s lanes; if available, tour the medieval mikveh.

Evening: Sunset along Lungomare di Levante. Dinner: A Putia (home-style Sicilian plates; excellent sarde a beccafico), Locanda Maniace (grilled catch of the day), or Trattoria La Foglia (casual, hearty). Finish at Enoteca Solaria for a glass of Etna Rosso or Moscato di Noto.

Day 3 — Neapolis Archaeological Park and Siracusa’s Ancient Core

Morning: Coffee at Pasticceria Artale (add a cannolo) then taxi or bus to Neapolis Archaeological Park. Explore the Greek Theatre (still hosting classical plays in late spring), the Roman Amphitheatre, and the “Ear of Dionysius,” famed for its acoustics.

Afternoon: Visit the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum—arguably Sicily’s best—for kouroi, votive offerings, and Greek ceramics. If time allows, descend into the San Giovanni catacombs and basilica ruins nearby.

Evening: Back to Ortigia for dinner at Ristorante Porta Marina (seafood crudo, couscous di pesce) or Osteria Dammuso (local wines by the glass). Consider a traditional pupi (puppet) show at a historic theater—an only-in-Sicily experience.

Day 4 — Noto’s Baroque and the Nature of Vendicari

Morning: Train to Noto ~35 minutes (from ~€5–€7) via Omio (trains). Climb to Noto Cathedral and marvel at the creamy limestone facades along Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Treat yourself to granita at the famed Caffè Sicilia (almond or mulberry in season).

Afternoon: Taxi or bus to Vendicari Nature Reserve; hike dunes and swim at Calamosche or Eloro beaches. Alternatively, return toward Siracusa and stop at Fontane Bianche for a more developed beach scene with lidos and sunbeds.

Evening: Back in Ortigia, opt for simple and perfect: pizza al taglio at La Pizzoleria and a glass of Nero d’Avola, or seafood at Il Porticciolo (ask for the pescato del giorno). Stroll the marina under the stars.

Day 5 — Mount Etna Day Trip with Wine Country

Today is for lava landscapes and volcanic wines. Take an early train to Catania ~1–1.5 hours (from ~€8–€12) via Omio (trains), or arrange direct transfer. Most tours offer Catania or Taormina pickup—confirm the meeting point and timing the day before.

Option A: Etna + Wineries — Spend the day exploring craters and tasting native grapes (Nerello Mascalese, Carricante). Includes light hiking and cellar tastings.

Tour Etna & Wine Tasting

Option B: High-Altitude Etna Trek — Ride the cable car/4x4 up to ~2850–3000m and walk lunar paths with a volcanologist guide (tickets extra on-site; weather-dependent).

Etna excursion 3000 meters with 4x4 cable car and Trekking

Evening: Return to Siracusa. Reward yourself with pasta alla Norma at Osteria da Mariano or grilled calamari at Trattoria O’Scinà, then a night gelato on Piazza Archimede by the Fountain of Diana.

Day 6 — Taormina Views and a Hands-on Sicilian Cooking Class

Morning: Train to Taormina-Giardini ~2.5–3 hours (from ~€12–€20) via Omio (trains), then a quick bus up to town (~15–20 minutes, ~€2). Visit the Greek Theatre with its Etna-and-sea panorama, then browse Via Corso Umberto’s boutiques and artisan ceramics.

Afternoon: Join a seaside cooking class to shop at the market, learn classic Sicilian recipes, and share lunch overlooking the coast. You’ll master caponata, fresh pasta, or stuffed sardines—depending on the catch and season.

Cooking Class with Seaview & Taormina's Market with Chef Mimmo

Evening: If you linger, ride the cable car to Mazzarò for a sunset stroll by Isola Bella. Otherwise, return to Siracusa for dinner at L’Ancora (seafood risotto) or a light meal of arancini and panelle from a local rosticceria.

Day 7 — Plemmirio Swim and Departure

Morning: Coffee by the water at Bar Condorelli, then taxi to Plemmirio Marine Reserve (15–25 minutes) for snorkeling from rocky coves in crystalline water. Alternatively, relax at Arenella or Ognina for a final beach morning.

Afternoon: Quick lunch near the Ortigia market—octopus salad and a glass of Grillo—then pick up edible souvenirs (almond cookies, capers, sun-dried tomatoes). Depart for Catania Airport by train (~1–1.5 hours via Omio) or bus (~1–1.5 hours via Omio), aiming to arrive 2–3 hours before your flight.

Where to Stay (Bookable links)

• Ortigia romantic stays and sea-view apartments: browse VRBO Siracusa.
• Boutique hotels near Piazza Duomo or the waterfront: compare on Hotels.com.
• Family-friendly beach bases in Arenella/Plemmirio: see villas and pool homes on VRBO.

Getting Around (Bookable links)

• Flights to/from Catania (CTA): Omio flights in Europe; global searches via Kiwi.com.
• Trains in Sicily (Siracusa–Catania–Noto–Taormina): Omio trains.
• Buses to beaches and nearby towns: Omio buses.

Extra Tips

• Reserve popular restaurants (Friday–Sunday) and tours 1–2 weeks ahead in high season.
• Pack reef shoes for Plemmirio’s rocky entries; bring cash for lido rentals and markets.
• Expect museum closures on some Mondays/holidays; check hours a day prior.
• Driving into Ortigia is restricted (ZTL). If you rent a car, park outside the ZTL and walk in.

In one week, you’ll trace 2,500 years—from Greek quarries to Baroque balconies—while savoring seafood, granita, and volcanic wines. Siracusa makes a superb base for Sicily’s southeast, with easy hops to Noto, Taormina, and Etna—and endless reasons to return.