10 Things to Do in Syracuse

Syracuse is considered the capital of Baroque and is located in the region of Sicily. It is a beautiful Italian hideaway where local life is concentrated between the historic centre of Noto and the oldest part of Ortigia. Its division makes it easy to create a flexible, versatile and comfortable itinerary to enjoy at your own pace.

You can indulge in the local cuisine through exciting activities such as visiting local markets, going on a cannoli tour or cooking at a local's home. Of course, you should take advantage of a boat trip or take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of its beaches. Here are the best options for an unforgettable holiday in Syracuse.

Syracuse is a city of layers, divided between the past and the present. You could start with Noto, considered the largest part and historic centre of the city. Here you will be greeted by blue skies contrasting with aged Baroque buildings, which hide numerous stories among their cobblestones.

As you pass through the fascinating Porta Reale, you will know that your tour has begun. Be warned that it is quite large and that behind every monument there are narrow streets that you should not miss. For this reason, many tourists prefer to book a guided tour of Noto. This way, an expert guide will explain everything you need to know about the place.

Top tourist attractions in Noto

• Monastery of San Salvatore, a sacred place with striking grilles, which were used by cloistered nuns to see outside without revealing their identity.
• Palazzo Ducezio, a palace built in honour of Ducezio, the Duke of Monteleone. It currently houses the Civic Museum of Noto with various historical and archaeological finds.
• Cattedrale di San Nicolò, a late Baroque monument with one of the most beautiful domes in Italy.

Discover the oldest part of Syracuse

To better understand the history of Syracuse, it is important to visit the old town. Ortigia offers legends and a journey back to medieval Italy. Its cobbled streets are quiet and ideal for enjoying a stroll along the Sicilian coast. Here, the salty aroma of the sea intertwines with the smell of freshly baked Sicilian calzone caponata.

Without a doubt, this part of the coast is a symbol of Greek, Roman and medieval roots. If this is your first time in the city, you could book a private tour of Ortigia. This way, you will have time to enjoy its main tourist attractions and the gastronomic scene. Here are my recommendations on what you shouldn't miss.

Tourist attractions in Ortigia

• Piazza Duomo: sit in the heart of Ortigia and enjoy its cafés and marvel at the heart of this city, where the goddess Latona is believed to have found a safe haven.
• Temple of Apollo: admire the ruins and Doric columns that show what remains of a temple dedicated to the god of the arts, healing and prophecy.
• Paseo Marítimo: this is a fascinating place where boats stop and, at sunset, the sky is tinged with shades of orange and pink.
• Giudecca: walk through the streets of the Jewish quarter and discover its history.

Italians are very open and love to welcome foreigners. In Syracuse, you'll feel like you're among friends and family when you book a gastronomic experience at a local's home. As soon as you walk through the door, you'll smell the typical aromas of coastal homes, reminiscent of the sea, Mediterranean flowers and argan.

But the real show begins when you enter the kitchen, where a mixture of tomatoes, Sicilian lemons and fresh herbs awaits you. You can browse the interior décor and listen to stories about the city and its traditions.

They usually share a four-course menu accompanied by a glass of wine. The tradition is to start by trying the pizzolo (stuffed pizza) and then move on to the rest of the specialities, which may include:

• Pasta alla Siracusana, characterised by its strong flavour, which perfectly combines prawns, fish, tomatoes, herbs and capers.
• Pasta alla Carrettiera, perfect if you like spicier flavours. It is made with garlic, chilli, oil and toasted breadcrumbs.
• Puppetti ri muccu, fish fritters with pecorino cheese that melt in your mouth.
• Cannoli, the favourite dessert of Sicilians, and you'll easily understand why. When you bite into it, you'll feel the crispy pastry and the sweet ricotta cheese that lingers on the palate. Don't get confused! There are many types of cannoli in Italy, but this one is definitely special.

If you have any dietary restrictions, be sure to mention them in advance when making your reservation.

Typical dishes of Syracuse

Italy is famous for its delicious dishes that are sure to drive your senses wild. In addition, Sicilian cuisine, especially that of Syracuse, offers unexpected twists for the palate. It is very popular because it uses fresh fish, Pachino tomatoes and Avola almonds. Here's everything you should try on your trip!

• Scaccia Siciliana: the best Italian focaccia made with sausage or aubergines.
• Matalotta: a traditional fish soup in a white wine sauce.
• Arancini: a snack often sold at street food stalls, consisting of a fried rice ball stuffed with ham, spinach or pistachios.
• Pasta with pistachio pesto: it's impossible not to try pistachios in Sicily, as they are present in most dishes.

Typical desserts from Syracuse

• Gelato: of course you have to try gelato in Sicily, as it is a must-try culinary experience. The variation in Syracuse is that many people tend to eat gelato for breakfast, accompanied by brioche (a type of sweet bun).
• Syracuse pavlova: this differs because it is made with a crispy meringue dough and IGP lemon, which stands out for its pronounced flavour and perfect acidity.
• Pasta di Mandorle: crunchy almond biscuits.
• Turrón: this differs from other types of turrón because it is made with Avola almonds.
• Cassata Siciliana: feel the layers of ricotta mixed with candied fruit, marzipan and pistachios (or almonds) melt in your mouth.

Typical drinks from Syracuse

• Granita Siciliana: a slushy drink that is very popular in summer and comes in different flavours such as pistachio, lemon, orange and coffee.
• Limoncello: a refreshing drink made with local lemons.
• Local wines: the most popular are Nero d'Avola, which is sweet and fruity, and Moscato di Noto, which is recommended to accompany desserts.
• Prosecco: of course, Italian white wine is a must.

The coast of Syracuse is breathtaking and well worth taking a couple of hours off to explore by boat. This experience usually focuses on the area around Ortigia, where you can see hidden coves and monuments on the shore. The captain will take the boat to interesting stops and you will be able to see the traces of the Baroque from a different perspective.

Booking a boat trip around Ortigia allows you to enjoy a glass of prosecco by the sea and discover stories from Greek mythology as you pass by Maniace Castle, the coastal towers and Syracuse Cathedral. You will also see Arethusa, who, according to Greek mythology, was a beautiful nymph who was turned into the Fonte Aretusa spring while trying to escape from the god Alpheus.

Another thing that makes this activity attractive is the possibility of snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of Syracuse. Octopuses, starfish, groupers, sea urchins and a wide variety of fish await you on the seabed.

Italian cuisine is so delicious that you can never get enough of it. Can you imagine learning how to make your favourite dishes and then recreating them in your own kitchen? A great option is to sign up for a cooking class in Syracuse, where you will cook in a local's home. This activity is a window into the secrets and traditions of Sicily's culinary scene.

Before you start, you'll visit a local market to choose the fresh produce you'll use in each recipe. All the stalls offer a sensory experience with a variety of colourful and tasty options. However, nothing compares to the typical herbs of Italian cuisine, cured olives and yellow lemons.

In the kitchen, you will be welcomed by an Italian host, ready to teach you how to prepare different special dishes while telling you the story behind each one. You can choose from Arancini, Pasta con le Sarde (sardine pasta), Panelle (chickpea fritters) and other classic delicacies from the sea and land.

At the end, you can taste your own creations with a glass of wine. Of course, it wouldn't be an Italian meal without a good dessert, so leave room for a cannoli or a cassata. Booking a cooking class and visit to the local market in Syracuse is undoubtedly the perfect excuse to eat to your heart's content and become Italian for a few hours, while enjoying the company of a local food expert.

If you only had the chance to visit one place in Syracuse, it would definitely be Dionysius' Ear. It is a remnant of ancient Greece and stands out for being a cave shaped like an ear, hence its peculiar name.

But who is Dionysius? There are several legends, but the most popular is that this cave was used by Dionysius I to listen to the conversations of his enemies, allowing him to stay one step ahead.

You'll love it because it's a place steeped in history that allows you to travel from the 8th century BC to the present day. One of the things you can't miss is hearing your own echo, although you won't even have to try. Due to its enclosed shape, the acoustics are impressive and footsteps echo incredibly.

The beaches and hidden coves of Syracuse are another pleasant surprise that will greet you during your holiday. Although I imagine you can guess that because the Sicilian coast is famous for its beautiful beaches. Among the most recommended are:

• Calamosche Beach: this beach is practically hidden and to get there you need to walk through a wild stretch of land, but it's worth it if you want to avoid the crowds.
• Minaret Beach: famous for its cliffs and golden sand that glistens in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Marzamemi Beach: located on the outskirts of a fishing village where you can experience authentic Italian coastal life.

A puppet show at the Teatro dei Pupi is an unforgettable cultural experience. This is especially true because these types of shows originated in Sicily and are an important part of Syracuse's roots. They have been performed since the 19th century, and the puppets, better known as Pupis, are handmade, with every detail of their colourful costumes and expressive faces carved and painted.

The shows revolve around stories of knights and bandits, as well as ancient times that marked local history. The puppets are the stars, but the puppeteers are responsible for bringing them to life with agile and graceful movements.

You could travel to Italy just to eat, as its cities are home to some of the best food destinations in the world. If you would like to try the best cannoli in Syracuse, you will have to search thoroughly in different local pastry shops. A tip: the fresher the dessert, the better you will be able to appreciate the contrast of flavours.

There are pastry shops that bake every hour, allowing you to enjoy a freshly baked cannoli. Among the best are:

• Pasticceria Artale, famous for its secret cannoli recipe and its variety of desserts such as brioche and granitas.
• Cannoli Del Re, a street-side spot where you can enjoy a cannoli in a cosy, informal atmosphere. You'll have to eat standing up, which is why many people prefer to order the cone-shaped cannoli.
• Cannolo Terapia, where you can not only buy quality cannoli, but also learn the correct way to eat and enjoy them like an Italian.

If you plan to spend several days in Syracuse, then you have the perfect excuse to explore the surrounding area. Natural wonders such as rock formations, volcanoes and hidden rivers await you on the outskirts, where you can escape the tourist hustle and bustle. Not sure which one to choose? Let me tell you about the most famous excursions!

Excursion to Mount Etna

If you would like to see a place shaped by volcanic eruptions, you should book an excursion to Mount Etna from Syracuse. This place is famous for its rock formations, which are the result of eruptions from Mount Etna itself, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

It is about an hour away and in winter it is amazing because you can see snowfall from January onwards and the spectacle of colours on the rocks, which are tinged with earthy and orange tones. The rest of the year you can go hiking and reach the section you prefer, depending on your physical ability.

As you ascend, you will get closer to the crater of the volcano and, when you reach the top, you will be rewarded with amazing views of the surrounding area. You will see Syracuse, part of the Sicilian coast and the Mediterranean Sea. Along the way, you will come across different types of volcanic chimneys, fumaroles and boiling mud pools.

Mount Etna is located in a natural park, and by booking the tour with a professional guide, you won't have to worry about admission or logistics from Syracuse. It is also recommended because you are likely to encounter animals along the way, which you can spot from a distance, but you will feel safer with someone who knows the area.

Excursion to the Cavagrande Nature Reserve

To enjoy the wild and natural surroundings of the coast, I suggest booking an excursion to the Cavagrande Nature Reserve from Syracuse. This place is famous for its turquoise waters and canyons surrounding the Cassibile River.

You'll have to walk quite a bit to reach the most special places, which are practically hidden. But I promise you it's worth it! As a recommendation, make sure you bring a small bag with everything you need. Don't forget your swimsuit, a change of clothes and suitable footwear.