Piazza Duomo, Ortigia
The heart of the baroque island
What to see
Things to do in Syracuse
Eight stops, all within 23 minutes on foot. Distances and times are real, calculated from our address: no eyeballed estimates and no itineraries that cannot be walked.
The eight closest stops
In order of distance from our entrance.
Temple of Apollo
The oldest temple in Sicily
Catacombs of San Giovanni
The largest funerary complex in the Mediterranean
Neapolis archaeological park
Greek theatre and Archimedes’ tomb
Sanctuary of Santa Lucia al Rosario
Shrine of Syracuse’s patron saint
Fonte Aretusa
The natural spring of fresh water
Lungomare di Levante
The waterfront promenade in Ortigia
Ortigia market
Stalls, fish and street food
Each line shows the real distance, the minutes on foot and the minutes by car. The same figures apply to both homes: we are in the same building.
A one-day itinerary
How the pieces fit together, with the real travel times. It is a walk with pauses, not a marathon.
Neapolis and the catacombs
Start early for the Neapolis archaeological park: 19 minutes on foot, 5 by car. The Greek theatre and the rest of the park are at their best in the first hours, with low light and fewer people. Carry on to the Catacombs of San Giovanni (935 metres, 12 minutes) and the Basilica of Santa Lucia al Rosario (980 metres, 13 minutes), and end the loop at the Sanctuary (558 metres, 7 minutes).
Down to Ortigia
The Ortigia market is 998 metres away (13 minutes) and the Lungomare di Levante 534 metres (7 minutes). This is where the fish stalls and the evening trattorias are. If you want a tip, ask the host: replies come within an hour.
The baroque island
Temple of Apollo (1,081 metres, 14 minutes), Piazza Duomo (1,644 metres, 21 minutes) and the Fonte Aretusa (1,779 metres, 23 minutes). On summer afternoons the light is harder and it is hot: better to siesta in the shade and see the sites at dawn or late in the day.
Back to the sea
The Lungomare di Levante and the Sbarcadero beach (572 metres, 7 minutes) are where guests end their day. Ortigia fills up in the evening: move on foot, the distances are short and parking becomes a problem.
Practical tips
Three things that make a difference in summer.
When to come
From June to September the sun is fierce and the middle of the day is the least pleasant: shops and museums close for the afternoon break. Walk at dawn or at sunset, and do the museums in the morning. Spring and autumn are gentler and the sites are quieter.
Where to eat
The Ortigia market is where you buy fish and street food to take away; along the Lungomare you find dinner by the sea. We do not name a fixed restaurant: the scene changes with the season, and the host knows where to send you.
What to bring
Closed shoes, because Ortigia and the archaeological sites are walked on uneven ground; water, a hat and sunscreen in summer; a light jacket for the evening. Admission to the archaeological park and the catacombs is paid separately from your stay.
The right base for this city
7 minutes from the sea, 13 from the Ortigia market and 19 from Neapolis: two homes with self check-in and free parking.