Tours in Syracuse
Explore the best tours, activities, and attractions in Syracuse to make your trip unforgettable.
Top 14 most popular tours and activities in Syracuse
Syracuse Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self Guided Audio Tour
The Best Way to Discover Syracuse: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour. Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. Start anytime (24/7) with no guides or schedules. Pause for a stroll through the narrow streets of Ortigia and resume whenever you're ready—even the next day. This unique team-building activity is perfect for couples, families, and groups.The "Complete City" Package - Everything you need in one app:Interactive Game: Solve puzzles and discover 10+ major attractions, plus hidden gems revealed along the way.Audio & Text: Listen to our audio guide or read the history/legends of each site.Insider Tips: Access hand-picked local restaurant and shop recommendations.What you will visit: San Tommaso al Pantheon, Parco del Foro Siracusano, Statue of Archimedes, Old Market of Ortigia, Temple of Apollo, Archimede & Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Fountain of Diana, Syracuse Cathedral, Arethusa Spring, and Castello Maniace.
Siracusa to Taormina stop: Etna Volcano
Today you are greeted in Siracusa and driven to the Etna Natural Park-South Side (Rifugio Sapienza), a beautiful Volcano rich in sounds, perfumes, and colors.On arrival, those interested in experiencing the Etna craters will have the opportunity to explore independently the Silvestri Craters.You will have the opportunity to ascent to the highest elevation (up to 2800 meters) by Cable car and 4x4 vehicles (weather and volcanic conditions permitting) to experience the lava fields and incredible landscape view from Europe’s highest and most active volcano. (Ascent fees not included)Will be possible to enjoy lunch at local winery (to require at time of booking)Later transfer to Taormina.LENGTH: approx. 6,5 hoursStop Duration:Mount Etna – Rifugio Sapienza: approx. 2,5 hours
Cavagrande del Cassibile nature reserve
The service provides for on-site transfer only.* the return time must be agreed in advance (as the telephone lines may not work)
Noto, Ragusa and Modica (from Siracusa)
Today you are greeted at Siracusa hotel and departure to the “Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto”, an area that belongs to the UNESCO Heritage Site. All this area was badly damaged in the 1693 earthquake and then rebuilt in Baroque style.The town of Noto is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and not for nothing is this town that gives the name at the Unesco heritage site. In your short stay you will admire the historical centre with old palaces skillfully adorned and the wonderful Cathedral.Modica is an old Baroque town worldwide known for its tasty chocolate. Here chocolate is still made the same way the ancient Aztecs made chocolate in Mexico and its tradition dates back to the 16th century. The technique was brought over by the Spaniards who in turn learned about it in what is now Mexico. If you are interested in tasting chocolate you can visit one of the oldest confectionary shop in Sicily.Ragusa Ibla, constructed on an isolated spur, is one of the most fascinating towns in Sicily. After the terrible earthquake was rebuilt in two different sites: the upper part has its fair share of architectural delights, but it is the smaller Ragusa Ibla down below that really draws visitors. Whether you approach it from Modica to the south or from Ragusa Superiore, the sight of the jumble of houses, churches and civic palazzi piled on top of each other, clinging to the walls of the gorge, is really quite breathtaking.At the end of the tour return to Siracusa.THE TOUR CAN BE OPERATED IN DIFFERENT ORDER DECIDED BY YOUR DRIVER
Noto, Wine Experience & old Tuna fishing village (from Siracusa)
Today you are greeted at your hotel and driven through the countryside to the “Val di Noto”. Here sunny hills and the coastal plains are all cultivated with grapevines, olive groves, wheat, fruit and vegetables. Typical dry stone walls delimit the countryside roads. Reach one of the best Wineries in Eastern Sicily and have a relaxing time savoring wines and local products at the dining room or outdoor in a pic-nic style. The wine experience can be enhanced by a walk through the vineyards (tasting and light lunch included)The “Val di Noto” was badly damaged in 1693 by a strong earthquake and largely rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style. Noto is the town symbol of Baroque style and indeed it gives the name to the “Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto” UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through the center of Noto you can admire Baroque churches, including the amazing Cathedral and palaces with pompous balconies with wrought iron railings and cherubs, lions, sirens and grotesque figures that decorate the facing. Noto is called the “Garden of Stone” because of its typical honey-colored stone. The main street is pedestrian and very pleasant to walk. The visit of Noto is independent.A few kilometers away, directly overlooking the sea, a fisherman village of Marzamemi will captivate you. The village extends around the harbour and it is characterized by narrow streets and little stone houses with roof tiles and colored windows, while a large square is the center of the town. Once fishermen were used to practice tuna fishing and today the Tonnara is still well visible. Enjoy a nice walk in the old town, full of characteristic restaurants that animate the square, surrounded by the ocean and the breeze.At the end of the tour you will be driven back to your hotel.
Truffle Hunting & Lunch
Today departure to enjoy the experience of walking in the forest with a local experienced truffle hunter and his trained dog. We will be introduced in the magic of the truffles world, made of mystery and passion for the nature. Follow the dog hurriedly through the forest as he sniffs about and experience the surge of excitement as he starts digging for these edible treasures. The tour starts with a brief description of the trees, the hunting technique and the training methods the dog has been trough. While hunting, you can enjoy the charming Sicilian countryside and the beauty of the Iblei mountains forests, breathing pure air in a gorgeous wood. The walk is very easy and requires no particular effort.Once some truffles have been found, you will be transferred to an authentic Sicilian restaurant, where an experienced chef will welcome you in the kitchen and you can learn how to clean and use the truffle, a natural wonder, perfect for enriching many dishes and transforming taste into an experience. Following, a truffle- based menu will be prepared for you, paired with local delicacies and excellent Sicilian wines.After lunch time to explore Palazzolo Acreide, an ancient Greek town founded in 650 BC, with a well preserved small Greek theater and a downtown built in Barocco style, with two of the churches that recently became UNESCO heritage.Later we return to Siracusa.Optional Service: Country House ExperienceOnce truffles have been found, you will reach a country house for the lunch. Choose in advance to include show cooking or put your hands on and cook your lunch.This service requires a surcharge and it is subject to availability.Please note that the tour with lunch at country house can be operated in different order
Piazza Armerina and Valley of the Temples (from Siracusa)
Today you are greeted at Your Accommodation in Siracusa. The driver will pick you up and will start driving in direction of Piazza Armerina.Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the visit of the amazing Roman Villa of Casale, that belongs to the Unesco Heritage. Built on the 4th century AD, the Villa was later forgotten and only in the 20th century excavations revealed the whole building. It is the supreme example of a luxury Roman villa (about 3500 square meters of floor mosaics) and was probably the residence of a member of the upper class of the Roman Empire. (Admission fee not included)After the time for an independent lunch, we will drive approximately 2 hours before reaching the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento (Admission fee not included). This archaeological site belongs to the Unesco World Heritage since 1997. The visit of the Valley of the Temples covers the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Zeus. Agrigento, according to legend, was founded by Daedalus and his son Icarus after they had fled from Crete “by air”. Historically, however, its origins date back to 582 B.C. when it was founded by Rhodian-Cretan colonist from the neighboring Gela who named their city Akragas after the nearby river of that name. The walking tour of the Valley of the Temples will be done independently.Later we will drive back to Siracusa.
Inspector Montalbano Tour (from Siracusa)
If you are a fond of the Inspector Montalbano, this is certainly the tour for you! Today you will discover the enchanting landscapes of the province of Ragusa, set of this famous Italian TV series, an aerea where the baroque architecture, the dense vegetation of olive and carob trees and the typical dry stone walls coexist!We drive first to Punta Pisciotto (Sampieri) the place where rises the Fornace Penna, a monument of industrial archaeology located right on a golden sand beach. It was set of Montalbano serial in different episodes. Then onto Punta Secca, a sea-side village with an amazing view, place of the house of Montalbano facing the breathtaking beach where he swims every morning in the serial.We will visit then Scicli (that belongs to the UNESCO heritage list) a jewel of Baroque architecture. After a walk in this magnificent town, you will have the chance to visit the “Montalbano” police station (admission fee not included), today the cabinet of the Mayor. During the tour you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Donnafugata Castle (Admission fee not included), an imposing construction immersed in one of the most evocative carob woods in the province of Ragusa.Later back to Siracusa.
SIRACUSA TO TAORMINA: Ragusa Ibla and Noto with Aztec's Chocolate Tastings | Semi Private up to 7 people
Today h 8.30am get ready at meeting point to meet our driver and departure from Siracusa in direction of Ragusa Ibla. Our Team will offer you time at disposal to keep the feeling with this section of the town giving you direction to explore independently the old part of the city and an undisputed reality of Baroque art. Here you can admire numerous eighteenth-century churches and buildings and the Gardens. Soon after, you will discover another jewel of the Sicilian Gastronomy: the local Chocolate in Modica. This particular chocolate is made with a very old recipe, the one coming from the Aztecs. If you are wondering what the Aztecs have to do with Sicily, think about the Spanish conquistadors in South America and you will see that the same Spanish have dominated this island for a couple of centuries.We then continue to Noto. In the Arab period the town was the capital of one of the three districts of Sicily (the Val di Noto) and once defeated by the Christians, Noto became a rich Norman city. Unfortunately, it was totally destroyed by the 1693 Sicilian earthquake and rebuilt in a new position nearer to the Ionian Sea. But the new Noto is a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque! Most of the buildings, including churches and noble palaces, follow one another along the main street and are characterized by the honey tonality of tufa stone.Later we continue to Taormina (estimated arrival time h 4pm is depending on the traffic situation. Different drop-off could be coordinated based on the ZTL --Limited Traffic Zone--)Please note that if the tour does not reach at least two partecipants it will not be operated.
ORTYGIA ISLAND AND SEA CAVES PRIVATE BOAT TOUR
Reach the port of Ortygia on your own or enquire us for a transfer service and start your Siracusa private boat tour.The tour includes a boat excursion to discover Ortygia and the Marine Caves. The boat trip around the island of Ortigia will let you to admire from the sea the following monuments or historical buildings: Palazzo Veneziano, Ponte Umberto I, Porto piccolo, Ancient Bourbon Prison, Spanish Walls and Lungomare di Levante, Fortezza Viliena, Jewish Quarter, Castello Maniace, Fonte Aretusa, Duomo and Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia, Lungomare Alfeo and Porta Marina.You will continue with the exploration of the sea caves of the coast of Siracusa: the boat will go inside the caves allowing you to admire closely stalactites, stalagmites and coral formations.If you are wondering what to do in Siracusa, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the Sicilian sea: this tour will offer you the opportunity, during a short stop, to swim in its crystal clear waters and breathe the sea breeze, while admiring the beautiful coasts of eastern Sicily.
Siracusa Sailing Experience
An unforgettable sailing Experience in SiracusaSiracusa Sailing Experience. You will sail in the waters of the bay of Syracuse, enjoy the beauty of Ortygia and listen to the ancient stories of this Greek harbor. Savor a delicious tasting of food and wines made by local farmers and producers.Departure times throughout the summer: May & August: 16.30; June and July: 17.00; September: 16.00; October: 15.30 (Morning sailing can be arranged on special request with departures at 11.30)Duration: approx. 4 hoursPrivate tour: max. 7 People What you can expect:Reach the port of Ortygia on your own or enquire us for a transfer service and start your Siracusa Sailing Experience. Get on board of the sailing boat in company of an expert Skipper. The ship is reserved only for you ensuring a lovely experience to share with your partner, with family or with your friends.Navigate for around 4 hours along the coast of Syracuse enjoying the view of Ortygia from the sea and the crystal clear waters of Plemmirio. Plemmirio is a marine protected area with an extraordinary submerged seabed very rich in any marine species populating the Mediterranean. Swim or snorkel in this nature reserve and breathe the sea breeze, while admiring the beautiful coasts of eastern Sicily. On board you will find beach towels and equipping for snorkeling.Listen to the ancient stories of this Greek harbor while sailing around the Ortygia Island. If you want to learn the secrets of sailing, our Skipper will explain you everything you want to know.Enjoy the ritual of the aperitif on board: a delicious tasting of food and wines made by local farmers and producers.At the end of the tour bak to Ortygia docking pier.IMPORTANT:According to the weather conditions, the skipper may change the itinerary.
Chocolate experience and Baroque Towns (from Siracusa)
Today departure for the Val di Noto to discover two wonderful Baroque towns that belong to the UNESCO heritage. All this area was badly damaged in 1693 by a strong earthquake and largely rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style. After around 1 hour driving through the country side we will reach Modica that is divided into two parts, the “higher” town and the “lower” town, connected by numerous flights of steps. Palazzi and houses rise from the bottom of the gorge seemingly stacked one on top of the other.Modica is custodian of a 400 year tradition of Sicilian chocolate-making. Being part of the Spanish kingdom for so many years meant that Sicily was often one of the first recipients of the new foodstuffs being brought back from South America. Cacao was one of these and today in Modica cold-worked chocolate is still produced using ancient Aztec technique: hand ground cocoa beans and sugar. Chocolate is often flavoured with chilli pepper, cinnamon or vanilla. This cold-working preserves more nutrients and more flavour than modern chocolate-making methods. Chocolate shops abound and it is possible to watch the “chocolatiers” at work. For the real chocoholic, it is included a sweet experience: put your hands on and make your own choco-bar! A workshop aimed to introduce you to this unique tradition and to discover how home made chocolate is still produced in the Baroque city of Modica.Later, a short drive will lead you onto Ragusa to visit one of the most fascinating towns in Sicily. Ragusa has caused many visitor’s jaw to drop as they first set eyes on the lower part of the town. Almost entirely razed to the ground by the terrible earthquake, today the town is essentially in Baroque style.This afternoon we then return to Syracuse.This tour is operated with English speaking Driver.
Etna and Taormina with optional Wine Experience (from Siracusa)
Today you are greeted at Siracusa. Then we drive to the main visitor elevation on the slopes of Mount Etna to experience the lava fields and the incredible landscape view from Europe’s highest and most active volcano. The Southern slopes dated 2002 are a well visible manifestation of Etnean turbulent volcanic activity.Ascent to the top is optional, available purchasing cable car tickets (Cable Car Fee: not included) directly on the spot – weather and volcanic conditions permitting – to experience the lava fields and incredible landscape view from Europe’s highest and most active volcano.This afternoon, transfer to Taormina, the world famous resort town on Sicily. Time at leisure to rest or independent visit to the Greek-Roman Theatre (Admission fee: not included).Later return to Siracusa.This tour is operated with English speaking Driver.Licensed local guide is not included.OPTIONAL:Lunch and wine tasting experience in a local winery
Valley of the Temples and Scala dei Turchi (from Siracusa)
Today meet the driver at your hotel and drive to the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples (Admission fee: not included), dated around 5th century B.C., that belongs to the Unesco World Heritage. Walking in this unmissable location you will discover on your own the finest of all ancient Greek sites—the complete Doric Temples.Then the Driver will lead you to the Turkish Steps (Scala dei Turchi), for a photo stop of the rocky cliff of unusual white color that lies between two sandy beaches.Later we drive you back to Siracusa