Syracuse

Ancient ruins by the sea

Syracuse stands on Sicily’s eastern coast where ancient Greek ruins stand beside modern streets lined with cafes and markets. The city grew around a natural harbor that once hosted powerful fleets. Today, visitors find Roman amphitheaters, Byzantine churches and Baroque palaces alongside bustling fishing docks. Local cuisine mixes fresh seafood with citrus and herbs grown in nearby valleys. Walking through historic neighborhoods reveals stone arches, hidden courtyards and views of the Ionian Sea. The city’s layered past appears in everyday life rather than staged displays.

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City in Italy

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Most guides and tour operators also offer services in English, making it easy to get around.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Syracuse Summary

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Great for ancient history and coastal views. Explore Greek ruins and historic streets, visit seaside piazzas, enjoy local seafood and relax along the Mediterranean waterfront.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Sea

Walkable

Guided tours

Local cuisine

Street food

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

❤️ 9

Couples

Italy – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Italy, particularly in cities. While larger establishments and chains are fully cashless, smaller shops may still prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Italy, especially in restaurants where 10-15% is typical. Tipping for taxi drivers is usually rounded up or 5-10%. Small tips for hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Italy, especially in public squares and during festivals. In some regions, it is illegal to drink alcohol in certain areas like public transport or near schools.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside.

Ferragosto (August)	Many businesses close, and Italians take holidays. It’s very busy in tourist areas.
Christmas (December)	Christmas markets and festivities are popular, expect higher prices and crowded attractions.
La Befana (January)	Celebrated on January 6, the Epiphany is a public holiday with festive events, and some businesses close.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Free Now, ItTaxi
Other:	Italy's tourist infrastructure is well-developed, but some rural or historical areas may require extra planning for accessibility.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Syracuse, Italy

🌤️

Jan

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Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

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Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

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Dec

High season:	April - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March, Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Classical drama season at the Greek Theatre runs from mid May to late June

Summer midday heat above 35°C, so visit the Neapolis archaeological park early morning or late afternoon

Some beach clubs and seaside restaurants close from November to Easter

Don't miss

🎭 Explore the ancient Greek Theatre with views over the sea
🏛️ Stroll through the historic alleys of Ortygia Island
⛪ Admire the stunning Syracuse Cathedral built on a Greek temple
🪨 Visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis and its stone quarries
👂 Discover the sparkling Ear of Dionysius cave and test its echo
🍤 Dine by the waterfront and savor fresh Sicilian seafood

You've been here?

Why travel to Syracuse?

Syracuse is a dream for history buffs and those who love exploring ancient ruins. The city is home to the Neapolis Archaeological Park, with its impressive Greek theater and Roman amphitheater. The island of Ortigia, Syracuse’s historic center, is a maze of narrow streets, stunning piazzas and waterfront views. It's also a great spot to experience authentic Sicilian cuisine and local wines. Be mindful that peak summer can be quite hot and crowded.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Castello Maniace
2 Museo archeologico regionale Paolo Orsi
3 Ortigia Island
4 Cathedral of Syracuse
5 Ear of Dionysius
6 Piazza Duomo

🎡Places for activities

1 Roman Amphitheater
2 Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Latomia dei Cappuccini
2 Fountain of Arethusa
3 Riserva naturale orientata Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari

🛍️Shopping

1 Bangla Mini Market

🎈Events

Greek Theater Festival (May-July)
Feast of Santa Lucia (December)
Ortigia Sound System Festival (July)
Syracuse Summer Festival
Wine and Food Festivals
Classical Music Concerts
Art Exhibitions
Local Religious Festivals
Sicilian Carnival (February)
Historical Reenactments

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Watch for pickpockets in Ortigia crowded markets.
Stick to well-lit areas at night; Ortigia safe for evening strolls.
Use licensed taxis or buses; avoid unmarked vehicles from stations.
Store valuables in hotel safe and carry copies of passport when exploring.

How to travel to Syracuse

The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa (CTA), about an hour away by car or bus. Regular trains and buses connect Syracuse with Catania, Palermo and other Sicilian cities. Ferries from mainland Italy also arrive in nearby ports.

Access summary

From Catania Airport (CTA): Direct Interbus or train, usually 1–1.5 hours.
From Catania city: Regional trains or buses, roughly 1–1.75 hours.
From Palermo: Intercity trains or buses via Catania, typically 4–5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Syracuse

Syracuse offers charming boutique hotels, historic guesthouses in Ortigia and modern accommodations. Many places provide easy access to key sights and seaside hotels offer great views and amenities.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Caportigia Boutique Hotel

9.4

Grand Hotel Sofia

8.4

San Giorgio Palace Hotel

9.1

Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection

9.1

Grand Hotel Des Étrangers

8.7

Re Dionisio Luxury Suites

8.4

Fuori Rotta

9.2

Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Syracuse

Syracuse is best explored on foot, especially in Ortigia. Buses connect the city with nearby attractions and rental cars are great for day trips. Taxis and local shuttles are also available.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-18 %

Daily expenses in Syracuse are around 18% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£58	£134	£359
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£68	£165
🍝 Food per day	£25	£58	£169
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£8	£25

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£12
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£65
🤧 Cold medication	£8
💇 Basic haircut	£10.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Syracuse is generally safe, with low crime rates in tourist areas. As with any city, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid poorly lit areas at night and keep an eye on your belongings.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Syracuse are good, with hospitals and pharmacies available. The tap water is safe to drink and emergency services are accessible. No specific health risks are notable.

Accessibility

The historic areas, especially Ortigia, have cobblestone streets and narrow paths that might be challenging for those with mobility issues. However, main attractions and public spaces are fairly accessible.

Tap water

Tap water in Syracuse is safe to drink. Public drinking fountains are available, particularly in Ortigia, making it easy to stay hydrated while exploring the city.