Best 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 center Noto and the older nucleus at Ortigia. Its division makes it easy to create a flexible, versatile and comfortable itinerary to enjoy at your own pace.

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

Syracuse is a city of layers, as it is divided between the past and the present. You could start with Noto, considered the largest part and the historical center of the city. Here you will be greeted by the blue sky that contrasts with the 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 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.

Noto's most outstanding tourist attractions

• Monastery of San Salvatore, a sacred place with striking grilles, which were used by the cloistered nuns to see outside without revealing their identity.
• Palazzo Ducezio, a palace built in honor 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.

To better understand the history of Syracuse it is important to know the ancient core. In Ortigia, legends and a trip to medieval Italy await you. Its cobbled streets are quite quiet and ideal to enjoy a stroll along the Sicilian coast. Here the salty scent of the sea intertwines with the smell of freshly baked Sicilian caponata calzone.

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

Sightseeing of Ortigia

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

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

But the real spectacle begins when you enter the kitchen, where the mixture of tomato, Sicilian lemon and fresh herbs awaits you. You can browse the interior decor 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 tasting the pizzolo (stuffed pizza) and then move on to the other specialties that may include:

• Pasta alla Siracusana, which is characterized by its strong flavor where you can feel the perfect combination of shrimp, fish, tomato, herbs and capers.
• Pasta alla Carrettiera, perfect if you like spicier flavors. It is made with garlic, chilli, oil and toasted bread crumbs.
• Puppetti ri muccu, fish fritters with pecorino cheese that melt in your mouth.
• Cannoli, the favorite dessert of Sicilians and you can easily understand why. When you bite into it you will feel the crispy puff pastry dough and the sweet ricotta cheese that is soaked into the palate. Don't get confused! In Italy you get many types of cannolis, but this one is definitely special.

If you have dietary restrictions be sure to discuss this in advance before making a reservation.

Typical dishes of Syracuse

Italy is famous for its delicious dishes that will surely drive your senses crazy. Moreover, Sicilian gastronomy, especially Syracusan, presents unexpected twists to the palate. It is very popular because it uses fresh fish, pachino tomatoes and avola almonds. Here's what you should try on your trip!

• Scaccia Siciliana: the best Italian focaccia made with sausage or eggplant.
• Matalotta: a traditional fish soup in a white wine bath.
• Arancini: a snack usually sold at street food stalls, which is a fried rice ball stuffed with ham, spinach or pistachios.
• Pasta with pistachio pesto: it is impossible not to try pistachio in Sicily, as it is present in most dishes.

Typical desserts of Syracuse

• Gelato: of course you have to try Gelato in Sicily, as it is an obligatory gastronomic stop. The variation in Syracuse is that many people usually have gelato for breakfast, but accompanied by brioche (a type of sweet bun).
• Pavlova of Syracuse: it differs because it is made with a crunchy meringue dough and lemon IGP, which stands out for its pronounced flavor and acidity at the perfect point.
• Pasta di Mandorle: crunchy almond-based cookies.
• Nougat: it differs from other types of nougat because it is made with avola almonds.
• Cassata Siciliana: feel how the layers of ricotta mixed with candied fruits, marzipan and pistachios (or almonds) melt in your mouth.

Typical drinks of Syracuse

• Granita Siciliana: a granita drink very popular in summer that can be ordered in different flavors such as pistachio, lemon, arancia and coffee.
• Limoncello: a refreshing proposal that takes advantage of 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, the Italian white wine is a must.

The coast of Syracuse is breathtaking and worth taking a couple of hours off to get to know it aboard a boat. This experience usually concentrates around Ortigia to see the hidden coves and monuments that line the shore. The captain will take the boat to interesting stops and you can see the traces of the Baroque from another perspective.

Booking a boat trip on Ortigia allows you to savor a glass of prosecco in front of the sea and discover stories of Greek mythology as you pass in front of the Maniace Castle, the coastal towers and the Cathedral of Syracuse. You can also see Arethusa who, according to Greek mythology, was a beautiful nymph who ended up turned into the Fonte Arethusa spring while trying to escape from the god Alpheus.

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

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

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

In the kitchen, the hospitality of an Italian awaits you, 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 flour fritters) and other classic delicacies from land and sea.

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 save room for a cannoli or cassata. No doubt booking a cooking class and visit to the local market in Syracuse is the excuse to eat your heart out and become an Italian for a few hours, while enjoying the company of a local foodie.

If I had the opportunity to visit only one destination in Syracuse, it would definitely be the Ear of Dionysus. It is a vestige of ancient Greece and stands out for being an ear-shaped cave, hence its peculiar name.

But who is Dionysus? There are several legends, but the most popular is that this cave was used by Dionysus I to listen to the conversations of his enemies, which allowed him to advance his moves.

You will love it because it is a place full of history that allows you to travel from the eighth century BC to the present. One of the things you can't miss is hearing your own echo, although you won't even have to make the effort. Because of its enclosed shape, the acoustics are impressive and the footsteps echo incredibly.

Syracuse's hidden beaches and coves are another pleasant surprise that will greet you during your vacation. Although I imagine you can sense it because the coast of Sicily is famous for having very beautiful beaches. Among the most recommended are:

• Calamosche beach: it is a practically hidden beach and to get there you need to cross a wild stretch on foot, although it is worth it if you want to evade the crowds.
• Minaret Beach: it is famous for its cliffs and golden sand that shines in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Marzamemi beach: it is located on the outskirts, in a fishing village where you will experience the authentic Italian life of the coast.

A puppet show at the Teatro dei Pupi is an unforgettable cultural experience. Especially because this kind of shows are native to Sicily and an important part of the roots of Syracuse. They have been performed since the 19th century and the puppets, better known as Pupis, are crafted by hand to carve and paint every detail of their colorful costumes and expressive faces.

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

You could travel to Italy exclusively to eat, as its cities star in the best gastronomic destinations in the world. If you'd like to try the best cannoli in Syracuse, you'll have to do an exhaustive search in different local pastry shops. A hint: the fresher the dessert, the better you will be able to appreciate the contrast of flavors.

There are pastry shops that bring out hourly production and allow you to savor a freshly baked cannoli, among the best are:

• Pasticceria Artale, famous for its secret cannoli recipe and for its variety of desserts such as brioche and granitas.
• Cannoli Del Re, a street-side eatery where you can enjoy a cannoli in a cozy and informal atmosphere. You will have to eat standing up, so many prefer to order the cannoli in the shape of a cone.
• Cannolo Terapia, here you can not only buy quality cannoli, they will also teach you the correct way to eat it and enjoy it as an Italian would.

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 from the tourist hustle and bustle. No idea which one to choose? I'll tell you about the most famous excursions!

Excursion to Mount Etna

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

It is located about an hour and measure and in winter is amazing because you can see snowfall since January and the spectacle of colors in its rocks, which are stained with earthy tones and oranges. The rest of the year you can go hiking and reach the stretch you prefer, depending on your physical ability.

As you ascend you will approach the crater of the volcano and, upon reaching 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. Along the way you will come across different types of volcanic chimneys, fumaroles and boiling mud pools.

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

Excursion to the Cavagrande Nature Reserve

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

You will have to walk quite a bit to get to the most special places, practically hidden, but I promise it's worth it! As a recommendation, be sure to bring a small bag with everything you need. A swimsuit, a change of clothes and appropriate footwear are a must.