Syracuse
Syracuse has a Greek theater cut into rock, quarries from the ancient city, and Ortigia, a historic island with a waterfront for dinner.
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Syracuse is a city on the southeast coast of Sicily. Settlers from Corinth founded it in the eighth century BC, and it grew into one of the largest cities of the ancient Greek world. Its main sights sit in two areas. The Neapolis archaeological park holds a Greek theater cut into rock, large stone quarries and a Roman amphitheater. Ortigia, the old island at the center of the city, is joined to the mainland by a bridge and has narrow streets, baroque churches and a waterfront.
Syracuse suits travelers who want ancient sites and a seafront on the same trip. Plan at least two nights to see the park and spend time on Ortigia at an easy pace. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking among the ruins, because summer heat in Sicily is intense. Trains and buses connect Syracuse with Catania, the nearest major airport.
Syracuse in five
- Sleep on Ortigia for the eveningsThe old island holds the cathedral, the Fountain of Arethusa and the waterfront. It is quiet at night and packed by day, and rooms cost more than on the mainland.
- Book the Neapolis park early or lateThe Greek theater, the Ear of Dionysius and the Roman amphitheater sit in one park with little shade. Check the official site for hours, and go first thing in the morning in summer.
- See the Greek plays in late springThe Greek theater stages classical drama on a seasonal calendar, usually late spring into early summer. Check the INDA foundation's official page for dates and tickets.
- Take the train or bus from CataniaTrains and buses connect Catania airport and the city to Syracuse in about 1 to 1.5 hours. A rental car helps for Noto and the beaches south.Catania
- Visit Noto and Ragusa on a loopThe baroque towns of the southeast sit within an hour of Syracuse by car. Choose one for a day trip rather than packing in all three.Noto
Things to do in Syracuse
See all attractions in Syracuse
Need to know
- Airport
- Catania Fontanarossa (CTA), about 1 hour by bus or car
- Getting there
- Train or bus from Catania about 1 to 1.5 hours
- Getting around
- Walking on Ortigia; buses to Neapolis and the mainland
- Best base
- Ortigia for atmosphere; the mainland for lower prices
- Time needed
- 2 nights to see Ortigia and Neapolis
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Almond bloomFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Almond bloom
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Spring startsMarchClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh17°Low14°Spring, EasterAprilClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, Easter
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Green, Greek playsMayClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, Greek plays
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low22°Warm, playsJuneClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, plays
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, FerragostoAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, Ferragosto
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Warm sea, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calm
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°Mild, quieterOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Rain, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Mild, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, lights
Average daily high and low in Syracuse, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Syracuse
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 42 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Syracuse
12:23 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today24°14°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed21°14°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu18°16°71%Thursday: Rain. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Fri20°16°70%Friday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Sat21°13°22%Saturday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sun23°13°20%Sunday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 20%.
Updated 09:37 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
Before you go to Syracuse
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Rules for Syracuse, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the cathedral in Ortigia.
- Some antiques and cultural objects need an export license to leave the EU. Check with the Italian Ministry of Culture before you buy at fairs.Source
Plan around Syracuse
The whole island, bases and routes
Read the guideNotoA baroque city 40 minutes away
Read the guideCataniaThe airport city beside Etna
Read the guideTaorminaA clifftop resort and Greek theater up the coast
Read the guideTrapaniWestern Sicily's port, a long drive across the island
Read the guideAll of ItalyRegions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideSyracuse FAQ
Is Syracuse worth visiting?
Yes. Neapolis gives you a Greek theater and quarries, and Ortigia gives you a baroque cathedral on a Greek temple, a market and a waterfront. It is a better stay than a day trip.
How many days do you need in Syracuse?
Two nights cover Neapolis, Ortigia and a seafront dinner. Add a third night to include Noto or a beach south of the city.
Is Syracuse or Taormina better?
Syracuse for history and an old-town atmosphere, Taormina for views and resort life. They are about 1.5 hours apart, and many itineraries include both.
Can you visit Syracuse as a day trip from Catania?
Yes, by train or bus in about an hour each way. A day gives you Neapolis and Ortigia if you start early, but you miss the calm evenings.
Do you need a car in Syracuse?
Not for Ortigia and Neapolis, which are reached by foot and bus. A car helps for Noto, Ragusa and the south coast, but parking on Ortigia is limited.