Syracuse Travel, Siracusa Travel, Ortygia Travel ,Ortigia Travel, Syracuse Travel Guide, Syracuse, Ortygia, Ortigia, Siracusa, Syracuse Sicily, Sicily, Italy

A Quick Syracuse Travel Guide
Including Ortygia Island & Fontane Bianche

Updated February 2024, The Syracuse Travel Guide was originally written in November 2018

Old meets modern in the east coast Sicilian city of Syracuse. Once a great Greek city, a key city of the Roman Empire, and the original capital of the Emirate of Sicily under Arab rule, Syracuse is an interesting mixture of cultures and architecture.

Syracuse and Ortygia have enough to keep most travelers occupied for a few days and make for a great jumping-off for those wanting to further explore the southeast corner of Sicily. Learn more in this quick Syracuse Travel Guide on what to explore in Syracuse, Ortygia & Fontane Bianche.

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How To Get To Syracuse

By Train: Rome and Naples both have daily trains to Syracuse via Messina & Catania. There are also overnight trains from Rome, Milan, Venice, Genova, and more via Messina. Trains bound to and from Sicily will be loaded on a ferry and cross the straight of Messina to arrive at Messina. You can get off the train once it’s on the ferry and go up on deck for the 30-minute journey.

There are several trains each day to nearby Catania. For other destinations across Sicily, you will likely need to head to Messina and change trains there, such as Palermo.

Local trains connect Syracuse with Ragusa, Noto, Modica & Gela.

The train station is located about a 10 minute walk from the Old Town Center

By Bus: Buses connect Syracuse with most cities around Sicily as well as numerous local destinations.

The Bus Terminal is located just a block away from the Syracuse Train Station. Tickets can be purchased at a kiosk at the train station.

By Plane: The nearest airport to Syracuse is in Catania. Search flights to Catania on Skyscanner.

20 off the beaten path destinations you must visit in Italy

Things To Do In Syracuse

Neapolis Archeological Park €6
Greek Theater €10
Catacombs of San Giovanni
Latomia del Paradiso
Museum of Archeology
Necropolis Caves
Sanctuary of Madonna
Take a Sicilian cooking class
Wine tasting
Take a day trip to Fontane Bianche

Check out Italy’s southernmost island: Lampedusa

Things To Do On Ortygia Island

Ortygia Old Town
Cathedral of Syracuse
Maniace Castle
Piazza Duomo
Fountain of Arethusa
Temple of Apollo
Temple of Athena
Shop at the Ortygia Outdoor Market
Swim and sunbathe on the island’s rocky beaches

Exploring more of South Italy? Don’t miss my Naples Guide & my Amalfi Coast Travel Guide

Where To Sleep In Syracuse & Orytgia

Budget

LoL Hostel
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Midrange

Amuni
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Splurge

Grand Hotel Ortygia
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Fontane Bianche, Syracuse Travel, Siracusa Travel, Ortygia Travel, Ortigia Travel, Syracuse Travel Guide, Syracuse, Ortygia, Ortigia, Siracusa, Syracuse Sicily, Sicily, Italy — Fontane Bianche

Day Trip To Fontane Bianche

Fontane Bianche is known for its beautiful sandy beach. Located about 15 km south of Syracuse Fontane Bianche can easily be reached by bus or train.

By Train: Several trains per day depart from the Syracuse Train Station that make a stop at Fontane Bianche. The travel time is about 15 minutes. Tickets are €2.50 each way. There is no ticket office in Fontane Bianche, so it’s easiest to purchase your return ticket as well in Syracuse.

By Bus: Buses depart the Syracuse Bus Terminal, a block from the train station several times per day. Bus #21 and Bus #22 make stops at Fontane Bianche, note that they are often late and can get very crowded in the summer months.