Syracuse is a port of call on Mediterranean itineraries nearly year-round, with Ponant, Azamara, and Windstar among the cruise lines calling at this historic Sicilian harbor.
Syracuse rises on Sicily's Ionian coast as one of the ancient Mediterranean's great cities, once rivaling Athens in size and influence. The Archaeological Park of Neapolis preserves its layered past, from the Greek Theater carved into rock to the Roman Amphitheater and the cave known as the Ear of Dionysius. The mathematician Archimedes was born here, a fitting legacy for a city that shaped classical thought and engineering.
Across a short bridge lies Ortigia, the historic island core, where Baroque facades, golden stone piazzas, and narrow lanes invite unhurried exploration on foot. The Ortigia Cathedral, built upon an ancient Greek temple, houses relics of St. Lucy, the city's patron saint. Waterfront cafes and citrus-scented courtyards complete the scene, making the old town easily reached from the pier for a day balancing antiquity with everyday Sicilian life.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Syracuse.
Explore the Neapolis Archaeological Park
Wander among the Greek Theater, Roman Amphitheater, and the cavernous Ear of Dionysius, all within one walkable site. Allow at least ninety minutes and wear sturdy shoes for the uneven stone paths.
Wander Ortigia's Old Town
Cross the short bridge from the mainland to lose yourself in Baroque lanes, golden piazzas, and citrus-scented courtyards. Easily reached on foot from the pier, it rewards unhurried exploration.
Visit the Ortigia Cathedral
Step inside this Baroque church built directly atop an ancient Greek temple, its columns still visible within the walls. It also holds venerated relics of St. Lucy, the city's patron saint.
