Syracuse is a town of 115,515 inhabitants in the province of Syracuse, in Sicily, Italy. It is the capital of its province.
The municipality covers 204.08 km², with a density of 566 inhabitants per km².
The nearest airport is Catania (CTA), about 50 km away as the crow flies. Read our guide to the airport.
Things to see in Syracuse
Greek theatre and the island of Ortigia
Syracuse was one of the greatest cities of the ancient Greek world, rival of Athens and home of Archimedes. Together with the Necropolis of Pantalica it is a UNESCO site.
What to see
The Neapolis Archaeological Park holds a huge Greek theatre, still used every summer for classical plays, the Roman amphitheatre and the Ear of Dionysius, a cave with astonishing acoustics. The island of Ortigia is the historic heart: the cathedral, built around a Doric temple of Athena, the Baroque Piazza Duomo, the Fountain of Arethusa with its papyrus plants and the Maniace Castle at the tip. The Paolo Orsi museum is one of the best archaeological museums in Italy.
Food
Fresh fish from the Ortigia market, pasta with sea urchins, almond granita and the Moscato di Siracusa.
Around Syracuse
Noto, Modica and Ragusa, the Vendicari nature reserve and its beaches, and Marzamemi fishing village. Catania airport is about an hour away.
Syracuse on the map
Nearby towns
Where to stay in and around Syracuse
Tours and activities nearby
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