Sicily · SYRACUSE TOURS
Half of Syracuse is an island you can walk in an hour, and the other half is a Greek quarry with a theatre in it. These 15 cover both, plus the sea caves off the point and the boat trips that reach them, with prices and start times.
Join Captain Mirko or another local captain for a 90-minute cruise from Riva della Posta around Ortigia Island. See Maniace Castle, Aretusa Fountain, the harbor, and Umbertino Bridge, then visit sea caves and stop for swimming. Masks and fresh water are included.
“We really enjoyed the trip. Captain was experienced and nice guy!”
Spend two hours circling Ortigia with an English, Italian, or Spanish-speaking skipper. See Maniace Castle and Arethusa Spring, enter sea caves, swim and snorkel, and enjoy seasonal fruit, juice, and Prosecco aboard a comfortable boat.
“Great couple of hours spent going around the bay seeing caves and stopping for a 20 minute swim. Fresh fruit and Prosecco and a nice little boat. We had a lovely time.”
Meet your English or Italian-speaking skipper outside A Surgiva for a 1.5-hour ride around Ortigia and Siracusa’s coast. Expect ancient walls, Fonte Aretusa, Castello Maniace, sea caves, music, and a swim stop. Antonio, Antonino, and Chris have guided many outings.
“Wonderful guide - very funny and played fantastic music. A bit of history without it being the focus of the trip. Lovely, fun experience!”
Walk through Syracuse’s Neapolis Archaeological Park with a licensed Italian-speaking guide such as Eva or Federica. See the Greek Theater, Ear of Dionysius, Altar of Hieron II, quarries, and Roman amphitheater. The small-group format keeps the tour clear, focused, and easy to follow.
“Eva was amazing! She was very knowledgable and answered all our questions. It was a great 2 hours, definitely recommend.”
Spend two hours circling Ortigia with a local skipper, visiting sea caves, Maniace Castle, Arethusa Spring, and Plemmirio’s Pillirina cove. Swim and snorkel from the boat, with masks, fresh water, shade, and Italian or English guidance. Captains such as Francesco and Alessandro may use a translator app.
“The boat tour was great and we loved the opportunity for a swim in the warm Mediterranean waters!”
You’ll cruise from Via Malta around Ortigia with an Italian or English-speaking guide, passing sea caves, the heart-shaped cave, Castello Maniace, Fonte Aretusa, and Porta Marina. The hour includes a short swim stop, onboard safety gear, a freshwater shower, and a glass of Prosecco.
“The hour long trip was perfect! We delayed our trip by one day on the advice of the trip provider because of the high sea. That meant we were able to access two of the sea caves which were amazing and not to be missed! Nice touch to have the Prosecco during the trip too. So lovely to see Ortigia from the sea.”
Cruise Siracusa’s coast and Ortigia aboard Crystal Boat, a fully transparent boat with a shaded awning. English or Italian-speaking skippers such as Antonino and Stefano guide you past sea caves, coves, and the seabed, with time for a swim and an underwater photo.
“it was fun and on time . and get to stop for few minutes to swim too”
Walk Ortigia for three hours with guides such as Maria, Giuseppe, or Iryna, stopping at five local food spots for arancini, impanate, seafood, cheeses, cured meats, granita, cannoli, and liqueur. Come hungry, wear comfortable shoes, and tell the provider about dietary needs when booking.
“We have been on a 3h Food-Tour with Iryna, the guide and another 8 people. The group size was perfect, everyone was so friendly, especially Iryna. Iryna explained everything in a very informative, interesting and funny way. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was fantastic. We stopped for the food and historical buildings. Iryna answered all of our questions very well. We do recommend it.”
Spend two hours circling Ortigia by boat, entering sea caves, swimming near Maniace Castle, and watching the sun sink over Syracuse. Your guide may be Michelangelo, Enzo, Salvo, or another local skipper. A Sicilian antipasti platter, prosecco, music, and photos are included.
“Excellent tour ! Great value for money and our captain was outstanding !”
Start at Neapolis Archaeological Park with a private guide such as Giuseppe, Anna, or Marcelo, then explore Ortigia’s ancient lanes and Cathedral. Expect Greek theaters, the Ear of Dionysius, Temple of Athena, and lively storytelling. Monument tickets cost extra.
“Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the park as well as the island. We all learned so much. He made it both fun and interesting. I would highly recommend.”
Explore Syracuse’s Ortigia with a licensed English, Italian, or German-speaking guide. See the Apollo Temple, cathedral, Arethusa Spring, Jewish Quarter, and Piazza Archimede. Private tours run year-round, with guides such as Eva and Galina offering flexible, detail-filled walks.
“Eva was very informative. Learnt a lot about the history of the area and the architecture. Highlight was the cathedral. Stunning and unique with original doric roman temple remains incorporated into church. High recommend tour.”
Travel from Syracuse to Mount Etna in a small group of up to eight. With guides such as Federico, Lorenzo, Stefano, or Simone, you’ll walk around extinct craters at 2,000 meters, enter a lava cave with helmet and lamp, and sample Sicilian food, with wine tasting available on selected options.
“This was a great trip! Our guide Lorenzo collected us promptly from Syracuse and drove us in comfort to Mount Etna, during which time he chatted about Mount Etna and life in Sicily, which was so interesting and informative. The Etna experience was amazing - I would definitely recommend the optional extra of going up higher in the cable car. Overall, the day was very relaxed and Lorenzo made sure we could enjoy things at our own pace and schedule, rather than rushing us around or adhering to strict times everywhere. The trip is kept to small groups (we were 6 in total) and felt very tailored and personal and…”
Walk Ortigia with an English or Italian guide, visiting the Temple of Apollo, Piazza Duomo, Aretusa Spring, Giudecca, and more. Eva is one guide praised for her clear storytelling and easy pace. The shared tour lasts two hours, costs $22, and includes headsets for larger groups.
“The tour guide was very knowledgeable and had a good style of communication, The radio headphones worked well. Recommended.”
Walk through Syracuse’s Neapolis Archaeological Park with a certified English or Italian guide. See the Latomie, Ear of Dionysius, Greek Theater, Nymphaeum, Altar of Hieron II, and Roman Amphitheater. Giuseppe, Luca, Laura, and other guides are praised for clear explanations and an easy pace.
“Our guide was engaging and very knowledgeable about the Neapolis Archeological Park and the history of Syracuse.”
Walk through Ortigia with an English- or Italian-speaking guide, visiting the Temple of Apollo, Fountain of Diana, Piazza Duomo, Syracuse Cathedral, and Arethusa Spring. Guides such as Michael, Giuseppe, Letizia, and Vincenzo have been praised for clear history and local stories. Cathedral entry is extra.
“Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history, architecture, and local lore of Siracusa and Ortigia. He was kind and answered every question thoroughly. I highly recommend this tour. Whether you’re just arriving in Siracusa or looking to deepen your understanding of the area and its history. I can’t recommend it enough. One small suggestion: we especially enjoyed the local lore our guide shared, such as the story about the Dolce & Gabbana heirs owning a flat near the Duomo. Including more of that type of fun, insider information could make future tours even more engaging. Still, the tour gets 5 out of 5 starts from me. Thank you for…”
Pick a coast, a volcano or a kitchen.
