Siracusa is a city draped in seaweed and secrets, where baroque balconies jut out like broken teeth, and every alleyway seems to lead to a forgotten piazza haunted by pigeons and despair. Imagine a place where laundry flaps from windows like tattered flags of surrender. The air is thick with the smell of overripe fruit and fish drying on salty washing lines. But for those who find beauty in decay, Siracusa has a certain undeniable charm. Its crumbling grandeur possesses a strange allure.
If you explore Siracusa, you might just find yourself with a story worth telling. Since the majority of Siracusa’s sights are in Ortigia, it’s easy to set off on foot and explore them. With a full day and a good pair of walking shoes, you should be able to complete this walking tour in Siracusa, and explore all of the sights in depth.
Read on for a free self-guided walking tour of Siracusa that you can do on your own time, using my outline. I’m including a Google Maps link for each of the stops to help you follow along and also so that if you want to enter any of the sites, you’ll be able to see when they’re open. Here’s the full map so you can see what you’re getting into before you start.
Don’t miss out on this! This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Syracuse.
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Where to Start
Here’s more information about how to get to Siracusa, getting around Siracusa, where to stay, where to eat, and what else to do in Siracusa.
Once you’ve made it to Siracusa, dropped off your luggage, and maybe had a good sleep and/or something to eat, make your way to Ponte Umbertino to officially start your tour. Ponte Umbertino is one of the two bridges that connects Ortigia to the mainland. From there, you’ll be able to see the first stop on the tour.
1. Statue of Archimedes
This is a two meter high bronze statue of the Siracusan genius, Archimedes, that sits between the two bridges at the entrance of Ortigia. The statue sits atop stone steps which reproduce the famous Stomachion geometric puzzle, creating an interesting perspective effect. Each step is engraved with a symbol of a theory developed by him such as Pi, the principle of levers, and the spiral.
2. Porta Urbica
This is no longer recognizable as a gate in the historic city walls of Siracusa, but it’s free to visit and easy to stop by and take a quick peek.
3. Temple of Apollo
Here, you’ll find barely recognizable ruins of a 6th century BCE temple. This is another site that’s free and easy to visit.
- Hungry: Go to the Apollonion – Osteria da Carlo for the multi course fixed seafood menu.
4. Ortigia Street Market
This street market sells a little bit of everything from fresh produce to fresh seafood to dried spices and fruit, to ceramics, clothing, and souvenirs. Expect to be able sample some foods for free or buy small bites throughout the market. There are also some restaurants to sit down to a seafood dinner or meat and cheese board. It’s open Monday-Saturday from around 8am-2pm, but it’s best enjoyed during the earlier hours.
- Hungry? Fratelli Burgio offers super popular charcuterie boards with various combinations of smoked fish, cured meats and cheeses, vegetables, and preserves. Caseificio Borderi is a great place to grab a panino. Expect a line to snake around the corner at lunch time.
5. Fountain of Diana
The next stop on your Siracusa walking tour is the Fountain of Diana. Look for the fountain featuring a statue of the goddess Diana and a bunch of cute horses in the center of Piazza Archimede.
- Hungry? Try A Putia for home-style Sicilian food. Favourites are the caponata, linguine alla Siracusana, and grilled swordfish. Go early or expect to wait for a table. Pizzeria Schiticchio is a pizza restaurant with a cozy, cave-like atmosphere and a great selection of local craft beer.
6. Syracuse Cathedral
This Catholic cathedral is built on the skeleton of a 5th-century BC Greek temple to Athena. Syracuse’s 7th-century duomo became a church when St Paul passed by. Its most striking feature is the columned baroque facade added after the 1693 earthquake. Look along the side for a number of thick Doric columns leftover from the original Greek temple. Admission is €2 and well worth it.
- Thirsty? Enoteca Solaria is a highly rated wine bar with a huge selection of wines, a nice atmosphere, and helpful service. The staff will happily recommend wines to pair with the meats, cheese, olives, and bruschetta that they also serve.
7. Piazza del Duomo
This is a piazza surrounded by flamboyant palazzi, sitting on what was once Siracusa’s ancient acropolis.
- Hungry? Go to Burgio al Porto for wine or a cocktail or stay for a meat and cheese board, fish platter, or sandwich stuffed with marinated vegetables.
8. Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia
The Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia is dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Saint Lucy, martyred in Siracusa during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian. The church is home to a copy of Caravaggio’s masterpiece, Seppellimento di Santa Lucia (Burial of St Lucy, 1609). The nave ceiling is frescoed with the Triumph of Santa Lucia by Deodato Guinaccia. Look for lots of religious art. The church is free to visit but check opening hours.
- Hungry? Cannoli Del Re has cannoli in a cone.
9. Castello Maniace
The next stop on your Siracusa walking tour is a little further away from the others but worth the walk. This castle and citadel was built in the 1200s. It is impressive to view from the exterior or you may choose to enter by crossing the bridge over the (now filled) moat. If you have the time, it is worth a visit for the vaulted central hall, small collection of historical artifacts, magnificent sea views, and random exhibitions. Admission is €8.
- Hungry? Trattoria La Foglia offers a quirky, homey atmosphere and great Sicilian food.
10. Church of Saint John Baptist
This gothic style church was apparently built in the late 1300s, converted to a synagogue in the 1400s, and then again back to a church in the late 1400s. It currently has no roof and is used as a beautiful venue for special events such as weddings. If you are lucky, you will be able to peek in if there is an event taking place or if they are setting up for one.
11. Chiesa di San Filippo Apostolo
This church was built on a medieval synagogue and underneath are catacombs linking a burial crypt, WWII air raid shelter, and Jewish ritual bath. From April to October, Monday to Saturday, there is a pay-what-you-want tour that lasts about 15 minutes. Tours start every 30 minutes with the first tour at 10am and the last tour is at 5pm, with a 2-hour break from 1pm to 3pm.
- Hungry? Stop by Antica Giudecca for arancini, calzone, pizza by the slice, and other quick takeaway food. Or stop at Bistrot Bella Vita for coffee, cornetti, biscotti, and pastries.
This concludes our walking tour around Ortigia. If you have a second day in Siracusa, there are several sights on the mainland worth seeing as well. Here’s my complete Siracusa travel guide. And if you’re looking for more, here is everything I’ve written about Italy.
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