Looking for the perfect three-day Syracuse itinerary? You’re in the right place!
Syracuse is one of the most charming places to base yourself in Sicily, and its historic heart is Ortigia Island. The two are essentially part of the same city, but we definitely recommend staying in Ortigia for the atmosphere and easy access to the main sights.
There’s plenty to explore here, from ancient ruins and castles to beautiful waterfront views and some seriously good Sicilian food. And with Mount Etna close enough for a day trip, you can easily mix city time with a bigger adventure.
We’ve devised this 3-day itinerary to help you enjoy the best of both worlds in Syracuse. Let’s go!
Don’t miss out!
Our Top Choice
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our FAVORITE thing we did in Syracuse was this food tour! We explored Ortigia, stopping by three markets and sampling some of the best Sicilian street food. And yes, it was all delicious!
Itinerary Overview
🍕Day 1: Ortigia Sightseeing & Street Food Tour
Explore Ortigia and visit Castello Maniace before joining a street food tour and finishing the day with sunset drinks.
⛰️Day 2: Mount Etna Day Trip
Today we’ll explore Mount Etna on either a guided hike or a 4×4 adventure with lunch and wine tasting.
⛵Day 3: A Relaxing Boat Tour & Seafood Dinner
Take a boat tour around Ortigia and its sea caves and spend the afternoon at the beach, before wrapping up your trip with seafood and wine – cheers!
Day 1
Breakfast – Viola Bakery
We’re starting day one nice and early at Viola Bakery in Ortigia. It opens at 8:30 am, so we recommend getting here right when the doors open to give yourself plenty of time before heading to the castle.
Grab a coffee and something from the bakery for breakfast, then enjoy a fairly relaxed start to the day before sightseeing properly kicks off. From here, it’s only around a 10-minute walk to Castello Maniace, so the location works perfectly with this morning’s plans.
Don’t hang around for too long, though! We want to be at the castle by around 9 am so there’s enough time to explore without rushing before the food tour later on.
Morning – Visit the Maniace Castle
After breakfast, walk about 10 minutes to Castello Maniace, an imposing 13th-century fortress right at the southern tip of Ortigia. It’s surrounded by the sea on almost every side, so you get some fantastic views from here as well as a healthy dose of history!
The castle was built during the reign of Frederick II and has been used for everything from royal residences to military defense over the centuries. It’s pretty big, so give yourself around 1 to 1.5 hours to wander around, admire the old architecture, and take in the views across the water.
Entry costs €6, and we suggest arriving at around 9 am. This gives you plenty of time to explore without having to rush, since our next activity has a firm start time. The food tour meeting point is about a 15-minute walk away, so aim to leave the castle by 11 am at the absolute latest. To be honest, we’d probably head off a little earlier just to be safe!
Midday – Taste your way around Syracuse
Now for one of our favorite ways to get to know a new place: eating our way around it! This three-hour street food tour combines two things we want from our first day in Syracuse, as you’ll try lots of Sicilian specialties while getting to know Ortigia with a local guide.
There are 11:30 am and 6 pm departures available, but we recommend the earlier option for this itinerary. It fits perfectly after Castello Maniace and means you don’t need to worry about finding somewhere for lunch!
Come hungry because there’s a LOT of food involved. You’ll get to try Sicilian favorites like arancini and impanata, as well as local cheeses and cured meats. In summer, there may be a fresh fried fish cone on the menu, too – don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! And naturally, there will be some sweet treats to finish up with, like cannoli and refreshing Sicilian granita.
But this isn’t just about the food. You’ll also get to explore the lively Ortigia Market and pass some of Syracuse’s most famous sights, including the Temple of Apollo and Fontana di Diana. Your guide will also share plenty about Sicilian history and food culture as you go, which is exactly why we love doing food tours early in a trip!
The tour wraps up at around 2:30 pm, by which point you should be very well fed and have a much better feel for Syracuse! It’s one of the best things to do in Syracuse, and don’t just take our word for it, because you can read HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews here.
Late afternoon – Your choice!
You’ve already packed a lot into day one, so we’re giving you two options for the late afternoon. If you’ve still got some sightseeing energy left, there’s one more fascinating historic site to squeeze in. Otherwise, you can always just take the next few hours to rest and maybe fall into a food coma after the tour!
Visit the Catacombs Di San Giovanni
If you’re keen to keep exploring, head over to the Catacombs Di San Giovanni on the Syracuse mainland. They’re around a 15-minute drive from where the food tour ends, or you can get there in roughly 25 minutes by bus.
The catacombs date back to the early Christian period and contain a huge network of underground passageways and burial chambers. You can only explore them on a guided tour, which takes around 30-40 minutes, so allow about an hour for your visit in total.
Conveniently, the catacombs reopen from 2:30 pm until 5:30 pm in the afternoon, so they slot nicely into this itinerary. Admission costs €10, which we think is well worth it.
Relax
Alternatively, call it a day on the sightseeing front! You’ve already explored a castle and spent three hours walking and eating your way around Ortigia, so you may well be ready for a break.
Head back to your hotel for some downtime, or grab a coffee and find a nice spot around the Duomo to sit and watch the world go by. We’ve got sunset drinks planned later, so there’s no need to feel guilty about conserving some energy!
Evening – Grab sunset drinks at La Terrazza del Grand Hotel Ortigia
As sunset approaches, make your way to La Terrazza del Grand Hotel Ortigia for drinks with a view. This rooftop terrace is one of our favorite sunset spots in Ortigia, with gorgeous views across the water and Syracuse coastline.
Try to arrive a little before sunset so you can grab a good spot, order a cocktail, and settle in for golden hour. After a busy first day, this is a pretty dreamy way to slow things down!
There’s no need to rush off afterward, either. Dinner is only a seven-minute walk away, so take your time with your drinks and make the most of the glorious view before heading out for the evening.
Dinner – Chiodo – Ristorante Ortigia
From the rooftop, it’s only about a seven-minute walk to Chiodo, which we think is the perfect spot for your first dinner in Ortigia. The restaurant has a gorgeous setting and a cozy atmosphere, but most importantly, the food is fantastic!
The restaurant opens at 5:30 pm, but of course, you’ll want to catch the sunset first, so enjoy your drinks and just rock up whenever you’re ready. And take your time with dinner, because you’ve got no other plans this evening. This is the main event!
Afterward, wander back to your hotel via Ortigia’s historic streets, preferably along the waterfront! The island is especially beautiful in the evening, so make the most of it with one final stroll. For us, this was the perfect way to round off our first day in Syracuse.
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Day 2
Full Day Option 1 – Go hiking at Mt Etna
Mount Etna is one of Sicily’s biggest bucket-list sights, and if you enjoy hiking, this private Mount Etna tour is an amazing way to experience it! Rather than just heading up for the views, you’ll actually get out onto the volcano and explore its crazy landscape on foot.
Pickup is from your accommodation in Syracuse at around 8:30 am, so you don’t have to worry about getting to Etna independently. And since this is a private tour, your guide can adapt the hike to suit your group.
You’ll explore the south side of Mount Etna, hiking across old lava flows and around the rims of ancient craters at roughly 2,000 meters above sea level. There’s also the possibility of heading higher towards the upper craters, depending on conditions and your group. Mount Etna is an active volcano, so routes can change!
We think hiking is such a cool way to experience Etna because you really get a sense of how wild the landscape is. You’re walking across black volcanic terrain and seeing the evidence of past eruptions beneath your feet, rather than admiring it all from a distance.
You’ll need moderate fitness and good mobility, but you definitely don’t need to be an expert hiker. You should arrive back in Syracuse at around 4:30 pm, ready for a well-earned pizza later on!
Full Day Option 2 – Experience Etna’s lava flows, wines, and unique scenery
If you want to experience Mount Etna without a full-on hike, go for this 4×4 tour instead! You’ll still get out and explore the volcanic landscape on foot, but the walking is broken up with plenty of driving, plus there’s wine and lunch involved. Sold!
The tour takes you across Etna’s lava flows in a 4×4, stopping to explore some of the volcano’s most interesting features along the way. You’ll see an eruptive vent from 2001 and venture into a volcanic cave – pretty cool, right? There’s some walking involved, but this option is much less physically demanding than the full hiking tour above.
Then it’s time for a well-earned drink! You’ll visit a local winery to see vineyards growing in Etna’s volcanic soil and taste the DOC wines produced here. We love that this adds another dimension to the day, because Etna isn’t just about craters and lava. The volcano has also shaped the food and wine culture of this entire region.
Finally, you’ll stop for a Sicilian lunch at a mountain hut around 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level. Talk about a meal with a view!
We recommend booking the 10:30 am departure from Syracuse, so you can grab breakfast near your hotel first. Pickup is included, and you should be back at around 4:30 pm with plenty of time to get ready for dinner.
Dinner – Schiticchio in Via Cavour
After a full day exploring Mount Etna, head back to your hotel for a shower and some downtime before dinner. Then, it’s time for that pizza we promised!
Schiticchio in Via Cavour is right in the heart of Ortigia and serves Neapolitan-style pizzas with plenty of Sicilian ingredients thrown into the mix. There are burgers and other hearty options too, but after a day on a volcano, pizza feels like the obvious choice to us.
The restaurant itself is tucked inside a historic 14th-century building, so it’s got plenty of atmosphere too. We’ve got another adventure planned for tomorrow morning, so take it easy tonight and just relax. Buon appetito!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
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Day 3
Breakfast – Caffè d’Ortigia
It’s our final day in Syracuse, and we’re starting with breakfast at Caffè d’Ortigia. We came here for coffee and something to eat before our boat tour, and it proved to be the perfect little stop!
It’s right by the Temple of Apollo, so you get a pretty impressive backdrop with your morning coffee! There are plenty of sweet and savory options, or you can keep things quintessentially Sicilian with a granita and brioche – yum.
If your hotel is elsewhere in Ortigia, though, don’t go out of your way to come here. There are loads of good cafes around, so anywhere nearby will do the job. Just make sure you leave enough time to get to the boat for 10 am, because that’s when the fun really starts!
Morning – Enjoy a boat tour of Ortigia, sea caves, Pillirina, and snorkeling
Now for one of the most fun ways to see Syracuse! This two-hour boat tour takes you around Ortigia from the water, so you get a completely different view of the island and its historic buildings.
A few departure times are available, but we recommend booking the 10 am option. It’s a brilliant way to start the day, especially if it’s hot, and the tour departs right from Ortigia, so it fits nicely into this itinerary.
We had the best time cruising around the island! We passed landmarks like Castello Maniace before heading out towards the sea caves. Our captain actually took the boat into some of them, so we got to see how the water and marine life create those gorgeous blue-green colors you see in photos. It was such a cool contrast to seeing Ortigia from the streets!
There’s also time for a swim and snorkel in the clear Sicilian water, with masks provided on board. And because groups are capped at 12 people, it felt relaxed and personal, rather than a crammed sightseeing boat.
Perhaps best of all, fresh fruit and prosecco are served on board, which feels very appropriate for a sunny morning in Sicily! Just remember to bring a towel, and contact the operator the day before to confirm the exact meeting point in Ortigia. You’ll be back at around noon, which gives you plenty of time to dry off and head to the market for lunch.
Lunch – Caseificio Borderi
After your boat tour, wander over to Ortigia Market for lunch at Caseificio Borderi. There are lots of options at the market, but we absolutely loved the huge sandwiches here, and they’re perfect for soaking up the prosecco from the boat tour!
Beyond the giant portions, what makes this place stand out is how fresh the ingredients are. We ended up ordering a sandwich to share as we weren’t sure if we’d be able to manage one each, and we were definitely full by the end. We went for the vegetarian sandwich, which was stuffed to the brim with local cheeses and vegetables, but there were also cured meats and plenty of other fillings to choose from.
This place is really popular, and it does get a little chaotic around lunchtime, but that’s also part of the fun! The sandwiches are made right in front of you (at lightning-quick speed, I might add!) and there’s a lot of noise, but the staff is also really friendly. Once you’ve got your sandwich, pull up a table outside and just enjoy the atmosphere of the market until you’re ready to hit the beach.
Afternoon – Hit the beach
After a busy couple of days, we’re keeping your final afternoon nice and relaxed. Syracuse has some lovely swimming spots, so take your pick depending on how far you feel like venturing!
Fontane Bianche is our top choice. It’s about 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Syracuse, but its soft white sand and gorgeous blue water make it more than worth the trip! To get there, you can hop in a taxi, or if you’re renting a car, you can drive there!
And if you want something a bit quieter and more tucked away, you can always hop in the car and head out to Minaret Beach on the Maddalena Peninsula. It’s a super pretty cove with golden sand and calm water that’s absolutely perfect for an afternoon swim.
But if you’d prefer to stay in Ortigia, no worries. We loved cooling off at Spiaggia Diana nel Forte with views of the castle in the background – no wonder this spot is a local favorite! It’s rocky rather than sandy, but it’s absolutely beautiful, and really convenient if you don’t want to leave the island. And just a 6-minute walk away, you’ve also got Spiaggia di Cala Rossa, another pretty spot with a small pebble beach and clear water.
Of course, you don’t have to swim at all! If you’d rather explore on foot, you can always head along the Lungomare d’Ortigia at your own pace, soaking in the views and perhaps stopping for a gelato or two. It’s your final chance to soak up the Sicilian sunshine, so do it your way!
Evening – Aperitivo at Evoè wine bar
After a few hours at the beach, head back to Ortigia, get cleaned up, and make your way to Evoè for aperitivo. We fell in love with this cozy little wine bar when we visited, and it proved to be the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine before dinner.
They have a huge selection from Sicily and elsewhere in Italy, so this is a good chance to try something local rather than just ordering whatever you already know. We highly recommend sampling an Etna wine while you’re here, especially after spending yesterday exploring the volcano!
Small plates and tapas-style bites are also available, so you can have a little snack without ruining your appetite for dinner. This is your final aperitivo in Ortigia, so take your time and enjoy it.
Dinner – Le Vin de l’Assassi
For your final dinner in Syracuse, make your way to Le Vin de l’Assassi. It’s only about a five-minute walk from Evoè, but there’s no rush. If you like, you can always walk off the wine with a wander through Ortigia’s streets on the way to the restaurant.
Once you get there, you might have to wait a little while for a table as this spot gets pretty busy in the evenings. The line tends to move pretty quickly, though, and we think it’s worth a little patience because this small, cozy spot is really atmospheric and serves up some of the best seafood we’ve ever had in Sicily!
Our waiter recommended the gazpacho burrata soup for us as a starter, which we loved, and then I had octopus for my main while Bailey had the sea bass. Both were delicious, and then we shared a hazelnut dessert to finish off the meal.
Once you’ve eaten, the rest of the night is up to you! We went for one last stroll along the waterfront and then headed for a nightcap at Il Club, an old-school cocktail bar tucked along Via Roma. If you’ve got an early flight, you can always head to bed, but we’re never quite ready for a trip to Sicily to end, so we say drag this final evening out for as long as you can!
Where to Stay in Syracuse, Italy
For this itinerary, we definitely recommend staying in Ortigia. It’s the historic heart of Syracuse and puts you within walking distance of tons of restaurants, bars, and sights. Plus, both of the tours we’ve included on Days 1 and 3 leave from the island, so it really couldn’t be more convenient!
Luxury – $$$
Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel is our top pick if you’re looking for a high-end stay in Ortigia. This beautiful 4-star superior hotel is right in the historic center and just steps from the sea – talk about a prime location! The rooms have lots of Sicilian character, with charming Mediterranean-inspired decor, and you can even splurge on a sea-view room or a suite with a private terrace and Jacuzzi!
Prices vary by season, sitting between €200 to €450. Read the glowing reviews and book this luxury hotel here!
Mid-range – $$
If you’re looking for a middle ground between luxury and affordability, we highly recommend Matteotti Luxury Residence. This is where we stayed, and the location was fantastic! It put us right in the heart of Ortigia, so we were able to walk pretty much everywhere. We also enjoyed being in apartment-style accommodations, since we ate out at restaurants every night anyway, and we loved having a bit more space and independence than a traditional hotel offers.
Prices range from €150 to €350 per night, depending on time of year. Check availability and book our favorite Ortigia hotel here!
Budget – $
Last but not least, Ortigia Boutique Palace is our top budget pick in Ortigia. It’s on Via Dione, so again, you’ll be right in the thick of things rather than sacrificing location to save some money.
The hotel is housed in a historic building, so it has lots of character, with archways, exposed brick, and wooden beams on the ceiling. The rooms and apartments are compact and simply decorated, but they’re bright and modern, so they still feel stylish. We think this is a great option if you’d rather save your euros for boat trips and wine!
Rooms start as low as €110 per night. Book Ortigia Boutique Palace here, before it sells out!
Need more options? You can check out all Ortigia hotels here!
Book your Airport Taxi in advance
Start your trip stress-free by booking your airport taxi before you arrive. You’ll skip the long lines, avoid overpriced fares and scams, and won’t have to worry about explaining your hotel address to a driver. Simply prebook your airport pickup online here, and your driver will be ready to take you directly to your hotel!
Renting a Car in Italy
Renting a car in Italy is one of the best ways to explore the country beyond the cities—think charming Tuscan villages, dramatic Amalfi Coast drives, and hidden gems in the countryside. While Italy’s roads can be a little chaotic (especially in cities), with the right preparation, renting a car here can be an unforgettable and rewarding experience!
We always use Discover Cars when booking our rentals, and highly recommend them. They compare dozens of providers to find you the best rates, include important filters like “automatic transmission,” and offer affordable full insurance coverage. For more info, you can read our in-depth Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in Italy
What You Need to Rent a Car in Italy
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Thanks for reading!
Syracuse is everything you’d hope for in a Sicily getaway – a charming historic center, gorgeous water, outdoor adventure, and amazing food! Three days were the perfect amount of time to enjoy this quaint but soulful town. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Before you go, see all of our Italy blogs! We’ve been all over the country and have guides to help you plan a memorable trip. Here are a few related blogs you might be interested in – cheers!
How to Spend ONE or TWO days in Pompeii, Italy: The Best 1- or 2-Day Itinerary
What to Pack for Europe in Summer: Our Personal Packing List
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The Services We Recommend
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