from 0 review
Entire Day - 7hrs
Driving Tour
Private group
Your Hotel
Catania is beautiful with Mt. Etna rising up before you, but you haven’t seen anything yet until you take a short trip to the south to Siracusa. The main highlights here are the lovely and vast outdoor archeological park, where you will experience the wonders of this ancient civilization. Then spend the afternoon in Ortigia, the island just off the coast of Siracusa, where Baroque architecture abounds like in the facade of the Duomo, and a splendid view of the sea is always a short walk away! Siracusa has an unforgettable blend of ancient and modern all right next to each other.
For much of the 4th century BCE, Siracusa was the main powerhouse in Sicily. They dominated the area under many different rulers such as Hieron and Dionysus, who left their mark on the city in ways that can still be seen today. The archeological park and museum of Siracusa are some of the most influential and fascinating collections of ancient history anywhere in the world. Besides all things ancient, the island of Ortigia is the perfect place to stroll by the seaside after a fantastic dinner. There is no reason to wait any longer to experience the magic of Siracusa!
Discover the ruins of the ancient town of Siracusa, a once great Greek colony that dominated the eastern half of Sicily. Here you will discover the remains of the Greek theater, carved into the hillside; the Roman amiphtheater, where the ancients used to gather for gladiatorial spectacles; the altar of Hieron, a massive stone altar that stretches over two football fields in length! Finally cap it all off by heading to the archeological museum to admire all the things found in the park and many of the other sites throughout Sicily.
Right in the middle of the city rises this ancient temple from the 6th century BCE. An incredible site rises from the modern town, with many of its massive columns still standing.
Perhaps the most stunning facade in all of the Baroque world. This church is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary. The facade itself is not all that this church has to offer. It also happens to be built into the remains of the ancient temple of Athena! That's right! After taking your pictures of the from the front of the church, take a walk around the side and see those beautiful Doric columns built into the walls of the church!
As the story goes, the nymph Arethusa was fleeing from the river god Alpheus. She dove underground, and was transported miles away. When she sprung up to the surface again, fresh water followed! This spot in Ortigia marks where Arethusa sprung from the ground, and in fact, there is a freshwater spring here, only a few meters away from the salt water of the Mediterranean.
Suggested starting time: 08:30 AM; 09:00 AM; (Times may have to change slightly due to ticket availability)
