Things to Do in Syracuse (Sicily) in Winter
Though Syracuse is small, it is one of Sicily’s top attractions. As you can imagine, it gets packed with tourists in the summer. That’s why going to Syracuse in winter is a great idea.
Due to its location in the heart of the Mediterranean, Sicily enjoys wonderful winters. It’s never cold and the sun shines almost every day. Therefore, walking about UNESCO listed Syracuse is a pleasure.
The following are our favorite things to do in Syracuse. Visit in winter and you will enjoy better prices and fewer tourists. Syracuse is a beauty better enjoyed with space!
Spend Time in Ortigia
Ortigia is the Old Town of Syracuse and the most important part of the city. Ditch your phone and walk about the island discovering its wonders. The Temple of Apollo is to the north, close to the bridges.
The 6th Century BC remains are a sight to behold. From there it’s a 2-minute walk to Origia Market. It’s a real market favored by locals. They sell fresh product and there are couple of good places to eat.
From there, go south to the Piazza del Duomo. The 7th Century Cathedral presides over the plaza. It’s stunning. Keep walking south to the Maniace Castle. The 13th Century fort on the tip of the island will take your breath away. Don’t miss the historic Fonte Aretusa.
If you are short of time, you can book this walking tour of Ortigia.
Rest in Foro Siracusano
Walk along the pedestrian promenade on the west coast of Ortigia, admiring the sea, the marina, and the old trees. There are plenty of bars and restaurants where you can sit and relax.
From the island, cross the bridge and walk about 10 minutes to Foro Siracusano. This lovely green area once served as the city’s agora during Greek times and as a forum during the Roman era. Today, only a few ancient columns remain standing.
After exploring the park, visit the Chiesa di San Tommaso Apostolo al Pantheon. The 1919 Art Deco temple presides over a park. Our favorite pasta restaurant is nearby too: PastaRun.
Visit a Miraculous Sculpture
The Basilica Santuario di Santa Lucia is dedicated to the remains of Syracuse patron, Saint Lucy. The 11th Century temple was refurbished in the 14th century. Go inside to admire Caravaggio’s the ‘Burial of Saint Lucy’.
The 1608 canvas is behind the altar. The remains of Saint Lucy are inside a tomb next to the church. Legend has it that Tedeshi’s 1634 statue once exuded blood.
Both the church and tomb face Santa Lucia square. It’s a great place to sit under a very old tree and people watch. You will see locals going about their everyday life.
Walk or Bike along the Sea
Winters in Syracuse are perfect for walking and biking. One of our favorite walks is from Santa Lucia to the north along Via dell’Unita d’Italia all the way to the Pista Ciclabile Rossana Maiorca.
On your way there, be sure to check out the adjacent streets that face the cliffs. You will reach the Monumento ai Caduti d’ Africa, dedicated to the WWII Italian soldiers that perished in Africa.
The monument is on a plaza with breathtaking views. The biking and walking promenade begins here. You can go on for some 4 miles (6 km) north admiring the cliffs and the sea.
Visit Another Interesting Church
The Capuchin Convent faces the above-mentioned monument and the sea. It’s set in the middle of a gorgeous garden. The 16th Century monastery was built over an ancient Greek quarry, Latomia.
You can see the quarry from above. The entire complex is big and includes the gorgeous Chiesa di Maria Santissima della Misericordia e dei Pericoli.
The church homes notable pieces of art and is quite peaceful. You won’t see many tourists inside. There’s also a fantastic library inside the Monastery with over 30,000 books!
Learn History in the Archeological Museum
We love museums and the Archaeological Museum Paolo Orsi surpassed our expectations. To us, it’s one of the best in Europe. The 1988 building is massive.
Italy’s most celebrated archaeologist Paolo Orsi directed the museum in the past century. It homes a spectacular collection of objects and sculptures from ancient times; most found in Sicily.
You can access the park that surrounds the museum through Villa Landolina. The gardens around the 19th Century mansion home all types of trees, sculptures, and even a cemetery with the tomb of August Von Platen.
Explore the Catacombs
There’s a fascinating world under Syracuse. To access it, go to the Parrocchia San Giovanni Ev. e San Marziano, directly behind the Archaeological Museum.
The 1st Century temple has no roof! However, it is still a church and services are conducted there. The catacombs are beneath this temple. Go inside and prepare to be dazzled.
You can take the 40-minute tour in English. We loved it! We walked about with our helmets admiring the Greek remains and the World War II shelters. The gardens around the church are beautiful.
Admire a Contemporary Sanctuary
Not everything is old in Syracuse. Construction of the Santuario Madonna delle Lacrime began in 1966 and ended in 1996. The massive church looks like an inverted ice cream cone!
Go inside and raise your head to admire the huge dome. You will see lots of sculptures and art. The church is pretty much alive with locals praying, so be respectful.
The church stands over an archaeological area. There isn’t much to see but ancient remains. The statutes and ceramics found in the ancient Greek Demetra and Kore temples are in the archaeological museum.
Visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park
Syracuse has a huge archaeological park, Neapolis, just a 10-minute walk east of the above-mentioned church. You can easily spend a couple of hours walking about. Though a bit neglected, the place is worth your time.
There are several paths to walk along and lots of trees to shelter from the sun. Highlights include a Greek Theatre, a Roman theatre, several quarries, and caves.
Particularly interesting is the Ear of Dyonisius cave. We couldn’t believe our ears! The acoustics inside this man-made cave were impressive! The giant head too.
Go on a Day Trip to Noto, Modica or Ragusa
Sicily is our favorite Island in the entire world. Syracuse is a great place to set base and discover places like Noto, Modica and Ragusa, three of the most beautiful towns in Italy.
The three towns are part of the UNESCO listed Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto. The closest is Noto, just 20 miles (35 km) south. Buses and trains take anywhere from half to 1.5 hours to get there.
Modica and Ragusa are in the same direction, some 45 miles (75 km) southwest of Syracuse, but only 10 miles (16 km) apart. Therefore, we strongly recommend spending a night in one and continuing the next day to the other.
Where to Stay in Syracuse
Our favorite hotel in Syracuse is the Grand Hotel Ortigia. The 1890 palace faces the sea. It has archaeological remains and lots of art. Book a room with sea views and you will never want to leave.
We spent a night at the wonderful Grand Hotel Villa Politi and had a great time. It’s in the middle of a lovely park and faces the Latomia quarry and the Capuchin Convent.
Another fabulous luxury hotel is the Caportigia Boutique Hotel in front of the Foro Siracusano. Its rooftop terrace has a hot tub with memorable views over the city.
