Holidays to Siracusa are a dreamy medley of al fresco cafés, ancient ruins and fascinating cultural attractions.
History and heritage
On the east coast of Sicily – the famous island 'ball' to Italy's 'boot' – the city of Siracusa's steeped in history. It was once the largest in the ancient world, counting Plato among the famous figures who came to check out its charms. A millennia on, it's now a popular holiday stop, jam-packed with museums, sights and incredible old-world architecture.
Cobblestones and charm
The star of the show's labyrinth-like Ortigia island, Siracusa's historic centre that's reached via footbridges from the mainland. Admire the Baroque cathedral in the shining white square of Piazza Duomo, then head to the Fountain of Diana in Archimedes Square. In between the sights, be sure to stop at a pavement café for a 'caffe affogato' – that's espresso poured over ice-cream.
Dig deep
Immerse yourself in days gone by at the Archeological Park of Neapolis, a five-minute bus ride out of town. Chief among the atmospheric ruins are a limestone quarry now overgrown with magnolia and citrus trees, and a second-century Roman amphitheatre where gladiators once fought it out. Channel your inner diva at the Greek theatre – you can even catch a performance here in summer.
