Syracuse (SEE-ra-COO-sa; pop. 125,000) blends ancient archaeological treasure with extravagant Baroque beauty. In its golden age, Syracuse was home to some of the greatest contributors to Western culture: Theocritus, Archimedes, and the Greek lyric poet Pindar. After many conquests, the city’s fortune waned and Syracuse receded from the spotlight. Today, nighttime crowds meander around the lighted ruins of the Temple of Apollo and the ancient duomo, and party from dusk to dawn at the nearby Fontane Bianche.
Trains: V. Francesco Crispi (☎ 0931 46 44 67). To: Catania (1hr.,18 per day 5am-8:25pm, €5.80); Messina (3hr., 9 per day 5am-9:30pm, €9.50); Milan (18hr., 5:15 and 5:40pm, €50); Noto (45min ...more
Ponte Umbertino connects the island of Ortigia to mainland Syracuse. Ponte Nuovo (Ponte Santa Lucia), just to the left of Ponte Umbertino facing the mainland, is open even when Umbertino is closed to car ...more
Many budget accommodations have staked out the area between the station and the bridge to Ortigia. While the price is often right, quality is very uneven. Don’t be fooled by big signs and a lot ...more
Though hotel prices run fairly high, restaurants in Syracuse are affordable. On the mainland, the area around the station and the Archaeological Park offers some of the best deals. Ortigia has an open-air ...more
Archaeological Park. Three centuries as a strategic city on the Mediterranean left Syracuse with a collection of colossal Greek and Roman monuments. Two theaters, an ancient quarry, and the ...more
In May and June, the city stages classical Greek drama in its ancient amphitheaters. The APT office (see Practical Information) has details. Tickets for Istituto Nazionale del Dramma Antico are available ...more
Noto (NOH-toh) is a Baroque visual pleasure. After a 1693 earthquake shook the Sicilian shore, the noble Landolina and Niccolaci families made Noto their favorite renovation project, restoring its elegance ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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