Syracuse, Noto & Ortigia Day Trip

Baroque churches, Greek temples and Roman buildings await you on this excursion to Noto, Syracuse and Ortigia. Visit these three locations in southern Sicily and be mesmerized by their charm.

Syracuse, Noto & Ortigia Day Trip

After picking you up from your hotel, we will board a minibus to begin our excursion. We will travel an hour from Catania to our first destination, Noto.

Syracuse is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. We will stroll through its streets and visit the Archaeological Park of the Neapolis, known for its Greek and Roman monuments. Highlights include the theater, which is still used for classical music concerts, an ancient sacrificial altar, a well-preserved amphitheater, and the Cave of the Cordeliers, which was used as a prison.

Next, we will head to Ortigia for a guided tour of its historic center. We will admire the facade of the temple of Apollo, the cathedral, and the fountain of Arethusa. This portion of the tour includes free time for lunch and further exploration.

In the afternoon, we will visit Noto, a late Baroque town declared a World Heritage Site. We will discuss the earthquake that devastated the area at the end of the 17th century and how it led to architectural renewal. Key sites include the exterior of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the balconies of the Nicolaci di Villadorata Palace, and the Royal Gate.

After our exploration of Syracuse, we will return to Catania, concluding the excursion 9 hours later.