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'll board a minibus to set off on our excursion. Leaving Catania behind, we'll travel an hour to our first destination of the day, Noto.

Syracuse is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. We'll stroll through its streets and access the Archaeological Park of the Neapolis, characterized by its Greek and Roman monuments. We'll see 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.

Afterward, we'll return to the minibus and head to Ortigia. We'll go on a guided tour of its historic center, admiring the facade of the temple of Apollo, the cathedral, and the fountain of Arethusa. Later, we'll have free time for lunch and to explore the town at our own leisure.

In the afternoon, we'll head to Noto, a late Baroque town declared a World Heritage Site. We'll discuss the terrible earthquake that devastated this area in the 17th century and how this tragedy led to an architectural revival. We'll see the exterior of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the balconies of the Nicolaci di Villadorata Palace, the Royal Gate, and other landmarks.

After exploring Syracuse, we'll head back to Catania, ending the excursion 9 hours later.