The 17 best things to do with kids in Syracuse

One of my favourite places on a trip to Sicily. Quaint, wonderful architecture, excellent market with grocery and stalls to eat. Some of the best cheeses and calamari. Wear running shoes and take lots of water. It is hot - little shade. We parked in Syracuse just before the bridge in a parking lot. Well work not driving on the island.

Our favourite Sicilian town! We spent a month in Ortigia and either did day trips to other towns or did a daily/night walk every day through the streets of Ortigia. Such a beautiful town to stroll around. The many restuarants are well rated in general with plenty of shops selling, gelato, Italian wine and local produce. The open air markets are good for fruit and veg, but go early. The cruise ships are regular but not every day but explore at night after everyone leaves, it's lovely. The train and bus station are a short walk from anywhere on the Island. Unfortunately, like all the other towns, rubbish, feral cats and people leaving dog poo on footpaths is a problem.

Ortigia, Sicily is a captivating place to explore—rich in history, charming streets, and stunning landmarks. We visited in May when the weather was pleasantly warm but not too crowded. Sunscreen, a hat, and comfy walking shoes are essential. It felt very safe, and the local Sicilian cuisine is a highlight—fresh, flavourful, and varied. Booking a guided tour is highly recommended to truly appreciate the history and stories behind the key sights. A perfect blend of culture, food, and relaxation.

Love Ortigia! So many interesting stories, so much to see and do and taste. If you are in Sicily you need to out this on the list. Tip: take one of those convertible piaggio tours, perfect to see everything

Ortigia came as a ‘must do’ when on Sicily from one of my Italian colleagues And we weren’t disappointed It’s a charming little place to lose yourself in small alleys or just follow the coastline When crossing on of the bridges from Siracusa, make sure to say hi to Arcimede’s statue. If you use your eyes you can find some artisinal treasures amongst the mass produced tourist junk. There’s no shortage of places to sit and enjoy food and drinks Where Ortigia is reasonably well kept snd efforts are being made to keep it that way, sadly Siracusa itself doesn’t fare as well. Still, a nice place to spend a day The one thing we absolutely didn’t like was the sudden influx of elderly tourists when a huge cruise liner moored.

Nice island, very picturesque. Very busy with tourists in comparison to other places. Good place to view Yachts!

The old town is a nice size. A leisure walk to see it all

Amazing place. The sites are very well presented. And the statues and works of art add to the experience. Finding the ticket office (down the slope from the main entrance) was a little confusing. And it was so hot the day we went that we should have gone on a cooler day. But the site is minutes from the amenities of Siracusa. Recommended.

Very impressive ruins, good to read up before you go as not much signage about it. I very much enjoyed the modern art installations, felt it was tasteful and added interest. Plenty of toilets and shade, always worth knowing! Ticket office is opposite entry gates.

Had an amazing morning here. The architecture and the history was amazing and could have stayed their so much longer. We did leave as the heat started to get to us so I do recommend getting their first thing in the morning. The parking is great and we only had to walk for about 5 minuets. Overall was absolutely amazing and highly recommend.

As a European archaeology student I got free admission and this isn't my first archaeological park in Italy. Siracusa is a very important site in Mediterranean antiquity and that is reflected by the many monumental buildings visible in the park. However the park is seriously disappointing. The regular price with 17€ is extremely painful and I'm sorry my parents had to pay so much for this experience. Considering that many important areas of the park (I guess 30-50%) are just permanently closed, with no visible effort of reopening, such as the so-called tomb of Archimedes, 17€ for half the park is a scam! They told us to look at the tomb from the street, through the fence... are you serious??? Where is the money from millions of tourists going?!? The conservatory efforts and gardening seem lackluster. Didactic effort was mostly nonexistent. Except for the Roman amphitheatre, there was not a single table or map in front of the monuments, like you know it from any other archaeological park or site. Again, 17€!!!! But instead there was weird surrealistic art that distracted and blocked the view from the archaeology?! The normal tourists were wondering if those sculptures were Roman or not. What made anybody think this was a good idea to confuse people like this? what the hell? And somehow they managed to organise nonsensical information tables for the nonsense surrealism art but not for the ancient monuments?? What is the administration of this park thinking!?! What are the priorities here?? I'm fuming with disappointment, like the Etna. Non va bene così!!😤😡🌋

The entry is 18€ for the whole site. The caves, the greek theatre, the roman theatre etc. It's pretty big and beautiful to visit. However, they should work on the path signaling and add some information panels about the ruins. You don't get any information about it. Just some info about the statues and the artist

It was pricey, 17€ for an adult to walk in this park. Near the entrance was a car parking 5€ for a couple of hours, but if we were to drive further the street we would have been able to park our car for free on the side. But otherwise the park was beautifule, a lot of sculptures, a lot of nooks to take pictures, different kind of varieties of archeological treasures in this park. We walked thrue in 40-60min

The Neapolis Archaeological Park in Siracusa is, from a historical perspective, undeniably fascinating. The remnants of antiquity, particularly the famous Ear of Dionysius and the impressive sculptures scattered throughout the grounds, are indeed worth seeing. However, the manner in which the site is presently maintained leaves much to be desired. Tickets have to be bought at some far away shed outside of the park near the busstop and tourist market. Which was weird because in the park there are several large modern, but closed, ticket and information offices, probably funded by the EU. Large sections of the park are either heavily overgrown, inaccessible, or entirely closed off, giving an air of neglect that is most disappointing for such an important cultural landmark. This was not noted at the ticket office. The designated walking routes are confusing at best and, more often than not, simply incorrect. The map provided — in a lamentable state of disrepair — is sadly emblematic of the wider management of the park. Whilst the historical treasures remain, the experience is overshadowed by poor upkeep and an entrance fee of €17 per person which feels unreasonably steep given the overall condition. Particularly regrettable is the fact that the Tomb of Archimedes is not accessible from within the park and can be seen more clearly from the public street outside. In sum, the Neapolis Archaeological Park offers extraordinary history wrapped in extraordinarily poor maintenance. The Ear of Dionysius alone is marvellous, but one cannot help but feel that this jewel of Siracusa deserves far better care and presentation than it currently receives.

This museum has such a great collection and such terrible presentation that it feels like you're suffering death by terra cotta. there is so much in there that could be interesting! Yet the texts are really long and hard to understand and there's just case after case of vases. It's also not super well handled thematically, you don't know how the exhibits fit together. Considering the quality of the items on display it's a real shame. Some parts are interesting but you have to work to find out what's interesting about them - the curators won't help you there. Badly in need of some updates in how these excellent pieces are presented. Most of the focus in the explanations is on where the stuff was found rather than what it was used for, how it was made, basically why it's of interest to somebody who's not an archaeologist.

Fascinating museum with many priceless antiquities and loads of history. It was easy to get around and hardly anyone there. We found it a little unkept but this didn’t take away from how wonderful the items on display were. Recommended for a visit.

The Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi in Syracuse is a must-visit for history lovers. It has a modern layout and an impressive collection of artifacts from prehistoric to Roman times, offering a fascinating look into Sicily’s ancient past.

They have a wide variety of staff ,really big numismatic collection and tons of info, it took me several hours and didn't have time enough to watch it all, can't give it 5 stars because in the upper floor some parts still lacked translation into english, other than that a must visit

The collection of ancient artifacts is excellent. However, the museum isn't that good at telling a story. You get dates and locations on pieces of ancient materials, but what do they mean? What was their context?

The collection is enormous and covers thousands of years of life in Sicily and deserves 5 stars. The prehistoric collection is unique and offered plenty of thought provoking items. But the decades old curation with its warehouse volume of exhibits and the bad state of the museum itself (dirt and dust, many lights were not working) made this a less than stellar visit. A temporary exhibition with Mycenaean artefacts from Greece was outstanding.

I came here as part of the eye-watering combo ticket price of €22 with the archeological park. The museum is massive in terms of how many artifacts it has, particularly in terms of rocks, prehistoric tools and pottery shards, moving into thousands and thousands of pottery and pottery pieces, tools, votives, some statues and statue bits, and much more. The beautiful sarcophagus on the first floor is worth a look. Photos allowed. I enjoyed reading many of the placards that describe everything from the ancient landscape of Sicily (ancient hippos and elephants here!) to the prehistory of each section of Sicily, to the founding of Syracuse and Ortigia, and Roman penetration. But yes it’s a very old-fashioned museum with many interactive displays not working and it’s obvious some displays are dusty and other cabinets not lit at all.

Great fountain in the Piazza Archimede, nice by day, especially when water is flowing, but especially nice in the evening when lit up. The fountain makes for a nice setting to enjoy one of the surrounding outdoor restaurants in the Piazza.

The Fountain of Artemis is a beautiful landmark located in Piazza Archimede. Built in 1907 by sculptor Giulio Moschetti, it is a modern monument that depicts the goddess Artemis surrounded by mythological figures. Although not ancient, it adds great charm to the square and is an impressive tribute to Syracuse’s cultural heritage. A must-see when exploring the island’s historic center.

Large and impressive. Exclusive restaurants in the circle with a generous view of the Fountain We had a rainy evening which added to the appeal of the romantic scenery. A movie screen in real life. Recommend it to all.

Gorgeous plaza. Fountain is photogenic, if aged. Eat outside at a cafe and while away the time.

Many tourist but not busy in the evenings - lovely to sit in one of the cafes around this gorgeous fountain.

The Diana fountain is located in Piazza Archimede in Ortigia, Syracuse. It was built in ten months, totally in reinforced concrete, in 1906, by the sculptor Giulio Moschetti (the same who sculpted the Proserpina Fountain in Catania with great success), with the collaboration of his son Mario.The Park authorities have suggested that the figure is of Arethusa , one of the Nereids, who herself was transformed by Artemis (i.e. Diana to the Romans) into a fountain. Their attribution is based on a Parliamentary inventory of the mid-17th Century.The design aims to reflect Diana's life, water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. The water is constantly being refreshed and is drawn from London's water table. The Memorial also symbolises Diana's quality and openness. Every corner of this city is picturesque and steeped in history. Its ancient streets, impressive architecture. A symbol of artistic excellence and cultural richness. Many tourists go and take photos and just sit and enjoy a cuppicino of coffee. The Fountain of Diane is a must visit. The piazza is the perfect place to sit.There's a bench or two if you don't want to spend money. There is shade in the square too.

Syracuse: A Destination Full of History and Charm 🍋💚 I had the opportunity to visit Syracuse, and I can’t recommend it enough as an unforgettable destination. Every corner of this city is picturesque and steeped in history. Its ancient streets, impressive architecture, and the sea surrounding it create a magical atmosphere where every step takes you back in time. The experience was even more special thanks to the warmth of its people, always kind and eager to share their culture. The food, meanwhile, was an absolute delight: fresh, traditional flavors that reflect the region's rich culinary heritage. One of the most special moments was exploring Syracuse in an Ape Calessino, a small iconic vehicle that blends charm and comfort. Touring the city this way allowed me to enjoy every corner at a leisurely pace, admiring the landscapes and the unique atmosphere Syracuse offers. Without a doubt, Syracuse is a place where history, beauty, and great food come together. A destination that invites you to get lost in its streets, enjoy its people, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Only open by chance this amazing network of tunnels is not to be missed .

(Translated by Google) On the occasion of National Youth & Memory Day, the hypogeum in Piazza Duomo, an anti-aircraft shelter during the Second World War, excavated by connecting ancient Greek cisterns and Hellenistic wells, was reopened. The entrance from Piazza Duomo gives access to a series of tunnels that lead to the Foro Italico. Along the route there is an exhibition on the Second World War. It's a shame that the site isn't always usable. (Original) In occasione della Giornata Nazionale Giovani & Memoria è stato riaperto l’ipogeo di piazza Duomo, ricovero antiaereo durante la seconda guerra mondiale, scavato collegando antiche cisterne greche e pozzi ellenistici. L’ingresso da piazza Duomo da accesso ad una serie di cunicoli che conducono al Foro italico. Lungo il percorso è installala una mostra sul secondo conflitto mondiale. Peccato che il sito non sia sempre fruibile.

(Translated by Google) A place rich in history that spans the centuries. Born as Hellenistic wells, it later became an air raid shelter during the Second World War. A place that I recommend visiting which makes us understand how they lived during the war and how wrong it always is. (Original) Luogo ricco di storia che attraversa i secoli. Nato come pozzi ellenistici, diventato poi rifugio antiaereo durante la seconda guerra mondiale. Un luogo che consiglio di visitare che ci fa capire come vivessero durante la guerra e quanto questa sia sbagliata sempre.

We were there on a Monday afternoon, although google indicated that it’d be closed. We’re the only people there. A lot of information but only in Italian and almost no information in English. Does have a lot of potential

(Translated by Google) This attraction is located at a small door directly on the Cathedral Square, south of the cathedral and the adjacent building. It is open three days a week. It's best to check the exact opening hours on site. For a small fee, you can enter some of the underground passages and the former civil defense bunkers. You can walk around independently and see everything without a guide. The size is impressive. The photos depicting the fates of the people who lived here are less impressive. Unfortunately, most of the information is only printed in Italian. However, you get a very good impression of the bunker network that stretched throughout Ortigia. Even details like air shafts can be seen. The exit is at the marina. The visit is highly recommended. (Original) Diese Sehenswürdigkeit befindet sich an einer kleinen Tür direkt am Domplatz und südlich von dem Dom sowie dem angrenzenden Gebäude. Sie hat an drei Tagen in der Woche geöffnet. Informiert euch am Besten vor Ort über die genauen Öffnungszeiten. Für wenig Geld kann man hier einen Teil der unterirdischen Gänge und der ehemaligen Zivilschutzbunker betreten. Man kann hier ohne Führung selbstständig gehen und sich alles angucken. Die Größe ist positiv beeindruckend. Negativ beeindruckend sind die mit Fotos dargestellten Schicksale der Menschen, die hier waren. Leider sind die meisten Informationen nur auf italienisch abgedruckt. Man bekommt aber einen sehr guten Eindruck über das Bunkernetz, welches sich durch ganz Ortigia zog. Auch Details wie Luftschächte sind zu erkennen. Der Ausgang befindet sich dann am Yachthafen. Der Besuch ist sehr zu empfehlen.

Very difficult to find, and unreliable info on hours. Currently it is Fri, Sat, Sun 10-1 and 3-7pm, but it appears to change frequently. Enterance is through the iron gate, to the right of the Doumo.

(Translated by Google) The entrance from Piazza Duomo gives access to a series of tunnels that lead to the Foro Italico. An exhibition about the Second World War is set up along the way. Too bad the site is not always usable. (Original) La entrada desde Piazza Duomo da acceso a una serie de túneles que conducen al Foro Itálico. En el camino se instala una exposición sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Lástima que el sitio no siempre es utilizable.

Chef's panini had a lot of flavour: sweet, sour, spicy, smoky. Good ham, mozzarella and vegetables were balanced with bread. Would be amazing if bread wasn't a bit dry/stale and 5/5. Caponata without tomato sauce and various vegetables was good and interesting.

Tables and chairs crammed in the middle of the market. Many seatings available. Hot and noisy. The order was done at the table and the food was served to the table. Had sandwich no.6 (chef's choice). I had high expectations based on earlier reviews saying that it was the best sandwich in the world. But the version I got was not that amazing. It was good, but overfilled with too many ingredients. All had mild flavour and similar texture. Big and filling sandwich for the price. A half sandwich would have been enough for me.

What a wonderful experience!! This place is an absolute must-visit when you're in the area. Be sure to try the #6 panini — it’s an explosion of flavor! We came back several times during our stay because we just couldn’t get enough. The staff are warm and welcoming, the atmosphere is lively, and yes — it’s busy, but totally worth it!

The sandwiches are massive and delicious! Watching them be prepared is an experience of its own, and while you should expect to find a line, it’s definitely worth the wait… Watch the brief video at the end! They do have outdoor seating too, though, and - even though it’s smacked in the middle of the Ortigia Market and the area may look chaotic, make no mistake… they’ll seat you, take your order (or the other way around, like we did!), and bring it to you in perfectly organized fashion! Also, super nice people! A must-come if in the Siracusa/Ortigia area!

This is the best place I have ever been to for a sandwich. The ingredients were so fresh. The staff were amazing. I initially ordered the wrong sandwich and they saw that something was wrong and made me a completely new sandwich. Lovely people.

Delicious sandwiches and great wine! We loved the vibrant market atmosphere – so full of life and local charm. The staff were friendly and welcoming, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Such a fun and memorable stop!

The best sandwiches! We ordered a chef’s choice (#6) and a #8 and took them on the road. They were incredible. I wish we had gone there another time!

Originally, this place was not on my itinerary while visiting the area. I'm incredibly glad plans changed because WOW is this place cool. I'm a guy who loves caves and natural wonder so this place was amazing. The ticket is a tad pricey at €17 but it was worth it. The ruins and the statues were unforgettable. That and the giant head in the main cave... Nothing can replace that uncanny feeling of seeing its gigantic scale for the first time after your eyes adjust. So recommend.

Very unique and interesting place, that was once a sort of 'special effect' machine for a nearby amphitheatre during the ancient times. It was built to resemble inside of a human's ear, with according acoustics and a special echo effect. Would recommend, definitely worth visiting (even if it's a little too touristy and crowded for my taste).

The Ear of Dionysius is one of the most fascinating monuments in Syracuse. This artificial cave, carved out of limestone in ancient times, was later associated with the tyrant Dionysius I. According to tradition, he used its unique acoustics to eavesdrop on prisoners, as even the faintest whispers could be heard clearly due to the cave’s shape. Whether legend or history, the site showcases both the ingenuity of ancient quarrying techniques and the myths that grew around them. A must-see for anyone interested in history and archaeology.

I recommend visiting this park! It is incredibly beautiful.

Very neat to see something I learned about in school ages ago. Our guide left a lot to be desired, but we still enjoyed the visit.

All part of the national pak in Syracuse. Was so cool. Literally we were able to get out of the heat and into the cave for a few minutes 😅 overall was my favorite part of the day.

A very special experience, that’s spooky and awe inspiring. The horrific history of this place is somewhat overturned or at least acknowledged in opening it to the public and creating a space that’s more playful and learned rather than one of suffering. Would be nice to actually have some more history about it rather than mostly having the information about the more modern sculpture inside. The acoustics of the place are amazing, but it’s unclear if that was the intention of the Greeks and the cave in is some what responsible for doing that.

When visiting Sicily, I knew I wanted to see Mt. Etna and anything related to Plato or Archimedes. This museum did not show up when I did my initial search, but eventually it came up somewhere, and I'm so glad it did, because our whole family agreed that it was one of the top highlights of the entire vacation. (Even our teenager daughter who "hates math" had a great time with the catapults and solar oven.) The exhibits are all interactive, fun and fascinating. The staff are extremely friendly, knowledgeable and engaging. For anyone remotely interested in mathematics, history, or the intersection of the two, this outdoor museum is an absolute must. Though it's a fraction of the size (and price) of the space museum in Toulouse, France, it's the only comparable experience I can think of, and all inspired by one man's astonishing body of work!

From initial greeting, through explanations of each aspect of Archimede’s creative thinking, the entire exhibition is informative and interesting. In some cases there are scale model examples in others full size replicas are used by a guide to assist understanding. Well worth a visit (and have a go at the shapes puzzle at the end).

We’ve experienced the best guide ever! The guides were so kind and helpful. They made us experience each of the inventions. Our kid (10) loved it! Thank you. Love from Türkiye 💜

We are from Australia and we found this place from Google. The staff are extremely friendly and genuinely enjoyed teaching my kids the inventions of Archimedes. Definitely beats the classroom science classes. We learnt about pulleys, density, geometry and even how to make fire which my smallest child enjoyed the most. Thank you Erica and all the team for making the day so fun and educational.

This is a must see when traveling Syracuse. A detailed guided tour at an affordable price with examples of real pieces of equipment used created by Archimedes. Highly recommended

An interesting and interactive museum with creative visual explanations and hands-on demos of Archimedes’ inventions. The tour guide was enthusiastic but spoke quite quickly with a strong accent, which made it a bit hard to follow at times. Still, it was enjoyable to see the ancient concepts brought to life through working models and demonstrations.

A perfect excursion. The park is small, 20 exhibits. Everything in the park is made by our own hands - it should be appreciated very highly. Fast, informative, fun. The park is managed by an incredibly nice lady, an anthropologist. Guide Frederica exceeded all expectations. I don't like visits to the museum with a guide, because very often it is boring, but Frederica knows her business very well, she perfectly understands what she is saying and adapts to the guests. it's so great! only the best experiences! I wish you success and many good visitors.

(Translated by Google) It's nice, but it's about a 5-minute program! (Original) Szép szép, de kb 5 perces program!

(Translated by Google) Interesting, nothing spectacular. If you go to Syracuse, it's worth a visit. (Original) Interessante, niente di eclatante. Se si va a Siracusa vale la pena visitarla.

Not sure why it's a famous spot. It was a pool of dirty water with a few ducks.

(Translated by Google) It looked a bit neglected during our visit. (Original) Het zag er tijdens ons bezoek een beetje verwaarloosd uit.

(Translated by Google) Fresh water source practically on the seashore, papyrus are born there. I was only able to photograph it from above, but still a nice experience. (Original) Fonte d'acqua dolce praticamente in riva al mare, vi nascono i papiri. Io ho potuto fotografarla solo d'alto, comunque una bella esperienza.

(Translated by Google) Located in the oldest part of the city of Syracuse and immersed in the greenery of papyrus, this fresh water source reaches the island underground and then flows a few meters from the sea, creating a small semi-circular lake full of ducks and fish. The charm of Fonte Aretusa has enchanted and inspired many poets, historians and writers over time, who have described its beauty with their words. According to mythology, Arethusa was one of the nymphs following Diana. During a hunting trip, the girl moved too far from the group and arrived alone in front of the banks of the Alpheus river, whose waters were so clear that you could see the gravel at the bottom. It was a very hot day and she wanted to take a bath. All around there was a singular silence, interrupted only by the harmonious sounds of nature. Arethusa, certain of not being seen, took off her white clothes and immersed herself with a sinuous and graceful posture. The water suddenly began to agitate and, just as she was trying to reach the shore, the river Alpheus appeared to her. The latter showed himself to her in human form: handsome, blond and with eyes full of love. But Arethusa did not reciprocate his feeling, on the contrary she shied away from it. Upset and fearful, she hurried out without any clothes on, until she ran out of strength and invoked Diana's help. To protect it, the Goddess first wrapped it in a thick cloud and then transformed it into a spring on the beach of Ortigia. Alpheus, however, did not give up, his love was too great and he could not do without it. The Gods took pity on him: Jupiter transformed him into a river again, so as to remain next to his sweet beloved (source: Typicalsicily.it) (Original) Situata nella parte più antica della città di Siracusa e immersa nel verde dei papiri, questa sorgente d’acqua dolce giunge per via sotterranea sino all’Isola per poi sgorgare a qualche metro dal mare, creando un piccolo laghetto semicircolare gremito di anatre e pesci. Il fascino della Fonte Aretusa ha incantato e ispirato nel tempo molti poeti, storici e scrittori, che con le loro parole ne hanno raccontata la bellezza. Secondo la mitologia, Aretusa era una delle ninfe al seguito di Diana. Durante una battuta di caccia, la fanciulla si allontanò troppo dal gruppo e arrivò sola davanti alle sponde del fiume Alfeo, le cui acque erano così limpide che si poteva scorgere la ghiaia sul fondo. Era una giornata molto calda e le venne il desiderio di fare un bagno. Tutt’attorno vi era un silenzio singolare, interrotto solo dai suoni armoniosi della natura. Aretusa, certa di non essere vista, si tolse le candide vesti immergendosi con un portamento sinuoso e pieno di grazia. L’acqua cominciò improvvisamente ad agitarsi e, proprio mentre tentava di raggiungere la riva, le apparve il fiume Alfeo. Quest’ultimo si mostrò a lei con sembianze umane: bello, biondo e con gli occhi colmi d’amore. Ma Aretusa non ricambiava il suo sentimento, anzi lo rifuggiva. Turbata e impaurita si affrettò a uscire senza abiti addosso, fino a quando le mancarono le forze e invocò l’aiuto di Diana. Per proteggerla, la Dea dapprima la avvolse in una spessa nube e poi la trasformò in una fonte sul lido di Ortigia. Alfeo però non si rassegnava, il suo amore era troppo grande e non poteva farne a meno. Gli Dei ne ebbero pietà: Giove lo tramutò nuovamente in fiume, così da rimanere accanto alla sua dolce amata (fonte: Typicalsicily.it)

(Translated by Google) The fountain of Arethusa is immersed in the greenery of papyrus. It is a fresh water spring that reaches the island underground and then flows a few meters from the sea, creating a small semicircular lake full of ducks and fish. According to mythology, Arethusa was one of the nymphs following Diana. During a hunting trip, the girl arrived in front of the banks of the Alpheus river. It was a very hot day and she wanted to take a bath, so she took off her white clothes. Suddenly the river Alpheus appeared to her. The latter showed himself to her in human form: handsome and blond. Arethusa did not reciprocate his feeling and invoked Diana's help. To protect it, the Goddess first wrapped it in a thick cloud and then transformed it into a spring on the beach of Ortigia. Alpheus, however, did not give up, his love was too great and he could not do without it. The Gods took pity on him: Jupiter transformed him into a river again, so as to remain next to his sweet beloved (Original) La fonte di Aretusa è immersa nel verde dei papiri. È una sorgente d’acqua dolce che giunge per via sotterranea sino all’Isola per poi sgorgare a qualche metro dal mare, creando un piccolo laghetto semicircolare gremito di anatre e pesci. Secondo la mitologia, Aretusa era una delle ninfe al seguito di Diana. Durante una battuta di caccia, la fanciulla arrivò davanti alle sponde del fiume Alfeo. Era una giornata molto calda e le venne il desiderio di fare un bagno, così si tolse le candide vesti. All'improvviso le apparve il fiume Alfeo. Quest’ultimo si mostrò a lei con sembianze umane: bello è biondo. Aretusa non ricambiava il suo sentimento e invocò l’aiuto di Diana. Per proteggerla, la Dea dapprima la avvolse in una spessa nube e poi la trasformò in una fonte sul lido di Ortigia. Alfeo però non si rassegnava, il suo amore era troppo grande e non poteva farne a meno. Gli Dei ne ebbero pietà: Giove lo tramutò nuovamente in fiume, così da rimanere accanto alla sua dolce amata

(Translated by Google) Didn't get parked. Haven't been here. (Original) Fikk ikke parkert. Har ikke vært her.

Nice azure water, beach quite clean, just tge public part we went in (stopping here just for 3 hours) was not having any shower or change room. 2 bars selling drinks and food nearby. Beach entry suitable for kids, small waves during the day. Photo was edited to remove me and my kid.

The beach itself is really beautiful, with clear waters that are warm in some places and colder in others. There are rocks that we really enjoyed diving from. Luckily, the day we were there, there was no wind and the water was not too dirty. As for parking, you can leave your car for free about a 10-15 minute walk from the beach or there are paid parking lots. The main problem, however, is the management of the space: practically 90% of the beach is taken up by private beaches, leaving only a small 10% of the beach free. Imagine how many people crowded into this small space, with umbrellas stacked on top of each other and people carrying speakers, making a huge racket. We also noticed illegal beach clubs, literally setting up umbrellas and occupying the free beach without any rights. It is really annoying and chaotic. Many people arrived, saw the situation and immediately left. It is a shame, because by law the space occupied by beach clubs should not be that big. If you do not want to pay for an umbrella and a sunbed and hope to relax in peace, it is not the ideal beach. Keep in mind that we were there in early July, so not in peak season either.

I was there Oct 17, 2025 and it was 24 C sunny. The water was not calm on this day and waves were coming in 2 feet (just less than 1 metre) high. Not ideal for kids/babies. Beautiful beach with real sand! Decent amount of surfers there as well. There was tons of garage can, a shower and amenities. I had a great time there with my wife and no issues.

My wife and I almost didn't go here because of the misleading reviews. I believe that locals intentionally review this place as dirty to keep the tourists away. It was clean. Water was pristine. This has been our favourite beach in Sicily so far. Ignorantly bad reviews and Prego!

There are parts where the water is clear but not all of it, also there is only a small part free for use, most of it are private bar/hotel beaches. I think a saw beach near this one, better hidden and i eould reccomend you to look for it

Lovely beach, but don't come and rent a villa here. I'm now sitting here on our terrace at 23.15 and in a nearby hotel thumping music is playing while two men are bellowing into microphones and an audience is clapping. The sign outside this hotel is Nicolaus Club I walked down next to the property and there were people on the stage literally screaming at each other in some amplified "drama" This hotel is polluting the whole area with high amplified "entertainment" every night until midnight, destroying the peace of the neighborhood. I am renting a villa several streets and at least 500m away, and I'm currently listening to a full-volume karaoke party. When I go to bed I will have to close all doors and windows, and put the AC on to have chance of sleep. Do not come to stay in Fontane Bianche unless you are profoundly deaf, it's terrible experience.

Fontane Bianche is a great and definitely worth visiting. We parked for free in one of the parkings, but unsure if it was indeed free or free due to low season as it was end of may. The only downside is that a great por of the beach is taken by Lidos, meaning a lot of paid areas, but a short walk can take you to a good spot at the sand. The water is crystal clear, and nature around is beautiful.

A really peaceful part of Syracuse that almost feels abandoned until you go into the main entrance and you meet the lovely staff in a breezy modern area. The tours last around 40 minutes and you’re only allowed to take picture of the places at ground and above ground level, so if you’re going with the intention to take picture of the catacomb you won’t be allowed. It’s a very impressive, spooky and engaging place with vast history from the ancient Greeks to world war 2 bomb shelter use. Tour guide was helpful but it would be nice to be able to wonder by yourself a bit so it feels more relaxed, but otherwise there is no fault. Thank you

Short (30 minute) englishish tour. A bit expensive but good to understand catacombs this way - by circling around the plan with informative commentary by Lorenzo. He was the most beautiful tour guide! Grazie.

The Catacombs of San Giovanni in Syracuse offer a well-organized guided tour in English and Italian, complete with safety helmets, and for an additional fee, a VR viewer enhances the tour with immersive reconstructions of the ancient spaces—well worth the upgrade. Due to uneven ground and stairs, the site is not suitable for those with mobility issues. Book tickets in advance and arrive early, as this popular attraction fills quickly. A unique and immersive glimpse into early Christian history in Sicily.

Must see!!! Enormous catacombs, never seen anything like it. Fantastic. Don't miss the VR trip part at the end of the tour.

Very cool experience! The tour was well done and clearly explained in both English and Italian. The highlight was definitely seeing the catacombs but also the virtual tour with the Oculus headset at the end — such a fun and immersive way to bring the history to life!

Accurate and detailed virtual tour followed by very exciting actual tour. Must visit while in Syracuse. Worth every cent. Please honor the sanctity of the place and DO NOT TAKE PICTURES while inside.

Great tour that goes frequently in both English and Italian. Very interesting and worth it! Currently €12 as includes a virtual reality experience (which is actually quite good).

Great food and drink by the sea. Loungers available. Life guards. Water crystal clear. Opens from May 2nd I believe.

My husband and I were looking for a clean beach with crystal clear water and found this beach club upon our arrival to Syracusa. We visited on July 2, 2025. We paid 35 euros for two chairs and an umbrella, plus 5 euros for one towel (they require a deposit of 20 euros for the towel, which you receive back once you return the towel at the end of your stay). We also paid 5 euros for parking all day. Absolutely stunning location and we were so happy to have found this place. Clean facilities and calm, family-friendly environment. Fish swimming everywhere which just shows how clean the water is. Friendly and helpful staff. Absolutely recommend.

Awesome beach. Water is super great, I am Surprised that this beach didn’t come as a name in any of the YouTube reviews when you search for Sicily. The facility is clean and neat. You need to be there very early - the entry fee is 40 euro for 2 sunbed and umberalla. We really enjoyed it thank you by

Beautiful beach. The private beach access was full and extremely expensive at €50 per person for an umbrella and lounge chair. We parked next to a sea viewing area on a dead end street between the two private beaches. Went down some short trail and the water was beautiful.

The water was so impressive, pristine and clear. The venue itself is pretty big, definitely recommend booking online beforehand as there are two queues when you arrive, one with bookings and those without. Two sunbeds and umbrella was €26, parking just in front for €4 all day, small snack of Caprese salad and two waters was €9 (very busy at lunchtime so be prepared to wait in line)

Beautiful beach we discovered in the middle of a family holiday. Adults had to pay for access, but children were allowed in free to use loungers and umbrella. Very friendly staff, reasonably priced, and absolutely fantastic beach and water - provided the relaxation we needed. There is no easy public travel service we could find, but a taxi from Syracuse cost approx 20 Euro

We were a group of 4, 2 couples, and we had an extremely bad experience in this place, the staff were rude to us, and very expeditive. We asked if we can reserve 2 sunbeds and an umbrella for all the group, because the boys will stay mostly in the water, they answer that no matter what we have to buy for 4 sunbeds, almost 100€, and if we don’t like it, we can go somewhere else! This was extremely not customer oriented, the man did not want to find us a solution to our issue, and unfortunately this attitude was among all employers, we interact with some other 2 ladies, and their attitude was the same. I have am advice for the managers, take your employers some customer oriented courses, because with their attitude you can lose a lot of customers. Overall, the place was not that great as they are reviewed, the employee were rude and not customers oriented, in the restaurant was smelling something strange, the toilets were very dirty…the only goot thing was the blue and clean waters. I don’t recommend this place!!! Never again!!!

Fantastic scientific/historical museum. It tells a story of Archimedes and Leonardo and connects their ideas and inventions and explains the way Leonardo drew inspiration from Archimedes’ ideas. The museum is partly interactive which means it is great for adults and for kids. There are some great experiments which can help kids better grasp some physical concepts.

If you want a brief introduction to the mechanisms and mechanics of what Leonardo or Archimedes invented or discovered, this museum is worth a visit. If you have kids, it’s great for them — there are many hands-on exhibits (just keep an eye on which ones can actually be touched, as a few displays seem to give mixed signals on that 😅). From my perspective as someone interested in science, engineering, and history, I found the information panels less detailed and less historically accurate than I had hoped. They appear to be written in a diary-style voice “from” the inventors, which is a creative approach, but in my experience it didn’t provide much factual background or clear explanation of the work. The children’s panels were, in my opinion, the most accurate and straightforward to read. My suggestion would be for the museum to review and update the information panels — even with the help of AI tools like ChatGPT — to ensure the content is historically clear, engaging, and easy to follow. Including basic biographical details (birth and death dates, historical context, and links to the town’s heritage) would make the exhibits more informative for visitors who come here to learn about the lives and contributions of Leonardo and Archimedes. I also noticed some inconsistency between the “Do Not Touch” signs and the instructions on the information boards, which sometimes invite visitors to observe or gently interact with the exhibits. Clarifying that would improve the visitor experience. The entry process could also be streamlined — during my visit, there was some waiting for a video introduction, and I personally found the explanation of the app a bit unclear, which made it difficult to use. Overall, I think this museum is a good choice for families and anyone new to these topics, but it may be less satisfying for visitors looking for deeper historical or technical information. During my visit, I asked about the other Archimedes museum in town and was told they couldn’t comment on another business. I understand that each site is independent, though as a visitor I would have appreciated cross-recommendations that celebrate the broader local history and genius associated with Siracusa. EDIT: I have updated my review after receiving this response from the museum: “We respect every opinion, but we believe that public criticism should be balanced, truthful, and constructive. In light of the content, we reserve the right to evaluate any necessary action to protect our reputation.” I found this reply unfortunate — but revealing — as it speaks for itself regarding how feedback is received.

I am the Captain of the cruise vessel AIDAblu and had today the pleasure to visit this wonderful museum with lots of opportunities for interactional experience. Great informations, very kind staff and professional explanations! Thanks for taking care of us and lots of nice interesting visitors for the future!

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this museum. The exhibits were fantastic and would be very interesting for children as well. We spent two hours as we used the audio guide for each exhibit. We also loved the hands on section at the end. The staff were helpful and friendly.

Brilliant museum! Fantastic guidance, explanations and interactive displays. Explained everything we saw at the da Vinci science museum in Milan. The staff were super helpful and clearly love what they do. Great for kids!

We find it by accident when passing by, but it was a great surprise and pleasure. Great especially with ~10 years old kids.

If you like science you will love this place. My son is 10, and he fell in love with the museum. We visited on the weekend. Wasn't very crouded. Yes, it is not very big but it has more than enough things to see. Some of the staff are not very friendly, but some people don't follow the rules of the place and I see from where the frustration of the staff comes. And yes, you can't touch some of the models, but let's be real - if everyone touch them, they won't last long. We would come back.

very good place to visit as we could see how to make the paper by using Papiro and so many cute animal here but maybe after holiday that we only found one staff he was super busy. but luckily he got time to demo the paper making also open the shop for us for buying pretty painting. enjoyable this place

Great place to have a picnic lunch after seeing all the other nearby attractions. Our kids loved all the animals, and the papyrus demonstration and art is fun

What a place. It was wonderful, animals abound. If you have kids, it’s a must see. They will be entertained for as long as you wish.

(Translated by Google) Exceptional experience. A few steps from the archaeological area we spent a beautiful day in this oasis of peace, accompanied by the very kind owner who took us on a journey into the history of papyrus, of which he is a direct protagonist, practically belonging to the only family of producers of papyrus in Europe. Our children were able to create a sheet of papyrus paper under his expert guidance. All accompanied by sweet farm animals and a very spacious and green picnic area available to guests. The trip to Syracuse would not have been the same without this stop. Absolutely worth trying. (Original) Esperienza eccezionale. A pochi passi dall'area archeologica abbiamo trascorso una bellissima giornata in questa oasi di pace, accompagnati dal gentilissimo titolare che ci ha fatto fare un viaggio nella storia del papiro, di cui lui è un diretto protagonista, appartenendo praticamente all'unica famiglia di produttori di papiro in europa. I nostri bimbi hanno potuto realizzare un foglio di carta papiro sotto la sua sapiente guida. Tutto accompagnato da dolcissimi animali da fattoria e da una spaziosissima e verde area picnic a disposizione degli ospiti. Il viaggio a Siracusa non sarebbe stato lo stesso senza questa tappa. Assolutamente da provare.

(Translated by Google) A place surrounded by nature, among animals and birds, ideal for a picnic and a relaxing break. Parking is free, and admission is 2-3 euros. Worth it if you have a packed lunch. (Original) Posto immerso nella natura tra animali e uccelli,ideale per un picnic e una sosta per rilassarsi un po'.... Il parcheggio è gratuito e l'ingresso è di 2/3 euro... Ne vale la pena se si ha un pranzo al sacco...

(Translated by Google) Splendid corner of paradise within the city of Syracuse. Ideal for relaxing and in close contact with nature. Large picnic area and ideal location for celebrating small occasions. The constant work and passion of Mr. Mortellaro makes this place an oasis of peace for families. 💯 (Original) Splendido angolo di paradiso all'interno della città di Siracusa. Ideale per stare in pieno relax e a stretto contatto con la natura. Vasta zona pic nic e location ideale per festeggiare piccole ricorrenze. Il costante lavoro e la passione del signor Mortellaro rende questo luogo un'oasi di pace per famiglie. 💯

(Translated by Google) Sicilian family pitch on Sundays to enjoy this lovely garden and its petting zoo. Barbecue available Table and chairs in the shade (Original) Emplacement familiale des Siciliens le dimanche pour profiter de ce joli jardin et de sa ferme pédagogique. Barbecul à disposition Table et chaises à l’ombre

Perfect! So relaxing! Went towards the end of May around 3PM on a Tuesday and it wasn’t crowded at all. Cost $25 for two chairs and an umbrella. Parking was easy and so was beach access. The sand is perfect (no rocks)! There is a place to get some food but probably just bring your own because it’s meh. Plenty of space to sit though and eat, with a view. Also nice walking in path above the cliffs. You can go to the free section of the beach if you don’t want to pay for chairs etc and it’s nice too!

One of the best beaches in Siracusa! Transparent water, warm, close by a hotel with showers, changing room and restaurant to eat. Easy to park for free on the street or pay a parking for $5 . Outstanding and very true Italian local.

Easily a hidden gem as one of the best beaches we visited in SE of Sicily. Very very clean, crystal clear water, the sand is really fine and impeccable. Staff is really kind and the atmosphere is relaxing and pretty quiet. Perfect for people with kids as well since the water is shallow far into the sea. The parking nearby helps a lot as well and they even have shaded areas.

Really nice beach, well organised, clean, with changing rooms, toilets, place to buy nice food and delicious gelato. It is very family friendly because it is sandy, no big waves and the water is cristal clear, but for more adventurous there are some cliffs to jump off. There is a free part of the beach, but we paid for beds and an umbrella and it was worth it. Highly recommended.

Nice public beach, but unfortunately more than two-thirds is reserved for the beach club, making it packed full! According to Italian law, the last 5 meters closest to the water should remain public, but here they’ve taken almost the entire depth. The beach has clean, fine sand and beautiful water. Great snorkeling by the rocks at the far end. I also recommend the cliffs there; a great spot if you’re without kids.

Really lovely! Lots of free parking around. I would totally recommend ignoring both the private and public sand beaches. You walk in a super easy flat path for 5 mins (right after the sand free beach) and you reach several lovely calas where you can snorkel and swim - way more private and more comfortable without the sand. Just make sure to bring water shoes :)

Having seen a lot of nice beaches as been Greeks, we are easily saying for this one: What a beautiful beach, during early September!!