Sicily · SYRACUSE TOURS

The 15 Best Syracuse Tours & Boat Trips

78 tours  ·  from $7 a head

Syracuse was once the biggest city of the Greek world, and Ortigia, its island core, is still the best place in Sicily to swim before dinner. These 15 cover the Neapolis park, the boat round the sea caves and the trips south to Noto.

Syracuse: Boat Tour with Captain Mirko, Snorkeling & Caves - Sea caves and the northern coast
Boat Tours in Sicily, Cruises & Boat Tours, Snorkeling Tours in Sicily, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Syracuse: Boat Tour with Captain Mirko, Snorkeling & Caves

1.Boat Tour with Captain Mirko, Snorkeling & Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 746 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $35Our pick

In 90 minutes, Captain Mirko and his crew take you around Ortigia, past Maniace Castle and the Aretusa Fountain, then along Syracuse’s northern coast to sea caves and a cove for a swim. Snorkeling masks and fresh water are included. Commentary is offered in English and Italian, though the crew may vary.

“Informative, friendly & relaxed boat trip. Took in some beautiful sights along the way & there’s an opportunity for a sea dip.”

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Siracusa: Ortigia Boat Tour with Marine Grotto - Round Maniace Castle and head for the caves
Boat Tours in Sicily, Cruises & Boat Tours, Ortigia Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Siracusa: Ortigia Boat Tour with Marine Grotto

2.Ortigia Boat Tour with Marine Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 617 reviews · from $45

See Ortigia’s waterfront, Arethusa Spring, Maniace Castle, and coastal caves on a two-hour boat trip from Siracusa. The route includes time to swim and snorkel, plus seasonal fruit and prosecco or juice. Guides such as Salvo, Stephen, and Giovanni have led trips in Italian, English, and Spanish.

“Wonderful day out - highlight of our trip to Sicily. We were lucky to find Ortiga and fell in love with the town. We booked the boat tour and were happy with our 10-15 minute swim in the crystal clear Mediterranean - prosecco and fruit provided on the way back to town and the views were spectacular. My boys aged 8 and 11 adored the captain who had limited English but was fun! We highly recommended this trip to everyone who would listen when we returned back to our family and friends. Only thing I wish was that finding the correct place to go to find the boat was a…”

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Siracusa: Ortigia & Sea Caves Speedboat Tour with Swim Stop - Sea caves bring a change of pace
Ortigia Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Siracusa: Ortigia & Sea Caves Speedboat Tour with Swim Stop

3.Ortigia & Sea Caves Speedboat Tour with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 499 reviews · from $34

From the waterfront near A Surgiva, a skipper guides you around Ortigia’s bastions, baroque shoreline, Fonte Aretusa, and Castello Maniace, then along the Siracusa coast to sea caves and a swim stop. Guides have included Antonio, Antonino, and Chris. The 90-minute ride costs $34 per person, with water and safety equipment provided.

“Our guide on the (slow) speed boat was Chris, formerly of the British army, who was a hoot and a talented boatman. And, his 9:00 tour had only 2 people - me and my daughter - so it was excellent value. We had an excellent time and enjoyed being away from the throngs of tourists”

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Syracuse: Neapolis Archaeological Park Small Group Tour - Latomie del Paradiso: the old stone quarries
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Syracuse: Neapolis Archaeological Park Small Group Tour

4.Neapolis Archaeological Park Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 350 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $26

Walk through Neapolis Archaeological Park with a licensed guide, from the stone quarries and echoing Ear of Dionysius to the Greek theater, altar of Hieron, and Roman amphitheater. Shared and private tours are available. Past guides have included Eva and Federica; the activity is listed with an Italian-speaking guide, so check language availability before booking.

“Eva was very knowledgeable on not just the archaeological park but also on Siracusa in general Eva made sure to take enough time for everyone to understand and see all of the sites Would recommend”

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Syracuse: Pillirina, Ortigia, and Sea Caves Tour by Boat - The skipper makes the difference
Boat Tours in Sicily, Cruises & Boat Tours, Ortigia Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Syracuse: Pillirina, Ortigia, and Sea Caves Tour by Boat

5.Pillirina, Ortigia, and Sea Caves Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 348 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

Leave Ortigia’s waterfront with a local skipper for a two-hour circuit past Maniace Castle, coastal caves, and the Pillirina area. You can snorkel with the supplied masks and swim from the boat when conditions allow. Skippers such as Francesco and Alessandro have used a phone translator to share commentary in English.

“Our guide was so knowledgeable and friendly, the tour was a highlight of our stay in Ortigia!”

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Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour with Drinks - A Short Swim, Then a Prosecco Toast
Boat Tours in Sicily, Cruises & Boat Tours, Ortigia Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour with Drinks

6.Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 337 reviews · from $23

Starting at Via Malta 26, this one-hour boat trip circles Ortigia and visits Syracuse’s sea caves, including the heart-shaped cave. You’ll pass Castello Maniace and Fonte Aretusa, with a chance to swim when conditions allow. Expect English or Italian guiding, safety gear, a freshwater shower, and a glass of Prosecco. Guide Alessandro is one of the captains you may meet.

“Very nice people and they translated everything for us in our own language! The boat trip was great with a lot of explanation by the captain. Would recommend and would very much do it again!”

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Syracuse: Coast and Sea Caves Full Transparent Boat Tour - Along the Syracuse coast and into the caves
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Syracuse: Coast and Sea Caves Full Transparent Boat Tour

7.Coast and Sea Caves Full Transparent Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 330 reviews · 50 min · from $47

Join Sirakù - Sea Experience for a 50-minute ride along Syracuse’s coast aboard a transparent boat with an awning. Your skipper guides you past sea caves and coves, with views through the hull and a swimming stop. English and Italian are spoken; guides have included Antonio, Antonino, and Stefano.

“Antonino was great! We enjoyed the experience so much and definitely recommend it! Amazing!”

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Syracuse: Street Food Walking Tour in Ortigia with Tastings - Starting at the church, then finding your bearings
Food & Drink, Food Tours in Sicily, Ortigia Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Syracuse: Street Food Walking Tour in Ortigia with Tastings

8.Street Food Walking Tour in Ortigia with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 293 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

Walk Ortigia with local guides such as Maria, Giuseppe and Iryna, stopping at five food spots for market cheeses and cured meats, arancini, impanate, seasonal fried fish, granita or cannoli, and a local liqueur. Expect food, neighborhood history and a generous meal, not just a quick snack. Vegetarian and other dietary needs can be shared when booking.

“We loved this tour. Our guide, Maria, was excellent and, being Sicilian herself, had very good local knowledge. There was no question she was unable to answer. She told us all about Sicilian traditions and was very informative about all the places we visited on the tour. The food we tasted was excellent. We had calamari, wine, impanate, arancini, granite, limoncello, and cannoli. The portions are very generous, so don’t eat beforehand! The tour was relaxed and we didn’t feel rushed. In fact, we went over the 3 hours and decided to have a beer at one of the restaurants. The meeting point was very easy to find, and the…”

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Syracuse: Ortigia Sunset Cruise with Aperitif - From red coral caves to Grotta dell’Amore
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Ortigia Tours, Sunset Cruises in Sicily, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews

Syracuse: Ortigia Sunset Cruise with Aperitif

9.Ortigia Sunset Cruise with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 291 reviews · 2 hours · from $71

Cruise Ortigia’s north coast for about two hours, passing sea caves and coves before an aperitif of Sicilian produce and prosecco. The route includes a swim stop near Maniace Castle when conditions allow, then sunset views from the water and a pass beneath Umbertino Bridge. Guides speak Italian, English, and Spanish, though the language you hear may vary by skipper.

“Our skipper Salvo was fantastic; took us around the island and gave good explanations and a little history. Was very accommodating with the group, checking in to see if all were good. The food was ample and tasty. Recommend taking your bathers because the water is warm and if windy take a spray jacket. Lots of fun at sunset.”

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Syracuse: Ortigia and Neapolis Guided Walking Tour - The Greek Theater and Ionian Sea Views
Guided, Ortigia Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Syracuse: Ortigia and Neapolis Guided Walking Tour

10.Ortigia and Neapolis Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 205 reviews

In three hours, a private guide takes you through Neapolis Archaeological Park and Ortigia, from the Greek Theater and Ear of Dionysos to Syracuse Cathedral, built around the Temple of Athena. Guides such as Anna and Giuseppe bring Greek, Roman, Arab, and Spanish chapters into the story. The group rate is $317.20 for up to five, with park admission extra.

“Marcelo was very knowledgeable about the history of Siracusa, from its Greek origins and years of dominance, through its wars against/occupations by the Romans, Arabs, and Spaniards. He is fascinated with archeology and imparted his enthusiasm and knowledge upon us! He spent more than 4 hours with us on this private tour of the important Neapolitan Archeological Park and all of the key sites on Ortigia. The tour was expensive, but well worth it! Highly recommend. Thank you very much, Marcelo!”

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Syracuse: Ortigia Private Walking Tour - Cathedral Square, where a temple became a church
Ortigia Tours, Private, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Syracuse: Ortigia Private Walking Tour

11.Ortigia Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 181 reviews

In two hours, a licensed guide leads you from the Temple of Apollo through Ortigia’s Greek, Jewish and Baroque landmarks to the Arethusa Spring and Piazza Archimede. The private walk costs $220.91 for up to nine people. Guides named for Hermes Sicily Tours include Eva and Galina. Cathedral admission is extra, and modest dress is required to enter.

“Informed and knowledgeable local guide. Nice pleasant walk to the main sights of Ortygia. Recommend!”

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From Syracuse: Mount Etna Guided Morning Hike & Food Tasting - Walking the Silvestri Craters at 2,000 meters
Food & Drink, Food Tours in Sicily, Guided, Hiking Tours in Sicily, Morning, Mount Etna Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews

From Syracuse: Mount Etna Guided Morning Hike & Food Tasting

12.Mount Etna Guided Morning Hike & Food Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 173 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $105

Travel from Syracuse to Etna in a small group of up to eight. Walk among the Silvestri Craters at about 2,000 meters, enter a lava cave with a helmet, then stop at a traditional farm for local tastings. Wine is included only with the wine-tasting option; a cable car and higher-altitude transport cost extra.

“This was a great trip! Our guide Lorenzo collected us promptly from Syracuse and drove us in comfort to Mount Etna, during which time he chatted about Mount Etna and life in Sicily, which was so interesting and informative. The Etna experience was amazing - I would definitely recommend the optional extra of going up higher in the cable car. Overall, the day was very relaxed and Lorenzo made sure we could enjoy things at our own pace and schedule, rather than rushing us around or adhering to strict times everywhere. The trip is kept to small groups (we were 6 in total) and felt very tailored and personal and…”

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Syracuse: Ortigia Classic Walking Tour - Through Archimedes Square and Diana Fountain
Ortigia Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Syracuse: Ortigia Classic Walking Tour

13.Ortigia Classic Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 167 reviews · from $22Best value

Walk Ortigia with a live English- or Italian-speaking guide, from the Temple of Apollo to Aretusa Spring and the old Jewish quarter. Expect about two hours on foot, a Cathedral visit if open for €2 extra, and a small group that is usually around 10 people. Eva has led some departures, but guides can vary.

“Walking tour was great. The lady was very knowledgeable and good. She was good at rounding us up but also giving us time to explore and take pictures. It was really helpful having the audio guide where she spoke into a microphone so it meant that we could hear her properly without her shouting or needing to get close up and personal! I would recommend.”

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Syracuse: Neapolis and Greek Theater guided tour - The Ear of Dionysius and its stories
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Syracuse: Neapolis and Greek Theater guided tour

14.Neapolis and Greek Theater guided tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 160 reviews · 2 hours · from $51

Walk through Syracuse’s Neapolis Archaeological Park on a two-hour guided tour, with admission included. See the Latomie, the Ear of Dionysius, the Greek Theater, and the Roman Amphitheater while a local guide explains their history and stories. Tours run in Italian and English, sometimes at the same time.

“audio guide was concise and adequate, scooters had enough power and guide Fabricio was taking time to adjust scooters and allow less experienced scooter riders to gain confidendce, making sure everyone is safe”

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Syracuse: Highlights of Ortigia Guided Walking Tour - The Temple of Apollo sets the historical scene
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Syracuse: Highlights of Ortigia Guided Walking Tour

15.Highlights of Ortigia Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 136 reviews · 2 hours · from $29

Follow Ortigia’s story from the Temple of Apollo to Piazza Duomo and Arethusa Spring on a two-hour guided walk. Guides have included Giuseppe, Michael, Letizia, Vincenzo and Eva, though your guide may differ. Expect local history, myth and architecture, plus a Cathedral visit if opening hours allow. Entry is not included, and the tour may be conducted in English and Italian together.

“Michael was great. Philly man who has lived in Siricusa for 22 years. Can’t beat the value.”

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New in Syracuse Tours

★ 3.0Tour of Syracuse by Ape Calessino3 reviews
★ 4.2Boat tour of the island of Ortigia and the sea cavesFrom $294 reviews
★ 4.8Tecnoparco Archimede Museum Exhibition TicketFrom $914 reviews
★ 4.8Snorkeling+Pillirina, Ortigia & sea caves boat tourFrom $5918 reviews
★ 4.4Sunset Aperitif TourFrom $714 reviews
★ 4.9Sicilian Street Food Hands-On Cooking ClassFrom $11238 reviews
★ 4.9Syracuse Tour with lunch in Food MarketFrom $25912 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour of Ortygia on a Tuk Tuk10 reviews
★ 5.0Private boat trip con Prosecco/AperitivoFrom $904 reviews
★ 4.9Picnic boat tour of Pillirina, Ortigia & sea cavesFrom $9459 reviews
★ 4.7Ortygia & Neapolis Archaeological Park Guided Tour3 reviews
★ 4.2Guided tour of Ortigia with Fish Street Food at the marketFrom $5727 reviews
★ 4.8Ortigia Island Boat Tour with Lunch and WineFrom $1069 reviews
★ 5.0Greek Theater and Neapolis sunset tourFrom $464 reviews
★ 4.6Greek Theater and Neapolis Guided Private Tour8 reviews

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