Destination guideItaly
FROMLON
ABOUT 4 HRS ✈️
TOCTA

Holidays in Syracuse

A Greek theatre, an island old town and sandy beaches on Sicily's south-east coast. Here's what Syracuse is like with the family, when to go and how long to stay.

BEST FOR🏛️ Culture & history, 🏖️ Beach, 🍷 Food & drink
NIGHTS AWAY5 to 7
BUDGET££
BEST MONTHSMay–Jun, Sep–Oct
Add Syracuse to your ideasFree. One email per family.

Syracuse at a glance

FLIGHT FROM LONDON
ABOUT 4 HRS
TIME DIFFERENCE
1 HR AHEAD OF THE UK
CURRENCY
EURO (€)
ENTRY
NO VISA FOR SHORT STAYS
PLUGS
TYPE C / F / L · 230V

The EU is bringing in new entry checks, so check the rules on GOV.UK before you book.

When to go

  1. JANMild, quieter
  2. FEBMild, quieter
  3. MARSpring, a good time to go
  4. APRSpring, a good time to go
  5. MAYWarm, best time to go
  6. JUNHot, sea warming, best time to go
  7. JULVery hot, a good time to go
  8. AUGVery hot, busy, a good time to go
  9. SEPWarm sea, best time to go
  10. OCTWarm, best time to go
  11. NOVRainy, quieter
  12. DECMild, quieter

May, June, September and October are warm with a pleasant sea for swimming. July and August are very hot and the beaches are busy. Winter is mild but some beach places close.

Things to do with the family

FREE

Ortigia

The island old town, with lanes, a lovely cathedral square and a freshwater spring full of papyrus.

TICKETED

Neapolis Archaeological Park

A huge Greek theatre and the Ear of Dionysius, a cave where whispers echo.

FREE

Ortigia market

A morning street market with fish, fruit and stalls for sandwich fillings.

FREE

Fontane Bianche

A sandy beach with shallow, clear water south of the city.

OUTDOORS

Vendicari Nature Reserve

Wild beaches, flamingos on the lagoons and an old tuna fishery.

TOUR

Mount Etna day trip

Walk on old craters on Europe's biggest active volcano.

Syracuse: common questions

Is Syracuse good for a family holiday?

Yes. It mixes Greek ruins, easy beaches and great food, and Ortigia is small enough to walk. Midsummer afternoons are very hot, so plan a long break.

How many nights do you need?

Five to seven nights gives time for Ortigia, the Greek theatre, a few beach days and Etna.

How do you get there from the UK?

Fly to Catania, about three hours, then it's around an hour to Syracuse by car or bus. British passport holders don't need a visa for short stays.

Where can families swim?

Ortigia has rocky swimming spots with ladders. For sand and shallow water, head south to Fontane Bianche or Arenella.

If you like Syracuse

Can't agree where to go next?

Put Syracuse on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.

Start planning, it's free