SYRACUSA

Syracuse is one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean and the historic center in particular has a wonderful collection of historical monuments from the ancient Greek and Roman periods. These are located on the small island of Ortygia, where most of the city's inhabitants lived in ancient times.  

Narrow streets, the beautiful promenade of the Foro Italico along the sea and the Arethusa spring, where there is a lake with papyrus reeds, created by a fresh water spring near the sea. An ancient fable tells how the nymph Arethusa, fleeing from the Greek river god Alpheus, was transformed into this freshwater spring thanks to the goddess Artemis.

The best way to explore Syracuse is by boat, which can be rented directly on the waterfront in the large parking lot behind the bridge or reserved online in advance. We can recommend Love Boat. On a small boat for 1-2 families, you will sail around the sea caves, some even swim in them, and then you will have the opportunity to explore Ortygia from the sea, which is a wonderful experience. The price is around €20 per person. 

In Syracuse, you can also find the craft company L'Angolo del Papiro. The owner, Angelo Mortellaro, manages a vast papyrus plantation and presses the papyrus by hand. He dedicated the plantation to his grandfather, whose advice on growing the plant was very useful to him. In addition to the production of papyrus itself, you can also buy drawings on papyrus, pure papyrus, and also see a mini-zoo with countless poultry, peacocks, goats and two older dogs. Entrance is a pleasant €2 per person and the owner is such a nice guy that you can't help but buy something. TIP: if the gate is locked, don't hesitate to call the owner, you can communicate with him in broken English.