Relaxed Syracuse

The ancient heart of southern Sicily

With a history stretching back almost 3,000 years, the city of Syracuse has the rare accolade of being classed as a World Heritage Site in its entirety. Founded in 734 BCE, the city grew to become the most powerful Greek polis in the western Mediterranean, rivalling Athens in its cultural achievements and political influence. The extensive archaeological zone preserves remarkable traces of its classical zenith—from the soaring columns of the Temple of Apollo to the magnificent Greek theatre carved into the Temenites hill, where Aeschylus himself may have premiered his tragedies.

We follow in the footsteps of the Greeks, Romans and much later civilizations who landed upon these shores and discover not only Ortygia but surrounding sites including the Greek Castle of Euryalus, the Roman Villa at Tellaro and the lovely Pantalica hills, honeycombed with ancient tombs.