Guided Tours

Ortigia Siracusa Self-Guided Audio Walk: Temple of Apollo, Arethusa Spring and the Greek-Temple Cathedral

Walk Ortigia, the old island heart of Syracuse in Sicily, from the Archimedes statue to a cathedral built inside a Greek temple.
See the Temple of Apollo, Spanish sea walls, the Giudecca lanes, Castello Maniace's approach and Arethusa's spring.
Learn how an island kept finding second uses for a Greek temple, a Spanish sea wall and a roofless church that was probably a synagogue, and what it cleared away.
Stand beside a long line of Greek temple columns built into the cathedral wall.
12 stops over 2.7 km, about 100 minutes, with English audio you start whenever you like.

Self-guided audio tour in English
12 stops over 2.7 km route
Approximately 100-minute walking itinerary
Stops include Temple of Apollo, Spanish sea walls, and Giudecca lanes
GPS map in phone browser, no app
Lifetime access, start anytime, replay anytime

Museum and monument tickets
Food and drinks
Tips and gratuities

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Syracuse began on the small island of Ortigia, and its old streets keep showing second lives: a Greek temple that is now a cathedral, Spanish sea walls that are now terraces, and a roofless church that was probably a Jewish quarter's synagogue. The 1800s and the 1930s also cleared much of the old town away, and you will see what that left.
Start at the Archimedes statue by the bridge and walk to the Temple of Apollo, with its builder's name cut into the step, then along streets of carved balconies into the old Jewish quarter. Follow the sea wall to Castello Maniace, follow the Great Harbour battle through Thucydides, then reach Arethusa's spring and the cathedral built into a Greek temple.
Twelve stops, about 2.7 km and 1 hour 40 minutes, in English at your own pace. The ritual bath, castle interior and cathedral interior are optional paid visits.

What to bring

Ticket code: Enter your ticket code on the Roamer redemption page before you set off, while you still have signal.

Phone and earphones: Bring a fully charged phone and earphones to listen to the self-guided audio tour.

Connectivity: Use mobile data if possible, or open the tour on Wi-Fi before departure if you will be offline.

Footwear: Wear flat shoes with good grip, as Ortigia's paving is old and worn.

Sun protection: Bring sun protection and water, especially in summer when the island has little shade.

Accessibility

Alla Giudecca bath: This stop is unsuitable for visitors with reduced mobility due to about 58 steep steps and no alternative route.

Additional information

Best start time: For cathedral entry, start Tuesday to Saturday around 9:30 a.m. since the cathedral opens at 9:00 a.m.

Cathedral entry days: Avoid Sundays if you want to enter the cathedral, as it is closed then and during services.

Temple of Apollo: You can only view the Temple of Apollo from the pavement at any time, as entry is not permitted.

Alla Giudecca visits: The Alla Giudecca ritual bath requires a guided visit every 30 minutes and costs EUR 7.

Castello Maniace: Castello Maniace hours may change, so you should check opening times at the door.

Fonte Aretusa: The Fonte Aretusa walkway costs EUR 5; check opening hours at the entrance.

Cathedral interior: The cathedral interior costs EUR 2 plus a EUR 1 booking fee, is open 9:00 to 17:30 from October to December, and is closed on Sundays and during services.

Traffic zone: Ortigia operates as a limited-traffic zone, so you should expect narrow streets with local vehicles.

Street safety: Keep close to the walls on narrow streets and take care near old sea-wall railings and drops.

Route coverage: Note that the Ipogeo of Piazza Duomo and the Artemision are not included on this route.

Tour flexibility: You have lifetime access to the tour, so you can start any day at any hour and replay sections anytime.

Please check your final voucher for the redemption details and specific instructions.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

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