The drive to Siracusa took only about 1˝ hours. We advanced briskly because the route did not offer worthwhile stops for photo and video shots. Fortunately, we had a city map this time and with that we quickly found a parking lot. It´s the best to park near the Archaeological Park. There are enough parking possibilities. The city center is, concerning the traffic, pretty chaotic - as usual in Sicily. We did not mind paying 0,52 € per hour for a good parking space, also because the parking lot was guarded. First we headed for the Archaeological Park which we almost liked better than the Valley of Temples in Agrigento. Here we likewise had to pay an admission fee of 4,50 € per person (this seems to be a standard price for cultural sights). Unfortunately, there were also no explanations about the antique excavations. One part of the area was even closed for some unknown reason. Thus we strolled trough the park with our travel guides, past the remains of temples, the Teatro Greco and finally we came to an impressive rock cleft in the quary Latomia del Paradiso, the "Ear of Dionysos". The acoustics are phaenomenal in this 65 m long grotto. According to a legend, the tyrant Dionysos eavesdropped here on his enemies. From the Archaeolgical Park we walked to the old part of town, the island Ortigia (Qail Island), the historical heart of the city. Streets become very narrow here and are hardly passable by car, accordingly it´s not so busy here. In this part of town there are numerous interesting buildings and places, objects of interest and many details to discover. Just stroll around and stop off in one or the other café. Since we had become quite hungry, we went to the Pizzeria "Minerva" at the cathedral square - a tip from our travel guide - where we got tasty and not expensive pizza. Then we continued our stroll through Ortigia, for example to the Aretusa Fountain (Fonte Aretusa) south of the cathedral square. There are papyrus plants in an enclosed spring of fresh water. The spring once supplied ships and the city with water. Even Archimedes, as a citizen of Syrakus, got his bath water at that time from this well. In the early afternoon we left Siracusa in order to drive towards Avola which turned out to be a very special experience.

Our Tips

If you visit Siracusa, you should park near the Archaeological Park. In the city center there´s a lack of parking space and traffic chaos. When visiting Siracusa, do not miss a stroll on the island Ortigia, the historical center of the city. In that low-traffic area you can enjoy the city perfectly.