Ortigia: Food & city tour with guide + local tastings

Summary

Wander Ortigia’s market, taste Sicilian flavors, and feel the old city come alive

You’ll walk through Ortigia’s buzzing market with a local guide, tasting Sicilian street food as you go. Explore ancient ruins and Syracuse Cathedral while hearing stories that bring them to life. Expect laughter, new flavors, and moments you’ll remember long after you leave Sicily.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I signed up for this Ortigia food & city tour mostly because I was hungry and curious — but it turned out to be more than just a snack run. The first thing that hit me was the smell of oranges and fried something (arancini?) as we stepped into the market. Our guide, Giulia, waved at a fishmonger she knew — they joked in rapid Sicilian dialect while we tried to keep up. There’s this energy in the market, like everyone’s half-selling, half-catch-up-with-their-neighbor. I got distracted by a stall selling pistachio pastries and nearly lost the group for a second.

We wandered through little lanes where sunlight bounced off old stone walls — you know that soft gold light you only get near the sea? Giulia pointed out the ruins of what she said was the first Greek temple in Sicily. I didn’t expect to care about ancient stones before lunch, but her stories made it feel less like history class and more like gossip from 2,000 years ago. At some point we stopped for street food (panelle and something else I can’t pronounce). The bread was warm and oily in my hands; I still think about that bite when I’m hungry back home.

The Duomo is right in the center — grand but not showy. Inside, it smelled faintly of wax and old marble. Giulia explained how it used to be a Greek temple before it became a church, which somehow made all those columns make sense. We lingered on the steps outside with our sodas, watching kids chase pigeons across the square. It felt like everyone belonged there except us — but in a good way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Syracuse and Taste Local Food

• Visit the first Greek Temple in Sicily
• See Syracuse Cathedral (Duomo di Siracusa)
• Taste local street food at the market

Top questions

Is this Ortigia food & city tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible throughout Ortigia.

Are snacks or drinks included on this Syracuse city tour?

Yes, snacks (local street food) and soda/pop are included during the tour.

Does this day trip include visiting Syracuse Cathedral?

Yes, you will visit Syracuse Cathedral (Duomo di Siracusa) as part of the itinerary.

Can infants join this Ortigia walking tour?

Yes, infants are welcome; they can ride in a pram or stroller or sit on an adult’s lap.

Are service animals allowed on this guided tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the experience.

Is public transportation available nearby for this Syracuse tour?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to Ortigia’s starting point.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through Ortigia’s old town with stops at local markets for Sicilian street food tastings and soda or pop along the way; entry to Syracuse Cathedral is also part of the experience before returning at your own pace.