Syracuse Private Walking Tour with Arancino and Cannolo

Walk Syracuse's ancient streets with a guide who knows the stories behind them.

A private walking tour of Syracuse's Ortigia district on Sicily's southeast coast, led by a local guide who meets you in the neighborhood and takes you through Cathedral Square, the Arethusa Fountain, the Jewish Quarter and Archimedes Square over two hours. The tour ends with a tasting of traditional arancino and Sicilian cannolo. A guide in English, Italian, French or Japanese is included, and pickup from your Ortigia accommodation is arranged.

The experience

The tour starts at your accommodation in Ortigia and moves through the oldest inhabited neighborhood in Syracuse, where the guide reveals the history layered into the streets. You'll stand in Cathedral Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site ringed by bright limestone buildings. The Cathedral itself is the most important baroque monument in Sicily, and nearby are Palazzo Beneventano, once the seat of the city senate, and St. Lucy's Church, a fifteenth-century Norman structure dedicated to Syracuse's patron saint. The guide explains what each building meant to the city and what the people who lived here actually did.

From there the route moves to the Arethusa Fountain, where a legend about a nymph transformed into a spring connects the place to ancient myth. You'll walk Via Maestranza, the street where the city's nobility built their grand homes, and finish at Archimedes Square to see the neoclassical Fountain of Diana. The whole route is on foot through the compact historic center, and the guide adjusts the pace to the group. At the end, you taste traditional arancino al ragù and Sicilian cannolo filled with ricotta or pistachio cream. The guide can arrange vegetarian or other dietary options if you request them when you book.

Because it's a private tour, it's only your party and your guide, which means the conversation stays personal and you can ask about details that interest you. The guide speaks English, Italian, French or Japanese depending on what you choose at checkout. Pickup from your accommodation in Ortigia is included, so you don't need to find the meeting point on your own.

What’s included

• Local guide in your chosen language.
• private tour for your party only.
• pickup from your Ortigia accommodation.
• traditional Sicilian arancino al ragù and cannolo with ricotta or pistachio cream.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 16:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, Italian and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 43 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Prestelli Sicily Tours

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a walking pace through the historic center over two hours, so it suits anyone comfortable on their feet for a couple of hours in a compact neighborhood. Because it's private, the guide can slow down at sites that interest you most and skip ahead through others.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, Italian and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Arethusa Fountain and why does the guide take us there?

The Arethusa Fountain is a natural spring in Ortigia connected to an ancient legend about a nymph transformed by the goddess Artemis to escape an unwanted suitor. The guide includes it as one of Syracuse's most storied landmarks, linking the city to classical mythology and its long history.

Can I book this tour if I'm traveling with just one other person?

Yes. The tour requires a minimum of two people per booking, so you and one travel companion can book it together. The private format means no other guests join your group.

Is the food tasting included, or do I pay extra for the arancino and cannolo?

The traditional arancino al ragù and Sicilian cannolo are included at the end of the tour. If you have dietary needs, let the operator know when you book and they'll arrange an alternative.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour covers the compact historic center of Ortigia on foot over two to two and a half hours. The route takes you through Cathedral Square, along Via Maestranza, to the Arethusa Fountain and Archimedes Square. The guide adjusts the pace to the group and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels.