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Sicily- 9 nights-stay in Siracusa

What do you think about basing ourselves in Siracusa for the entire time and flying in and out of Catania for 8 days?
I would like to also find some good beaches around the area. I would like to go to Agrigento and I see that it would be a long day.
We are not driving and will only use public transportation. We would like to stay in 2 places max. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Posted by
279 posts

Ortigia (Syracusa) is beautiful. Best beach near Siracusa is Fontane Bianche, beautiful little bay with transparent sea, you can get there by bus from Siracusa or by train. Also easy by train to Noto from Siracusa

Posted by
26829 posts

In addition to Noto, you can get to Ragusa (larger), Modica and Scicli by public transportation--definitely not all on the same day, though you can probably combine two of the smaller ones. (But not on Sunday; don't try to go out of town on a public bus on a Sunday or holiday.) I imagine there are some bus tours offered from Siracusa, and that might be your best way to get to Agrigento. I'd research that first, because you may find you need to spend a couple of nights closer to Agrigento to assure access.

I don't know the timing of your departure from Catania, so I don't know how safe it would be to plan to travel all the way from Siracusa that day. If that looks dicey and you decide to spend your last night up near Catania, you might consider making it two nights instead. That would allow you a look at Catania's historic district and perhaps its market (day-of-week-dependent). And/or you could spend part of the intervening day up in Taormina. It's beautiful but extremely touristy, and 2 or 3 hours was plenty for me; others most definitely disagree.

Posted by
2118 posts

I’m assuming you would stay in Ortigia, not Siracusa itself? If so then yes, I could recommend 8 days. Wonderful place.

I don’t think you could visit Agrigento by bus from Siracusa as a day trip. We made that trip but it was a long day — first a bus to Catania, and then another bus to Agrigento. Probably 5 or 6 hours total. We then stayed there a couple of nights. If you want to see Agrigento, you could look into hiring a driver for the day. Or check with the tourist office and see if there’s a bus tour.

Or you could do it at the end of your trip. Take a bus from Siracusa to Catania to Agrigento, see the temples, spend the night. The next day, bus back to Catania. Spend the night & fly home the next day.

Posted by
11052 posts

There are group day tours available from Siracusa to Agrigento.

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks for the advise. I now am thinking of taking a trip to Agrigento by bus from the Catania airport when we fly in the afternoon
And spend 2 nights there and then back to Siracusa. The only negative would be I’d be getting back to Siracusa on a Sunday. People said not to travel on a Sunday. The tough part might be getting from Catania to Siracusa . Any thoughts? Otherwise maybe I’d try and get a tour from Siracusa as suggested.

Posted by
7049 posts

I now am thinking of taking a trip to Agrigento by bus from the
Catania airport when we fly in the afternoon

That makes sense. When I was by the bus ticket kiosk right outside the Catania Airport terminals, I realized that there were some really good links to other cities all over the island right from the airport (probably better than from Siracusa). I took a bus from the airport to Siracusa and it was easy.

I think the only ting you have to watch out for on Sundays is that there is indeed (at least one) bus or train running. It may just be less frequent as opposed to "not at all". There is definitely a slowdown on Sundays, but if you can work around it somehow, it may not be that big of a deal.

Posted by
26829 posts

Catania and Siracusa are connected by trains. I'm sure there's some service on Sundays. There may even be buses between those two major cities. Proceed with extreme caution when trying to get to or from smaller places.

For next Sunday I see trains departing Catania for Siracusa at 9:09 AM, 10:45 AM, 4:38 PM, 5:22 PM, 6:34 PM, 8:42 PM and 9:29 PM. The trip takes something over an hour. There appears to be no way to get all the way from Agrigento to Siracusa that day by train, whereas it can be done Monday-Saturday.

Posted by
39 posts

Done most of Sicily ... prefer Ortigia over Catania.. stayed 3 days on the mainland just over the bridge last time then 4 days in Taormina (the pearl of Europe its called) a must must visit ... Modica was so so ... took train from Ortigia to Ragusa 3 days in an apartment was gr8 ... Ragusa Ibla downhill (extension/suburb?) Walked down... Bus back up LOL ... fabulous view... we found through the years since we don't do museum's basically 4 nights is enough then move on .. your day of arrival then 3 full days after etc. Leave next morning ..... Agregento (valley of the temples) was gr8 too ... as was Trapani ... spent 3 weeks once in Sicily over Easter events in different cities ... was awe inspiring .. so much to see so little time!... we research cities/festivals/events on YouTube a lot ... enjoy

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I have booked a non refundable place in Ortigia for 7 nights. Things seemed to be booking up for June. They didn’t have the first Few days that we arrive so I have 2 nights after we get to Catania. My choices are 2 nights in Agrigento, 2 nights in Taormina, or go to Siracusa and just get another hotel for 2 nights. I would go to Ragusa but I have to travel back to Siracusa on Sunday and it doesn’t look like public transportation is available then. Darn.

Posted by
2118 posts

I’d spend those first 2 nights in Taormina. Once you get to Ortygia, try to find a day trip to Agrigento. See the tourist office.

In Ortygia, have pizza @ Mario’s. You can buy a slice & sit outside at their one table and enjoy the scenery.

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks everyone! I’ve got it down . I also have a great pizza place and beach to go to!!! So excited.

This was fun getting everyone’s knowledge.