Explore Ortigia entirely at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour that lives on your smartphone - no app to download and no physical guide to follow. A clear map links all 10 stops with simple directions, while short audio stories bring each location to life as you arrive. Along the way, interactive quizzes and riddles let you test what you've learned, solo or with friends. Uncover Ortigia's deep Greek roots, ancient power, and sea-spun myths, from the Statue of Archimedes to Castello Maniace, pausing, replaying, and wandering whenever you like. All you need is a charged phone with internet.
What's included
Self-guided tour on your smartphone, APP not needed!
Audioguide with quizzes about each point of interest along the tour
A physical guide (the tour is accessible on your smartphone)
Access offline. Internet needed on your phone
What to expect
Pass by
A bronze tribute to Syracuse's greatest mind, Archimedes, standing at the gateway to Ortigia on the Ponte Umbertino.
Temple of Apollo (Tempio di Apollo)
Pass by
Sicily's oldest Doric temple, a 6th-century BC pioneer in stone, reused across centuries of Ortigia's layered history.
Porta Marina
Pass by
A historic sea gate guarding the harbor entrance, its Catalan-style shrine hinting at origins older than its inscription.
Pass by
An early-1900s monument rendering the Arethusa sea myth in reinforced concrete, crowned by the goddess Diana.
Pass by
The 5th-century BC Doric temple of Athena, whose original columns survive embedded within Ortigia's cathedral.
Syracuse Cathedral
Pass by
A baroque cathedral built directly around an ancient Greek temple, later a mosque, layering centuries of worship in one place.
Pass by
Ortigia's elegant baroque square, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake and lined with grand palazzi and the cathedral.
Fonte Aretusa
Pass by
A legendary freshwater spring where wild papyrus grows, tied to the myth of the nymph Arethusa and the river god Alpheus.
Maniace Castle
Pass by
A 13th-century seafront fortress built by Frederick II at the southern tip of Ortigia, guarded by ancient bronze rams.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
Start your self-guided tour at the entrance of the Statue of Archimedes. Open your Ciceru experience nearby and follow the route on your smartphone.
End point
The tour ends near Castello Maniace. Take a moment to enjoy the area before finishing your walk.
Additional information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
