Syracuse, Ortigia and Noto
A 9-hour private tour from Catania: the Greek theatre of the Neapolis, Ortigia on foot and the baroque centre of Noto.
Highlights
- Car and driver for 9 hours, for your group only
- The Greek theatre and the Ear of Dionysius at the Neapolis
- Ortigia on foot: Piazza Duomo and the Fountain of Arethusa
- The baroque centre of Noto, a UNESCO site
- Authorised guide on request, paid separately
- Pickup also in Brucoli and at Catania and Syracuse ports
About this tour
The first stop is the Neapolis Archaeological Park: the Greek theatre cut into the rock, the Ear of Dionysius and the Roman amphitheatre. Then Ortigia, the island of the old town, which you explore on foot: Piazza Duomo, the lanes and the Fountain of Arethusa by the sea. In the afternoon Noto, about half an hour further south, with its main street and the cathedral at the top of its steps.
Syracuse and Noto are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Your driver takes you and waits at every stop; inside the sites you walk on your own or with an authorised guide, on request and paid separately. Tickets and lunch are paid on site.
Itinerary
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Pickup
Your driver meets you at your hotel or address, or at the port if you arrive by ship, at the agreed time.
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Neapolis Archaeological Park 1h 30min
About an hour and a half among the Greek theatre, the Ear of Dionysius and the amphitheatre, on your own or with an authorised guide on request.
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Ortigia 2h
About two hours on foot around Piazza Duomo, the lanes and the Fountain of Arethusa, with time for lunch.
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Noto 1h 30min
Free time along the main street of the baroque centre and in front of the cathedral.
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Return
Back to where we picked you up.
What's included
- A vehicle with driver for your group only: a sedan for 1 to 3 people, a van for 4 to 8
- English-speaking driver
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or address
- Fuel
- About an hour and a half at the Neapolis, two hours in Ortigia and an hour and a half in Noto
- Stops for photos whenever you like
Not included
- Entrance tickets to archaeological parks, museums, cloisters and paid areas: you pay them on site
- Lunch and drinks: you choose where to stop, your driver can suggest a few places
- Authorised guide for the Neapolis Archaeological Park: optional, on request, paid separately
- Authorised guide for Ortigia: optional, on request, paid separately
- Tips: optional
Good to know
- Neapolis Archaeological Park (official site, read on 20 October 2026): ticket about 14 euro per person, reduced 7 euro; from 25 to 31 October open 08:30-17:15, with the ticket office open until 16:00. Hours change with the season, so check them before you go.
- Ortigia has a limited-traffic zone whose hours change by ordinance: your driver drops you at the nearest point open to cars, usually near the car parks at the entrance to the island, and picks you up there.
- Your driver drives, waits for you and suggests stops and timings, but does not explain the sites: in Italy, by law (Law 190 of 2023), only an authorised guide may do that.
- For the Neapolis Archaeological Park and Ortigia you can ask for an authorised guide when you book, on request and paid separately.
- The tour price does not cover entrance fees: you pay them on site, or online beforehand where the site allows it.
- Pickup at your hotel or address at the agreed time: in historic centres with limited traffic the car comes to your hotel where traffic rules allow, otherwise to the nearest point, agreed beforehand.
- If you arrive by ship, pickup is at the cruise terminal exit or at the port gate agreed when you book: plan the return with a wide margin before all-aboard time.
- The price is per group, not per person: by sedan for 1 to 3 people, by van for up to 8. The tour is private: no other travellers join you.
- You can cancel free of charge up to 120 hours before the day of the tour.
Pickup
Pickup at your hotel or address (Catania, Acireale, Brucoli, Catania port, Siracusa port). Add the exact address in the booking notes.
Frequently asked questions
Can the stops be done in a different order?
Yes, you agree it with your driver during the day. In late October the Neapolis closes at 17:15 and the ticket office at 16:00, so it usually makes sense to visit it first.
Is there someone to explain the Greek theatre?
Only if you ask: an authorised guide for the Neapolis or Ortigia is arranged on request and paid separately. By law your driver does not explain the sites.
Can the car drive into Ortigia?
No, not into the centre: Ortigia has a limited-traffic zone. Your driver stops at the nearest point cars may reach and collects you from the same spot.
Can we start from Syracuse or Catania port?
Yes, pickup is possible at both ports: add your ship name and all-aboard time when you book, and we plan the day with a margin.
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Arriving by plane or train?
We also run private transfers from airports and stations. Door to door, on your schedule.
