Syracuse bike tour

Our tour begins at 9:30 AM at Porta Marina, one of the historic gateways to the enchanting island of Ortigia, the ancient heart of Syracuse. Here we will meet for the bicycle handover and, after a brief adjustment, we will be ready to embark on an itinerary full of wonders, millennia of history, and unforgettable views.

We will leave Porta Marina and head towards the elegant Piazza Duomo, where the cathedral of Syracuse rises majestically, a guardian of centuries of faith and architecture. With Doric columns embedded in its walls and Baroque façades shining in the light, the square welcomes us with all the charm of its past.

Our next stop will be the famous Fonte Aretusa, a place steeped in myth and poetry, where the legend of Aretusa and Alfeo blends with the scent of fresh water flowing just steps from the sea. From here, we will pedal to the edge of the island to reach Castello Maniace, an imposing Swabian fortress overlooking the natural harbor of Syracuse. Within its walls, the history of Frederick II and the great medieval feats still echoes.

After leaving the castle, a scenic ride along the Levante seafront will allow us to admire the ancient Spanish walls, which protected Ortigia from sea attacks for centuries. We will then cross the Ponte Umbertino, leaving the island of Aretusa to head north, following a route almost entirely on a bike path.

Our destination will be the ancient Tonnara di Santa Panagia, a place full of memory and tradition. Once a hub for tuna fishing and processing, the impressive complex still retains the charm of the tonnaroti’s work and the rhythms of the sea, gently echoing through the area.

During the ride, we will make a brief stop at the Basilica di Santa Lucia al Sepolcro, where those who wish can admire Caravaggio’s famous “Seppellimento di Santa Lucia,” a unique masterpiece full of emotion and intensity.

Finally, we will return to Ortigia, riding through its narrow streets and scents, to reach Piazza Archimede, dominated by the beautiful Fountain of Artemis, a tribute to the goddess who protects the island. The tour will conclude at the lively Ortigia market, a riot of colors and flavors capturing the city’s most authentic spirit.

After about three hours of cycling, history, and beauty, we will carry with us a mosaic of emotions and images that tell the truest essence of Syracuse and its gem, Ortigia.