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Castello Maniace

Castello Maniace: Our most recommended tours and activities

Siracusa: Ortigia Boat Tour with Marine Grotto

1. Siracusa: Ortigia Boat Tour with Marine Grotto

Embark on a boat tour of Ortigia with this tour from Siracusa. View the historic center of Siracusa from the water. Travel along the coast to admire Maniace castle and several sea caves. Push off from Siracusa and pass under the Umbertino bridge. Take in sweeping views of the entire port. Go by the luxurious yachts at Foro Italico, and catch a glimpse of a cathedral dome. Observe the legendary Arethusa fountain. Exit the port and see the immense Maniace castle. Head out to the northern coast of Syracuse. Have some fresh fruit and juice as you travel to a spot where you can get out and have a 10 minute swim. Enter Capuchin cave, Coral cave, a stalactite cave, and the heart-shaped Cave of Love. Snap souvenir photos with the heart behind you.

Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour

2. Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour

During this guided tour you will see the following monuments and historical buildings: Venetian Palace, Umberto I bridge, small harbour, Bourbons prison, old spanish walls and Eastern seafront, Viliena Fortress, Jewish Quarter, Maniace Castle, Aretusa Source, Cathedral, St. Lucy alla Badia Church, Alfeo seafront and Porta Marina. Then we will continue our tour by the coast to the sea caves visit and you can live a unique experience: the boat will go into the sea caves wich is the best place to admire stalactites, stalagmites and corals. Some of these caves have peculiar shapes that you will recognize by approaching them, as Dionisio's ear cave, Lovers cave wich has a heart shape and the Doves cave. Last but not least, if you wish, you can also have the chance to enjoy a stop for swimming in our crystal waters.

Syracuse: Pillirina, Ortigia and sea caves tour by boat

3. Syracuse: Pillirina, Ortigia and sea caves tour by boat

The boat tour departs from our embarkation point at the entrance to the island of Ortigia where our staff will welcome you. Once you board the boat you will be free to move around during the tour choosing whether to stay in the sun or take advantage of the shade provided by the awning . On board you will always find fresh water and safety systems for all participants. You will be the one to choose what kind of experience you have, the captain will be happy to explain the history and all the information about the places you will visit or you can enjoy the trip by listening to music and letting the scenery do the talking. You can admire the island of Ortigia in its entirety, see the Maniace Castle, the Arethusa spring, and the city from the sea. Along the Syracuse coast you can have fun unearthing the hidden shapes behind the most famous rocks, go inside sea caves and observe the color variations within them. In the marine protected area of Plemmirio you will experience the unspoiled open sea, full of picturesque coves including the most famous, the Pillirina. While stopping for swimming and snorkeling you can give vent to your curiosity and enjoyment by swimming among the fish. If you forget your mask? Don't worry on the boat you will always find some spare masks. Live the experience, it will be two hours you won't forget!

Syracuse: Sunset cruise including aperitif and swim stop

4. Syracuse: Sunset cruise including aperitif and swim stop

The next excursion will allow you to spend a 3 hours in total relax admiring the entire sea itinerary of our wonderful city. First we will visit the north side of Siracusa wich is known by the presence of the sea caves and by the peculiar rocks that remind different animals shape. Afterwards we'll sail around Ortigia island admiring its historic part wich includes the ex borboun prison, the Viliena fort, the spanish walls, the Maniace castle, the Levante waterfront, the Alfeo waterfront , the Aretusa spring and the immense Big Harbour of Siracusa. During the tour you will have a beverage mix . Moreover our staff will provide to delight you with a big typical aperitif on board. This experience includes also more stops for swimming during the exploration of those places where we sail and a guide.

Syracuse: Ortigia Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Wine

5. Syracuse: Ortigia Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Wine

Together with our skipper, you'll visit the beautiful island adjacent to Syracuse, but you'll also get to admire the caves of the Syracuse coastline and the splendid Plemmirio Nature Reserve. Leaving the harbor behind you, you will be able to admire the Island in its entirety, having the chance to see right up close the majesty and beauty of the Maniace Castle. You will proceed to the North area of Syracuse to visit the sea caves that possess an incerdible biodiversity. Once offshore, you will enjoy a nice refreshing swim but most of all you will enjoy a delicious lunch: you will taste appetizers composed of local specialties and a first course, all cooked on board and accompanied by drinks, Wine and Prosecco. We will depart in the direction of Plemmirio, where you will pause to dive in the crystal clear waters and enjoy swimming surrounded by fantastic schools of colorful fish. After making sure you have relaxed properly, we will return to the port of Ortigia.

Siracusa: private boat tour-Pillirina, Ortigia and sea caves

6. Siracusa: private boat tour-Pillirina, Ortigia and sea caves

The private boat tour departs from our embarkation point at the entrance to the island of Ortigia where our staff will welcome you. Once on board, you will be free to move during the tour choosing whether to stay in the sun or take advantage of the shade provided by the awning, the whole boat will be at your disposal you will not have to share the route with other travelers. On board you will find fresh water, a bottle of prosecco to spice up your tour, and safety systems for all participants. You will be the one to choose what kind of experience to have, the captain will be happy to explain the history and all the information about the places you will visit, or you can enjoy the trip by listening to music and letting the scenery do the talking. You will be able to choose how many stops for swimming and snorkeling to make, agreeing with the captain on the best spots for you to give vent to your curiosity and your fun swimming among the fish. You can admire the island of Ortigia in its entirety, see the Maniace Castle, the Arethusa Fountain and the city from the sea. Along the Syracuse coast you can have fun discovering the hidden shapes behind the most famous rocks, enter sea caves and observe the color variations within them. In the marine protected area of Plemmirio you will experience an open and unspoiled sea, full of picturesque coves including the most famous, the Pillirina. If you forgot your mask? Don't worry, you will always find spare masks on the boat. Live the experience, it will be 3 hours only yours that you will not forget!

Syracuse: Ortigia classic walking tour

7. Syracuse: Ortigia classic walking tour

Embark on a fascinating 2-hour shared group tour, led by our expert guides, to uncover the captivating history and cultural treasures nestled within Ortigia, the old town center of Siracusa. The journey commences at the ancient Apollo Temple. This impressive doric style building was the first large stone temple built by ancient Greeks in the western colonies. From there, we traverse through the lively Archimedes Square, alive with the echoes of past civilizations. Immerse yourself in the charm of Diana Fountain, a beautiful centerpiece, before arriving at the illustrious Piazza Duomo, the cathedral square. Here, a splendid ensemble of palazzi and ornate churches stands as a testament to the city's rich heritage. You will learn about the town hall (Palazzo Vermexio), Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, St. Lucy's church and the cathedrale. The cathedral is frequently chosen as a wedding venue. When accessible to visitors, we provide the opportunity to explore the church's interior with our guide (entrance ticket of €2 not included), or alternatively, to enjoy a brief coffee break. Our journey progresses to the legendary Aretusa Spring, a place steeped in mythical lore and famous for its papyrus plants, followed by a leisurely stroll along the picturesque seafront promenade. The tour continues with a walk through the historic Giudecca, offering glimpses into the former Jewish district and its past. Throughout the tour, our guide will offer insights into the town's rich history, both ancient and recent, delving into local traditions and religious celebrations such as the revered St. Lucy's feast and its grand procession, providing a comprehensive understanding of Siracusa's cultural heritage and the daily life in Sicily. This tour starts at the Apollo temple at the entrance of Ortigia and ends at Piazza Archimede. Feel free to ask your guide for suggestions about other monuments to visit, nearby towns, restaurants or activities. Our tours are designed for an intimate experience, ensuring a maximum group size of 25 participants, though typically our groups consist of around 10 enthusiastic explorers, allowing for a more personalized and engaging journey through Siracusa's wonders.

Syracuse: Tour of Syracuse and Ortigia by Ape Calessino

8. Syracuse: Tour of Syracuse and Ortigia by Ape Calessino

You will start your tour by exploring Syracuse, admiring its beautiful Piazza Santa Lucia, the Sanctuary, the Catacombs of San Giovanni and the War Memorial, from which you can admire the immense Syracuse coastline overlooking Ortigia Island. Ortigia itself will be the next destination: here you can admire Piazza Duomo, The Maniace Castle, the Jewish quarter and the folklore market. Your driver will tell you stories and secrets of the city and give you the opportunity to make stops at the most important monuments and the best vantage points so you can immortalize these moments and relive the memory whenever you want. The tour finishes back where it started.

Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Sightseeing Cruise

9. Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Sightseeing Cruise

During this guided tour you will see the following monuments and historical buildings: Venetian Palace, Umberto I bridge, small harbor, Bourbons prison, Spanish walls and Eastern seafront, Viliena Fortress, Maniace Castle, Aretusa Source, Syracuse Cathedral, St. Lucy Church, Alfeo seafront and Porta Marina. We will then continue our tour on the coast with the sea caves exploration and you will live a unique experience: the boat will go into the caves to allow you to admire stalactites, stalagmites and corals. Some caves have peculiar shapes that you will recognize by approaching them, Dionysius ear cave, Lovers’ cave heart shaped, Doves cave. Last but not least, if you wish, you will have the chance to enjoy a swim in our crystal waters!

Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Caves Private Cruise with wine

10. Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Caves Private Cruise with wine

Discover the natural wonders of the Sicilian coast on a private boat tour departing from Syracuse. Enjoy a panoramic ride around the city's waterfront landmarks and sail away toward Ortigia Island for breathtaking views. Taste a traditional snack and some sparkling wine on board. Meet the crew in Syracuse and be welcomed aboard with a delicious Sicilian aperitif and a glass of Prosecco. Set sail toward the neighboring island of Ortigia, navigate along its shoreline, and see the incredible sea caves north of the city. Listen to insightful commentary from your skipper. Learn about local history and geography as you come across sites such as the Cathedral of Santa Lucia, a Jesuit church, the Castello Maniace, and many other major landmarks. Meetpoint: via senatore Giuseppe maielli 4 (infopoint Syracuse excursion)

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What people are saying about Castello Maniace

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 3 reviews

Had a lovely time! Steven was an excellent tour guide, he was very sympathetic and helpful to the sea sickness sufferers as well! Enjoyed the fresh fruit and Prosecco and highly recommend for a little day trip to see the island from a new angle.

Absolutely amazing tour. Would honestly go again. Especially we enjoyed the guide who created a wonderfull experience

Stephen was great! Fun boat ride and tour of the caves and around ortigia. Would definitely recommend

Great to see Siracusa & Ortigia from the water & to have the opportunity to swim in special places.

Had fun, the swims and views were great and the fruit was a nice touch.