Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Paolo Orsi
( 093 146 40 22; Viale Teocrito; adult/reduced €8/4; 9am-6pm Tue-Sat, 9am-1pm Sun)
In the
grounds of Villa Landolina, about 500m east of the archaeological park, the wheelchair-
accessible museum contains one of Sicily's largest, best organised and most interesting ar-
chaeological collections. Allow plenty of time to get through the museum's four distinct
sectors; serious archaeology buffs may even want to consider splitting their visit into two
days.
MUSEUM
Museo del Papiro
MUSEUM
( 093 16 16 16;
www.museodelpapiro.it
; Viale Teocrito 66; 9am-1pm Tue-Sun)
This
small museum includes papyrus documents and products, boats and an English-language
film about the history of papyrus. The plant grows in abundance around the Ciane River,
near Syracuse, and was used to make paper in the 18th century.
Catacombe di
San Giovanni
()
A block north of the archaeological museum, this vast labyrinth of 10,000 underground
tombs dates back to Roman times. A 30-minute guided tour ushers visitors through the
catacombs as well as the atmospheric ruins of the Basilica di San Giovanni, Syracuse's
earliest cathedral.
CATACOMB
Activities
In midsummer, when Ortygia steams like a cauldron, people flock to the beaches south of
town at
Arenella
(take bus 23 from Piazza della Posta) and
Fontane Bianche
(bus 21 or 22).
There's also great sunbathing (for a fee) and diving off the rocks - but no sand - adjacent
to Bar Zen (
Click here
)
, 2km north of Ortygia.
Lido Maniace
(
www.lidomaniace.it
; 2 people €10)
If you want something glam (though also a bit squashed)
rent a pew on Syracuse's tiny Lido Maniace - a rocky platform of sun beds and shade
where you can dip into the water. Otherwise, swim off one of the wooden platforms near
the Giudecca.
BEACH
