Neapolis archaeological park

Useful information

The Neapolis archaeological park is the most visited archaeological site in Syracuse where it's possible to see the most important remains of the ancient Greek and Roman town. Nowadays the archaeological area of Syracuse is an Unesco world heritage. The Greek theater, the Roman amphitheater, the ancient stone quarries, the ear of Dionysus, the altar of Hieron, are just some of the monuments found within this large green area located at the entrance of the modern town of Syracuse. The Neapolis park can be visited on your own or joining a group tour or also with a private guide. On this page it's possible to find information about parking, opening times and about the entrance fee. If you are looking for a guide it's suggested to book in advance, especially during the tourist's season. Around and inside the Neapolis park are also souvenir and book-shops. A visit to the Neapolis park lasts about 1h30m. The best months to visit Syracuse and the Neapolis park are the spring and autumn months. But during spring you have also to consider that the park is crowded with school groups and part of the Greek theater is not visible due to the classical plays. Early in the morning and late afternoon are the best moments to visit the site. During the summer months, due to the extreme temperatures, the visit is suggested in the late afternoon. Below it's also possible to download a map with the position of the main monuments of the archaeological area.

Roman amphitheater

It is the first monument, near the entrance of the Neapolis park and is also the most 'recent' as it was built during the Roman domination. For this reason, to visit the monuments in chronological order it is recommended to continue, starting the tour at the 'latomie' the stone quarries and then to end at the Roman amphitheater. Inside the area of ​​the Roman amphitheater there are also the restrooms, one of the two coffee-houses inside the park and the book shop. Unfortunately, only a small part of the Roman amphitheater is still visible nowadays. The medieval and sixteenth-century looting has greatly reduced what was once one of the largest amphitheaters in Italy. The dimensions were slightly smaller than those of the arena in Verona. The amphitheater is the place where the bloody fights between gladiators or gladiators and wild beasts took place. The arena (the battle field) and the lower part of the theater, the cavea, are still well preserved. Below the last one is a tunnel which was used for the access to the amphitheater. At the center of the arena is a quadrangular basin. Probably a sort of trap door that served as a support for the shows of the amphitheater. It's possible to walk around the whole amphitheater. At the exit of the area isa sequence of stone tombs. These have not been found on site but actually come from other necropolises and are preserved here only for security reasons.

Altar of Hieron

The second monument that you will encounter, on your left, is a large rectangular platform. These are the ruins of the altar of Hieron, the largest stone altar built in the Greek world. It was dedicated to Zeus 'eleutherios'. It is almost 200 m long and according to tradition, up to 450 bulls were sacrificed here on the occasion of the feasts that commemorated the expulsion of the tyrant Trasibulos.

Greek theater

The Greek theater of Syracuse can be admired from various points. To view the whole theater, once entered we suggest to go straight until you reach the lowest part of the monument (but this part is not accessible from April to July due to the scenography of the performances). From here you will have a great view of this impressive monument dug into the rock of the Temenites hill. This is the reason why it's still partly preserved in the lower part of the cavea while the upper part is missing: this part was built whith stone blocks which were reused during the medieval period. In front of the cavea, the part for the spectators, was the orchestra the part reserved for the chorus. Behind the orchestra was the skene, the stage. Nothing remains in Syracuse of the skene. After viewing the theater from the lower side it's possible to move to the diazoma, the hallway which divided the lower and upper cavea. It's impressive to see the theater from here. The ancient Greek theater in Syracuse was built between the 5th and 3rd century B.C. It could probably hold 12,000-14,000 spectators. Walking through the hallway notice the inscriptions in Greek letters on the right wall: these were the names of the sectors of the building. If you are visiting Syracuse between May and June it is also advisable to attend the classical tragedies. They are held every afternoon and it is a really impressive show. From the upper terrace of the theater we can see a great panorama of the bay of Syracuse. Behind us there is a beautiful fountain: the nympheum and the remains of some tombs dating back to the early Christian age. From this point it's also possible to see a small house on the side of the theater. This is also an historical monument: a water mill dating back to the 18th century.

Latomia del Paradiso - The Paradise stone quarry

Behind the theater you will enter in a wonderful garden. This is the latomia del paradiso, the Paradise stone quarry. In ancient times it looked very different and was a place of work and a prison for slaves. Nowadays it's a beautiful garden with vegetation made of Mediterranean and exotic plants: orange and lemon trees but also palms and ficus trees. Inside the quarry it's also possible to see some caves. One of them is the 'Grotta dei cordari' the ropemakers cave because this crafmem's corporation worked here for centuries. But the most famous cave in Syracuse is the 'ear of Dionysius'. This grotto has a height of 23 m and is deep about 60 m. Its name derives from the shape that resembles a human ear. A famous story, told from the painter Caravaggio during his Sicilian period, remembers the greek tyrant Dionysius who used this cave as prison for his enemies. Thanks to the peculiarity of the cave which expanded the voices, he could spy his prisoners.

Latomia of Santa Venera

Starting from July 2021 new areas of the Neapolis park have opened to visitors (but not all around the year). So during the summer months it's also possible to visit inside the Cordari cave and the Salnitro cave and it's possible to have a walk through the Santa Venera stone quarry, admiring an giant ficus tree and arriving to an ancient Roman tomb, called the 'Tomb of Archimedes'.

General information

How to arrive to the Neapolis archaeological park

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Siracusa is not a large town and the most accomodations are located in Ortygia, the old town center or along Corso Umberto. It's possible to arrive from Ortygia with a short walk (about 2 miles) through the residential area of Corso Gelone. For public transport and parkings have a look below.

From the highway

Coming from Catania: take the last Siracusa exit and enter the SS 124 road (Siracusa-Floridia), direction Siracusa. After the cemetery you will arrive at the southern entrance of the town and a large roundabout. Take Viale Paolo Orsi (you will see the modern building of the shrine of Our Lady of Tears in front of you). Pass the first roundabout and at the second one turn left on Corso Gelone. Turn again left at the traffic lights and enter Viale Augusto. In front of you there will be the main entrance gate to the park.

Public transport (bus)

If you are arriving or staying near the train station, outside, in Via Rubino, you can take a bus with passes in Corso Gelone. Get off at the Umberto I hospital stop and with a short walk you will be at the park.
The shuttle bus service is no more active. A private hop-on hop-off bus service by Eurotours is also active in town.

Taxi

Taxi can always be found in Ortigia (in Piazza Pancali, near the Apollo temple), in front of the train station and of course at the Neapolis park. The reception of you accomodation can surely call a taxi for you.

Parking at the Neapolis park

Free parking spots are locatede in Viale Augusto, in front of the sport ground 'Pippo Di Natale'. Usually it's possible to find a free parking spot (except on nationaly holidays or the most crowded weeks). In Via Ettore Romagnoli, along the park you can find 'blue stripe parking spots' which require a hourly ticket, available on place or using the App Easy Park. There is also a secondary entrance gate in Via Giuseppe Agnello with some parking spots and also a private parking, the Paradise, a good solution if you have luggage in your car.

Entrance fee to the Neapolis archaeological park

There are two ticket offices at the Neapolis park. The box for private visitors is a the entrance gate of Via Romagnoli, in front of the small Cordari church. On the other side, a the tourist bus arrival/souvenir area there is a second ticket office. This is dedicated for organized groups and often confused. It's possible to buy your tickets also here but groups and guides will have skip the line service. We don't suggest to buy the tickets online in advance as they are not refundable. If you arrive at the park and the ticket office is crowded it's possible to use your smartphone to buy the tickets online. Below the admission fees to the Neapolis park (please note that there can be variations e.g. during temporary exhibitions in the park):

• Adult ticket: € 13
• Reduced ticket: € 6,50 (EU citizen 18-25 years with id card or passport)
• Free ticket: under 18 years (passport of the child or parent required)

Combined tickets: It's also possible to buy a combined ticket Neapolis park + 'Paolo Orsi' archaeological museum.
There are no reductions for groups or elders.

Opening times of the Neapolis park

The Neapolis archaeological park is open every day, also on national or religious holidays. The new opening times are published every month. Once we receive the new opening times we republish them (but for official information contact the park at the museum's adress) on our webpage Orari di apertura del parco archeologico di Siracusa, on our blog blog. The park is usually open from mid march to October from 8:30 to 1-2 hours before sunset. From October to March the park opens only in the morning on Sundays and holidays. Sometimes during the summer there are some special night openings.

Guides and group tours with certified guides

A guided tour with a certified guide is a great way to discover the history and the details of the Neapolis archaeological park. All the guide of Hermes Sicily's staff are licensed and specialized in local history and archaeology. A standard tour of the Neapolis park lasts about 1h30m (but also extended itineraries through the Santa Venera stone quarry are available).
It's possible to book a private walking tour of the Neapolis park or to join a shared group tour of the archaeological site. Private tours are available all around the year while shared group tours are organized only during the tourist season on scheduled day. Have a look at our shared group tours section for the updated calendar. It's always necessary to book in advance. All our guides have an id-badge and a Hermes Sicily Tours badge. In May, August and September-October it's always suggested to book 7-10 days in advance for a private tours or 2-3 days in advance for a group tour. During some periods of the year also other tours organized by other companies are available but we are proud of some highlights of our group tours:

• Best rate partecipation fee per person
• Small groups guaranteed
• Scheluded days and starting time (you will not have to wait on place until a minimum number of participants is reached

The updated program of all our group tours is published on our shared group tours page where it's also possible to book online. Private tours are bookable in English, Italian or German (booking in advance also in French). Group tours are run in English or Italian language.

Classical plays

Every year, since 1914, during the spring months it's possible to assist at the classical plays at the Greek theater of Syracuse. These classical tragedies are organized by the INDA, the National Institute for Classical Drama and it's a special experience to see the tragedies of Aeschilus or Sophocles in an ancient theater.
During the spring and part of the summer months the theater is only partially visible due to the wood seats for the theater plays and due to the scenography.

Where to eat near the Neapolis archaeological park

The most restaurants and coffee shops are located in Ortygia, the old town center but also near the archaeological area there are some choices. Two coffee shops are located at the entrance of the park and near the Roman amphitheater. Here you can take a cup of coffee, a typical Sicilian pastry, an icecream (or a granita, the Sicilia icecream) or also a small lunch. At the bus arrival area there is a third coffee shop where also sandwiches are available. Near the rear entrance gate (side via Agnello) there is the restaurant and pizzeria Teatro Greco. Also on that side there is the restaurant 'Ai grani antichi'. With a short walk you can reach Viale Teocrito. Here you can find Olivia natural bistrot or in the small via Socrate the excellent coffee shop 'Leonardi'. In piazza San Giovanni a good option for a break or a small lunch is also the 'San Giovanni Cafè'.

Accomodations near the archaeological park

Near the Neapolis park there are various hotels and B&Bs. In Viale Teracati there is the 4 star Mercure Hotel This modern hotel has opened in the year 2008 and has a panoramic pool and jacuzzi. It's also a good choice if you want to see the classical plays. Along Viale Teocrito there is another hotel, the Hotel Teocrito, a 3-star hotel in front of the Shrine of Our Lady of Tears and nearby the church of St. Lucy famous for its Caravaggio painting. It has no private parking but it's easy to park in the streets around the hotel or it's possible to use the Von Platen parking. Along Via Necropoli Grotticelle (about 10-15 minutes walk to the Neapolis park and near the so-called 'tomb of Archimedes') there is the Hotel Panorama. This 4-star hotel has also an own restaurant. If you like smaller accomodations have a look at the B&B Siracusa Holidays in Via Po, 5 minutes walk from the park or it's also possible to choose an apartment like La musa attica in via Senofonte. If you are looking for the best active offers in Siracusa, have a look a the deals box below.