Boat Ride In Ortigia Bay

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a leisurely cruise around the tiny island of Ortigia, where the Greeks first established Siracusa more than 3,000 years ago, and see landmarks that influenced the city’s history. As the boat circumnavigates the island, you will pass under the bridges that connect it to the mainland and see Maniace Castle, a 13th-century fortress that perches on the very tip of the promontory, a strategic location for guarding the harbor of Siracusa. The aquifer-fed freshwater spring Arethusa is another historical attraction as it surfaced thousands of years ago just a few steps from the sea. Papyruses grow there in abundance, one of only two places in Europe where you will find these aquatic flowering plants. Ortigia’s overall appearance is undeniably Baroque, which lends the entire island a timeless atmosphere. As part of greater Siracusa, Ortigia falls under its World Heritage site designation, which UNESCO awarded for the outstanding Greek and Roman ruins.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Siracusa’s oldest district from a water perspective by cruising around Ortigia Island.
• Pass Maniace Castle, a still-imposing 13th-century fortress on the island’s extreme tip.
• View rare papyruses growing in Arethusa Spring at the edge of the sea.
• Gain an understanding of Siracusa’s history, which dates back to the 8th century BC.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.