Syracuse: Ortigia Island Seafood Tour with Sicilian Wine Tasting
Sip 3 wine pairings and taste 5+ catch-of-the-day bites across 4 stops with a small-group
What You Get With This Tour
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Eat where the Greeks once feasted
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Ortigia fish market visit
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5+ Sicilian seafood tastings across 4 stops
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3 Sicilian wine pairings
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Syracusan lemon granita
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Family-run trattoria stops
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins at Chiesa San Paolo Apostolo
Meet your local guide on Via dell'Apollonion in front of Chiesa San Paolo Apostolo, in the heart of Ortigia. Look for your guide holding a red bag, ready to lead you through Syracuse's most historic island. -
2
Wander the bustling Ortigia fish market
Step into the lively Ortigia fish market, where vendors call out the day's catch. Sample octopus, gourmet fish bruschette, and fresh crudo prepared on the spot as your guide unpacks Syracuse's Greek fishing roots. -
3
Stroll past the Fountain of Diana
Next, wind through Ortigia's narrow alleys to the Fountain of Diana, sculpted with mythological figures from Greek tradition. Pause for a fried fish cone packed with crispy calamari, anchovies, and shrimp. -
4
Sit down for fish pasta and Sicilian wines
After exploring, settle in at a local trattoria for a plate of fish pasta paired with crisp Sicilian white wine. Your guide pours three regional varietals, each matched to the seafood you've tasted. -
5
Cool off with Syracusan lemon granita
Finish the feast with a refreshing Syracusan lemon granita, made from fruit grown in nearby groves. Hear how Arab settlers introduced this icy dessert to Sicily over a thousand years ago, leaving a sweet legacy. -
6
Your tour ends at Piazza Duomo
By the time the tour wraps in Piazza Duomo, you'll have tasted Sicily’s best seafood and walked through centuries of history. Stay to admire the cathedral's Baroque façade or linger over an espresso in the sun-drenched square.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible, as it involves extensive walking on cobblestones, navigating Ortigia's narrow alleys, and some food stops including stairs.
Dietary Restrictions: Please contact us in advance with any special dietary restrictions or allergies, so we can do our best to accommodate you. All tastings include fish, so this tour is not suitable for vegans. Gluten-free options are available on request.
Alcohol Consumption: This tour includes Sicilian wines; participants should be of legal drinking age in Italy (18). Please bring a government-issued ID if you plan to partake.
Tour Changes: Food and tastings may vary based on seasonality and market availability, but you can always expect a full meal's worth of fresh Sicilian seafood.
Dress Code: Comfortable attire and sturdy walking shoes are essential for the 3.5-hour walking tour through Ortigia's cobblestone streets and historic market.
Children: Kids are welcome on this tour, though the seafood-and-wine focus is designed for adults. There is no minimum age requirement.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can depart on time.
Your tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Guided visit to the historic Ortigia fish market
5+ Sicilian seafood tastings (octopus, crudo, bruschette, fried fish cone, fish pasta)
3 Sicilian white wine pairings
Syracusan lemon granita dessert
Walking tour of Ortigia's historic center
Small group experience
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Government-issued ID
Water bottle
Camera
Light jacket or sweater (in cooler months)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, kids are welcome on this tour, though the seafood-and-wine focus tends to appeal more to adults. There is no minimum age requirement. Please note the tour involves 3.5 hours of walking on cobblestones.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible due to extensive walking on cobblestones, through narrow alleys, and some restaurants with stairs. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us in advance to discuss your needs.
What food and drinks are included?
You'll enjoy 5+ Sicilian seafood tastings, including fresh fish crudo, octopus, gourmet bruschette, a fried fish cone, and fish pasta, plus a Syracusan lemon granita. Three Sicilian white wines are paired with the dishes throughout the tour.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?
Please contact us in advance with any dietary needs or allergies so we can work with our suppliers. All tastings include fish, so this tour isn't suitable for vegans. Gluten-free options are available on request.
Is lunch separate from the tour?
Lunch is built into the tour. The quantity of food across 5+ tastings, fish pasta, and dessert makes a full meal, so you won't need to plan anything separate.
Do I need an ID for the wine tastings?
Yes, please bring a government-issued ID. The legal drinking age in Italy is 18, and participants must be of legal drinking age to partake in the Sicilian wine pairings.
How much walking is involved?
This is a 3.5-hour walking tour through Ortigia's historic center and fish market. You'll walk on cobblestones and through narrow alleys between food stops, so comfortable shoes are essential.
