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It’s amazing really, this is one of the most important castles of the Classical Greek period in existence, perhaps the best preserved, with extensive remains and its in a beautiful setting, yet the Sicilians don’t seem to want anybody to come here. The tourist info office near the duomo in Syracuse told us it was only open Thursday morning, but the friendly old guy at the ticket office told us it was open every day. Okay, so it’s March and everyone is freaked out by the Coronavirus, but we were the only ones there. You need to get a bus from the bus station which is in the middle of the green bit at the end of the mainland side of the Corso Umberto (despite what the timetables and google maps say). Don’t know what it costs as the driver didn’t seem to know how the ticket machine worked, but not much. Both the 25 and 26 run only every 1.5 hours, both on circular routes. The 25 is quicker to get to the castle, the 26 quicker too come back. Going there - keep an eye on google maps a night he button just before you pass the entrance which is down a drive, and you’ll be dropped off just past it. There’s no bus stop. To come back we walked to Belvedere where there is a bus stop (for interbus) for the 25 on the Main Street opposite a supermarket. For the 26 it’s across the road to the right, but maybe not a bus stop. Or you can risk trying to pick one up at any random point. They go in opposite directions. Our return bus was 10 minutes early. That’s Sicily!…
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Date of experience: March 2020
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The castle was open! The views from the castle ruins were amazing over the whole bay of Siracusa and over towards Mount Etna. We followed the paths around the site and particularly enjoyed the 180m long tunnel used by the soldiers to get around as well as the Dionysus walls and inner courtyard. A polite and friendly welcome at the ticket office and a look at the small collection of antiquities afterwards. Really worth going. We caught the 25 bus from via Rubino which goes every hour and a half. We could have also caught the 26. Buy your ticket first from the kiosk in the square. Bus stops are not marked so had to ask where to stand for the return journey! Same side for 25 return and opposite side of road for 26.…
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Date of experience: September 2019
1 Helpful vote
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At the northern extremity of Dionysius’s city, some 8km from Ortigia is what was considered in 408-397bc, the most sophisticated fortifications of the time, with an elaborate system of tunnels and sallyports. It had to be good for it withstood two years siege by the Romans. We found it particularly atmospheric in the late afternoon,as other tourists depart, leaving us to the sound of the wind…
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Date of experience: May 2019
1 Helpful vote
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It's the biggest and widest fortress of ancient times. It's a pity that Sicilian authorithies don't give a dam to promote their treasures! Was often closed when we came to visit but , once there, we esclated the fence beside the gate! Take the time to read the notice and the reconstuction drawing on the site The site is faboulous and the view astonishing!…
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Date of experience: November 2017
1 Helpful vote
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We were a group of 8 who, having consulted the website for opening hours, travelled from Acireale N of Catania to view it - it was closed. A neighbour informed us that it had closed for the winter!!
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Date of experience: September 2017
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