1 Day of Serendipity in Syracuse (A Minareto Review)
TRAVEL DATE: JULY 18-20, 2024 | EST. READING TIME: 13 MIN
IN THIS GUIDE ✺
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Minerato Resort Map (Google Maps)
In desperate need of a day sunbathing under the Sicilian sun in Syracuse?
Unlike every other destination guide I’ve written to date, I’ll warn you up front that this is not a trip itinerary, but rather a 5-star resort review describing an ideal vacation day on the Minareto property—if you’re seeking a cultural exploration into the history of Syracuse and nearby Ortigia Island, you’re better served elsewhere. However, if a rejuvenating day floating in and cruising through the salty Ionian Sea is your cup of tea then continue on, you’re in the right place! Delivering the essence of hospitality the moment you walk through the door, the luxurious Minareto exists between the sky and the sea in the heart of the protected Plemmirio marine reserve. Here you’ll become intimately connected with the pristine surrounding nature encompassing crystal-clear waters, enchanting cliffsides, and the timeless beauty of an authentically Sicilian countryside.
One Day Syracuse Itinerary
In a hurry? Here’s a time-stamped itinerary detailing things to do while staying at the Minareto Resort in Syracuse for one day:
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: 🍇 Listen to waves lap at the Rocky Solarium while nibbling on a fruit plate (2 hr)
12:00 - 1:00 PM: 🍝 Dive into traditional Sicilian cuisine like arancini during lunch at the Nesos restaurant (1 hr)
1:00 - 3:00 PM: 🐠 Curl up on a hammock with a good book then snorkel in the Baia delle Latomie (2 hr)
3:00 - 3:45 PM: 🍾 Sip champagne while gazing at Ortigia Island from the Jacuzzi Terrace (45 min)
3:45 - 5:00 PM: 💄 Return to your private villa and get dolled up before the rest of the evening (1 hr 15 min)
5:00 - 6:00 PM: ⛵ Take a ride on the Love Boat and cruise the bay with a side of amuse bouches (45 min)
6:00 - 7:00 PM: 🍹 Sip an apéritif and watch the sun set over super yachts from the Sea View Terrace (1 hr)
7:30 - 9:00 PM: 🐙 Head to town for dinner at the resort’s harbor-side sister restaurant, Area M (1 hr 30 min)
To be very clear, I had fully intended to go about my usual maximalist trip-style exploration of historic Syracuse, detailing the top sites and bites we needed to experience in advance. However, as soon as we arrived at the Minareto it was clear that plan would be going out the window, as the all-encompassing resort was so breathtaking I wanted to explore every corner of it with the time we had while also getting our money’s worth after coughing up a significant chunk of change to stay at this 5-star estate!
If you do head into town, be sure to check out Ortigia Market (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays), Apollo Temple, the Neapolis archaelogical park, the Cathedral of Syracuse, Aretusa Spring, and be sure to grab a sandwich from Caseficio Borderi—it’s worth the wait in line!
How to Get From the Airport to Syracuse?
FROM: Catania Airport (Via Fontanarossa, 95121 Catania CT, Italy)
TO: Minareto (Via del Faro Massolivieri, 26, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy)
Two airports serve the island of Sicily—the Catania and Palermo airports—serving the east and west sides of the autonomous Italian region respectively. If you’re wondering how to get to Syracuse from the Palermo airport, however, you’re asking the wrong question! Commuting by car from Palermo to Syracuse entails at least a 3 hour 30 minute drive through the middle of the island, and that’s without accounting for the time you’ll spend picking up a rental car. If for whatever reason you have to fly into Palermo due to your origin location, you’re better suited spending at least a day enjoying a northern town along the way like Cefalù to break up the long drive and see more of Sicily. If you only plan to visit Syracuse, flying into the Catania airport should be your preferred approach, since this route only entails about a 50 minute drive.
DRIVE: This is by far going to be the easiest, most efficient way for you to get around Sicily. Both at home and abroad, I’ve had the most pleasant, seamless rental car experiences with Sixt—every time I’ve used their service the pick-up and drop-off process has been a complete breeze, with the entire exchange lasting no more than 5 minutes. There are Sixt locations at both airports, so regardless of where you fly into or out of, you’ll have a convenient way to drop off your vehicle. Since this isn’t a given in Sicily, be sure to book an automatic vehicle if you don’t know how to drive a manual stick-shift! If you don’t want to wait in line for hours at a legacy vendor like Hertz, be sure to book with Sixt!
While I can’t speak to this experience myself since my boyfriend handled all of the driving (#passengerprincess for life), vehicles drive on the right side of the road on the island, so there shouldn’t be too steep of a learning curve for American drivers. If you plan to cruise down coastal highways, do know that the locals you’ll encounter are quite rogue—switching lanes and speeding without signaling—and you may have to dodge some stray traffic signs placed in vehicle lanes rather than the adjacent shoulder! Nonetheless, we survived six days of international driving for the first time without a single bump in the road—so if we accomplished this you definitely can too! Although we didn’t end up needing the full coverage insurance I had purchased from Sixt, I was warned about general car theft, popped tires, and the inevitable dings that can occur when navigating narrow, single-lane cobblestone roads, so for peace of mind throughout your trip I’d advise you to add on the recommended insurance package.
When driving across the island you’ll likely encounter toll stops, but rest assured if you don’t have euros on hand you can pay with a credit card as well!
Pro Tip:
BUS: There is no direct bus access to the Minareto, you would need to take the 55 minute Interbus S.p.A. IN01 bus towards to the Syracuse Viale Scala Greca 394 stop, at which point you could then taxi to the resort. Although this would only cost you $7 one-way for the bus transportation, the required taxi transportation could quickly rack up expenses that would make a rental car cheaper anyways—plus you have the added benefit of flexibility to come and go as you please!
How to Get to Syracuse from Minareto?
DRIVE: Booking a rental car is key when staying at the Minareto, as the reclusive nature of this private resort means you’re relatively isolated from other centralized areas of commerce and dining. If you intend to leave the property, driving to Syracuse is a simple task taking no more than 20 minutes, and free valet parking is offered by the resort to store your vehicle when you don’t need it!
WATER TAXI: A taxi boat service departs from the rocky solarium, transporting you to Syracuse in just 12 minutes. While this sounds great in theory, this service costs €20-25/person one way and can rack up quite a hefty fee quickly if you’re traveling in a large group. For this reason, I highly recommend renting a car if you’re indeed planning to stay at this resort.
TAXI: While you can request a cab in the hotel lobby or via the WhatsApp digital concierge service, this method of transport can also get quite pricey, with visitors quoting anywhere from €40-80 roundtrip to drive to the city center and back. Enjoy flexibility, privacy, and cost-savings by renting your own vehicle instead.
Where to Stay in Syracuse?
RESORT RETREAT: Minareto ($1,062.90 for two nights, split among two people)
Given this entire guide details the Minareto, I won’t dive into every nuance here of this entirely Sicilian project in full harmony with the natural environment and local traditions. A place where luxury is a state of mind, the Minareto stands out on the international scene for the uniqueness and diversity of its proposal, as well as for its extraordinary location in one of the most enchanting settings in south-eastern Sicily.
Upon your arrival, immerse yourself in an experience dedicated to all-round well-being which reconciles past and present, wellbeing and sustainability, and reveals the vibrant soul of Sicily.
We had the pleasure of staying in a recently restyled 23 m² Classic room decorated in romantic art déco styles with fine handmade furniture and surrounded by lush green areas in the private terrace. The chosen construction materials authentically evoke the natural colors of the local area via the incorporation of volcanic stone from Mt. Etna and white limestone from Syracuse. Additionally, the harmonious inclusion of Sicilian majolica tiles and small artisinally produced jewels tell of age-old traditions ensures the decor is firmly rooted in the territory and its history.
Inside your room find a ‘’Simmons’’ king mattresses alongside modern comforts like an LCD TV. The large shower is made entirely of precious marble and the outdoor area is embellished with a rich variety of Mediterranean flora.
As part of your lodging fee, you’ll be granted access to the fitness room, pool, and private beach resort where umbrellas and towels are provided free of charge. Additionally, 30,000 square meters m² of authentic Sicilian countryside were acquired in 2020, today serving as a garden of centuries-old olive and carob trees, palm trees, Indian figs and aromatic herb plants for you to discover!
What to Do at Minareto?
Rocky Solarium
Begin your tranquil morning on an embrace among water, earth and sky: the multi-level rocky solarium terrace. This private cliff surrounded by crystal-clear waters in which to dive offers a breathtaking panoramic view of splendid Ortigia Island across the way while calming you with the soothing sound of waves and sea breeze.
Feel the warmth of the Sicilian sun and the salty taste of the sea on your skin, or simply relax under the starch white umbrellas and adjustable sun shades. This unforgettable atmosphere immersed in pristine, uncontaminated nature is elevated further by the dining delivery service via WhatsApp. Request a fruit plate or drinks from the digital concierge and they’ll be delivered right to your chair—no need to even lift a finger!
The lulling soundscape makes it quite easy to descend into slumber, but avoid getting too entranced by this ambiance since you have many more corners of the resort to explore!
Lunch - Nesos
After lounging around all morning, pop into Nesos for lunch to taste the best of the Sicilian culinary tradition. Rotating refined menus between breakfast, lunch, and dinner, here you’ll find a rich diversified food and wine made of flavors, aromas and colors that have made this island famous throughout the world. Depending on conditions you can choose to enjoy your food on a sunny outdoor terrace overlooking the beautiful bay or inside the large informal dining hall.
The included breakfast entails an abundant buffet featuring a selection of homemade pastries, cakes and cannoli, which you can pair with raw honey comb, cheeses and charcuterie from local producers. Don’t miss the most delightful Sicilian speciality—granita served a soft brioche bun!
A light lunch begins at 12:30 PM and is served through 2:00 PM, continuing to highlight genuine raw materials authentic to the region. Iconic classic dishes from salty seafood linguine to simple plates of spaghetti prepared from fresh tomatoes are illuminated on the menu, and I opted for a delicious helping of Pizzuta almond pesto rigatoni topped for €25.
Baia delle Latomie
After lunch continue on with your day of ultimate relaxation, heading to the enchanting Baia delle Latomie encompassing a more traditional sand scene. Equipped with the same comfortable loungers and umbrellas as the solarium, your beach experience will be slightly different here in that you can easily wade into the clean water from the fine soft sand.
Stretch out on the swaying hammocks and dig into a good read, or snorkel in the protected bay with provided gear to admire the marine fauna and flora calling this crystalline seabed home.
For the more adventurous types, SUP paddle boards are also available for rent, or you can go all in on relaxation by reserving floating lounge chairs which can be elevated even further with a massage service added on top. The unspoiled nature in this oasis of peace is yours to discover, and there’s truly no wrong way to spend your time listening to the musical sound of waves lapping at the beach.
Jacuzzi Terrace
Since the ocean temperature can begin to feel a bit chilly compared to the scorching ambient air in the summertime, return your core temperature to homeostasis with a dip in the panoramic jacuzzi wooden terrace. The area is open to all guests 24 hours a day, serving as a constantly available reprieve for those who wish to enjoy a romantic couples moment or simply relax in the two hot tubs which can accommodate up to four guests each.
Embellish your experience with the champagne and bubbles special moment, a treat which reserves one of the two jacuzzis for your exclusive use for an hour, accompanied by champagne and seafood snacks,
Love Boat
To personalize your Syracuse experience even further, consider booking an experience or special moment through the front lobby. Experiences run on a weekly cadence and include group excursions around southern Sicily with the Ortigia and Neapolis tour or Montalbano tour, as well as functional fitness activities like yoga, running, and cycling plus foodie features paired with wine or savory street-style.
Special moments, on the other hand, or generally more expensive and can be scheduled whenever is ideal for your schedule. On the more reasonable end of the spectrum this includes jeep, helicopter, and airplane tours, but the offerings quickly scale up to the level of Maserati and luxury yacht rentals!
As a believer that all trips to a body of water require a boat excursion, we embarked on one of the simpler special moments: the Love Boat. After being picked up from the rocky beach, we enjoyed an excellent bottle of local Prosecco while cruising along the coast of the Syracuse bay for an hour. While onboard, we each nibbled on a plate of freshly prepared, gourmet Sicilian bites like arancini and they were even kind enough to accommodate my partner’s gluten allergy! One thing to note is that while the excursion image shows a sailboat, this experience actually occurs on a covered speedboat with comfortable cushions.
Apéritif - Sea View Terrace
After disembarking from the love boat, cap off your day of utter relaxation enjoying a mesmerizing sunset while sipping on an excellent aperitif in good company. Watch evening descend from this panoramic seaside lounge overlooking Ortigia, which becomes populated with servers during the dusk hours so you can place your drink order directly from a comfortable couch!
This magical atmosphere provides the perfect perch from which to observe the sun’s rays reflecting obliquely across the waves, softening the enchanting view with tinges of red, pink, orange and violet. In case of adverse weather conditions, this same sunset service is provided inside at the lobby bar!
Dinner - Area M
Depart from the main resort property in the evening to discover the prestigious Area M restaurant on nearby Ortigia, which is a sister establishment associated with Minareto. Paying homage to its seaside location, here you’ll find menu stocked full of fresh seafood dishes crafted from local ingredient with an overall cuisine offering rooted in Sicilian traditions fused with contemporary international influences. This interior of this cozy space has been renovated with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, opening up the atmosphere to the harbor outside, or you can experience the salty air directly with a table on the patio! I began dinner with a Catalana style Sicilian octopus appetizer cooked to flavorful perfection for €26 and paired this with the alpine butter rigatoni seasoned with long pepper, lime, black truffle, and marinated amberjack tuna tartare for €28!
Pro Tip:
If you’d like to dine at Area M, their website is currently under renovation so you’ll have to call the restaurant at +39 0931 21367 to secure a spot.
How Much Does One Day in Syracuse Cost?
Following the above itinerary led the cost of a one day, two night trip to be $896.80 for me as a young 20-something on a couples trip in Sicily:
Lodging
$531.45- two nights in Minareto, split amongst two people
Transportation
$132.06 - Sixt automatic rental car with insurance split amongst two people and itemized over two days
$25.09 - gas to top off our tank and return it to full before bringing the rental vehicle back
Food
Activities
$120 - Love Boat excursion
Clearly the Minareto lodging cost itself is the largest expense here, but when considering all of the amenities and seaside environments that are included in this price, I’d absolutely say this was a 5-star experience well worth the investment. The food served within the resort was reasonable and expected given the quality of food, but if you are looking for external options outside the property you’ll likely need a rental vehicle to access them. Given the distance between Syracuse and the Catania airport, I’d advocate for taking on a rental car expensed either way, since this also grants you flexibility to easily venture off the resort.
What to Wear in Syracuse?
Mediterranean coastal fashion in Syracuse charms with a touch of timeless elegance elevated by the strong presence of artisanal craftsmanship. Embodying a connection to Sicilian heritage, hand-embroidered details, intricate lace, and local jewelry are paired with patterns inspired by the sea, baroque architecture, and traditional ceramics.
Lightweight, breezy fabrics are often worn in neutral, earthy tones complimenting the golden hue of limestone, which represents the foundation of most architecture in nearby Ortigia Island. Cut-out tops, simple sundresses, and long loose skirts are ideal for the warm weather, while still conveying a vibrant yet sophisticated flair. The fashion in this ancient area generally leans toward relaxed effortless silhouettes, so avoid wearing anything too form-fitting or couture. All-in-all, this destination’s general style profile makes you think of seaside effervescence imbued with the tranquility of a simple fishing town which has existed for millennia past:
Starch White
radiate against the aged, yellowing limestone architecture of Syracuse in pristinely starch white pieces
Cut-out Tops
whether your top is slit on the front or back, stay cool with tasteful cut-outs which enhance your ensemble’s airflow
Simple Sundresses
keep it simple with a summer sundress which creates an easy all-in-one outfit perfect for a day of exploring town
Long Loose Skirts
compliment a teeny tank top with long loose skirts which embody carefree feminine elegance
Slide-on Sandals
the rocky nature of Ortigia means you can stroll around in slide-on sandals without sand getting stuck in your shoe
Stylish Sunnies
light intensifies when reflecting off waves and tan limestone; protect your eyes with face-flattering sunglass styles
Is Syracuse Worth a Stop on Your Sicily Tour?
Founded in 734 BC, the immense cultural wealth of Syracuse—naturally a UNESCO World Heritage site—makes it an essential stop on any Sicily roadtrip, even if you’re simply observing Ortigia Island from across the bay at the Minareto resort! Evidently I only spent a single dinner in the town itself, so while I can’t speak to the typical tourist attractions I can vouch for the relaxing effect of a day or two spent at the Minareto resort.
I’ve stayed at a few upscale hotels and resorts by this point in my travel adventures, and I can confidently say this hotel takes the cake! The surrounding natural beauty is absolutely breathtaking, and the various perspectives provided from the rocky solarium versus gazing out at the Baia delle Latomi make the grounds feel much larger than they are—and that’s without even strolling through the olive tree grove!
I received word of the most catastrophic incident in the history of my workplace while staying at the Minareto, and somehow I was so blissed out that this bad news hardly phased me! If that doesn’t speak to the state of utter relaxation you’ll find here, I’m not sure what will! I can say one thing for certain, and that’s any time spent at the Minareto in Syracuse, Sicily will not disappoint!
