1 Day of Serendipity in Syracuse at Minareto Siracusa
LAST UPDATED: FEBRUARY 14, 2025 | TRAVEL DATE: JULY 2024 | EST. READING TIME: 11 MIN
IN THIS GUIDE ✺
In desperate need of a day sunbathing under the Sicilian sun in Syracuse?
Unlike every other Destination 195 guide, 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 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 step through the door, the luxurious Minareto exists between the sky and the sea in the heart of the protected Plemmirio marine reserve.
Become intimately familiar with the pristine surrounding landscape encompassing crystal-clear waters, enchanting cliff sides, and the timeless beauty of an authentically Sicilian countryside.
One Day Minareto Siracusa Itinerary
In a hurry? Here’s a time-stamped itinerary detailing things to do while staying at the Minareto Siracusa resort 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 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 while cruising the bay with a side of amuse bouches (1 hr)
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 into town for dinner at the resort’s sister restaurant, Area M (1 hr 30 min)
I fully intended to go about my usual maximalist travel style when exploring historic Syracuse, detailing the top sites and bites I wanted to experience in advance. However, as soon as I arrived at the Minareto it was clear that plan was going out the window. The all-encompassing resort was so breathtaking I wanted to explore every corner of it with the time I had, while also getting my money’s worth after coughing up a significant chunk of change to stay at this 5-star estate!
If you head into town, check out the Ortigia Market (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays), Apollo Temple, Neapolis archaeological park, Cathedral of Syracuse, Aretusa Spring, and grab a sandwich from Caseificio Borderi—it’s worth the wait in line!
How to Get From the Airport to Syracuse?
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FROM: Catania Airport (Via Fontanarossa, 95121 Catania CT, Italy)
TO: Minareto Siracusa (Via del Faro Massolivieri, 26, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy)
Two airports operate on Sicily—the Catania and Palermo airports—serving the east and north sides of the autonomous Italian region respectively. If you’re wondering how to get to Syracuse from the Palermo airport, you’re asking the wrong question!
Commuting by car from Palermo to Syracuse entails at least 3 hours and 30 minutes of driving through the middle of the island, and that’s without accounting for time spent picking up a rental car. If you have to fly into Palermo due to your origin location, spend at least one 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 50 minutes away by car is ideal.
DRIVE: This is the easiest, most efficient way to get around Sicily. Both at home and abroad, I’ve had the most seamless rental car experiences with Sixt. Each time I’ve used their service the pick-up and drop-off 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 from you’ll have a convenient way to drop off your vehicle. Since this isn’t a given in Sicily, book an automatic vehicle if you can’t drive a manual stick-shift! If you don’t want to wait in line for hours at a legacy vendor like Hertz, book with Sixt!
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While I can’t speak to this experience myself since my partner handled all the driving, vehicles drive on the right side of the road, so there shouldn’t be too steep of a learning curve for American drivers.
If you plan to cruise down coastal highways, know that the locals you’ll encounter are quite rogue—switching lanes and speeding without signaling—and you may have to dodge stray traffic cones in vehicle lanes rather than the adjacent shoulder!
Nonetheless, we survived 6 days of international driving for the first time without a single bump in the road—if we accomplished this you 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.
Add on the recommended insurance package for peace of mind throughout your trip.
Pro Tip:
When driving across the island you’ll encounter toll stops. Rest assured, if you don’t have euros on hand you can pay with a credit card as well.
BUS: There’s no direct bus access to the grand hotel Minareto Siracusa. Take the 55 minute Interbus S.p.A. bus towards the Syracuse Viale Scala Greca 394 stop or the 57 minute Trenitalia regionale veloce train towards Siracusa station, at which point you could taxi to the resort. Although this bus route only costs $7 one way and the train fare from the Catania airport is $9.73, the necessary taxi expenses can rack up a bill that would make a rental car cheaper anyways—plus you have the added 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. To leave the property, driving to Syracuse is a simple task taking no more than 20 minutes, and free valet parking is offered to store your vehicle when you don’t need it!
WATER TAXI: A taxi boat service departs from the rocky solarium, arriving in Syracuse in just 12 minutes. While this sounds great in theory, the service costs €20-25/person one way and can quickly become a hefty fee if traveling in a large group. For this reason, I highly recommend renting a car when staying at this resort.
TAXI: Request a cab in the hotel lobby or via the WhatsApp digital concierge service. However, this method of transport can also get quite pricey, with visitors quoting fares 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: Grand Hotel Minareto Syracuse Italy ($1,062.90 for two nights, split among two people)
Given this entire guide details the Minareto, I won’t yet dive into every nuance of this entirely Sicilian project built 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 resort scene for the uniqueness of its proposal, offering an extraordinary location in enchanting southeastern Sicily.
Immerse yourself in an experience dedicated to all-round well-being which reconciles past and present, sustainability, and reveals the vibrant soul of Sicily.
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I had the pleasure of staying in a recently restyled 23 m² Classic art déco room surrounded by lush greenery on the private terrace.
The construction authentically evokes the natural colors of the local area by incorporating volcanic stone from Mount Etna and white limestone from Syracuse.
The harmonious inclusion of Sicilian majolica tiles and artisanal jewels invokes age-old traditions, ensuring the decor is firmly rooted in the territory and its history.
Find a ‘Simmons’ king mattresses alongside modern comforts like an LCD TV. The large shower is entirely made of precious marble and the outdoor area is embellished with various Mediterranean flora.
As part of the nightly rate, receive access to the fitness room, pool, and private beach resort where umbrellas and towels are provided free of charge. Additionally, 30,000 m² of authentic Sicilian countryside was acquired in 2020, today a garden full of centuries-old olive, carob, and palm trees for you to discover!
What to Do at Minareto?
Rocky Solarium
Begin the tranquil morning on an embrace amongst water, earth, and sky: the multi-level rocky solarium terrace. This private cliff—surrounded by crystal-clear waters in which to dive—offers a panoramic view of splendid Ortigia Island across the way while calming with the soothing sound of waves and sea breeze.
Feel the warmth of the Sicilian sun and 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 natural scenery is elevated further by the delivery service triaged via WhatsApp. Request a fruit plate or drinks from the digital concierge and they’ll be delivered right to your chair—no need to 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 more corners of the resort to explore!
Lunch - Nesos
After lounging around all morning, pop into Nesos for lunch to taste the best of Sicilian culinary traditions. Rotating refined menus between breakfast, lunch, and dinner, find rich food and wine composed of native flavors, aromas, and colors which have made this island famous throughout the world. Depending on the conditions, 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. Classic dishes from salty seafood linguine to simple plates of spaghetti prepared with fresh tomatoes are illuminated on the menu, and I opted for a delicious helping of Pizzuta almond pesto rigatoni for €25.
Baia delle Latomie
Continue on with 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 Minareto beach Siracusa experience will be slightly different 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 using provided gear to admire the marine fauna and flora calling this crystalline seabed home.
For more adventurous types, SUP paddle boards are available to rent, or go all in on relaxation by reserving floating lounge chairs—which can be even further elevated 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 feel chilly compared to the scorching summer air, return your core temperature to homeostasis with a dip on the panoramic jacuzzi terrace. Open to all guests 24 hours a day, this continuously available wooden deck offers a romantic couples moment or relaxing reprieve in the two tubs accommodating up to four guests each.
Embellish this experience by booking the champagne and bubbles special moment, a one-hour jacuzzi reservation for your exclusive use accompanied by champagne and seafood snacks.
Love Boat
Personalize your Syracuse experience even further by booking an experience or special moment through the front lobby. Experiences run on a regular weekly cadence and include group excursions around southern Sicily like the Ortigia and Neapolis or Montalbano tours. Functional fitness activities are also offered like yoga, running, and cycling—plus foodie features paired with wine or savory street snacks.
Special moments are more expensive and can be scheduled whenever is ideal for you. On the more reasonable end of the spectrum this includes jeep, helicopter, and airplane tours, but the listings quickly scale up to the level of Maserati and luxury yacht rentals!
As a believer that all trips to the water require a boat excursion, I embarked on one of the simpler special moments: the Love Boat. After being picked up from the rocky beach, I enjoyed an excellent bottle of local Prosecco while cruising along the coast of the Syracuse bay for an hour. 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! While the excursion listing pictures 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 this day of utter relaxation by enjoying a mesmerizing sunset while sipping on an excellent aperitif in good company. Watch evening descend from the panoramic seaside lounge overlooking Ortigia, which becomes populated with servers during dusk 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 across the waves, softening the enchanting view with tinges of red, pink, and orange. In case of adverse weather, this same sunset service is provided inside 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, a sister establishment associated with the Minareto. Paying homage to its harbor location, find a menu stocked full of fresh seafood dishes rooted in Sicilian tradition while fusing contemporary international influences.
This cozy interior was renovated with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, opening up the atmosphere to the harbor outside. Otherwise, experience the salty air directly with a table on the patio! I began with a Catalana-style octopus appetizer cooked to flavorful perfection for €26 and paired this with the alpine butter rigatoni and marinated amberjack tuna tartare for €28!
Pro Tip:
The Area M website is under renovation, so call +39 0931 21367 to secure a dinner spot.
How Much Does One Day in Syracuse Cost?
Following the above itinerary led the cost of a one day, two night trip at the grand hotel Minareto Sicily to be $896.80 for me as a young 20-something on a couples trip:
Lodging
$531.45- two nights in hotel Minareto Syracusa, 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 return the tank to full before bringing the rental vehicle back
Food
Activities
$120 - Love Boat excursion
The Minareto Sicily lodging cost is the largest expense here, but when considering all the amenities and seaside environments included in this price, I’d say this 5-star experience was well worth the investment. The food served within the resort was reasonably priced given the fine dining quality, while external options require a rental vehicle or taxi ride to reach. Given the distance between Syracuse and the Catania airport, I’d advocate for taking on the rental car expense either way, since this 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 worn in neutral, earthy tones compliment the golden hue of limestone, which comprises the foundation of architecture on nearby Ortigia Island. Cut-out tops, simple sundresses, and long loose skirts are ideal for the warm weather while conveying 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 style profile evokes seaside effervescence imbued with the bucolic 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 to enhance your ensemble’s airflow
Simple Sundresses
keep it simple with a summer sundress which provides 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
rocky Ortigia allows you to stroll around in slide-on sandals without sand getting stuck in your shoes
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 B.C., the immense cultural wealth of Syracuse—naturally a UNESCO World Heritage site—makes it an essential stop on any Sicily road trip, even if you’re simply observing Ortigia Island from across the bay at the luxurious Minareto hotel! I spent a single dinner in town, 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 property 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 strolling through the olive tree grove!
I received word of a catastrophic work incident while staying at the hotel Minareto, and yet I was so blissed out 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!
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