The city of Syracuse (Siracusa) is one of Sicily's most beloved tourist destinations. It was founded by Greek colonists from Corinth in 733 BC, becoming the second Greek colony established on the island, after Giardini Naxos. It was one of the most powerful and prosperous cities of the ancient world, surpassing even the Athenians in splendor, who tried in vain to conquer it. In 214 BC, Siracusa was taken by the Romans, who killed during the conquest the famous scholar Archimedes, born in this very city.

In 2005, Siracusa was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The heart of the historic city is the island of Ortigia, connected to the modern city by two bridges. On the other side of the city lies the Neapolis Archaeological Park, which preserves the most important Greek and Roman monuments.

With over 115,000 inhabitants, Siracusa is currently the fourth largest city in Sicily, after Palermo, Catania, and Messina.