Necropolis of Pantalica

If some moderate hiking and ancient history is your thing (and you have a car or bike), definitely make time for this place when near Syracusa.

The scenery is stunning, the burial sites look like they were carved out of the rock yesterday, and you will have a cool place to splash around when you get down to the river.

Entrance is free, you just have to register in the book. Bring water. Much of the hiking is exposed with only limited shade.

Easily in my top 10 of outdoor things to do in Sicily.

We visited this nature and archeological site just after the NY, obviously it was off season since we were in the nature all by ourselves and parked in front of entrance. Pantalica is part of three nature reserves: Naturale Orientata Pantalica, Valle dell'Anapo and Torrente Cava Grande. It is located about 35minutes from Siracusa and if you want to escape for a day in a nature- it is perfect. The road close to Pantalica is a quite narrow. Bring lot of water, we didn’t find any in the park unless is a gorge. There are couple of trails, we found one 10km long but it is also suitable for the families with the small kids as you can find shorter ones and go directly to the little river. Just after the entrance you walk along the top of gorge and the nature is beautiful. Soon you come to the first rock tombs. It is amazing you are walking through 5,000 rock-hewn tombs from the 13th to the 7th century BC

Very impressive! Make sure you wear adequate footwear.

A magnificent park. Different routes are marked with good signs. People who work at the park are helpful and friendly, to guide you around (also in English). Free entrance, free parking. We approached the park by car from Ferla's side, because we had no proper hiking shoes or other equipment. There were three points of interest on the way, with lots of interesting things within a short walking distance at every stop.

Absolutly incredible. It's free and gigantic. Breathtaking views. You can spend all day they're for hiking and I even took a small dip in the river. The water was very very clean! Can not recommend enough

Super! Free parking. Free entrance. Just sign into the visitors list at the entrance, I guess for statistical reasons. Easy to follow paths and now and then a guide waiting at a crossroads to give directions. Wonderful experience!

One of the most breathtakingly beautiful places I’ve ever been in. This site has several thousand tombs from 13th C BC. We were feeling adventurous and decided to do the loop. We started off in the parking lot ‘Lato Sortino’ where we parked our car. The trails are well marked in most places but there were a couple of spots where we weren’t sure and had to look around. The trails can be steep but I would not say they are dangerous at all. One of the reviews said a slip can be fatal but that isn’t true at all. We took our hike in September, still summer and hot! Bring plenty of water and bring food. The loop was about 8 km. It took us about 3 hours but we did have to double back to get to our car because the area where we left from was named differently on the trail. Serramenzana is the parking area’s name. Which is important to know if you’re doing the loop. Had to do a couple of water crossings, the last one was impossible to get across without getting wet. I wish we’d had trekking poles. This is definitely worth the effort!

Very interesting, difficult to access with walking problems, impressive necropolis with more than 5,000 tombs

Beautiful canyon, but it is not so easy to find - the way it is poorly signposted. Outside the main tourist season you can be completely yourself :-) In the canyon there is no drinking water and no refreshments. Swimming is prohibited - but no one checked. The canyon closes in the evening, but if you continue, easy to get out. Necropolis is about 2 km from the entrance to the canyon, the path to it is marked. It's a really interesting place and well worth it.

We enjoyed a beautiful walk on the pathway around the canyon, and got to see many interesting tombs and beautiful views. The maps and signs are a bit challenging to follow, but it was a fun wander in any case!

Nice walk!
You can start at different points. Not only at the parkingsplace thats here on google maps. Also on the other side of the gorge! So you dont have to drive all arround the gorge. You can go there from sortino, just follow the signs!
There are no maps to take with at the infopoint at the “entrance“ no need to go there. You wont miss the path, that goes all arround the canyon!
The only info you can find for your paths is this map (displayed on some of the parking lots)

Its nice!

Not only is this an amazing collection of rock cut tombs, but also a beautiful gorge ideal for hiking and swimming in the crystal clear wster. And if you like caves, there is an enormous one of them too.

Amazing cold river, views and a good hard walk

Amazing views! Great For full-day hiking

The Necropolis of Pantalica, located near Syracuse in Sicily, is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Italy. This place, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, hosts over 5000 rock-cut tombs dating back to the period between the 13th and 7th century BC.

Pantalica is famous for its rock-cut tombs, which are small cavities carved into the rock. These tombs are an impressive example of how the ancient Sicels, an indigenous people of the island, buried their dead.

The site extends over a vast area and includes five cemeteries: the Cavetta necropolis, the North necropolis, the Fosso del Forno necropolis, the Anaktoron necropolis, and the Grotta Grande necropolis.

In addition to the tombs, Pantalica is also famous for the Anaktoron (or Prince's Palace), a megalithic structure that some believe was the residence of an ancient king. Although much of the Anaktoron is in ruins, it is still possible to see traces of the walls and rooms.

Visiting Pantalica is like taking a journey back in time, allowing you to get an idea of how ancient Sicilian civilizations lived. The natural beauty of the place, with its limestone rocks and lush Mediterranean vegetation, adds further charm to this fascinating archaeological site.

I absolutely love this place, could spend there a month or more. You can swim in the cold, blue waters of the stream during the summer, explore multiple caves, even meet a true eremit that lives there since decades!

One of the most mysterious and amazing places I have ever been in my life.

Great place, worth seen. Highly reccomend to go full router to the wonderful cool water place at the bottom od the canion.

Great place for a hike. In summer it must be great to cool down in the river.

Perfect place for a beautiful walk in stunning scenery