Things to Do in Ortigia, Beautiful Island of Syracuse
There are lots of things to do in Ortigia. The tiny island is known around Italy for its incredible architecture. Not only that, but it has gorgeous views too. The blue Mediterranean surrounds the neighborhood. Ortigia Island is part of Syracuse, one of the prettiest cities in southern Sicily.
Syracuse is so beautiful that UNESCO included it in its list of World Heritage Sites. The ancient Greeks founded the city in the 8th Century BC. Cicero described it as the ‘greatest Greek city and the prettiest of them all’. The Arabs, Normands, Staufers, Aragons, and the Two Sicilies ruled it at one point or another.
We are talking about three millennia of history! Palaces, churches, theatres, and monuments line the streets of Syracuse. There are squares, isles, promenades, and elegant boulevards to explore. Today, locals call it The Old City. Though Ortigia is small, it’s got so many landmarks that spending at least one night is mandatory.
Get Lost on the Streets of Ortigia
Taking a leisurely walk is a must. As you will notice, the vast majority of tourists come for the day. They visit from Catania and stop for a couple of hours. Most continue to Noto, Ragusa or Modica. We believe this is a mistake.
Ortigia is one of our favorite places in all of Italy. Nowhere else in the country, you’ll see such grand architecture in such a small place. Thus, rushing is not an option. You have to walk about without a plan admiring every aisle, street, square, nook, and corner.
You’ve got nothing to worry about. The entire city is safe, and you can walk everywhere without a problem during the day or night. Ortigia is a maze of curvy little streets. Every single one is worth your time. Looping around the island next to the sea is a great idea too.
Spend Some Time on Piazza del Duomo
The Piazza del Duomo is the grandest square in Ortigia. Duomo means Cathedral in Italian. Ortigia’s Cathedral towers above the plaza. The square is one block east of the Ortigia’s Marina on the coast. Since it’s a long plaza made of stone and no trees, avoid visiting at noon.
The Cathedral used to be a Greek temple. You can see the ancient Doric columns incorporated into the cathedral. Built in the 7th Century, it was also a mosque in the 9th Century. Most of the temple is from the 18th Century, after the earthquake. Some of the things inside the temple are from the 13th Century!
The Archbishop’s Palace and the Archdiocese are next to the cathedral. The Church of Santa Lucia Alla Badia is a baroque masterpiece on the plaza. Caravaggio’s St. Lucia is no longer here but in modern Syracuse. Stop by the catacombs, the Vermeggio Palace, and the Borgia Palace.
Visit the Historic Fonte Aretusa
The Fonte Aretusa is a real natural spring! It’s in the heart of Ortigia, on the western shore of the island. The spring is what made the island famous ages ago. It’s the famous spring where the Aretusa nympha resurfaced. This ancient site gave the locals their nickname ‘aretusea’.
You have to visit the spring to understand Ortigia’s history. It’s also one of only two places where papyrus grows in Europe. The place is absolutely gorgeous. You will see old walls, ducks, geese, fish, and plants. It gets crowded during the day but is mostly empty at night.
The fountain is part of a bigger area. The largo de Aretusa is a plaza north of the fountain with a viewing platform offering unforgettable views over the sea. The Aretusa Garden is next. It s a small park with massive trees and benches. Stop here to rest under the shade.
Tour the Castello Maniace
The Castello Maniace is at the end of Ortigia. The massive castle occupies the entire southern tip of the island. You can reach it by walking all the way south on the eastern or western coasts. The views of the castle when approaching from the east will take your breath away.
The castle is actually a citadel. Emperor Frederick II had it built from 1232 to 1240. It was the first castle to be erected after the Byzantines kicked the Arabs out of Sicily. Peter Aragon lived in the castle in the 13th Century. Garibaldi conquered it in the 19th Century!
There’s a small museum inside. Notice the big arched door and the arched roofs inside the castle. You must pay a small fee. It’s big, so take your time. If it gets too hot, you can rest indoors. We strongly recommend going early in the morning or late when the sun is setting.
Spend Some Time on the Beach
We have to be honest, Ortigia is not a beach destination. The island beaches are narrow and mostly rocky. Therefore, there are not the best places to swim. However, the views from the beaches to the city are epic. That’s why we recommend spending time on the beach.
We’ve been to the city in winter several times and always stop at the beach. Our favorite is Cala Rossa Beach, on the east. It’s a small cobbled bay. The beach is free, and since the wall is tall, you can escape the scorching heat. Wear proper shoes!
Tiny Diana del Forte Beach is a short walk north, beneath Forte Vigliena. It’s a stone platform with crystal waters and awesome views. There’s an even smaller beach next to the Aretusa Fountain. Since it’s next to the park, it enjoys some shade and fantastic views.
Visit Local Churches
The 1693 earthquake that hit Sicily is known as the Val di Noto earthquake. The area was the epicenter and suffered unprecedented damage. That’s why most of the churches in Ortigia were built after the quake. There are 18 churches on the island, and all are worth your time.
The San Martino Church is in the south, a couple of blocks from the castle. It’s a simple early Gothic temple. The San Benedetto Church is one block north. Walk northeast to the Saint John Baptist Church. The open-air church with its 14th Century façade used to be a synagogue.
Explore the three underground levels inside the Saint Filippo Apostolo Church. There are tunnels, frescoes, bomb shelters, and a freshwater purification bath. You will run into the rest of the churches as you walk about the island. Our favorite is the Church of San Paolo Apostolo from the 17th Century, next to the Apollo Temple.
Visit a Museum or Two
You can spend days visiting museums in Ortigia. We’ve already mentioned church museums and underground tunnels. We believe that the following 5 museums are the best in the city. The Syracuse Maritime Museum is on the western coast. The place is beautiful and tells the story of local boat-builders.
From there, walk west to the Regional Gallery Bellomo Palace. The collection inside the 18th Century Palace includes medieval, renaissance, and contemporary objects. The Syracuse Museum of Puppets is two blocks east. The old palace has a dazzling collection of puppets and a small theatre where you can watch a show.
Visit the Papyrus Museum on the eastern coast. It’s about the production of papyrus in Sicily. Though small, it’s pretty interesting and has memorable sea views. Our last must-see museum is the Archimedes and Leonardo da Vinci Museum. The museum dedicated to these two geniuses has interactive exhibits.
Visit the Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo is one of the best Greek remains in Sicily and Italy. Cross Umbertino Bridge, enter Ortigia, walk along the green Emanuele Pancali Plaza, and prepare to be dazzled. The ancient temple is there. You will recognize it from its tall columns. Tradition Italian buildings surround the temple.
The Greeks built the temple in the 6th Century BC. The ancient structure is part of the history of Ortigia. The Romans took over. It was then a Byzantine church. The Arabs turned it into a mosque. The Normands made it a church. The Spanish Aragons built mansions and barracks.
By the end of the 19th Century, the temple was a mess. Famous Italian archaeologist Palo Orsi excavated the area. Today, the temple looks gorgeous. You can walk around it and see it all from outside. If you have time, visit the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum in modern Syracuse.
Shop in the Old Market
The Ortigia Market is the best place to experience the city. Locals call it the Antico Mercato, the old market. It’s one block north of the Temple of Apollo. Some of the shops face the ancient temple. The entire area is very atmospheric and authentic.
We love it because it is a real market. Even in peak season and with lots of tourists visiting, the market caters to locals. The produce sold here comes from local producers. That’s why everything is so fresh and smells so good. Local people know what to buy and cook back home.
You will see lots of fish! You can try fresh oysters directly from the stands. We usually have sandwiches and fruit. The market has two sections. Don’t forget to check the inner courtyard. The market opens in the morning and closes late. Some of the bars remain open till late. Bring cash.
Try the Delicious Sicilian Cuisine
We believe the food in Sicily is the best in Italy. Every culture that conquered Ortigia brought something to the table. We always eat fish at La Lisca Cuccina e Bottega next to the market. Stop for authentic Italian ice cream at Gelateria Fiordilatte, one block from the Cathedral.
Caseificio Borderi has the best sandwiches in Sicily. This popular joint north of the market serves huge portions of local food, including cheeses and antipasto. For a fancy dinner with epic views head to La Terraza Sul Mare on top of the Grand Hotel Ortigia. Passticeria Artale has the best cannoli in Ortigia.
For cocktails go to BOATS. The bar overlooks the Temple of Apollo. They have all types of negroni cocktails and play the coolest music. Barcollo is an old bar with new management. It’s next to the sea, to the north, far from the crowds. The courtyard is the best place to meet locals.
Where to Stay in Ortigia
The island of Ortigia is where to stay in Syracuse, Sicily. Our favorite hotel is the incredible Grand Hotel Ortigia. The 100-year-old palace faces the sea. Completely refurbished to incorporate modern-day conveniences, it retains its old-world charm. It’s got a fabulous spa.
The Ortea Palace Hotel is the other luxurious property in Ortigia. The 1920 building used to be the post office. The rooms are super comfortable and big. The hotel has a herbal room, bar, restaurant, and a full-size spa with saunas, and a lovely indoor pool.
Considering its class and location, the Palazzo Gilistro is great value for money. The hotel is in the heart of the city. It’s got a fantastic rooftop terrace where you can enjoy your delicious complimentary breakfast. The rooms are huge. The best ones have a balcony with sea views.
Other Things to Do in Syracuse
There are tons of things to do in Syracuse. Once done exploring Ortigia Island, head to the city proper. All you have to do is cross the bridge. Syracuse City is pretty interesting. You’ve got several churches, palaces, and museums to explore. Don’t forget to check out the Neapolis Archaeological Park.
You can bike or drive yourself to Pantalica. The UNESCO-listed caves are just 20 miles (30 km) east of Syracuse. There’s no public transportation, so take a taxi. Find fellow travelers and share the cost. If you are in Catania, you can go on this tour. It includes Sortino.
That’s another great idea. Set base in Ortigia and go on a day trip to Catania, just 40 miles (60 km) north. However, we believe spending three days in Catania is a better idea. We strongly recommend visiting Modica and Ragusa on a day tour. This one is a great option.
