Ortigia, Sicily

Ortigia, Sicily: how to get there, things to see, what to eat, and day trips. Discover the treasures of Sicily’s Ortigia island.

Ortigia is the old city of Siracusa, Sicily, and it is a beautiful island embraced by the sea.
Ortigia’s weather is perfect almost all year long. The hottest month is August, but temperatures rarely rise above 30°C (86°F). The coldest month is January, and even then it rarely drops below 11°C (52°F), though it might get a little rainy.

Why Visit Ortigia, Sicily?

Take a bite of brioche. Now another.
Now tear off a piece and dip it in the almond granita.
Close your eyes and visualize:

• your feet in a deep blue sea

• white decadent walls around you

• magnificent cathedrals that you’ll visit later in the morning

• shiny happy people smiling at you

• art-infused landscapes you’ll remember forever

You’re in Ortigia!

How to Get to Ortigia

Fly to Catania and rent a car at the airport. Ortigia is a 50–60-minute drive from there.
Ortigia is mainly pedestrian, so you’ll need to park and walk to your hotel or B&B. Luckily, parking is easy: there’s a large lot on the left as you arrive, called Talete, open 24/7.

Top Things to See in Ortigia

Small and full of beauty, culture, and breathtaking views, Ortigia is the perfect place to breathe in all things Sicily over a couple of days. From architectural wonders to dazzling reflections on the sea—everything here deserves your time and full attention.

ORTIGIA’S FISH MARKET

One of the must-sees (and maybe my favorite) in Ortigia is the fish market. (Remember: it closes in the afternoon and on Sundays.)
In Ortigia’s street market, you’ll be:

• entertained by singing fishers

• amazed by the beauty of food

• delighted by a rustic aperitivo of fresh oysters and cold white wine

TEMPLE OF APOLLO

Before you reach the fish market, you’ll pass by the ruins of the Temple of Apollo.
Stop to take in the mastodontic show. Think: this was built in the 6th century B.C. Imagine how smart, creative, and flourishing these people were…

FONTE ARETUSA

Legend says it was goddess Diana who transformed the nymph Aretusa into this natural fountain that flows into the main port of Siracusa.
She was stalked by a young man madly in love, and going crazy, she accepted Diana’s help without a blink.

DIANA’S FOUNTAIN

Diana’s Fountain, in Piazza Archimede, is another (relatively recent—1907) representation of Aretusa’s metamorphosis.
But here, the spotlight is on the goddess Diana and her beauty.
Plus, there are a few lovely cafés in the piazza, perfect for a rest, a drink, or an aperitivo.

THE CATHEDRAL

Syracuse’s Cathedral, officially Santa Maria delle Colonne, has seen centuries of transformation.
Originally a pagan temple to Athena, it was later turned into a church, then a mosque, and then a church again.

GOING AROUND ORTIGIA

Ortigia is a tiny island you can explore on foot—a long stretch of land diving into the sea.
It takes just five minutes to walk from one seaside to the other.

It’s like time-traveling to a place where life is slow, calm, and tasty.

THE GREEK THEATER OF SIRACUSA

If you visit in May or June, don’t miss the Greek Theater of Syracuse and a live Greek tragedy.
You’ll love it—the actors, the atmosphere, the shifting light: from day to sunset to night…

WHAT TO EAT IN ORTIGIA

The food alone is reason enough to visit. Here’s a taste:

Sicilian Street Food

• Granita & brioche

• Cannoli (classic or wildly creative variations)

Seafood & Pasta

• Octopus salad

• Fresh fish, fried or grilled

• Pasta with clams, tuna, sardines…

Classic Sicilian Dishes

• Caponata

• Parmigiana

• Fish soup (Zuppa di pesce)

DAY TRIPS FROM ORTIGIA

In an hour or less, you can explore some of Sicily’s most stunning spots:

Marzamemi

A picturesque fishing village.

Pachino

Famous for its sweet, sun-ripened tomatoes.

Noto

A tiny paradise rich in art and Baroque beauty.

The beaches of Fontane Bianche

Enjoy Ortigia, Sicily!
Claudia