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

 

views of Ortygia

Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Colonne, Syracuse

 

Ortigia is the old city of Siracusa, Sicily, at 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 go above 30°C (86°F). The coldest month is January, but the temperature rarely goes below 11°C (52°F), although it might get a little rainy.

 

Ortigia, the dream

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 that smile at you
  • art infused landscapes that you’ll remember forever

You’re in Ortigia!

 

views of Ortygia
views of Ortygia

 

 

how to get there

Fly to Catania and rent a car at the airport. Ortigia to Catania airport is a 50-60 minutes car drive.

Ortigia is mainly pedestrian, so you’ll need to park and walk to your hotel or b&b. But parking in Ortigia is easy: there’s a big parking lot on the left, when you arrive, called Talete, and it’s open 24/7.

 

what to see in Ortigia 

Small and full of beauty, culture, and amazing views, Ortigia is the perfect place to breath in all things Sicily in a couple of days. From architectural wonders to dazzling reflections from the deep blue sea… everything here deserves your time and full attention.

 

Ortigia market

One of the must-see things (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 will be:

  • entertained by singing fishers;
  • amazed by the beauty of food;
  • and delighted by a fresh-oysters and cold white wine rustic aperitivo.

 

About Ortygia’s foodtrotting: one of the must see things (and maybe my favorite) there is the fish market. You will be entertained by singing fishers, amazed by the beauty of food and delighted by fresh oysters and cold white wine.
About Ortygia’s foodtrotting: one of the must see things (and maybe my favorite) there is the fish market. You will be entertained by singing fishers, amazed by the beauty of food and delighted by fresh oysters and cold white wine.

 

About Ortygia’s foodtrotting: one of the must see things (and maybe my favorite) there is the fish market. You will be entertained by singing fishers, amazed by the beauty of food and delighted by fresh oysters and cold white wine.
About Ortygia’s foodtrotting: one of the must see things (and maybe my favorite) there is the fish market. You will be entertained by singing fishers, amazed by the beauty of food and delighted by fresh oysters and cold white wine.

 

About Ortygia’s foodtrotting: one of the must see things (and maybe my favorite) there is the fish market. You will be entertained by singing fishers, amazed by the beauty of food and delighted by fresh oysters and cold white wine.
About Ortygia’s foodtrotting: one of the must see things (and maybe my favorite) there is the fish market. You will be entertained by singing fishers, amazed by the beauty of food and delighted by fresh oysters and cold white wine.

About Ortygia’s foodtrotting: one of the must see things (and maybe my favorite) there is the fish market. You will be entertained by singing fishers, amazed by the beauty of food and delighted by fresh oysters and cold white wine.
About Ortygia’s foodtrotting: one of the must see things (and maybe my favorite) there is the fish market. You will be entertained by singing fishers, amazed by the beauty of food and delighted by 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 watch the mastodontic show. Think that all this was made in the 6th century B.C., and how smart and creative and florid these people were…

 

viaggio a Ortigia

 

 

Fonte Aretusa

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

 

views of Ortygia
views of Ortygia

 

 

Diana’s fountain

Diana’s fountain, in piazza Archimede, is another, relatively new (1907), representation of Aretusa’s metamorphosis. But the attention here is totally captured by the goddess Diana and her beauty.
Plus, there are a few nice cafes in the piazza, where you can rest, drink, and have an aperitivo!

 

le fontane di Ortigia
le fontane di Ortigia

 

 

the cathedral

Syracuse’s cathedral has seen a lot of people, of all races and religions. It was edified as a pagan temple dedicated to Athena, then turned into a church, then into a mosque, then a church again.

 

Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Colonne, Syracuse

Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Colonne, Syracuse

 

Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Colonne, Syracuse
Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Colonne, Syracuse

 

 

going around

Ortigia is a tiny island that you can explore by feet. A long land stretch that dives into the sea. It takes you 5 minutes to walk from one seaside to the other.
It’s like time-traveling to a place where life is slow, calm, and tasty.

 

slow living in Ortygia
le vie di Ortigia

 

finestra floreale a Ortigia
slow living in Ortygia

 

slow living in Ortygia
le vie di Ortigia

 

 

the Greek theater of Siracusa

If you go to Ortigia in May or June, you must visit the Greek theater of Siracuse, and watch a Greek tragedy.

You’ll love it!

The actors, the atmosphere, the changing of lights (from the plain day to sunset, to almost night). 

 

syracuse greek theater: see the changing lights?
teatro greco di siracusa: vedete il cambio della luce a mano a mano che procede lo spettacolo?

 

syracuse greek theater: see the changing lights?
teatro greco di siracusa: vedete il cambio della luce a mano a mano che procede lo spettacolo?

 

teatro greco di siracusa: vedete il cambio della luce a mano a mano che procede lo spettacolo?
syracuse greek theater: see the changing lights?

 

 

what to eat

The list is long, but I’ll try to give you an idea of the wonders you’ll taste:

  • granita & brioche (or gelato);
  • seafood (salad, fried, pasta);
  • fish soups;
  • caponata and parmigiana (like, ALWAYS);
  • cannoli (traditional or in a million other ways).

 

foodtrotting sicily: deconstructed cannoli
foodtrotting sicily: octopus salad

foodtrotting sicily: fish soup
foodtrotting sicily: deconstructed cannoli

 

day trips from Ortigia

In less or around an hour, you can visit some of Sicily’s most amazing places:

  • the fishing village of Marzamemi;
  • Pachino, a small town famous for the tomatoes locally grown;
  • Noto, a rich in culture, art and beauty tiny paradise;
  • the beaches of Fontane Bianche.

 

 

enjoy Ortigia, Sicily!

Claudia

going to Ortygia