Ortigia
About
This offshore island was occupied by the Greek colonists who fortified it and constructed the earliest structures, including the temples of Athena and Apollo, whose remains can still be seen today.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • Paul B
    Cobourg, Canada3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great service! Great food.! Great wine!
    Recommended by our host & it did not disappoint. We had a lovely dinner: baked sea bass and grilled swordfish with a bottle of white wine from the Etna area. The service was friendly and attentive. Our check with a bottle of wine: 70 euro Recommend highly.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 October 2023
  • LondonWelshboyo
    Edgware, United Kingdom274 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    History on every corner
    This is an Island of history. If you take the time to explore it both above and below ground you can be in the footsteps of Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Jews and Christians. It felt very safe to walk around, looking up and down as there is so much to see. Found great hand made leather goods customised for you together with places to drink and people watch. Stayed in a small hotel owned by Nuns, with a roof terrace to watch sunrises and sunsets, which meant it was an easy walk to good places to eat which were not touristy. very tranquil.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 October 2023
  • duhoz
    Beroun, Czech Republic7,430 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Laid-back afternoon
    Ortigia is too touristy still this is a place not to be missed. As there are many streets to walk tourists can easily break up in Ortyga. History can be felt on every corner. Even if you can not avoid other tourists the atmosphere is laid-back. There is even a small “beach” where you can refresh. The beach is tiny but it has also a shower. We came by train from Catania. The walk from the train station is about 20 min.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 5 November 2023
  • Travelwithliz
    Singapore1,764 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must visit!
    Ortigia is the historical center of the city of Syracuse. The island of Ortigia is easily walkable. There are many quaint shops and restaurants surrounded by sea. We spent three nights here and had a great time wandering the alleys, piazzas and visiting the Baroque attractions. The island is full of history with many historical landmarks and beautiful buildings. It is the highlight of our 14 days Sicily trip.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 8 November 2023
  • AMsays
    Thornhill, Canada4,909 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sometimes you feel like you’re in another world…
    From Siracusa cross the Ponte Nuovo to an ancient old town that’s been here for 25 centuries since Greek times and visit the remnants of Temples Apollo and Athena. Then there’s the newer Duomo, Castello Maniace, Piazza Archiméde with Diana’s Fountain, Ortigia’s serene waterfront and a whole host of significantly styled architectural buildings influenced by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and more. Its colourful, the streets are narrow and sometimes you feel like you’re in another world…
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 February 2024
  • 481Epicurean
    East Sussex, United Kingdom201 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ortigia is a wonderful place to visit in Sicily
    Ortigia is the island at the tip of Syracuse and is a wonderful place to visit. Great restaurants, bars, lots of history and things to do and see although it is a wonderful place to relax. We had a wonderful time her on Ortigia and would very much recommending it as a place to spend some time in Sicily.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 March 2024
  • Scott L
    Sydney, Australia63 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely unmissable.
    After wonderful experiences in Rome, Naples and Catania we didn't think they could be surpassed but, Ortigia is simply... beautiful. Great inexpensive restaurants like the Osteria Mariano (if you duck down a few alleys away from the waterfront), a brilliant busking saxophonist with his dalmatian and, of course, the views. P.S. March is a great time. Bit cool in the evenings but wonderful walking weather, the crowds are down and so is the cost of an apartment.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 March 2024
  • Sotiris G
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dream place
    Very beautiful. Fresh sea food, fried in front of your eyes. Ionian Sea, blue. One can feel the ancient Greek heritage. Coffee stops in many places to feel the vibe of the place. In April not too many tourists, pleasant temperature.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 3 April 2024
  • Rohit K
    53 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely town
    Lovely town — with lively streets and piazzas, and also quiet alleys and scenic views. Superb dining options. Street market is a worth a visit in the mornings while the food stalls are there.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 13 April 2024
  • louis-13th
    London, United Kingdom24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enchanted Ortigia
    This beautiful area in Syracuse, Italy is off the scale! Beautiful enchanting streets, buildings and nightlife. It’s quiet and peaceful in April and the weather is in the low 20’s, so not too hot. Food is incredibly delicious and great value for money. Average price of pizza and pasta dishes were approximately 13 euros. Wine is inexpensive and ice cream is the best you’ll find anywhere.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 April 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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traveltheglobe
Singapore, Singapore772 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Friends
We took the train from Taormina to Syracuse and then a cab (10eur) from the train station to our bnb in Ortigia. Spent 3 nights here and absolutely loved it. Ortigia is an charming little ancient town with lovely piazzas and a popular morning food market. There’s so much to discover in the alleyways and you’ll find hidden gems of cafes, trattorias and arty farty shops greeting you at every corner. In the evening, take a walk along the waterfront promenade during sunset (start from the arethusa fountain) and soak in the sensual delight of glorious orange hues, the azure blue sea and not forgetting the gorgeous looking Sicilians.
Written 20 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pierluigi
Rome, Italy101 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
A world of caution before suggesting sites in Ortigia.

The island is abandoned and Godforsaken as Siracusa and Sicily are. The local sport, following a national tradition, is squeezing and cheating tourists.

Prices of anything are incredibly inflated (sometimes more expensive than Milan or Rome); awful, cookie-cutter menus; a 5€ ($6.5 US dollars) cover charge in restaurants or a 3.5 € small bottle of water in hotels ( that you can buy for .20€ in a supermarket) are not rare. My advice: stay strictly the necessary, book in a hotel where breakfast is included, lunch lightly and dine in the same restaurant outside Ortigia, if you can find a decent one.Also, avoid any kind of tours orwasting time in obtaining information from locals.

That is the ugly present. Now the bright past. Do visit:

— Temple of Apollo, a landmark in Greek architecture that set a standard for generations to come;
— Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo, located near the Temple of Apollo in Via San Pietro 18, tells you the story of the island;
— Duomo square with: the Cathedral and its Greek columns; the Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia where Caravaggio‘s last painting is on display and the entrance to Ipogeo Piazza Duomo, nearby the Cathedral, a tunnel system leading to your next stop;
— Fontana di Arethusa, one of three spots in Europe where papyrus grows, on your way to..
—Castello Maniace, the medieval fortress, in the very tip of Ortigia;
—If you have the opportunity, Museo del Papiro Corrado Basile (Via Nizza, 14), a small very well organised and kept institution describing an important episode in Ortigia history.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eleformy
Sicily, Italy18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
Ortigia is a small island, pedestrian, where the atmosphere is unique! You can’t get inside the island with your car, just outside there are plenty of parkings, some are for free others are 0,70€ p hour. So quite chip.
We went to eat a pizza in a restaurant called “Al vecchio Lavatoio” facing the water. I was surprised about all the artists selling their products on the street. The only bad thing is that there aren’t public restrooms so we had to buy a battle of water in a cafe even if they let us use the bathroom even without consuming anything. Very polite but we bought anyway!
There are so many restaurants, bar, cafe, the atmosphere is magic, and the main square is one of the most elegant square that I’ve ever seen! You will enjoy this little island!
Written 28 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Israel R
Ra'anana, Israel16,761 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
The early history of Syracuse begins somewhere in the 6th century with the Apollo temple.
By the end of the 19th century, the whole area was basically a fortress that separated the two ports of the city. Today the Ortigia area is linked to the island by the Umbertino Bridge. The alley maze invites you to stroll and enjoy the variety of sites, starting with Piazza Pancali and the remains of the Tempio di Apollo, then in Piazza Duomo the amazing Duomo di Siracusa incorporating within it the remains of the ancient Temple of Minerva.
Do not miss the market, the restored buildings, great restaurants, cafes and ice creams vendors stores that serve the most amazing ice creams you can taste.
It is highly recommended to spend a couple of hours hiking the many sites listed in every of the AMAZING Ortigia Quarter’s Guide.
Written 5 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kiwi1955
Auckland, New Zealand39 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 • Couples
We travelled to Syracuse via train from Palermo to Catania where we changed trains and onto Syracuse. A great trip through the countryside and stunning views of Mt Etna letting loose her volcanic cloud. On arrival in Syracuse we caught a taxi across to Ortigia. Amazing!! So clean after Palermo we thought we had died and gone to heaven!! Well worth staying on Ortigia in the many AirBnB’s and just wandering the streets of the old city. Lots to see....
Written 14 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aburel
Bucharest, Romania3,168 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
A great place. We parked in the harbor on the eastern side and walked around. Easy Park works here. A nice lunch and strolled the city streets, visited Leonardo and Archimedes Museum, the Duomo and the nearby Church of Saint Lucia 'alla Badia with its Caravaggio painting, then walked to the Aretusa Fountain and around. It a beautiful city, with amazing restaurants, cafes, bars, benches and terraces for everybody.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yvonne V
Irvine, CA191 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Couples
What a remarkable excursion! With her brother at her side as the captain of our fishing trip, Yolanda made sure each of us felt totally welcome and secure.

The morning include a variety of traditional fishing experiences, a stunning cruise of the gorgeous coastline of Ortigia and a lovely snorkeling experience in a protective cove.

This excursion prove to be a great entrée to a wonderful week on this very special island.

The boat itself was immaculate, providing a safe and comfortable environment. Unlike many excursions of this type we were not overcrowded.

The scenery throughout the trip was exceptional and it gave us a vantage point of this precious island that was truly memorable

At the conclusion of our swim we enjoyed fresh fruit from their garden, cookies and Prosecco.

Yolanda was truly the perfect hostess and Sicily in Travel an exceptional company.

Whether or not you enjoy fishing, I highly recommend this excursion for anyone of any age or interest.
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kevin D
38 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
Overall I guess it is an attractive little island. The narrow streets, market, etc are cool, but they also aren’t something you can’t find in a hundred other Italian cities. The cathedral is a yawner. Syracuse itself is a bit out of the way and in hindsight I wish I had driven to a different city because there just wasn’t really anything earth shattering here.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diana VDC
Thuin, Belgium24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
If you want to immerse yourself in the labyrinths of an ancient city, as if suspended in time, ortigia is a must. A clean city, that shines under the sun, a maze of little streets that go up and down, with their beautifully restored buildings and picturesque squares, restaurants and souvenir stores, surrounded by the clear (and freezing!) waters of the Mediterranean Sea. There is an incredible calm and tranquility, we were lucky enough to visit it out of season and even in the midst of this pandemic, it seemed as if nothing would happen there, a true oasis of peace.

Written 1 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Battyhouse
uk23 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Do not attempt to visit Ortigia by car. The Talete car park is now the home of the homeless, these poor people sleep all over the car park. it used to have barriers and had a maned cubicle. This has been replaced with prepayment machines with hourly rates. Certainly not the place to leave a vehicle, with no apparent security. Trying to find off street parking anywhere is impossible. In addition, the TZL zone as you enter Ortigia is situated on the bridge as you enter Ortigia, you have to turn left before going over the bridge to avoid this visitor money trap. The other option, which turned out to be a challenge, was to street park in Syracuse. You join the parade of cars driving round and round the streets looking for people leaving! People seem to l;eave their cars on Zebra crossings, anywhere. Its a total nightmare. If you are staying on Ortigia you can, with prior arrangement with the Hotel or Rental accomodation take your car to drop off your Baggage with a one hour grace period. Then you are back to where you park ypur car?
We found a car park which turned out to be over a half hour walk away, we are in our 70s. We had planned to stay a week but lasted 2 nights. The hassle of parking left us distressed. No information is available for long stay parking.
Park and Ride scheme would certainly help, but the local Authorities seem not to want to know, relying on unsuspecting tourists to fill the TZL pot.
Written 9 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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ORTIGIA (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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