HOW TO SPEND ONE IDYLLIC DAY IN SYRACUSE + ORTIGIA.
Syracuse and the island of Ortigia is a super addition to any Eastern Sicily itinerary. A city that feels both ancient and yet thriving. Opulent, and yet authentic. It’s blend of sea views, relaxed charm and history make it an excellent place to spend a day, or longer.
This guide will help you plan one idyllic day in Syracuse and Ortigia, balancing cultural highlights with time to simply enjoy the surroundings.
Is Syracuse worth visiting?
Syracuse is always a good idea. The six days we spent in Syracuse + Ortigia are a standout from our month-long trip in Sicily. For me, the town has the perfect trifecta of goodies – a beautiful historic centre, a coastal surround and thriving nightlife.
If you want a base from which to explore Eastern Sicily, an alternative to Taormina or Catania, or a few days in addition to visiting both of these places – Syracuse is ideal.
Is one day in Syracuse long enough?
Syracuse and Ortigia, cover a compact space. With one day, you could see most sites in the old town (Ortigia), plus either spend an afternoon on the beach or at the Archaeological Park.
We completely understand that vacation time is precious and one day may be the only viable chance to visit Syracuse, that said, if you can spend longer than one day we would recommend it. Syracuse offers the perfect blend of history and culture, with a handy beach set up. Plus, the town comes alive at night. Put simply, I could spend weeks there and never get bored.
Are Syracuse and Ortigia the same place?
We wanted to address some slight confusion about Syracuse and Ortigia.
Ortigia is the small island that forms the historic heart of Syracuse, connected to the mainland by a bridge. While Syracuse is larger and home to archaeological sites, Ortigia is more compact, with winding streets, Baroque buildings, and a charming seaside atmosphere.
If you visit for one day as a tourist, you are most likely to spend your time in Ortigia, as opposed to Syracuse. But note, that buses arrive to Syracuse (the more modern part of town.)
How to spend one day in Syracuse: a map
To streamline your visit, here’s a handy map of Syracuse and Ortigia highlighting the key spots you’ll want to explore. Most places are within easy walking distance of one another, so it’s the perfect destination for a laid-back, car-free day.
How to spend one day in Syracuse: the plan
Below is an ideal itinerary for one perfect day in Syracuse. From the morning’s first coffee to the last sip of evening wine, this plan is crafted to help you make the most of your time.
A morning in Syracuse
COFFEE TO START THE DAY
Start your day like the locals do, with a strong espresso or a cappuccino. Choose to either stand up at the bar for a brisk caffeine hit or pick a table outside to linger a bit longer. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Italian way of doing breakfast – coffee and maybe a small pastry, but saving space for a larger lunch.
In the old Jewish quarter of Ortigia, we recommend Cafe Giudecca. A friendly cafe with a small outdoor courtyard, perfectly placed to enjoy Ortigia’s street scenes. But far enough away from the main thoroughfare to feel peaceful.
ORTIGIA HISTORIC CENTRE
After this, take a leisurely stroll through the historic centre of Ortigia. This ancient district is a bit of a labyrinth – turn a corner and who knows what you’ll find. From hidden churches, to art galleries and the occasional feline friend stretching out in the sun.
Don’t miss the Piazza Duomo, arguably one of the most stunning squares in Italy, dominated by the magnificent Cathedral of Syracuse. The square oozes elegance and as you enter it feels that the world slows down just a little.
The cathedral itself is a marvel, built on the ruins of a Greek temple, and walking through its doors feels like stepping into history. It costs 2 Euros to enter and is well worth it.
Stroll to see the Fountain of Diana in Piazza Archimede, a quite marvelous statue created in 1907 by the sculptor Giulio Moschetti. I love the drama and storytelling of this fountain, it looks almost as though Diana could burst out and start a rampage through the town at any moment.
Finally, head to Castello Maniace. A 13th Century fortress which guards the entrance to the port. Tickets to enter are 9€s for adults, or you can take the castle in from the outside if you’d prefer.
BROWSE ARTISAN STORES
You may have heard of the quirky cosmetics and home-ware brand “Ortigia”, which originates on the tiny island of the same name. You’ll find the flagship store on popular shopping street Via Roma.
As well as this, Ortigia is well known for its unique artisan stores. Many of which sit along Via Roma.
My personal favourites were Ebano, a store selling handbags and leather goods in all different styles and colours. Silk in Ortigia, a unique silk scarf boutique. And BACO, which offers carefully crafted jewellery.
It also pays to veer of from the main thoroughfare to find smaller stores – for example ,we found Arya Interior, a shop selling beautiful ceramic items hidden in the backstreets.
Afternoon in Syracuse
LUNCH AT THE MARKET
For lunch, head to the bustling Ortigia Market. This is the heart of Syracuse’s vibrant food scene, where you can sample fresh seafood, fragrant spices, and colourful local produce. Prices are perhaps a little high, but this place is a true gourmet paradise.
Grab a seat at Caseificio Borderi, a legendary deli known for its towering sandwiches stuffed with cheese, cold cuts, and vegetables. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed, no-frills meal that delivers an explosion of flavour. Or, take advantage of the oyster stalls, serving the seafood delicacies with a glass of wine for 3€.
The market closes at around 13:30 so you’ll want to stroll through before then.
After lunch, take some time to see the remnants of the Temple of Apollo, built in 6th century BC. It’s super close to the market and although you can’t get into the enclosed area, you can see it well from the road.
RELAX AT THE BEACH
After lunch, cool off at one of the nearby beaches. Cala Rossa Beach, located right in Ortigia. It offers stunning views and clear, inviting waters, cocooned.
We particularly loved this beach, because there are naturally shaded sections in the afternoon (ideal if you’re as pale as me!) But the sea is lovely and shallow and stays super warm.
If you are more of a sun worshiper, and don’t mind swapping an actual beach for a sun platform or the traditional Italian alternative (a rocky outcrop), then head to Forte Vigliena which offers full sun until it sets. Incidentally, we loved it here in early evening watching the sun fall over the sea.
Alternatively, if you prefer history over the beach, or the weather isn’t up to a beach day, make your way to the Neapolis Archaeological Park. Here, you can explore ancient Greek ruins, including the famous Greek Theatre and the Ear of Dionysius, a man-made limestone cave with fascinating acoustics. Entry costs around 15€.
Evening in Syracuse
STROLL THE LUNGOMARE ALFEO
Once you’ve had time to take a short riposa (rest) or to freshen up and don your evening outfits, take a walk along Ortigia’s Lungomare Alfeo, a scenic promenade that hugs the coast. Take a moment to see the Arethusa Spring, a fountain with quite magnificent plant life.
If you’re feeling fancy, do stop for a cocktail -but note that prices here are a little higher than elsewhere. We quite liked Mikatú, a wine bar with great views.
My favourite part of walking along this stretch of water in Ortigia is spending time hunting out the biggest and most brash super yachts. I don’t know if I’ve watched too much Below Deck, but seeing the massive yachts and their crew, is a fascinating pastime to me. And Syracuse attracts some particularly impressive boats.
APERITIVO IN ORTIGIA
My most cherished Italian tradition has to be Aperitivo. A small snack and a cold drink before supper.
In Ortigia, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a beautiful setting for this part of the evening. Either head to one of the many bars around the Fountain of Diana. Or, if you would rather hang on to the ocean views for a little longer, we can recommend Calarossa Cafe. If if you prefer something more casual, the shop next door offers ice cold Messina beers to drink on the terrace.
DINE OUT
Dining out in Syracuse and Ortigia can be a hit or miss experience. The majority of restaurants offer beautiful settings, but perhaps not always the most authentic or reasonably priced food.
Budget travellers may be particularly conscious of the “coperta” – a cover charge added to the bill in Italian restaurants. Coperta normally includes bread, but this is not always in the case. In Syracuse, the Coperta charges are a little steeper than elsewhere. This, in addition to higher prices, can mean eating out is expensive.
For the cost-conscious, we can recommend Tempio di Athena– the vibe here is very pleasant and food good (but not excellent.) As an alternative, Marios pizza is a low-key gem in Ortigia – you can take pizza away and sit by the ocean, or grab a table outside the restaurant to enjoy your pizza and beer. The bonus – no Coperta!
Otherwise, there are a number of popular restaurants in Ortigia. Trattoria La Pigna for Sicilian food, MOON for contemporary vegan food and A Putia for robust pasta dishes. If it’s a special occasion, or you’re feeling fancy head to Michelin Star fine dining restaurant Cortile Spirito Santo where head chef Giuseppe Torrisi creates daily fish specials.
How to get to Syracuse
By public transport, there are two choices to get to Syracuse. Either take the bus or train.
By Bus:
Syracuse is well connected by bus to Palermo, Catania and other major destinations.
Buses run a few days a day from Palermo to Syracuse, taking around 4 hours. Tickets cost around 20€.
The journey is much shorter from Catania, around one hour. Buses run every 30 minutes and the ticket costs 8€. It is also possible to jump on a bus direct from Catania Airport.
As always, you can book tickets in advance via Omio. But, you do tend to pay a small booking fee. At the airport, tickets can be bought easily in a kiosk just outside the main terminal.
The bus stop in Syracuse is in the modern part of town, a 10 to 15 minute walk to the heart of Ortigia.
By Train:
There are trains direct from either Palermo (taking 4-5 hours) and Catania.
In all honesty, we didn’t always have the best experience of trains in Sicily. For this reason, we opted to take buses wherever there was an option to do so. The trains can be amazing – on time, comfortable and good value – or, they can just not turn up! However, in general the line from Catania to Syracuse runs fairly smoothly.
By Car:
When it comes to driving to Syracuse, we cannot fully comment as we actively avoided driving in Sicily. We hear that parking is a bit of a nightmare in the town.
Where to stay in Syracuse + Ortigia
Choosing where to stay in Syracuse and Ortigia will have an impact on your overall experience. So, it’s important to pick correctly. For a short stay, I would strongly recommend positioning yourself in Ortigia close to the main attractions.
BUDGET: For a room with a view for the money conscious, consider Maison Ortigia. Found in the centre of town, these cute double rooms have terraces looking out onto the pretty streets. Approx 50€ per night.
MID-RANGE: It’s all about the sea view terrace at Case Triscele – B&B, which is found close to Cala Rossa Beach. Large rooms range from 100 to 120€ per night.
LUXURY: Grand Hotel Des Etrangers is the most luxurious hotel in Ortigia. Rooms are impeccably opulent and offer sea views over the Lungomare. Room rates in the region of 600€ per night.
Where to next in Sicily?
We’ve got loads of similar guides to help you explore Sicily more. Find them below:
- One day in Palermo: A guide to seeing the best bits
- Visiting Mondello Beach from Palermo
- One day in Cefalu: A day trip from Palermo
- One idyllic day in Syracuse & Ortigia
- Palermo or Catania: Where should you start your Sicily adventures?
- One day in the city of Catania: An unexpected gem
- Day trips from Catania: 9 of the best
- Best things to do in Modica for the day
- A guide to Ragusa: things to do and where to stay
- Modica or Ragusa – which is better?
- Pozzallo Beach – the traditional sandy beach town dream
- Best things to do in Sutera, Sicily
- Walking in Sicily on the Magna Via Francigena
- A two week itinerary in Sicily – how to travel without a car
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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