Stay
Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection
The Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection is a 5-star luxury boutique hotel located on the historic island of Ortigia in Syracuse.
Discover Sicily
Places
Food & Drink
PUROS Sicilian Restaurant & Pizzeria
PUROS Sicilian Restaurant & Pizzeria in the heart of Syracuse showcases the authentic flavours of Sicily through Chef Tony Baio’s artisanal pizza and Mediterranean haute cuisine. Every detail reflects a ceaseless dedication to gastronomic excellence and the culinary traditions of the homeland.
Food & Drink
Cortile Spirito Santo
In the ancient heart of Ortigia, Cortile Spirito Santo expresses the essence of the Mediterranean through a contemporary culinary language. Chef Giuseppe Torrisi’s seasonal menu draws on Sicilian seafood and meat traditions with refined technique and a touch of innovation, served in the restored 17th-century Palazzo Salomone’s elegant open-air courtyard overlooking the Church of the Holy Spirit.
Stay
Charme Hotel Henry’s House / Hotel Ortigia
Set in an ancient nineteenth-century palazzo overlooking the sea of the Gulf of Ortigia, Henry’s House combines comfort and luxury with warm, family-style hospitality. Its strategic location, panoramic views and helpful staff make it an excellent base for exploring Siracusa and the enchanting island of Ortigia.
History
Catacomba di San Giovanni
Beyond the Basilica of San Giovanni, the Catacomba di San Giovanni opens into a main gallery lined with thousands of burials. Richly decorated tombs, vivid frescoes—including the Syracusan Virgin crowned by Christ—and monumental cisterns transformed into chapels make this an evocative testament to early Christian expression in Sicily.
History
Castello Maniace
At the tip of Ortygia’s promontory, Castello Maniace is a striking citadel built between 1232 and 1240 by the Emperor Frederick II. One of Syracuse’s most important Swabian-era monuments, it is also among the best-known castles associated with his reign.
Places
Old Market of Ortigia
Though Ortigia is now a tourism hot-spot, much of the historic centre remains residential, and its lively, friendly market continues to serve local people as it has for centuries. With its abundance of fresh food, it is a must-see for anyone drawn to Sicily’s rich and colourful food history.
History
Temple of Apollo (Apollonion)
The Temple of Apollo is one of the most important ancient Greek monuments of Magna Graecia, standing on Ortygia in front of Piazza Pancali. Its fascinating ruins mark one of the first temples built by the Greeks in Syracuse in the early sixth century BC, and are regarded as the oldest Doric temple in Sicily and the oldest stone temple in the West.
History
Arethusa Spring
The Fountain of Arethusa is a natural spring on Ortygia, in Syracuse’s historic centre. Whatever the legend, it remains a magical setting for romantic walks and fairy-tale sunsets.
History
Neapolis Archaeological Park
The Neapolis Archaeological Park is one of Sicily’s most extraordinary ancient sites, bearing witness to Syracuse’s power, wealth and cultural importance in the Mediterranean. Its Greek Theatre, carved directly into the rock of Temenite Hill, is among the largest and best preserved in the world and remains in use for tragedies and classical performances.