Is Ortigia a walkable town?

There are plenty of lovely narrow windy streets with local shops selling handcrafted Sicilian souvenirs, as well as a plethora of restaurants and cafés ready to welcome you with their traditional delicacies. The friendly locals and tourists gives a lively buzz to the town, creating a convivial atmosphere. The island is ideal for those who enjoy exploring on foot, however many hotels have car valet service for guests who have a hire car and guests of Palazzo Artemide can arrange someone to meet them just before the bridge over to Ortigia Island to alleviate navigating the unfamiliar narrow busy streets! Lungomare Alfeo is a street overlooking the sea lined with café bars and restaurants and is a great place to watch the sunset in the east with an aperitif. 

Where is the best place to stay?

Located in the heart of Ortigia Island close to Syracuse on the south east coast of Sicily, Palazzo Artemide is now a historic hotel housed in a 19th century building and a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque architecture adjacent to the Cathedral and overlooking Piazza Minerva, ideal for sightseeing and experiencing Sicilian culture. The building was originally two separate smaller buildings, one built in the early 1900s and one in the 1990s that have been blended seamlessly to create one large building that is now the hotel today. We stayed in a Deluxe room which was generous in size and had the benefit of a large en suite shower room. The modern furnishings made the room feel sleek and bright. This contemporary style flowed through the hotel after recently being refurbished in 2024 with high ceilings and friendly and welcoming staff. Palazzo Artemide serves breakfast (included for hotel guests), lunch and dinner with impeccable service and each delicacy crafted freshly on site made each dish delicious. The restaurant is outside the hotel and located near the Piazza with plenty of shade. Being open to the public gives the restaurant a lively atmosphere during all times of the day (booking for lunch and dinner is recommended). 

What is there to do in Ortigia?

I would highly recommend a guided tour around Ortigia. We were lucky enough to have a guide called Patti who brought the town alive with knowledge about the ancient Greek origins of the city and details of the many nations who came to conquer, making the history and architecture unique and interesting. She guided us to the Fountain of Arethusa and told us the Greek myth which gave the fountain its name. Interestingly the Fountain is the only place in the world where you will find papyrus growing outside of Egypt. There are plenty of shops with souvenirs of pictures printed onto papyrus paper. After more sightseeing including a visit to the Cathedral, we wandered through the market which sells all sorts of souvenirs, textiles, bags and a dedicated food area selling fresh food and spices. Fratelli Burgio is a rustic and popular restaurant found in the food section of the market. The quality of the food was excellent with an incredible antipasti board and a small cannolo for desert made dining here amongst the hustle and bustle of the town an unforgettable experience. 

In the afternoon we went for a boat trip which Palazzo Artemide can book for you. The skipper started our adventure across the bay passing the stunning Minareto hotel and took us around the island. His passion for the island could not be understated as he described each landmark in detail. The water was calm and clear making it a splendid afternoon for a boat trip, along with complimentary prosecco. We were taken inside some of the small caves along the coast including a stalactite cave, which had extremely clear and gentle water. Before cruising under the low bridge, we could see Ortea Palace hotel on the sea front near the marina. After disembarking we headed for a lovely relaxing dinner at the hotel surrounded by welcoming staff and friendly locals. For history buffs or those who enjoy a relaxing and welcoming town, Ortigia Island is brimming with exciting possibilities for all who wish to explore this historic and beautiful island. 

Author: Elaine Irving  - Reservations

I’ve been involved in the travel industry for over 20 years and in the Reservations Department of Just Sardinia/Just Sicily since 2007. I really value the in-depth knowledge of Sicily that I’ve acquired over the years and enjoy sharing this with anyone that will listen. I love eating in Sicily! The cuisine is more diverse than other places that I’ve been to in Italy with North African flavours influencing more traditional Italian dishes. The olive oil produced on the island is some of the most delicious I’ve ever tasted and the fresh fruits and veg that grow in the fertile volcanic earth and under the Sicilian sun are a world away from what I’m used to at home in the UK!