Siracusa, the ancient Greek stronghold on the south-east coast of Sicily, is seductive in May. Although Spring temperatures should be mild, the stone streets and buildings of this World Heritage listed town, store and radiate the mid-day heat. Sensible locals take a long Siesta with the shutters firmly pulled down, but we cannot resist discovering more Siracusa attractions.
The world slows a notch and Siracusa steps seductively in.
Seerra-koo-za, in a sexy low voice, with a strong rolling r in the middle. Try it!
[pinit]
Ortigia, the historical centre where we mostly walk is actually an island, but it’s coastline mimics Siracusa’s mainland so closely that it seems more like a peninsula extension.
Siracusa Accommodation
As usual our Airbnb hosts play a major role in our Siracusa experience. Free ranging breakfast conversations, where snippets from each other’s lives are traded, inadvertently provide lists of eateries and places to explore. Our huge 8th floor bedroom looks directly to the bells of the closed for restoration, Chiesa di San Giuseppe, in the piazza of the same name. When school is out, mothers congregate below, sitting on ancient steps, standing animatedly gesturing, with a joint eye on their little ones. It’s charming.
Siracusa Attractions
In no particular order these are my favourite Siracusa Attractions. When I say Siracusa I actually mean Ortigia Island, the old heart of Siracusa.
1. Ortigia Market
Ortigia Market, where Andrea prepares his surely more than foot-long sandwiches packed full of home made cheeses and salami, is also a bustling fish market. Locals take advantage of the passing market trade, with what appears to be a full tree of picked lemons stuffed into a car boot, or a little bucket of fish caught that morning. I could imagine the boot slammed shut and the car disappearing pronto, should an enforcer arrive, or is that my just under the surface Mafia mania?
3. Old Architecture.
I’m thankful that the once jangling bells of Chiesa di San Guiseppe won’t be bursting through our ever open bedroom doors. I do hope it will be restored one day though.
Ortigia overflows with crumbling limestone buildings, and the salt air takes it toll on the wrought iron. Restorations are an ongoing fact of life all over Sicily and it’s common to see balcony nets attached like upside down shower caps, to stop bits and pieces plummeting onto pedestrians.
Looking up in Ortigia never disappoints.
4. Romantic Views
Balcony views over the Ionian Sea and strains of music float on the stillness.
5. Charismatic Streets like Via Vincenzo Mirabella
6. Temple of Apollo, Ortigia, Syracusa
Piazza Pancali is where you will find this ancient Greek Monument. Modern day life carries on around the temple, unfazed by it’s early 6th Century BC roots. It is the most ancient Doric temple in Sicily. Visit the archaeological museum in Syracusa for a better understanding of this temple.
7. Fontana di Diana, Ortigia, Syracusa.
Finding an outside bar in Piazza Archimede which offers both shade, sun and a cool view of the Diana Fountain is bliss.
Bar Diana.
The fountain is circular with a tall centrepiece of Diana with her bow and dog. She is surrounded with other statues like this one of Mermaid and Child and they are bathed in spurts of water. It is a gorgeous fountain and it makes a great meeting place with the Bar Diana across the road.
Nearby there is tourist information and bus stop.
The Piazza was constructed in 1878 and the fountain in 1907.
8. Fonte Aretusa.
Fonte Aretusa is the original water source for Siracusa. Peer into the dark waters, watch large mullet, oversized gold fish, and happy ducks and geese, swimming perpetually around the only wild growing papyrus in Europe, outside of Greece. In Greek mythology the nymph Arethusa was turned into a spring and being chased by Greek River God Alpheus, they both popped up here in Siracusa – creating a freshwater spring.
The Papyrus might have joined them for the ride, but these modern day plants are descended from actual Cyperus Papyrus Linneo plants gifted to a Ruler of Siracusa eons ago.
9. The Walls of Ortigia and Castello Maniace.
Walking the sea walls of Ortigia was always going to be on our itinerary. This stretch leads from the swimming beach, toward Castello Maniace, the 13th century fortress. From the castle turn right and cut back toward Fonte Aretusa.
The one and only of Siracusa beaches located in Ortigia.
10. The Causeway between Ortigia Island and Mainland Siracusa.
The causeway looking from the main Umbertino Bridge. Looking to mainland Siracusa from Ortigia Island.
11. Piazza Duomo Ortigia, Siracusa
Romantic at night – Piazza Duomo in Ortigia, Siracusa.
12. Santa Lucia Alla Badia in Piazza Duomo.
Twilight in Piazza Duomo looking toward the Baroque Santa Lucia Alla Badia, built after the earthquake in 1693.
13. The Oldest Jewish Baths in Europe
Climb down a ladder to discover these religious baths. It is an atmospheric and interesting tour. You can read more about it and more Strange Sights in Siracusa HERE.
How to get to Orgigia, Siracusa, Sicily
By Train.
We joined the Catania to Siracusa train at Taormina/Giardini Naxos, the trip taking a little more than two hours. Your Airbnb host will probably collect you, but Siracusa Train Station is not far from Ortigia – the best place to stay in Siracusa.
Arriving By Car and Siracusa Parking.
Parking can be problematic on Ortigia Island. The streets are small and there are one way streets. There are ZTL Limited Traffic Zone lights before reaching the island. If they are red, as they often are on week-ends, do not proceed. Look for accommodation that has a private parking area and who might provide an access pass. Try Molo Sant’Antonio carpark on the mainland.
PIN THIS FOR LATER
Add a link to your travel post at the link up below. I am co-hosting Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday with Ruth from Tanama Tales and Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations.
Budget Eating at Ortigia Market Ortigia Siracusa
wow thank you. I love the look of this place, especially those little narrow street scenes. wonderful. thank you for taking us there.
Sicily has been greatly influenced by the Spanish (as well as Greece) Jill. I can see you dancing flamenco in the alleyways.
Magical, simply magical. Loved this tour of Siracusa! Your photos are spectacular and I could almost smell the fish on display at the market!
I love that fish photo at the market and I’m happy that you do too! Taken on my IPhone 6+.
Oh this reminded me that I haven’t been this much South in Italy and how much I want to visit that part of the world. I love the post.
Thank you Laura. Sicily is very… Sicilian 🙂
Well you have seduced me. Loved the tour of the old streets, just gorgeous.
Ooh la la! Glad you were seduced. Sicily is like that 🙂
We loved Siricusa. So pleasant.Def the highlight of Sicily for us
I am happy that you thought so too Lydia!
We travelled to Sicily a few years ago. It is such an interesting place but we found accommodation hideously expensive. Maybe AirBnB is the way to go.
Definitely – you know I am addicted to Airbnb. The thing is to book early on Airbnb in Sicily because the best ones get taken quickly.
Hi Jan, thanks for the introduction to Siracusa. It looks seductive indeed. i love that it looks so laid-back and doesn’t look too touristy. I love all the street photos, the market and the moon. Will keep this spot in mind for when I visit Sicily.
I think you would love Sicily Marisol, there are lots of unexpected sights.
I have always been intrigued by Sicily. On one side, I have heard Italians saying there is not point on going there (Northern Italians) and, then, you have the people who is obsessed with vising because they are fans of Mario Puzo’s novels. Since I love history, I am interested in seeing all the Greek temples and the marks different empires have left on the cities. I enjoyed your post (especially, the market photos, they are interesting).
Thanks Ruth. Sicily is intriguing and I think unusual!
Jan, I love your photos (I pinnned). Haven’t been to Sicily in years, and since then have developed quite a list of must-dos. From my last trip, Taorimina was my favorite little city.
Corinne, we stayed at Giardini Naxos, a beach at the base of Taormina. Taormina is gorgeous and our Airbnb place directly on the beach was great too. It was nice looking up to Taormina on the hill and only 10 minutes away in the bus. Did you go to Mt. Etna?
Siracusa is one town in Sicily that I tell people not to miss. There’s something very special about the old town, Ortigia. I wish we had stayed longer but then our trip to Sicily would have stretched far more than the 6 weeks we were there!
It is very difficult to stay the amount of time we would like to in each place I agree. How lucky we are to be able to travel. We had four weeks in Sicily and six weeks would have been better, but as you say could have been longer again.
Your photo of the sea urchins reminded me of my first visit to Sicily – and my first (and last) taste of these little sea critters. The poor thing moved across the plate, ever so slowly. Other than that, la bella Sicilia is certainly sexy.
How awful Sophie. I didn’t realize they were alive when eaten!
I could walk around this city ALL DAY!
Hi Jan! How beautiful! I wouldn’t mind spending a few hours at Bar Diana just pass the time, and maybe some wine 🙂 Then, maybe I’d think about a walk on the sea wall. Probably a bad idea, though. I should probably walk the sea wall first! Thanks for hosting this week. #TPThursday
Yes the sea-walls first is the best idea, then you can stay at the bar indefinitely!
You had me at foot long sandwiches filled with homemade cheeses! And that little shop with the glass bottles in the window! What a great place to explore.
Seductive indeed! I have heard such great things about Sicily and now you have convinced me to visit next year on our Italian trip. Your photos are fabulous. 🙂
Thanks Kathy. I think you will enjoy it.
Looks really nice. Sicily a place we’ve wanted to go to for a while. Love the plazas, actually reminds me a lot of Split (Croatia) where we spent much of last summer.
Frank (bbqboy)
Interesting that you see a similarity Frank, I hadn’t thought about that. I love both places but only spent four days in each.
Wooooooooow! If only I could teleport! I absolutely love the look of the streets and the architecture. Thanks for sharing these fabulous shots!
Thanks Becky, Siracusa has an intriguing history too.
Your photography is always wonderful, and these photos of Siracusa are too! It looks like a lot of it is badly in need of renovations!
Thankfully some of the buildings are finally getting the attention they need Rachel.
Even though I’m sitting in the library as I read this, I had to attempt pronouncing siracusa. It is FABULOUS! 🙂
Ha Ha Krista 🙂
I’m so happy that you tried it!
Wow! These photos are fantastic, Jan. What a beautiful city and I can certainly see the seduction and appeal. I just love those charming street and alley scenes.
Thanks Mary. Siracusa is a very easy, friendly city to explore and very small 🙂
Oh wooow, what a great set of photos that make us want to visit Sicily even more than we already did – and that was a lot! 🙂 Sadly, I am completely unable to roll my Rs so my pronunciation will be far from seductive. Will let your photos do that instead. 🙂
Julia
Sicily is an intriguing destination Julia. I am very much enjoying blogging about it. 🙂
Its does indeed look gorgeous. We’ve always heard great things about Sicily so we definitely have it on our list for our next trip to Italy. These photos are very inspirational !
Siracusa (Ortigia) is one of the more beautiful places in Sicily so be sure to go there.