Should I stay in Syracuse or on Ortigia island?<\/strong><\/h3>\nUnderstanding the layout of the city, and the fact that its historic centre is on the separate island of Ortigia, can be confusing at first but it might shape your decision as to where to stay. \u00a0One of Syracuse\u2019s main attractions is the extraordinary archaeological site, which is home to a Greek theatre and Roman amphitheatre and is situated in the northwest of the city rather than on Ortigia.<\/p>\n
However, if you\u2019re looking for atmosphere, you\u2019ll find it in abundance on the island of Ortigia, effectively the pulse of the city. This is the place for wandering, through the maze of narrow streets, past ancient remains and architectural triumphs, or along the seafront. Want a rooftop terrace with sea views?\u00a0 Check in to the gorgeous waterfront Casa a Ortigia<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"Casa](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/M3_2060.jpg\")
Casa a Ortigia, Syracuse – Sicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGetting to Syracuse<\/strong><\/h3>\nFor anyone flying into Catania from the UK, it\u2019s easy to get to Syracuse by bus or train, or just over an hour\u2019s drive if you\u2019re picking up your own car. If you are driving yourself and intend to stay on Ortigia, you need to be aware that it\u2019s a traffic limited zone. The best place to leave the car is in the huge Talete car park at the northern entrance to island. You can walk from the north to the south of the island in about 20 minutes but if you\u2019re planning on day trips outside Syracuse, you may prefer to stay in a property closer to the car park such as at Stella in Ortigia<\/a><\/strong>, a 4-minute walk away.<\/p>\n![\"Stella](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/AM_8683.jpg\")
Stella in Ortigia, Syracuse – Sicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderstanding Syracuse\u2019s history<\/strong><\/h3>\nFounded by the Ancient Greeks, Syracuse was the most important city of Magna Graecia, with the island of Ortigia as its nucleus. The city was home to Archimedes and visited by Plato. Conflicts followed between Greeks and Carthaginians but when the city later became part of the Roman Republic, it once again enjoyed a period of prosperity. In the years that followed, buildings on Ortigia were influenced by the Byzantine, Arabs and Normans.<\/p>\n![\"Ortigia,](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/dji_0053_454_849_27777.jpg\")
Ortigia, Syracuse – Sicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat are the must-see attractions?<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis fascinating blend of cultures and influences is at its most visible in Ortigia\u2019s Piazza del Duomo, one of Italy\u2019s most magnificent piazzas. Syracuse\u2019s Duomo started life as a Greek temple and was adapted by the Byzantines and later the Normans, finally completed in the 18th<\/sup> century. Gaze up at Doric columns from the original Greek temple, Byzantine influences in the arches and the nave, and Norman mosaics.<\/p>\nThe same square is home to the Palazzo Beneventano and the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia which houses Caravaggio\u2019s \u2018Burial of St Lucia\u2019.<\/p>\n
Other highlights include the Fountain of Arethusa, the Maniace Castle which was built by Frederick II of Swabia, and Sicily\u2019s oldest Doric temple, the Temple of Apollo. Set aside a full day for Syracuse\u2019s vast archaeological park.<\/p>\n![\"Piazza](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/siracusa-ortigia-holiday-2.jpg\")
Piazza Duomo in Ortigia, Syracuse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat about beach life?<\/strong><\/h3>\nAfter all that sight-seeing, you\u2019re going to need some time to chill! On Ortigia, choose from several public sundecks where you can soak up the sun and cool off in the sea. To the south of Syracuse, there are beaches at Arenella and Fontane Bianche, and inland, the Cavagrande Nature Reserve, with its clear pools and waterfalls, is a great spot for a refreshing dip. Continuing south towards Portopalo di Capo, the white sand beaches on the edges of the Vendicari Nature Reserve are fringed by wonderfully translucent water.\u00a0On the border of the Reserve you can book one of WishSicily’s most exclusive villas in Sicily Oasivera<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Oasivera,](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/AM_8699.jpg\")
Oasivera, Vendicari Nature Reserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhich are the best towns to visit near Syracuse?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Getting to Syracuse<\/strong><\/h3>\nFor anyone flying into Catania from the UK, it\u2019s easy to get to Syracuse by bus or train, or just over an hour\u2019s drive if you\u2019re picking up your own car. If you are driving yourself and intend to stay on Ortigia, you need to be aware that it\u2019s a traffic limited zone. The best place to leave the car is in the huge Talete car park at the northern entrance to island. You can walk from the north to the south of the island in about 20 minutes but if you\u2019re planning on day trips outside Syracuse, you may prefer to stay in a property closer to the car park such as at Stella in Ortigia<\/a><\/strong>, a 4-minute walk away.<\/p>\nStella in Ortigia, Syracuse – Sicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderstanding Syracuse\u2019s history<\/strong><\/h3>\nFounded by the Ancient Greeks, Syracuse was the most important city of Magna Graecia, with the island of Ortigia as its nucleus. The city was home to Archimedes and visited by Plato. Conflicts followed between Greeks and Carthaginians but when the city later became part of the Roman Republic, it once again enjoyed a period of prosperity. In the years that followed, buildings on Ortigia were influenced by the Byzantine, Arabs and Normans.<\/p>\nOrtigia, Syracuse – Sicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat are the must-see attractions?<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis fascinating blend of cultures and influences is at its most visible in Ortigia\u2019s Piazza del Duomo, one of Italy\u2019s most magnificent piazzas. Syracuse\u2019s Duomo started life as a Greek temple and was adapted by the Byzantines and later the Normans, finally completed in the 18th<\/sup> century. Gaze up at Doric columns from the original Greek temple, Byzantine influences in the arches and the nave, and Norman mosaics.<\/p>\nThe same square is home to the Palazzo Beneventano and the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia which houses Caravaggio\u2019s \u2018Burial of St Lucia\u2019.<\/p>\n
Other highlights include the Fountain of Arethusa, the Maniace Castle which was built by Frederick II of Swabia, and Sicily\u2019s oldest Doric temple, the Temple of Apollo. Set aside a full day for Syracuse\u2019s vast archaeological park.<\/p>\nPiazza Duomo in Ortigia, Syracuse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat about beach life?<\/strong><\/h3>\nAfter all that sight-seeing, you\u2019re going to need some time to chill! On Ortigia, choose from several public sundecks where you can soak up the sun and cool off in the sea. To the south of Syracuse, there are beaches at Arenella and Fontane Bianche, and inland, the Cavagrande Nature Reserve, with its clear pools and waterfalls, is a great spot for a refreshing dip. Continuing south towards Portopalo di Capo, the white sand beaches on the edges of the Vendicari Nature Reserve are fringed by wonderfully translucent water.\u00a0On the border of the Reserve you can book one of WishSicily’s most exclusive villas in Sicily Oasivera<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\nOasivera, Vendicari Nature Reserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhich are the best towns to visit near Syracuse?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Understanding Syracuse\u2019s history<\/strong><\/h3>\nFounded by the Ancient Greeks, Syracuse was the most important city of Magna Graecia, with the island of Ortigia as its nucleus. The city was home to Archimedes and visited by Plato. Conflicts followed between Greeks and Carthaginians but when the city later became part of the Roman Republic, it once again enjoyed a period of prosperity. In the years that followed, buildings on Ortigia were influenced by the Byzantine, Arabs and Normans.<\/p>\nOrtigia, Syracuse – Sicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat are the must-see attractions?<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis fascinating blend of cultures and influences is at its most visible in Ortigia\u2019s Piazza del Duomo, one of Italy\u2019s most magnificent piazzas. Syracuse\u2019s Duomo started life as a Greek temple and was adapted by the Byzantines and later the Normans, finally completed in the 18th<\/sup> century. Gaze up at Doric columns from the original Greek temple, Byzantine influences in the arches and the nave, and Norman mosaics.<\/p>\nThe same square is home to the Palazzo Beneventano and the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia which houses Caravaggio\u2019s \u2018Burial of St Lucia\u2019.<\/p>\n
Other highlights include the Fountain of Arethusa, the Maniace Castle which was built by Frederick II of Swabia, and Sicily\u2019s oldest Doric temple, the Temple of Apollo. Set aside a full day for Syracuse\u2019s vast archaeological park.<\/p>\nPiazza Duomo in Ortigia, Syracuse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat about beach life?<\/strong><\/h3>\nAfter all that sight-seeing, you\u2019re going to need some time to chill! On Ortigia, choose from several public sundecks where you can soak up the sun and cool off in the sea. To the south of Syracuse, there are beaches at Arenella and Fontane Bianche, and inland, the Cavagrande Nature Reserve, with its clear pools and waterfalls, is a great spot for a refreshing dip. Continuing south towards Portopalo di Capo, the white sand beaches on the edges of the Vendicari Nature Reserve are fringed by wonderfully translucent water.\u00a0On the border of the Reserve you can book one of WishSicily’s most exclusive villas in Sicily Oasivera<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\nOasivera, Vendicari Nature Reserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhich are the best towns to visit near Syracuse?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What are the must-see attractions?<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis fascinating blend of cultures and influences is at its most visible in Ortigia\u2019s Piazza del Duomo, one of Italy\u2019s most magnificent piazzas. Syracuse\u2019s Duomo started life as a Greek temple and was adapted by the Byzantines and later the Normans, finally completed in the 18th<\/sup> century. Gaze up at Doric columns from the original Greek temple, Byzantine influences in the arches and the nave, and Norman mosaics.<\/p>\nThe same square is home to the Palazzo Beneventano and the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia which houses Caravaggio\u2019s \u2018Burial of St Lucia\u2019.<\/p>\n
Other highlights include the Fountain of Arethusa, the Maniace Castle which was built by Frederick II of Swabia, and Sicily\u2019s oldest Doric temple, the Temple of Apollo. Set aside a full day for Syracuse\u2019s vast archaeological park.<\/p>\nPiazza Duomo in Ortigia, Syracuse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat about beach life?<\/strong><\/h3>\nAfter all that sight-seeing, you\u2019re going to need some time to chill! On Ortigia, choose from several public sundecks where you can soak up the sun and cool off in the sea. To the south of Syracuse, there are beaches at Arenella and Fontane Bianche, and inland, the Cavagrande Nature Reserve, with its clear pools and waterfalls, is a great spot for a refreshing dip. Continuing south towards Portopalo di Capo, the white sand beaches on the edges of the Vendicari Nature Reserve are fringed by wonderfully translucent water.\u00a0On the border of the Reserve you can book one of WishSicily’s most exclusive villas in Sicily Oasivera<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\nOasivera, Vendicari Nature Reserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhich are the best towns to visit near Syracuse?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The same square is home to the Palazzo Beneventano and the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia which houses Caravaggio\u2019s \u2018Burial of St Lucia\u2019.<\/p>\n
Other highlights include the Fountain of Arethusa, the Maniace Castle which was built by Frederick II of Swabia, and Sicily\u2019s oldest Doric temple, the Temple of Apollo. Set aside a full day for Syracuse\u2019s vast archaeological park.<\/p>\n After all that sight-seeing, you\u2019re going to need some time to chill! On Ortigia, choose from several public sundecks where you can soak up the sun and cool off in the sea. To the south of Syracuse, there are beaches at Arenella and Fontane Bianche, and inland, the Cavagrande Nature Reserve, with its clear pools and waterfalls, is a great spot for a refreshing dip. Continuing south towards Portopalo di Capo, the white sand beaches on the edges of the Vendicari Nature Reserve are fringed by wonderfully translucent water.\u00a0On the border of the Reserve you can book one of WishSicily’s most exclusive villas in Sicily Oasivera<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat about beach life?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Which are the best towns to visit near Syracuse?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Ragusa](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/DJI_0001.jpg\")