Stella in Ortigia

Stella in Ortigia’s location, close to the Talete car park at the entrance to Ortigia, is ideal if you’re picking up a car on arrival in Sicily. As Ortigia is a traffic limited zone closed to non-residents, all visitors to the tiny island leave their cars here before making their way to their accommodation.

Syracuse is one of those much sought-after cities where you can intersperse city sightseeing with on-the-beach relaxation. Plan your time carefully to fit in visits to the enthralling Archaeological Park, home to a 5th century BC Greek Theatre and a Roman Amphitheatre, the Duomo and the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia which houses Caravaggio’s the Burial of Saint Lucy. But leave time also for leisurely wandering, through the picturesque Jewish quarter (Giudecca), along the Lungomare, and through the colourful Mercato di Ortigia where you can pick up local specialities such as pistachios from Bronte.

If you have time to venture beyond Syracuse, hop in your car and head for the architectural treasures of Noto, or, a little further away, the magnificent UNESCO heritage towns of Scicli, Modica and Ragusa.

When you’ve absorbed as much history and culture as you can, make tracks for one of Ortigia’s sundecks to soak up the sun and swim, or head south to the beaches at Arenella, Fontane Bianche or the more remote shores of the Vendicari Nature Reserve.